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.

Dr. Ryan Heinlein is an Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Music, Theater and Record Arts department at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas where he conducts the jazz and concert bands. He holds degrees in trombone performance from Wichita State University and the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Ryan serves as the jazz education advisor to the Kansas Music Educator’s Association and is a highly sought after adjudicator and clinician.

Ryan remains an active performer around the Midwest. His versatility has allowed him to play with groups such as the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, the Marcus Lewis Big Band, The Northland Symphony, Michael Feinstein, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, the Buckinghams, the Four Tops and Frankie Negron. Ryan has also released four recordings of original music with his group, The Project H.

Ryan is a Conn-Selmer endorsing artist.

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.

As a jazz musician, Joel recorded and released a full-length album with Kansas City-based jazz quintet, the Matt Cook Collective entitled “Along Those Lines.”  As a part of the Collective, Joel has traveled throughout the Midwest not only playing at regional venues, but also putting on free educational clinics for hundreds of public school students.  As well, Joel leads his own “chordless” quartet of two saxophones, bass, and drums: the Happy Habitat. The group has featured several top young saxophonists including Adam Larson.  Joel has performed with with many other jazz and modern groups around the KC Metro including the Drew Williams Big Band, Legerdemain, Lost Wax Band, Marcus Lewis Big Band (Brass and Boujee), Moon City Big Band, Patrick Lentz Band, St. Joe Big Band, and Vine Street Rumble.  Most recently, Joel has assembled the Northland Big Band, performing regularly “North of the River” in the KC Metro and featuring many professional musicians and educators from the area. Joel studied jazz improvisation with Tim AuBuchon and Matt Otto; additional instructors include Bob Long and Neil Ostercamp.  Additionally, Joel was admitted and attend the week-long residential David Liebman Saxophone Masterclass.

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.