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Trumpeter Nic Scott | Teen Jazz Artist
Striving to be hailed as an impactful teen trumpeter Nic Scott is on a mission to give teen brass players a boost and he intends to use jazz to do it. Coupling fast-tracked world class education through intensive study with Hall of Famer Hunter Moss and the savvy to build a powerful network through social contributions such as playing taps at local soldier’s funerals Nic is raising awareness that bringing brass into a teen’s life outside of school reshapes their reality, changes their life’s rhythm, and makes them part of a community of fascinating quality people.Trumpeter Nic Scott
Located in Summerville, GA
- Trumpet
- Years Playing: 3.5 years
As an artist Nic has a laser focus on developing his chops, range, sound, and technical skills to their fullest potential to rival the killer musicality he’s naturally equipped with. Nic has his own ideas about touring…he’s packed his schedule with clinicians and educators coast to coast. He figures the better he sounds on stage the better people will hear his message. This teen artist is focused on making music and making it matter.
Setup & Music Gear
1968 Selmer Deville and Bach Artisan 7C
When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?
In 2015 I started in school band, but I wasn’t studying music, I was just showing up for class. After a rough road in middle school my mother chose to homeschool me and found me a private trumpet teacher. Eventually as I began making music on my own terms, instead of noise for a school grade it changed the rhythm of my life into something that I love. Now I’m in harmony with my academics, my family, and myself. In early 2017 when I realized I wanted to define who I am with music I began to truly study it.
What are you doing with music right now?
In my 3-4 hours of daily practice I’m focusing on sound production in the higher registers and developing musicality within my audition pieces for school applications. And of course improv is always part of the day. The bigger picture: 1) Crafting jazz opportunities for local teens that do not exist. Seriously I live in the middle of nowhere Georgia, with a tiny population, a lot of poverty, and very little arts presence. There’s no better way to collaborate with other teen musicians and connect with the community than jazz. Lots of media attention, lots of community outreach, and I’m making serious strides toward my goal having secured my funding, space, and building my executive board. 2) I’m in intensive study several days a week with Bugle Hall of Famer, Hunter Moss, who’s had a concentration on jazz a big portion of his career. 3) I’m playing taps at veterans funerals because the soul stirring impact live taps has is something these guys earned, audio recordings are unacceptable. Other stuff I’m stoked about: I’m attending four educational events all over the country this year. Week long brass or trumpet focused workshops and camps and the International Trumpet Guild Conference, getting to every gig I can, and doing a brass instrument repair apprenticeship. I’m a little nervous but super excited to populate my website (www.nicscott.net) with professionally recorded tracks of my pieces and performances in August of this year.
Who are some of your influences?
In order of impact: Hunter Moss, Louis Armstrong, Niklas Eklund, “Cootie Williams”, Dizzy Gillespie
Who do you/have you studied with?
A couple of school band directors started me out on mechanics, but the real studying started at Shorter University when Hunter Moss gave me his attention.
What are some of your goals musically for the future?
I plan to make the most valuable impact that I can on teens and jazz is a universal language that everyone enjoys and responds to. Music was a turning point in my life. I was on a dangerous road. When my teacher’s approach to my music eduction grabbed my attention it opened a door for me that led to a healthy enjoyable and exciting life. I intend to open that door with my music for other teens for the rest of my life. That requires I become an accomplished jazz artist, educated teacher, and effective entrepreneur.
Interested in having your profile featured on our site?
Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.
Apply HereTerms and Conditions:
(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.
(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.
(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.
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Guitarist Zeke Brake | Teen Jazz Artist
When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?
I’ve always been inspired to makes any sort of music and I got a guitar for Christmas a while ago and I’ve always liked of performing for people.
Setup & Music Gear
Gibson Les Paul
Epiphone Les Paul
Guitarist Zeke Brake
Located in Jefferson
- Guitar
- Years Playing: 8 years
What are you doing with music right now?
I’m currently in a Band with my friends and we’re in the Tri-C Highschool Rock Off going to the final round. I’m also in the Jazz Band in school.
Who are some of your influences?
Snarky Puppy, Lucky Chops, Frank Zappa, Huntertones, Herbie Hancock, Maynard Ferguson, Gordin Goodwin, Joe Bonamassa.
Who do you/have you studied with?
Fred Burazer (band director) and Dennis Drumond
What are some of your goals musically for the future?
