The King Beez
Fri. & Sat., January 5 & 6, 2018 9:30 PM – 2:00 AM
Horseshoe Casino – Tunica Main Stage
1021 Casino Center Drive Robinsonville, Mississippi 38664 USA
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The house band at B.B. King’s, this Memphis-based funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://thekingbeez.com/) brings unique their blend of sweet soul oldies and classic old school r&b to the Horseshoe stage! Led by former Stylistics lead singer, Ricky Adkisson, and r&b doctor, Solomon McDaniel, this cadre of heavyweights comprised of former Albert King, Aretha Franklin, Count Basie, and Artie Shaw bandmembers, is guaranteed to move your booty and keep you falling in love all night long! Ricky Adkisson (lead vocals), Charlton Johnson (gtr.), Solomon McDaniel (keys), Lafayette Adair (drums), James Jackson (bass), Mike Krepper (tenor sax), and Ray Zepeda (soprano/tenor saxes).
Takeshi Asai Trio
with Special Guest, Ray Zepeda
Sat., January 13, 2018 10:00 PM – 12:00 midnight
b flat
277 Church Street New York, New York 10013 USA
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New York pianist, Takeshi Asai (http://www.takeshiasai.com), leads his hard-swinging trio with his refined touch in his residency at this Japanese-themed TriBeCa jazz haunt (http://bflat.info/) featuring Bob Gingery (http://www.bobgingery.com) on bass, Michael Vitali (http://michaelvitalimusic.com/bio/) on drums, and special guest from Los Angeles, Ray Zepeda on saxophone! Fine Japanese food and spirits abound in this upscale intimate downstairs Lower Manhattan performance space!
Memphis Jazz Orchestra
Sun., January 28, 2018 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Alfred’s on Beale
197 Beale Street Memphis, Tennessee 38103 USA
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Memphis’s premier 17-piece big band, led by Mike Krepper, takes the stage every Sunday evening here in the heart of the Beale Street entertainment district mixing the swing-era hits for your ballroom dancing pleasure with the modern arrangements of today to bend your ears while you dine in this celebrity hangout for Michael Jordan, Evander Hollyfield, Justin Timberlake, Cortez Kennedy, Reese Witherspoon, John Entwhistle, Ryan Phillipe, 3 Six Mafia, and various NBA players! Located in the shadow of the FedEx Forum, home of the Memphis Grizzlies, Alfred’s (http://www.alfredsonbeale.com/) houses the largest collection of gold records in the United States. This collection is complemented by a wide ranging collection of Elvis photos.
Sunday Brunch with Joyce Cobb
Special Guest, Ray Zepeda
Sun., February 4, 2018 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Bosco’s Restaurant & Brewing Co.
2120 Madison Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38104 USA
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Legendary Memphis vocalist and radio personality, Joyce Cobb (http://www.memphissound.com/memphis-bands/joyce-cobb/), and friends offer up an energetic mix of jazz and Americana at this upscale Midtown eatery (http://www.boscosbeer.com/) every Sunday. Enjoy an epicurean American brunch and full bar menu while Joyce and company, along with special guest from Los Angeles, Ray Zepeda on saxophone, feed your ears with tasteful renderings from the Great American Songbook, standard jazz repertory, the hits from the Stax and Sun books, and American roots music.
E&H Trio with Ray Zepeda
Sun., February 11, 2018 8:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Earnestine & Hazel’s
531 South Main Street Memphis, Tennessee 38103 USA
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Ray Zepeda joins veteran bassist, Carl Caspersen, and his stalwart trio featuring George “G-Smoove” Taylor (drums) in a Sunday night offering of selections from the standard jazz repertoire at this classic Memphis jukejoint in the South Main District ( http://earnestineandhazelsjukejoint.com/) that is home to the famous “Soul Burger”. The trio and special guests present a wide array of interpretations of from the traditional to the modern here every Sunday evening.
