2020 line up
Michael O’Neill & Friends
Michael O’Neill is a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer with over three decades of experience at the highest levels of the music industry. Michael has released six CDs as a guitarist/vocalist, with his latest as a collaboration with vocalist/bassist Amin El, simply titled Amin El & Michael O’Neill “Let it All Go.” Michael has composed music for dozens of television shows and scored several films. He has also served as guitarist on hundreds of recordings with such artists as Barbra Streisand, George Benson, Al Jarreau, and Rickie Lee Jones. Michael served as Associate Producer for the George Benson album “Songs and Stories,” which was nominated for the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2010. Through his many and varied experiences, Michael has been blessed with a truly wide perspective on different types of music from all corners of the world, and he brings his unique style to every project he works on. Learn more about Michael and buy his music here.
Munyungo Jackson’s
Jungle Jazz Quartet
Seasoned percussionist, Munyungo Jackson, possesses an ever-increasing collection of instruments with which to execute his craft. In his over 55 years of playing, he has performed with greats such as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Karen Briggs, Kenny Loggins, the Zawinal Syndicate, George Howard, Ronnie Laws, The Temptations, Four Tops, The Supremes, and dozens of others, including numerous ethnic music and dance troupes. Munyungo was born in Los Angeles, California and is the nephew of the legendary singer, Capitol Records artist, Nellie Lutcher. Munyungo has performed on three Grammy Award-winning albums. In addition to his concerts, tours and recording work, Munyungo is one of the co-producers of the Watts Towers Day Of The Drum Festival and the Watts Towers Jazz Festival. Munyungo recently worked on the Smooth Jazz Cruise with Marcus Miller, Boney James, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dolfer, David Sandorn and many others. Munyungo recently released his 2nd album, “Morning Sun.” Learn more about Munyungo and buy his music here.
Sy Smith
ft. The Myron McKinley Trio
You’ve heard her with Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti (Live in Boston & PBS Great Performances). You’ve heard her on the viral video hit “Let’s Stay Together” with the legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo. You’ve heard her poignant self-produced single “Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete” on Stevie Wonder’s Radio Free KJLH in Los Angeles. You may have even seen her early in her career backing artists like Whitney Houston, Brandy, Macy Gray or, later, with The Foreign Exchange or Sheila E. But, if you’ve never seen Sy Smith’s solo performances, you are in for a treat. You don’t want to miss this rare performance as Ms. Sy Smith joins us in August at the 2020 Leimert Park Jazz Festival: The Virtual Experience. Learn more about Sy and buy her music here.
Ian Martin is an accomplished bassist, writer, and producer originally from Toronto, Canada. At age eight, Martin started playing piano, switched to drums, and eventually ended up playing the bass. Martin's accomplished solo career has earned him first-call status with many artists including David Foster, Barry Manilow, and Barbra Streisand.
Myron McKinley is a pianist, producer, songwriter, and film score composer for hit box office films and television shows. Hailing from Los Angeles, he began studying jazz and classical piano at the age of three and attended the University of Southern California. He is currently the music director and keyboardist for Earth Wind & Fire.
Stacey Lamont Sydnor is a drummer, percussionist, music director, producer, songwriter, and composer for Emmy winning TV shows. Born and raised in Crystal Hill, Virginia, Sydnor began playing the snare drums at the age of eleven. He has played every possible genre of music, performing with artists from Hilary Duff to P. Diddy, Alicia Keys and more.
Learn more about The Myron McKinley Trio and buy their music here.
Dwight Trible
Dwight Trible is a singer who combines the best of vocal virtuosity with musicianship and improvisational skills. In addition to performing with his own group, the Dwight Trible Ensemble, Dwight is the vocalist with the Pharoah Sanders Quartet and is also the vocal director for the Horace Tapscott Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. Dwight has worked with such notables as Oscar Brown Jr., Charles Lloyd, Billy Childs, Kenny Burrell, Kenny Garrett, Steve Turre, Harold Land, Harry Belafonte, Della Reese and Norman Conners, John Beasley, Patrice Rushen, Babatunde Lea, Ernie Watts, Kahlil El Zabar, as well as contemporary soul artists like LA Reid and DJ Rogers. Dwight’s collaborations with Horace Tapscott, Billy Higgins, Kamau Daaood and others have produced some of the finest musical moments in Los Angeles! Like his mentors, Dwight is not content to use his music just to entertain people. He uses his music to bring people together, to bridge the gap between the races, and to heal the human heart. He has received numerous awards for his humanitarian efforts. Learn more about Dwight and buy his music here.
Mfuo
(“Groove” in Swahili)