Staff

Marcus holds a BM in jazz performance from Valdosta State University and MM in trombone performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  Marcus currently lives in Kansas City, MO where he leads his own quintet, 18-piece Big Band and continues to tour with Grammy Nominated vocalist, Janelle Monáe. 

Marcus released his debut CD in 2012 entitled “Facing East” which features a world class line-up including Logan Richardson on Alto Sax, Adam Larson on Tenor Sax, Pablo Masis on Trumpet, Andrea Lewis on Vocals, Sam Harris on Piano, Aidan Carroll on Bass, and Tommy Crane on Drums.  The album was featured in Vogue Magazine as being one the top albums on Janelle Monae’s 2012 Summer Playlist.  Marcus Lewis is currently working on music for a new CD to be released in the fall of 2016.  Marcus Lewis is the Artistic Director of Future Jazz, a nonprofit dedicated to Jazz Education.

Marcus has performed at venues that include the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Klaipeda Jazz Festival in 2003, and the Jimmy Carter Summer Concert Series in 2008.  As a sideman, he has also performed at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the 2010 New Orleans Jazz Fest, the 2011 Glastonbury Festival, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert and the 2012 North Sea Jazz Festival, the Sydney Opera House, and for President Barack Obama at the White House in 2011 and 2012.  Television shows include SNL, David Letterman, The Today Show, Jools Holland, Arsenio Hall, and American Idol.  Marcus was awarded the 2008 Betty Carter Jazz Residency and the 2003 Outstanding Soloist award at the Wichita Jazz Festival.

Some notable artists that Marcus has performed and/or recorded with are Aretha Franklin, Prince, Janelle Monáe, Bruno Mars, B.o.B,  Jidenna, Musiqsoulchild, Avery Sunshine, The Barkays, Confunkshun, and Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players. In addition to an active touring and recording schedule, Marcus stays busy writing, arranging, teaching and leading clinics and master-classes worldwide.

M.F.A. California Institute of the Arts; B.A. The New School

Assistant Director in Jazz Studies, directs Jazz Combo I, teaches jazz improvisation and private lessons in jazz saxophone. Saxophonist Matt Otto studied music performance and composition at Indiana University, Berklee School of Music, The New School for Social Research (BFA) and California Institute of the Arts (MFA). Having lived in Japan for five years, New York City for seven years and Los Angeles for six years, he has performed with a variety of artists including Anthony Wilson, Larry Koonse, Rashid Bakr, Ben Monder, Wada Leo Smith, Willie Jones III, Alan Ferber, Mark Ferber, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Gregory Hutchinson, Charlie Haden, Joe La Barbera, Junior Mance, Leroy Vinegar, Jimmy Smith, Ari Hoenig, Ben Street, Mike Moreno, Danny Weiss, Steve Cardenas, Larry Goldings, Eric Harland, Sheryl Bailey, Darek Oles, Erik McPherson, John Stowell and many others. He currently performs his original compositions with his Kansas City-based quartet. Otto has recorded with the Anthony Wilson Nonet, Joeless Shoe, and 3-ish and has several CDs recorded as a leader on Origin, Noir and Jazz Collective Records. He has also appeared on more than 20 CD projects as a side man. Otto is a member of the Jazz Studies faculty in the KU School of Music.

Hermon Mehari’s anticipated debut album as a leader, “Bleu”, marks a new era in his career. The music covers both the ground of his contemporaries and his own original music in such a way to illustrate his current musical path. “Bleu” includes ECM recording artist Aaron Parks on piano, Blue Note recording artist Logan Richardson on alto saxophone, Peter Schlamb on vibraphone, Ryan J. Lee on drums and Rick Rosato on bass. Mehari was the recent winner of the 2015 Carmine Caruso International Trumpet Competition and a semifinalist in the 2014 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. In 2014 he released the CD “Our Journey” with Diverse, his second with the group. Mehari maintains a touring schedule around the world with his own group and as a sideman. He was the headliner of the 2014 Jazz en Tête Festival in Clermont-Ferrand, France and was featured on the world-renowned saxophonist Bobby Watson’s 2013 release, “Check Cashing Day” cialis oral jelly pris.