Nygel Yancey with Special Guest, Ray Zepeda
Fri., February 16, 2018 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Yazoo Pass
207 Yazoo Avenue Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614 USA
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Ray Zepeda joins Memphis rising-star drummer, Nygel Yancey, and company as they walk the straight-ahead path through the standard jazz repertoire at this espresso bar/bistro/bakery right in the heart of downtown Clarksdale (https://lewisconsultation.com/yazoopass/)! An array of espresso drinks and premium beers complement an epicurean selection of fine dinner entrees and small plates.
Carl Maguire Quartet
Thurs., February 22, 2018 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM
Trezevant Manor
177 North Highland Street Memphis, Tennessee 38111 USA
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Up and coming Memphis drummer, Carl Maguire (http://www.themaguiretwins.com/bio1.html), leads his hard-swinging foursome at this idyllic Midtown community (http://www.trezevantmanor.org/). Ray Zepeda from Los Angeles rounds out the rhythm section on saxophone.
Stephen M. Lee Quintet – featuring Grammy Award-Winning Drummer, Ulysses Owens, Jr.
Sat., February 24, 2018 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Hutchinson School 1740 Ridgeway Road Memphis, Tennessee 38119 USA
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Jazz Omega Productions presents a special one-night-only performance by one of the most sought-after drummers of his generation. From GRAMMY-award winning performances with Christian McBride’s acclaimed Trio and Big Band to world tours with Kurt Elling and Joey Alexander, Owens’s artistic command of percussion has earned him positions in some of the most successful jazz ensembles of the 21st century. His performance catalog includes collaborations with Nicholas Payton, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, Dianne Schuur, Russell Malone, Renee Fleming and Mulgrew Miller just to name a few. A burgeoning force in the industry, Owens has been named a Rising Star by DownBeat’s Critics Poll for five years straight. He is a recipient of the 2013 ASCAP Plus Award, a gold medal winner of the 2014 Global Music Awards, and a 2015 Jazz at Lincoln Center Swing Award honoree. Still, most notable of Owens’s accomplishments are his performances on the 2010 GRAMMY-award winning Kurt Elling live album, Dedicated to You, and the 2012 GRAMMY-award winning Christian McBride Big Band album, The Good Feeling. His work with Joey Alexander and the Christian McBride Trio has also received recognition by the Academy, garnering GRAMMY nominations for My Favorite Things, Out Here, and Live at the Village Vanguard. Owens is joined by Steve Lee (piano), Sylvester Sample (bass), Gary Topper (tenor sax), Johnny Yancy (tpt.), and Ray Zepeda (alto sax). Tickets: $25
Mind, Body, & Soul – “Cruizin-4-Charity”
2nd Annual Streets of Bakersfield Cruizin Shine
Sat., March 17, 2018 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Downtown Bakersfield
Main Stage
19th Street & Chester Avenue Bakersfield, California 93301 USA
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This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com) plays in support of this worthy cause for the local community (https://www.cruizin4charity.com/)! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty to raise much-needed funds for local charities such as Kern County Honor Flight, Mendiburu Magic Foundation, Kern County National Honor Guard, Boys & Girls Club of Kern County, and D.B.D.C. This year’s 3-day car show event is presented by KUZZ!. Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Justin Kirk (tbn.), Brent Williams (tpt.), Ray Zepeda (sax), and friends.
Carl & Alan Maguire Quintet – CD Release
Levitt Shell’s 5 Fridays of Jazz
Fri., April 6, 2018 6:30 PM
Memphis Central Library
3030 Poplar Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38111 USA
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The Tokyo-born Maguire Twins (http://www.themaguiretwins.com/bio1.html), Memphis’s youngest guns, celebrate the release of their latest CD, Seeking Higher Ground, in a special performance as part of Levitt Shell’s “5 Fridays of Jazz” series! Fresh out of the University of Tennessee, drummer Carl Maguire and bassist Alan Maguire are joined by veterans, Ray Zepeda from Los Angeles on saxophone, Scott Thompson on trumpet, and Alvie Givhan on piano.
