Walter Blanding grew up in a musical family in New York City. He has been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra since 1998 and has performed, toured and/or recorded with such renowned artists as tRoy Hargrove, Hilton Ruiz, Wynton Marsalis and many others. Blanding lived in Israel for four years and had a major impact on the music scene while touring the country with his own ensemble and with U.S. Artists. During this period, Newsweek International called him a “Jazz Ambassador to Israel.”

 

 

Barry Stephenson is one of the most promising acoustic and electric bassists on the music scene today. Born in Florida in 1987, he began playing the electric bass at the age of 14, with the intention to play rock music.

 

Barry has been known to lead and compose for bands in various genres of music. In 2011, he was awarded the ASCAP Foundation Louis Armstrong Award followed by the Svenson Composition Award in 2012. Recently, he released his debut jazz album Basic Truths featuring original compositions.

 

 

Jerome is an internationally travelled artist whose distinct sound reflects a fierce connection to the swing tradition, soul music, and hip hop - All he considers authentic American musical art forms.

 

Jerome has always valued education and the pursuit of excellence. Beginning fall 2017, Jerome accepted the position as Resident Director of The Juilliard Jazz Orchestra.

 

As a performer Jerome Jennings has played every major Jazz club in New York City from The Village Vanguard, Birdland, The BlueNote, to Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. Internationally he’s traveled to and performed in over 45 countries. 

 

 

Born in 1980 in Tokyo, Japan to parents who are music fans, Tadataka Unno grew up listening to many kinds of music. At age 9 he started to play jazz. He attended Tokyo University for Music and Fine Art where he studied music composition.He spent first 10 years in Japan in his career. He decides to move to the birthplace of jazz, the United States, in 2008 and start from scratch.

 

He is considered one of the Japanese most gifted jazz musicians and his technique, creativity, balanced sense and beautiful tone continue to mesmerize audiences.