Mehari was also the winner of the 2008 National Trumpet Competition and placed 2nd in the International Trumpet Guild competition in Sydney, Australia. As a founding member of Diverse, whose eponymous debut album on Seattle-based Origin Records reached the Top 40 on the Jazzweek Radio Charts, he has performed professionally with noted saxophonists Jaleel Shaw, Logan Richardson, Bobby Watson, and Ben Van Gelder. He has also performed with Joe Sanders, Hubert Laws, Randy Brecker, Tony Tixier, Dave Pietro, Clay Jenkins and many other great musicians. The band Diverse notably shared a double bill with Roy Haynes’ Birds of a Feather band as headliners of the 2008 Gene Harris Jazz Festival.

Hermon Mehari received his BM in Jazz Performance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance in 2010. In addition to performing, he dedicates himself to being a serious educator and has participated in clinics and panels around the world. 

Trumpeter Nate Nall has performed at Kansas City’s most prominent jazz venues, including the Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum and Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. He has been a featured soloist on the nationally syndicated “12th st jump” jazz radio program. and a residency participant in “Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead” performing original music at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center. In 2016, Nall won 2nd place in the distinguished National Trumpet Competition’s Jazz Division.

Other highlights include performing with The Temptations, Michael Feinstein, Bobby Watson’s 18th and Vine Big Band with Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi and KU All Star Big Band, The New York Voices and Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, and Paducah Symphony Orchestra w/ trumpeter Allen Vizzutti. Nate performs regularly around Kansas City with Chris Hazelton Quartet, Clint Ashlock’s New Jazz Order Big Band, the David Basse/Joe Cartwright Septet, and his own group, the Nate Nall Quintet, performing his original compositions and arrangements. Nate is a talented composer and arranger and student of saxophonist Bobby Watson.

When you speak to Eddie Moore you find an ocean of calm, and when you listen to Eddie Moore & The Outer Circle you find the depth of that ocean. Eddie reaches from the soul with every note, in a deep way, with a tension just below the surface. His yearning for exploration and curiosity in music contribute to an ebb and flow freedom of expression, that in result gives to new discovery.

The 2016 Charlotte Street Generative Performing Arts Award recipient formally began his musical journey at Texas Southern University where he earned a Bachelors in Arts in Piano Performance. Raised in Houston, Texas Moore is a lifelong musician traversing a number bands and styles before going back to school to get a Masters in Arts from the University of Missouri-Kansas City under the direction of Jazz Master Bobby Watson.

Diversity and inclusiveness have become to define Moore as an artist. His expansive sensibilities have allowed him to perform and record with such distinctive artist such as Bobby Watson, Pam, Watson, Logan Richardson, Maurice Brown, Krystal Warren, Matt Otto, Brandon Draper, Andre Hayward, Tivon Pennicott, IamNobodi, and Dominique Sanders, and 77 Jefferson.

Nominated as Best Soloist, and Jazz Band (Eddie Moore & The Outer Circle) by Pitch Magazine, Moore’s music is a celebration of the integral differences in musical viewpoints.  His debut album,”The Freedom of Expression”, was given 3.5 stars from Downbeat jazz magazine while reaching national and international acclaim. This album incorporates elements of soul, r&b, and hip-hop into his take on contemporary jazz.  “Moore’s compositions exude a sophisticated soulful elegance that create a tastefully fulfilling venture into a range of dynamic pieces, with the musicianship to match.” – Downbeat Magazine

In 2016, Moore released his third album with The Outer Circle, “Kings & Queens,” under Ropeadope Records.  “Kings and Queens” is a 3-part suite inspired by African-American history. The first movement goes back centuries to a time when African-American ancestors were literally kings and queens on their continent. Moore’s forward-thinking sounds are part of the rich continuum of African-American music that continues to be imbued with indigenous African elements. The Outer Circle’s remarkable sensitivity and cohesive interplay reflect an unflinching groove. “Kings & Queens” has been featured in varied publications such as Jazziz Magazine, The Jazz Ambassadors Magazine, The Pitch KC, and NextBop.