I plan on going to Youngstown University and majoring in Music Tech and performance.
Interested in having your profile featured on our site?
Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.
Apply HereTerms and Conditions:
(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.
(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.
(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.
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Trombonist Breanna Johnson | Teen Jazz Artist
When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?
Originally, I didn’t really mean to study music. In the 6th grade, all of my friends always talked about playing this weird thing with a slide and it made funny noises. I just wanted to join in on the fun so I joined band and ended up loving it. I became much more serious about studying music when I got to middle school and high school, where I joined multiple ensembles.
Setup & Music Gear
Vincent Bach Mercedes II small bore F attachment, Getzen 351 small bore tenor, Lyons Monarch small bore tenor.
Trombonist Breanna Johnson
Located in Rock Creek, Ohio
- Trombone
- Years Playing: 7 years
What are you doing with music right now?
Currently I am in my senior year of high school and I am involved in many different things that deal with music. I’m in my high school stage band, pep band, symphonic band and marching band. Outside of school, I am in a jazz fusion band called 8 Days Late. We’re currently just going after as many gigs as we can.
Who are some of your influences?
I listen to a lot of music and I am easily influenced by a variety of genres. I am heavily influenced by Snarky Puppy, Huntertones, Lucky Chops and BadBadNotGood. Other inspiring artists/bands that are not jazz oriented include The Strokes, Lady Gaga, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.
Who do you/have you studied with?
I used to be in a rock band called Zoetic and we wrote our own music, and we played at a talent show. I’m currently in a jazz fusion band with other people who are also part of our high school stage band. We’ve been working on finding local gigs and we’ve participated in the Tri-C High School Rock Off at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I take lessons with my director Fred Burazer and I’ve also studied with guitarist Dennis Drummond.
What are some of your goals musically for the future?
In my future, I would like to perform as much as possible or maybe teach private lessons. I’m going to college to major in jazz studies, but I’d still like to expand my boundaries. I would love to just tour the world and collaborate with other artists, and essentially create and share as much music as time allows.
Any additional information you would like to add?
Even though I’ve never taken lessons, I can also sing. I really enjoy singing and writing my own songs, it’s a relaxing thing to do.
Interested in having your profile featured on our site?
Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.
Apply HereTerms and Conditions:
(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.
(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.
(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.
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Trumpeter Yale Friend | Teen Jazz Artist
When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?
Music has always been in my blood. My grandfather was a jazz saxophonist and my older cousin is a professional guitarist who studied music at NYU. I wanted to play music since I can remember. I started guitar lessons in 3rd grade, then trumpet lessons in 4th grade. In high school, I began seriously pursuing jazz trumpet.
Trumpeter Yale Friend
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
- Trumpet
- Years Playing: 10 years
Setup & Music Gear
I play on a Cannonball 789-RL trumpet with a tuning slide custom built by Steve Loeb at L&L Music-Wind Shop. I use a Monette Resonance B2S3 mouthpiece.
What are you doing with music right now?
I currently play in four ensembles at Brown University. Most of my time is spent playing 2nd trumpet (the “jazz chair”) in the Big Band. We had a busy year, playing with Descemer Bueno, Ramon Diaz, and Pedrito Martinez in the fall, then with Jimmy Heath, and later Thomas Bergeron (the trumpet player) in the spring. In between we did a tour around Berlin.
I also play in a jazz combo, the klezmer band, and a salsa band. In addition to regular performances, my combo hosts biweekly jazz jams.
During the summer I teach jazz, trumpet, and ukulele at Buck’s Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp. When I am home, I play bass and trumpet at my synagogue for select Shabbat services.
Who are some of your influences?
Without a doubt, Wynton Marsalis is my biggest musical influence. I pay careful attention to everything he does; the way he plays, the way he sounds, the way he interacts with his fellow musicians, the way he carries himself, and his passion for education. My other influences include Louis Armstrong, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, James Morrison, and Wynton Kelly among many others.
Who do you/have you studied with?
My first trumpet teacher was Sasha Soper. He taught the 4th grade band class and is actually a very talented jazz drummer with whom I’ve since performed. Following were Bill Turner, Kevin Collar, Lyle Link, Brad Clements. I currently study with Matt McGarrell, who directs the Big Band and teaches classes in jazz history and composition, and privately study jazz theory and performance with Ed Tomassi of Berklee.
What are some of your goals musically for the future?