The King Beez with Ray Zepeda
Sat., April 21, 2018 149 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 544-9103
Website: cadrebuilding.com
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The house band at B.B. King’s, this Memphis-based funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://thekingbeez.com/) with a “star” on the Beale Street walk of fame brings unique their blend of sweet soul oldies and classic old school r&b to the Cadre Building in Downtown Memphis at 2nd Street and Madison! Led by former Stylistics lead singer, Ricky Adkisson, and r&b doctor, Solomon McDaniel, this cadre of heavyweights comprised of former Albert King, Aretha Franklin, Count Basie, and Artie Shaw bandmembers, is guaranteed to move your booty and keep you falling in love all night long! Ricky Adkisson (lead vocals), Charlton Johnson (gtr.), Solomon McDaniel (keys), Lafayette Adair (drums), James Jackson (bass), Mike Krepper (tenor sax), and Ray Zepeda (soprano/tenor saxes).
Viento Jazz Orchestra – 32nd Annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival
Fri., April 27, 2018; 6:00 pm, 7:45 pm, 8:55 pm
California State University, Bakersfield
9001 Stockdale Highway; Bakersfield, California 93311; USA
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Led by Musical Director and trumpeter, Jorge Luis Santos, this 17-piece Latin jazz orchestra brings its infectious rhythms to the Bakersfield Jazz Festival (http://www.bakersfieldjazzfest.com/) for the first time featuring a stellar lineup of master musicians from Los Angeles and the Bakersfield area. In addition to Santos (trumpet, vocals), the group features vocalist Juan Gonzalez and background vocalists Kitty “Saints” Mineros and Sonia Serrano, with pianist Tony Rinaldi, bassist Jay Jay Hicks, trumpeter Brent Williams, trombonists Tony Aguilar and Omar Murrillo, and saxophonists John Calo, James Russell (tenor), and Ray Zepeda (flute, alto sax); along with Jonathan Ulises Lujano (timbales) and Louie Pola (congas) and more!
Downstairs Sessions
with Dave Maciel and friends
Sun., April 29, 2018 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Downstairs Bar – 900 Club
900 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, California 90266; USA
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Ray Zepeda is among the Special Guest this week on flute and alto sax with a lineup of established and rising artists led by bassist/guitarist/vocalist, Dave Maciel, at this exclusive Manhattan Beach social club featuring live music every Sunday night! You never know who will drop in!
SJ Orchestra
Fri., May 4, 2018; 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Village at Germantown
7820 Walking Way Horse Circle; Germantown, Tennessee 38138; USA
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This Memphis big band led by trumpeter Johnny Yancey rolls into this posh Memphis suburb swinging the classic hits from the 40s to today with Ray Zepeda on tenor saxophone!
Decades (Webster’s Unabridged)
Thurs., May 31, 2018 at 9:00 PM at Holder Hall / Fri, June 1, 2018 at 11:45 AM at U-Store
Princeton University – Fifth Reunions
Princeton, New Jersey 08542: USA
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L.A.’s premier horn band, Decades, led by Bill Webster rocks the Princeton reunions again this year with your classic rock and swing favorites with Leigh Vance on lead vocals and Ray Zepeda on tenor saxophone!
Mind, Body, & Soul
Fri. & Sat., June 8 & 9, 2018 9:00 PM – 12 midnight
Thunder Valley Casino & Resort
1200 Athens Avenue; Lincoln, California 95648; USA
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Sac-town peeps! This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com/) rolls on to the Casino Main Stage to keep the party going all night! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all night long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Kenny Harrison (tpt.), Ray Zepeda (tenor sax), Tom Keel (tbn.), Lamar Brooks (drums), and Special Guests.
Mind, Body, & Soul
Sat., June 16, 2018; 8:00 PM – 11:00 pm
The Mark
1623 19th Street
Bakersfield, California 93301; USA
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This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com/) rolls into this upscale Downtown Bakersfield establishment for your Saturday night funk-out! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all night long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Christian Faulkner (gtr.), Lamar Brooks (drums), Brent Williams (tpt.), Tom Keel (tbn.), and Ray Zepeda (tenor sax).
