Myles Tate, III is a pianist hailing from the windy city herself; Chicago, IL. With roots in Gospel, Blues, and Soul music, his approach to the craft is simple: Play from the soul and touch all the souls who are listening. Having studied jazz piano at Roosevelt University (Chicago) and Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) he has been carrying out his plan to affect as many listeners as possible. Myles began his musical journey at 6 years old picking up drumsticks and beginning to play drums at his church. At the age of 12 he moved on to piano and Hammond B-3 organ which was fueled by his desire to play jazz and his desire began to become satisfied when he joined his Jr. high school band. It was as this point that Myles would find himself playing more piano than any of the other instruments he was learning to play. He began to win awards for improvisation throughout Jr. high and his high school career. In 1996 he took first chair piano for jazz at the Illinois Music Educators Association Conference, South Inter-Conference Association Conference, and he took third chair for the Music Educator's National Conference while winning second place for improvisation at the MENC. He repeated his performance in his senior year in high school except he took first chair piano for jazz at the MENC and got second place for original composition. Moving on to college Myles had the pleasure of studying with Eddie Baker (Roosevelt) and Rick Roe(MSU) and has had the opportunity to play with greats such as: Rodney Whitaker,Wycliffe Gordon, Orbert Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Nicole Mitchell, Corey Wilkes, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Lemmie Battles, Tiaybe, Baritone, Harvey Mason, Monifah, Al Haig, Slum Village, Dwele, Big Daddy Kane and others who have tremendously affected the music industry. And now Myles has stepped out and formed his own group named Myles Tate and The Alliance. Myles has since relocated to Dallas as of 2012 and has been touching his new listeners just as he touched his Chicago listeners. Enjoy the experience of Myles Tate. Myles is also an educator in music committed to sharing the information he has been taught with any student or colleague who is willing to listen.His teaching career has spanned over 15 years having taught from pre-k all the way through college level music. Myles currently teaches band for Music Learning Band of Forney, TX and elementary music for Holy Trinity Catholic School in Dallas Tx. Musicianship is very important in this craft and Myles stresses that in his teaching. His educational philosophy is: 'It's not enough to know how to do something; but why you are doing it and being able to explain how you do it.' 'Education mixed with raw talent creates excellence in the craft.'-
Since moving from Canada to get his master’s degree at UNT, Peter Rioux has become one of the most sought-after musicians in North Texas. A dynamic pianist and expert on the roots of jazz and blues piano, Peter draws on that rich lineage to permeate his playing every time he touches the keyboard. Called a “piano phenom,” he leads his own trio at various venues like The Balcony Club and The Free Man and often accompanies Tatiana Mayfield on her own group projects.
Rebecca Cordes is a classically trained pianist, jazz musician, composer/arranger, teacher, and band leader who has been active on the Dallas music scene for over 10 years. Uniquely skilled to play both classical literature and contemporary styles, Rebecca performs in a variety of settings throughout the Dallas area with her quartet, The Plus One Jazz Group. Her artistic approach reflects her love of all types of music and the correlation of seemingly different styles. This often results in eclectic programming and distinctive compositions and arrangements, but always with the same result — good music. As a composer, Rebecca has collaborated with writer/lyricist David Parr on two original works for theater and participated in a showcase that programmed original choreography to two of her jazz compositions. Along with performances at the Sammons Center, she often works as a classical accompanist and chamber musician.
A multi-talented musical artist, producer, educator, arranger, composer, radio broadcaster, and author, Roger Boykin began his musical career in 1955, playing guitar in a blues band while still in high school. He has worked in just about every area of music including: blues, jazz, gospel, and rhythm & blues. He started his own record label, Soultex Records, in 1967 and has produced numerous singles and albums. He currently works as an educator and radio DJ. He is a sought after jazz musician and plays multiple instruments including Piano, Saxophone and Guitar. He served as the Artistic Director of the Sammons Jazz series from 1997 to 1999. He has been a driving force behind the jazz music industry in Dallas going back to the Woodman Auditorium and The Recovery Room and was part of the circle of musicians who popularized the “Texas Tenor” style made famous by players such as David “Fathead” Newman and Marchel Ivery.
Shaun Martin has performed, created, and collaborated for most of his life, but his own description of his latest release, Seven Summers, is perhaps the best description of his fresh and innovative style: “As I grew over the last seven years, I experienced so much and I wanted to translate that through the music and lyrics.” His natural gift became evident when he started playing drums at the age of four, followed shortly by piano lessons. Despite winning several Grammys® from work with gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin and jazz fusion phenomenon Snarky Puppy and performing with Yolanda Adams, Timberland, and other well-known artists, Shaun is humble and committed to giving back. He says, “If you give talented people a chance, there’s no stopping them.”
Tony Palos began playing the piano in 1967 at the age of 8 and studied at the University of North Texas Jazz Studies program. Tony has been active as a professional musician since 1976 and has been fortunate enough to perform with such legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Gregg Bissonette, Simon Phillips and Clark Terry. He has also performed at the North Sea and Montreaux jazz festivals. He has been co-leading his jazz fusion group First Take Electric Jazz, along with his wife Tina on trumpet since 1995. He has been active in the North Texas area as a freelance musician since 1988
Willie Lawrence Stewart Jr. Is the son of Rev. Willie Sr. & Beatrice Stewart born in Dallas Tx. Sept.6 1951!
Willie Stewart started in music, playing the guitar at five years old, then graduating on to the keyboards, and at the age of 16 played on different gospel artist albums at the time living in Denver Colorado. A former college semi pro basketball player has played for and produced numerous gospel artists, composed and written several gospel projects from the early 70s to current! He has several releases including latest instrumentals on all digital networks, including Spotify, iTunes, and Apple Music, Amazon, and etc.