Ben was born in Topeka, KS to a musical family. He began his study of music early in life and began playing the electric bass at age 14. He studied rigorously throughout high school and eventually picked up the upright bass at age 17. Ben studied the bass and composition at the UMKC conservatory of music under the tutelage of Bobby Watson. He has worked locally and across the world as part of the group Diverse which was formed at UMKC with peers Hermon Mehari and Ryan Lee. Ben has studied intensively with bassist Curtis Lundy and has studied and performed with master drummer Michael Carvin. After spending a year in New York, Ben moved back to Kansas City and refocused his efforts at studying music and devoting himself to the thriving local scene he performs regularly with Diverse and a hardcore Americana project with Megan Birdsall called MBIRD who has a record coming out in late 2015. He is also pursuing a career in medicine and hopes to be able to have a dual career with these two diverse interests.

Peter Schlamb is a vibraphonist based in Kansas City, MO. He recently released his debut album “Tinks” and maintains a busy schedule performing locally, nationally and internationally. Peter spent several years in New York where he attended and graduated from New School University. During his time in New York, Peter recorded and performed with artists including David Binney, Mike Moreno, and Ben van Gelder. Peter currently leads the group Electric Tinks and is a member of the Ben van Gelder Quintet as well as frequently performing with several other ensembles.

Few words describe the soaring talent of Ryan J. Lee. He’s young, vibrant, positive and one of the most versatile drummers living in Kansas City Missouri today. From jazz to gospel, drums to piano, drum instructor to drum manufacturer, Ryan has made an impact on the music scene locally, nationally and internationally. Only in his early 20’s, he is continuously performing with numerous well-known jazz and gospel artist today. Ryan attended the University of Missouri Kansas City where he studied jazz performance under the direction of Robert “Bobby” Watson. Ryan is well known for his affiliations with the young and talented jazz group Diverse. In 2008 Diverse won the Gene Harris Jazz Competition and was awarded a record deal with Origin Records. Since then Diverse has traveled world wide sharing their music and gaining much in return from those experiences and opportunities. Ryan is known for his attributes to jazz in Kansas City but plays many other styles as well. Some of his shared stage appearances were with artists such as Sean Jones, Steve Cardenas, Wycliffe Gordon, Greg Gisbert, Lynda Randle, Debra Lee, Logan Richardson, Randy Brecker, Jaleel Shaw, the Kansas City Symphony and many more. In 2011 he was District Champion and competed at regionals in the Guitar Center Drum Off. Ryan is not only a great drummer, but also a composer with a great spirit. He takes pride and joy in helping others understand what it means to be a musician. It’s more than just his playing; it’s his character. Ryan stands firmly on that principle and is devoted to making that message sing through his music.

Brian Steever is a drummer on a mission to inject joy into every musical situation that he finds himself.  The drums have been his passion since he was born. He began his studies with Loyd Warden in Columbia Missouri and is an alumnus of UMKC where he was fortunate enough to study with Doug Auwarter, Brandon Draper, Curtis Lundy, Michael Carvin and Bobby Watson.  Brian enjoys many performance opportunities in the Kansas City area and beyond.  He can be seen around town with Mike Metheny, Matt Otto, Bob Bowman, Jeff Harshbarger, and Hermon Mehari.  Brian has also had opportunity to play with musicians from all over the world including Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Javon Jackson, Deborah Brown, Bob Sheppard, Jerry Dodgion, Tony Tixier, Shunzo Ohno, Frank Basile, Roger Rosenberg, and Sam Newsome among others.

John has performed with a wide range of artists and groups including  Aretha Franklin, Doc Severinsen, Matt Wilson, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Logan Richardson, Clark Terry, New York Voices, Ana Gasteyer, Conspirare, Shirley Jones,  DJ Starscream, and the Des Moines Symphony.  He is a frequent guest performer and clinician at percussion and jazz festivals throughout the midwest, including Texas, Iowa, and Nebraska Days of Percussion; Tallcorn, Cherokee, and Iowa City Jazz Festivals. In 2013, John was a featured artist along with with TOCA artist Jamal Mohamed and Marimba One artist Matthew Coley at the PASIC convention. He is also an active composer and arranger, and his works have been featured by many award winning music programs including the 2013 State Jazz champion Waukee High School Jazz Ensemble, Lake Central High School Band, several DCI Drum Corps, and the University of Texas percussion ensemble. As an educator, John has served as an adjunct faculty member at Drake University, Grinnell College, and Northwest Missouri State University.  He currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri with his wife Nicole and son Evan.