Berkeley Agency - Roster of Artists

Eddie Daniels Quartet Clearly a Renaissance musician---a virtuoso of both jazz and classical clarinet---Eddie Daniels demonstrates that in the hands of a master, Mozart is as accessible to jazz lovers as the music of Charlie Parker. His vision is to enlarge the audience for both jazz and classical music by tearing down the walls separating the two genres. "A thoroughly well-bred demon," as Leonard Bernstein once said.

Marlena Shaw Quartet The first female vocalist signed by Blue Note Records in 1972, has never strayed far from her jazz roots. A former singer with the Count Basie Orchestra, "she swings with ease and authority, has a mastery of space and timing . . .[and] every phrase she utters has a delightfully improvisatory feel,' notes critic Richard Chon. She has the ability to highlight the dramatic possibilities of the simplest lyric. Her sassy, humorous onstage presence is as entertaining as her singing

Toshiko Akiyoshi Trio Toshiko Akiyoshi's unique contributions to the jazz world have evolved through a series of events that started with a piano-loving little Japanese girl in Manchuria. She was discovered by pianist Oscar Peterson in 1952 playing jazz at a club in Tokyo. Oscar brought her to the States to study at Berkelee in 1956 her talent brought her to prominence as an unparalleled pianist, composer and leader. Akiyoshi draws on Japanese musical traditions, adding hypnotic, Eastern atmosphere and swirling textures to traditional jazz figures Considered one of today’s top jazz pianists, she has received over 13 Grammy nominations for her compositions and arrangements.

Toshiko Akiyoshi awarded Jazz Master Award from the NEA.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet The Brubeck Brothers are an exciting new jazz group that has been playing together all their lives. If there is such a thing as "born musicians," then the accomplished sons of famed jazz pianist Dave Brubeck definitely qualify. The talented brothers, Dan on drums, and Chris on trombone & bass, have brought audiences to their feet all over the world, creating dynamic music that gives a glimpse of the future of jazz, while honoring their background, so rich in the tradition of innovative jazz.

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are considered one of the top swing and jump blues bands in the country. The sultry vocals of chanteuse Lavay Smith and her all star 8-piece band, perform a large repertoire of classics by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Louis Jordan. They are an instant recipe for good times.

Lew Tabackin Flutist and tenor saxophonist, is an artist of astonishing vision. His electrifying flute playing is at once virtuosic, primordial, cross-cultural, and passionate. His distinctive tenor sax style includes the use of wide intervals, abrupt changes of mood and tempo, and purposeful fervor, all in the service of showing the full range of possibilities of his instrument – melodically, rhythmically, and dynamically. Without copying or emulating jazz greats of the past, Mr. Tabackin has absorbed elements into his style, ultimately creating his own sound and aura.

The Cookers A dream team of forward-leaning hard-bop all-stars, this ensemble features the trumpeters Eddie Henderson and David Weiss, the saxophonists Billy Harper and Craig Handy, pianist George Cables, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Billy Hart.

Drawing their inspiration from “The Night of the Cookers”, recorded at Club La Marchal for the Blue Note label in 1965. No single album captures the mystique of the hard-bop era better. The Cookers recreate the possibilities of such incendiary nights by combining some of the greatest musicians from that era, with some of this generation more fiery players. This is what jazz is all about…

Eddie Palmieri 9 time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri is widely regarded as an explosive, unpredictable lion of the keyboard. His gift for broken meters and chromatic passages led critics to dub him "The Latin [Thelonius] Monk." Since the 1960s he has refreshed Latin dance music by introducing rock licks, urban poetry and elements of tango, cumbia, waltz and the folkloric music of his beloved Puerto Rico. Whether working with his jazz octet or a full Latin dance band, Eddie's music gets audiences on their feet. According to the New York Times: "Mr. Palmieri. . .can make a piano roar."