Mind, Body, & Soul
Fri. & Sat., July 13 & 14, 2018; 8:00 PM – 11:00 pm
The Mark
1623 19th Street
Bakersfield, California 93301; USA
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This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com/) takes over this upscale Downtown Bakersfield establishment for an entire weekend! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all night long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Christian Faulkner (gtr.), Lamar Brooks (drums), Brent Williams (tpt.), Tom Keel (tbn.), and Ray Zepeda (tenor sax).
X-Man Duo – San Jose Jazz Festival
Charles Xavier with Ray Zepeda
Sun., August 12, 2018
The Fairmont Hotel
170 South Market Street
San Jose, California 95113; USA
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L.A.-based saxophonist, Ray Zepeda, joins Bay Area drummer/percussionist and electronica iconoclast, Charles Xavier, for a “jazz beyond” afternoon of fresh electronic tracks and free improvisation at the marquis hotel for the San Jose Jazz Festival.
Mind, Body, & Soul – Labor Day Weekend Funk Out – Part 1
Fri., August 31, 2018 at 9:00 PM
Sweet Springs Saloon
990 Los Osos Valley Road; Los Osos, California 93402; USA
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This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com) heads up the Central Coast to kick start your Labor Day weekend! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all night long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Christian Faulkner (gtr./voc.), Jorge Santos (tpt.), and Ray Zepeda (tenor sax), and Special Guests.
Mind, Body, & Soul – Labor Day Weekend Funk Out – Part 2
Sat., September 1, 2018 at 9:00 PM
Frog & Peach Pub
728 Higuera Street; San Luis Obispo, California 93401; USA
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This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com) remains on the Central Coast to continue your Labor Day weekend! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all night long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Christian Faulkner (gtr./voc.), Jorge Santos (tpt.), and Ray Zepeda (tenor sax), and Special Guests.
Composing Tomorrow – Concert 1
With New Century IMPROV! Ensemble
Tues., October 16, 2018
8:00 PM
Pitman Recital Hall – Catlett Music Center – University of Oklahoma
500 West Boyd Street
Norman, Oklahoma 73069 USA
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Included on this program is the New Century IMPROV! Ensemble under the direction of composer, Zach Daniels – an innovative 10-member collective of “downtown” composers and multi-instrumentalists specializing in indeterminacy, chance operations, and improvisation. The IMPROV will be performing world premieres of Zach Daniels’s Number Theory and Bryce Moody’s Yes! And…
Ensemble personnel: Nikki Anderson (piano, voice), Zach Daniels (director), Jacob Frost (guitars, voice), Mitchell Highfill (trumpet, voice), Benjamin Krumwiede (synthesizers, voice), Jake Parker-Howe (Moog werkstatt, voice), Bryce Moody (clarinet, bassoon, voice), Jordan Wimmer (piano), Carsen Young (stylophone, voice), and Ray Zepeda (alto saxophone, flute, voice).
New Century IMPROV! Ensemble
Spooky Improv Show
Wed., October 31, 2018; 7:00 PM
Beaird Lounge – Oklahoma Memorial Union – University of Oklahoma
900 Asp Avenue
Norman, Oklahoma 73019 USA
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Under the direction of composer, Zach Daniels, this innovative 10-member collective of “downtown” composers and multi-instrumentalists offers an adventurous program of indeterminacy, chance operations, and improvisation including the world premieres of Jake Parker-Howe’s Spooky Funtime, Benjamin Krumwiede’s Improv for A# Pencil, and Jordan Wimmer’s It’s Just a Game! Also works by Alan Courtis and a “Spooky Improv” to kick off your Hallowe’en! Costumes and candy welcome!
Ensemble personnel: Nikki Anderson (piano), Zach Daniels (director, theremin), Jacob Frost (guitars, voice, pumpkin), Mitchell Highfill (trumpet, pencil sharpener), Benjamin Krumwiede (synthesizers), Jake Parker-Howe (Moog werkstatt, pumpkin), Bryce Moody (clarinet, bassoon, game electronics), Jordan Wimmer (piano, oscillating fan), Carsen Young (stylophone, hand percussion), and Ray Zepeda (alto saxophone, flute, hand percussion).