I haven’t quite figured that out yet. In addition to music, I also study electrical engineering at Brown. My general plan is to play for as long as I can on top of another job, and to open the door if opportunity knocks.
Any additional information you would like to add?
Some other highlights of my musical experience are playing at Blues Alley in Washington D.C. four times, playing with Mike Stern, and more recently, rehearsing and performing with Roomful of Blues.
Interested in having your profile featured on our site?
Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.
Apply HereTerms and Conditions:
(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.
(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.
(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.
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Saxophonist Jordan Brown | Teen Jazz Artist
When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?
I was bored the summer after my fourth grade year. My father told me he had his old saxophone in the attic, so he got it out and told me to try and figure it out. I was very curious, and I was up for the challenge. I haven’t stopped since!
Saxophonist Jordan Brown
Located in Fort Wayne, IN
- Saxophone
- Doubles on keyboards
- Years Playing: 8 years
Setup & Music Gear
Tenor Saxophone: Selmer Super Action 80, CE Winds Gold Genesis mouthpiece 6 facing, Vandoren Green Java 3 reeds
Alto Saxophone: Selmer La Voix II Black Nickel-plated, Beechler Diamond 6, Rico Select Jazz 3 soft reeds
What are you doing with music right now?
Currently, I am recording my second album. I am also preparing for a tour of Europe this summer with a jazz big band in which I am the first tenor. Furthermore, I am directing my high school’s pep band.
Who are some of your influences?
John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Paul Desmond, Stan Getz, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, Joe Henderson, Oscar Peterson, Robert Glasper, McCoy Tyner, and Cannonball Adderley
Who do you/have you studied with?
Dr. James Farrell Vernon, Dr. James Sawyer, Dr. Mark O’Connor, Anthony Stanco, Timothy Froncek, Christian Berg, Steven Wipple, Glenn Williams
What are some of your goals musically for the future?
I plan on finding a jazz combo to play with in college as well as playing in a jazz big band. I also plan to keep recording on saxophone and keyboard. I would ultimately love to be in a combo that played gigs in the Chicago area.
Interested in having your profile featured on our site?
Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.
Apply HereTerms and Conditions:
(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.
(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.
(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.
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Bassist Gabriel Severn | Teen Jazz Artist
When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?
I’ve always liked the bass, since I was a toddler. My parents are musicians and my dad is a professor of music.
Setup & Music Gear
Instruments Brice 5-string frettless electric bass with custom Nordstrand pickups, Prometheam amp.
What are you doing with music right now?
I play bass in the Uptown Music Collective’s Sharp Red Jazz Quartet, Lock Haven University Jazz Ensemble, and Loyalsock Township Middle School Jazz Band, as well as the 5th grade band at school. I play double bass with the Williamsport Symphony Junior Strings, and do freelance gigs.
Who are some of your influences?
Jaco Pastorius, Jimmy Haslip, Jeff Berlin, Gerald Veasley, and Victor Wooten are some of my influences.
Who do you/have you studied with?
Tim Breon, Dave Brumbaugh, and Eddie Severn. I went to the Central PA Jazz Camp last summer and studied with Helen Sung and Steve Meashey.
What are some of your goals musically for the future?
I plan to attend more jazz camps this summer and continue performing. I’m also planning to go to Gerald Veasleys Bass Bootcamp and Victor Wooten’s bass camp.
Anything else you would like to add?
Four months after starting the bass, I was asked to join the Urban Souls, a band of young musicians (ages 7-13) which performed Motown and soul music. During their 3 years together, The Urban Souls gained significant recognition in central Pennsylvania, performing over 75 gigs which included music festivals, TV and radio appearances, and numerous community events and benefits. Some of the high-profile events included: Little League Baseball and the Little League World Series, Williamsport Welcomes the World, the Lycoming County Fair, the Harrisburg Music and Wine Fest, Dauphin County Wine and Jazz Fest, the Downtown Billtown Music Festival, and Jersey Shore Town Meeting.
I have been a guest performer at the Scranton Jazz Festival, the Lock Haven University Jazz Ensemble, Bucknell University Jazz Ensemble, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair. I have also performed in several mainstage Uptown Music Collective productions.
I attended several music camps, including the Keystone Jazz Institute and Central PA Jazz Camp, where I played in the top jazz ensemble under the direction of Helen Sung. I regularly play at the Bull Run in Lewisburg, and will perform in the first Lock Haven Jazz Festival this summer.