Pete Escovedo Orchestra Timbalero Pete Escovedo played with Cal Tjader and formed his own Chicano-rock group, Azteca, before coming to prominence with Carlos Santana's band in the 1970s. Throughout a long career (and as patriarch of a talented musical family), Escovedo has focused on a vision of contemporary Latin jazz filtered through a pop-tinged prism. His eleven-member group produces a unique and powerful sound, a mixture of African, Brazilian, contemporary Latin, jazz, soul and pop styles. A true crowd-pleaser.

Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra Tito Jr. reveres the magnificent, lasting impact his father had on our musical lives. Audiences the world over agree there is nothing so perfect, pure or passionate than a tribute to a father from his son. "People who don't know anything about Latin music know my father and people always, always smile when they say his name” he confides. “That is a very special gift, and it inspires and motivates me to bring his music to the world."

Orquesta La Moderna Tradición One of the few ensembles in the United States that is dedicated to the performance is classic Cuban dance music. Danzon, a legendary ballroom style that developed for the synchronization of African and European music in Cuba. This eleven piece group performs classics of the genre along with original compositions designed to keep the tradiction alive and the music swinging.

Claudia Villela "Claudia Villella’s haunting improvisations, and her surprising five-octave range, have earned her a consistent following at such venues as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Spoleto Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, U.C. Davis, Yoshi's, and others clubs, concerts and festival dates across the United States, Japan, and Brazil. Audiences are drawn to the magical dimensions of her singing. Creative and soulfully expressive Villella’s music is heavily rooted in the traditional and contemporary sounds of Brazil's rich creative cultural heritage. "This phenomenal Rio-born singer leads her group through performances that range from sensuous to sizzling." -Bud Spangler

Flora Purim & Airto The music of Flora Purim and Airto has crossed the paths of anyone with an interest in Latin and American Jazz music. Instrumental in the creation of a unique fusion of world music and jazz, Flora's beautifully expressive voice enables her to cover a wide range of styles. She can handle a ballad as well wordlessly evoking the sound of birds. Airto Moreira is among the most famous percussionist around today. He helped make percussion an essential part of many modern jazz groups; his tambourine solos border on the amazing!

James Cotton "Superharp" Blues Band Born into poverty among the cotton fields of Tunica, Mississippi, James Cotton ran away from home at the tender age of 9 to travel with his musical mentor Sonny Boy Williamson. It was the beginning of a lifelong odyssey with the harmonica and the blues. "...He demonstrated his uncanny sense of time and space by pausing several times during the song, proving that silence can be just as exciting as sound." Louisville Times

The Persuasions You want powerful, powerful vocals, pushed to what must be their limits? You want thrilling harmonies that are nothing less than made for each other? Look no further. The Persuasions are the undisputed heavyweight champions of a cappella. They are to singing what Muhammad Ali was to boxing–invincible, innovative, original, beautiful. Together since the mid-'60s, the Persuasions continue to sing as if that's what they do instead of breathing.

Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir The Cultural Heritage Choir is a Grammy nominated, percussion driven, vocal ensemble whose mission is to help preserve and share the rich musical traditions of African-American roots music. Their music is rooted in the Deep South and strongly connected to their West African and Caribbean origins. Or as we like to say it’s, “American Roots Music that Rocks!"

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are considered one of the top swing and jump blues bands in the country. The sultry vocals of chanteuse Lavay Smith and her all star 8-piece band, perform a large repertoire of classics by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Louis Jordan. They are an instant recipe for good times.

Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums Drawing from the likes of such legends as Big Joe Turner, Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker and Ruth Brown, Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums have a true respect for the original roots of Jazz and Blues.

"Both Lucky's and Getit's lead vocals nail their decidedly "little big band” sound just perfectly...their delightful interplay will have you thinking you're eavesdropping on an intimate but juicy lover's spat...they'll have you jumping and jiving in no time" 4 stars, Joseph Jordan, Blues Access Magazine

The Gospel Hummingbirds Any show by the Gospel Hummingbirds is exhilarating and, in the end, exhausting. They sing straight, pure gospel. This group is rock-solid in their faith and in their approach to gospel music. James Gibson, spokesman for the group states, "We are taking gospel and its music to people who wouldn't otherwise be exposed."