New Century Ensemble
With New Century IMPROV! Ensemble
Fri., November 16, 2018; 8:00 PM
Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall – Catlett Music Center
University of Oklahoma
500 West Boyd Street
Norman, Oklahoma 73069 USA
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Under the direction of composer, Marvin Lamb, this collective of master instrumentalists performs the music of Marvin Lamb (featuring Jonathan Nichol, tenor saxophone), Jennifer Barker (featuring Elizabeth Wolfrey, flute), and Cody Criswell’s beautifully evocative work, Phantom Limbs (featuring Ray Zepeda, clarinet; Ethan Hicks, bass clarinet; and percussionists D.J. Handy and Gus Echols). The New Century Ensemble is joined by the New Century IMPROV! Ensemble on Terry Riley’s seminal work, In C.
Jay Smith Group
Jazz Fusion Weekend
Fri., November 23, 2018; 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The Mark
1623 19th Street
Bakersfield, California 93301; USA
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/eAzuKZu7ifF2
Bakersfield iconoclastic keyboardist, Jay Smith (http://www.jaysmithgroup.com), leads an All-Star quintet of Bakersfield heavyweights through the classics of the fusion and jazz repertoire as well as original material from his last two albums. Come downtown and shake off the post-Thanksgiving turkey coma with Jay Smith (keyboards), Fernando Montoya (bass), Cesareo Garasa (drums), Justin Kirk (tbn.), and Ray Zepeda (tenor sax)!
New Century IMPROV! Ensemble
Anything Can Happen
Fri., November 30, 2018
4:00 PM
Pitman Recital Hall – Catlett Music Center – University of Oklahoma
500 West Boyd Street
Norman, Oklahoma 73069 USA
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Under the direction of composer, Zach Daniels, this innovative 10-member collective of “downtown” composers and multi-instrumentalists offers an adventurous program of indeterminacy, chance operations, and improvisation including the world premiere of Ray Zepeda’s 7-Game Series for Solo Alto Saxophone and Indeterminate Chamber Ensemble featuring spinning wheels and EDM rhythmic underpinnings based on Milton Babbitt’s Whirled Series!
Also works by Alan Courtis, Rodney Waschka II, Michael Boyd, Andrea Andric, Chin Ting Chen, and Ensemble composers Benjamin Krumwiede and Nikki Anderson.
Ensemble personnel: Nikki Anderson (piano), Zach Daniels (director, electric bass, drum machine programming, synthesizers, melodica, theremin, strings), Jacob Frost (guitars, voice, computer, printer), Mitchell Highfill (trumpet, pencil sharpener), Benjamin Krumwiede (piano, synthesizers), Jake Parker-Howe (Moog werkstatt, spinning wheels), Bryce Moody (clarinet, ocarina, hand percussion, bassoon, melodica), Jordan Wimmer (piano, oscilating fan, analog clock), Carsen Young (stylophone, synthesizers), and Ray Zepeda (soprano and alto saxophones, flute, piccolo).
Webster’s Unabridged
Fri., December 7, 2018; 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Palos Verdes Country Club “Breakfast Club”
3301 Via Campesina; Palos Verdes Estates, California 90274; USA
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L.A.’s hippest big band, led by Bill Webster, rolls into this exclusive enclave swinging the hits of every decade from the 40s to today with Leigh Vance and Danny Freyer on vocals and Ray Zepeda on saxophone!
Mind, Body, & Soul
Sat., December 22, 2018 at 9:00 PM
Hermosa Saloon
211 South Pacific Coast Highway; Hermosa Beach, California 90254; USA
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This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com/) returns to their familiar South Bay haunt! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all night long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Kenny Harrison (tpt.), Mariel Austin (tbn.), Ray Zepeda (tenor sax), and Farid Zarif (perc.).