Musician, songwriter and producer, Matthews began his musical training in
high school under the direction of Dr. Joe Miller, where he firmly
recognized his love and appreciation for his piano talents. The magic
poured through his being and the rest meant success. After High School
he attended Vandercook College in Chicago were he majored in education and
decided to teach. After returning to college to further his musical
career he met Susan Brown, a piano instructor, and she began to teach him an
incredible classical piano. Matthews, states that jazz has always been
his first love. Its not too soft and its not too hard, Jazz just
always felt right.
He began performing local gigs around Chicago and the demand for concerts
grew. He's been performing professionally ever since. A tireless
worker when it comes to his unique creativity in music, it could be either
jazz, blues, classical, contemporary, and rhythm/ blues, he has such a
tasteful approach to any style of music he plays. After fine-tuning
every major piano key, it is truly a sensational created work. With
over twenty years professionally he's currently Musical Director,
songwriter, arranger for the legendary IceMan, Jerry Butler. Having
worked and still working with legends, The Impressions, The Chi-Lites, Gene
Chandler, Lloyd Price, Tyrone Davis, Ben E. King, Percy Sledge, Angela
Charles the performances go on. As an accomplished versatile pianist,
Matthews' agenda keeps him busy traveling nationally and internationally to
many concerts and tours worldwide.
A dynamic and versatile musician, David M. Service is acknowledged as one of
the leading bassist in the country. A studio and touring musician,
David plays a vast variety of musical styles such as jazz, blues, R&B,
country western, salsa, calypso, reggae and hip-hop. As N.A.M.M. Show
participant, he has several endorsements (Michael Tobias Designs (Bass), Bartolini Pick Up, SWR AMPS, Dean Markley Strings and Raven Electronics).
Born into a family of musicians(mother, classical pianist, father, jazz
pianist, brother saxophonist and drummer, cousin, pianist and composer)
David began his study of music at a young age, and has attended Prairie
State College, Governor State University and National College of Education.
Big Dave (as he's known on the musical circuit) plays several instruments
(piano, clarinet, sax, and acoustic & electric bass guitar, and has
performed across the United States and abroad playing with notable artists
such as The Dells, Jerry Butler, The Chi-Lites, Albert King, Stevie Wonder,
Nina Simone, Leo Don, Gladys Knight, The Emotions, MFSB Orchestra (Sounds of
Philadelphia), Dionne Warwick, Stanley Turrentine, Harold Melvin & The Blue
Notes, Ray Goodman & Brown, Motown Orchestra, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
and Chicago's Black Ensemble Theater.
Michael Turner started his musical career playing the alto saxophone in
his sophomore year at Chicago Vocational High School. He continued
his musical studies at Grambling State University where he performed in
the World Famed Tiger Marching Band and Jazz Band. He furthers his
career with R&B Soul Legend Otis Clay; where he traveled to different
countries and over 30 different states in this country. Michael
also served his country while playing in the Second Marine Division
Band. Now with the gift, he has been recognized for his soulful
sound and melodious pitch which has turned heads from one place after
another. Michael Turner is fresh, rich, crisp and ready to play
for the world!
Recognized for his work with drums and percussion, Frank Parker has quickly
emerged as a rising talent in the music industry. He has performed with
Patricia Barber, Jerry Butler, The Impressions, Gene Chandler, Billy Paul,
Orbert Davis, Tanya Reed, Peven Everett & Seance Divine, Jump Rhythm Jazz
Project, Kurt Elling Quartet, Ross Bon & The Mighty Blue Kings, 9.9, Ryan
Cohan, Zzaje', Bobbi Wilsyn, The Cerqua Rivera Art Experience, Maggie Brown,
Tammie McCann, , Julia Huff, Nannette Frank, Sachal Vasandani, The New Black
Repertory Jazz Ensemble, Project Stop-Time, Mr. Ali, Bill McFarland, and The
Chicago Jazz Ensemble. He has also worked with ensembles which featured
Benny Carter, Freddie Hubbard, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Roy Hargrove,
Nicholas Payton, Andy Bey, Mark Murphy, Joe Lovano, Bobby Watson, John
Patitucci, Marcus Belgrave, Bobby Broom, Bunky Green, Willie Pickens, Kevin
Mohogany, Karl Denson, Jon Hendricks, Bob Sheppard, Martin Short, Arturo
Sandoval, John Fedchock, Jim Snidero, Herbie Mann, Von Freeman, Chris
Potter, and John Murphy. Frank attended Western Illinois University where he
performed with the Jazz Studio Orchestra. He performed on two recordings
with the band, the Grammy nominated Jazz At The Crossroads (1992) and The
Third Degree (1994). He has performed concerts in the U.S., South America,
Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia and has been featured at the Chicago
Jazz Festival, Sante Fe Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz
Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Pescara Jazz
Festival, and the International Association of Jazz Educators Convention
(IAJE). Frank has also served as an instructor teaching drums, percussion,
and music business courses at Benedictine University and Columbia College.
Currently, Frank spends much of his time composing, arranging, and producing
his original music and music for other artists. His compositions incorporate
jazz, funk, dance, pop, Afro, Latin, dance, and electronic music styles.
Frank Parker can be heard on the following releases: Frank Parker (The
Lounge Sessions Vol. 1), Kurt Elling (Man In The Air), Laurence Hobgood Trio
(Crazy World), Chicago Jazz Ensemble (Kenton a la Russo), Western Illinois
University (Jazz At The Crossroads), Western Illinois University (The Third
Degree), Charles Matthews (Mr. Keys), Joan Callaso/Larry Hanks Trio (Live),
Ryan Cohan (Real World), Bobbi Wilsyn (It’s About Time), Erin McDougald (The
Auburn Collection), Natalia Nazarova (Listen With Your Heart), Brad Wheeler
(The Future Was Yesterday), Orbert Davis (Live with Strings Attached-video),
Andre Harris (Africa), Peven Everett (Gabriel), La Tira (Son de La Tira),
Larry Wilson (Freely), Tanya Reed (The Debut), Shannon Harris (Desperado El
Montuno, Black Asiatic Women).