Marlena Shaw Quartet The first female vocalist signed by Blue Note Records in 1972, has never strayed far from her jazz roots. A former singer with the Count Basie Orchestra, "she swings with ease and authority, has a mastery of space and timing . . .[and] every phrase she utters has a delightfully improvisatory feel,' notes critic Richard Chon. She has the ability to highlight the dramatic possibilities of the simplest lyric. Her sassy, humorous onstage presence is as entertaining as her singing

The Mills Brothers Featuring John Mills and Elmer Hopper, who spent 22 years with the Platters, perform the repertoire in the original key’s and with the original scores. “How do you explain the long-lasting career of the Mills Brothers? It has to be their sound, that uniquely mellow blend of harmonizing. That and their infallible knack for choosing songs that touch in the common experience and become classics”- Sarasota Herald

This vocal duo can perform in a number of different formats from Quartet to Symphony.

Brazil: Claudia Villela "Claudia Villella’s haunting improvisations, and her surprising five-octave range, have earned her a consistent following at such venues as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Spoleto Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, U.C. Davis, Yoshi's, and others clubs, concerts and festival dates across the United States, Japan, and Brazil. Audiences are drawn to the magical dimensions of her singing. Creative and soulfully expressive Villella’s music is heavily rooted in the traditional and contemporary sounds of Brazil's rich creative cultural heritage. "This phenomenal Rio-born singer leads her group through performances that range from sensuous to sizzling." -Bud Spangler

Tex Mex: Little Joe Y La Familia Little Joe Y La Familia is one of the most popular and enduring Tex-Mex bands in the music industry. Thousands know him in the United States and abroad simply as Little Joe. He is considered a pioneer of the "Tejano" sound, a unique blend of traditional "Norteno" music and German polkas, incorporating elements of contemporary jazz, country, blues and rock styles. He is acknowledged as the reigning king of Tejano music.

Americana: The Mills Brothers Featuring John Mills and Elmer Hopper, who spent 22 years with the Platters, perform the repertoire in the original key’s and with the original scores. “How do you explain the long-lasting career of the Mills Brothers? It has to be their sound, that uniquely mellow blend of harmonizing. That and their infallible knack for choosing songs that touch in the common experience and become classics” - Sarasota Herald

This vocal duo can perform in a number of different formats from Quartet to Symphony.

Cuban: Orquesta La Moderna Tradición One of the few ensembles in the United States that is dedicated to the performance is classic Cuban dance music. Danzon, a legendary ballroom style that developed for the synchronization of African and European music in Cuba. This eleven piece group performs classics of the genre along with original compositions designed to keep the tradiction alive and the music swinging.

Brazil: Tania Maria Internationally renowned for her exhilarating vocals and keyboard artistry Tania Maria's music is a unique combination of jazz, funk and the popular music of her native Brazil. She has created an eclectic fusion that is more exciting than pure jazz. Tania Maria's vibrant voice, brilliant piano work and outstanding performances have made an artist of increasing international popularity. Without doubt, the true essence of Tania Maria is best experienced in her "live" performances. "I think music more than everything is a choice. I think it was like a mission. I chose music, and music chose me to spread this around." Tania Maria

Brazil: Flora Purim & Airto The music of Flora Purim and Airto has crossed the paths of anyone with an interest in Latin and American Jazz music. Instrumental in the creation of a unique fusion of world music and jazz, Flora's beautifully expressive voice enables her to cover a wide range of styles. She can handle a ballad as well wordlessly evoking the sound of birds. Airto Moreira is among the most famous percussionist around today. He helped make percussion an essential part of many modern jazz groups; his tambourine solos border on the amazing!

Roots: Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir The Cultural Heritage Choir is a Grammy nominated, percussion driven, vocal ensemble whose mission is to help preserve and share the rich musical traditions of African-American roots music. Their music is rooted in the Deep South and strongly connected to their West African and Caribbean origins. Or as we like to say it’s, “American Roots Music that Rocks!"

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