Gabriel’s Official Bio
“Gabriel is a listener, which makes all musicians happy. He truly is so much fun to play with because he can turn on a dime! He makes ensemble playing out of a bunch of scattered egos. I feel fortunate to have played with him.” -Grammy Award-winner Steve Mitchell
“A rising force of nature. Gabriel Severn is on the fast track to great things.” -Dave Brumbaugh, Executive Director, Uptown Music Collective
11-year-old Gabriel Severn has been playing bass since he was 7 years old. 4 months after picking up the bass, he was asked by the Uptown Music Collective’s Executive Director Dave Brumbaugh to join the Urban Souls, a band of young musicians (ages 7-13) that performed Motown and soul music. During their 3 years together, The Urban Souls gained significant recognition in central Pennsylvania, performing more than 75 gigs including music festivals, TV and radio appearances, and numerous community events and benefits. Some of the high-profile events included: Little League Baseball and the Little League World Series, Williamsport Welcomes the World, the Lycoming County Fair, the Harrisburg Music and Wine Fest, Dauphin County Wine and Jazz Fest, the Downtown Billtown Music Festival, and Jersey Shore Town Meeting.
On his own, Gabriel has been a guest performer at the Scranton Jazz Festival, the Lock Haven University Jazz Ensemble, Bucknell University Jazz Ensemble, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair. He has also performed in several mainstage Uptown Music Collective productions.
Gabriel has attended several music camps, including the Keystone Jazz Institute and Central PA Jazz Camp, where he played in the top jazz ensemble under the direction of pianist Helen Sung.
He is currently the bass player for the Lock Haven University Jazz Combo, the Uptown Music Collective’s Sharp Red Jazz Quartet, the Loyalsock Township Middle School jazz band, and the 5th grade band at his elementary school. He recently began playing the double bass and plays with the Williamsport Symphony’s Junior Strings. He regularly sits in at the Bull Run in Lewisburg with Grammy Award-winning drummer Steve Mitchell, and will perform in the first Lock Haven Jazz Festival this summer.
Interested in having your profile featured on our site?
Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.
Apply HereTerms and Conditions:
(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.
(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.
(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.
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A Look Back at 2015
Happy New Year’s everyone! To celebrate the start of 2016, we thought that we would share a few fun facts and accomplishments on Teen Jazz in the last year.
Towards the end of 2015 we took a bit of a break – Teen Jazz Founder Shannon Kennedy was quite busy on tour promoting her new album with Groove LTD. But we’re back and we have some fantastic things in store for the next year!
Teen Jazz is nearing the 450 article mark and we’re so excited. In 2016 we’ll see more than 500 posts since the site was redesigned in 2012.
Our family of up and coming artists reached 61 members from all over the world – Canada, Sweden, the US, the UK, Venezuela and Argentina. You can join our community by applying here!
We currently have a team of 13 contributing writers including: Shannon Kennedy, U-Nam, Rheuben Allen, Andrew Gordon, Cyrene Jagger, Richard Simon, Peggy Duquesnel, Sean Winter, Kenn Hadnot, Joel Perkosky, James Barrera, Adam Larson, and Dana Brenklin. If you’re interested in becoming a part of our team, please get in touch!
OUR 10 MOST POPULAR ARTICLES WERE:
- A List of Summer Jazz Camps // This post has been in our top ten for about as long as the site has been up! If you’re looking for something music oriented to do this summer, this post is a great place to start.
- What Songs Should I Learn for Jam Sessions // We worked with a lot of great musicians to craft this list just for you.
- Saxophone Playing Tips and Practice Suggestions // Shannon Kennedy wrote this one after a masterclass with Jay Mason and James Barrera.
- A Beginner’s Guide to Playing “Outside” // A great guest post from Teen Jazz Artist Sean Winter.
- Learn Jazz Lingo and Slang // A list of words used both past and present in the music industry.
- College Audition Preparation for Saxophonists // A guest post from James Barrera.
- Guitarist Adam Fallen // We’re so thrilled to know that one of our artists made it into the top ten for the first time this year!
- How to Adjust the G# Spring Tension on a Saxophone // This is a great repair post from guest contributor Rheuben Allen.
- Interview with Mindi Abair // This is another post that almost always makes it into our annual top ten.
- Check Out: Jazz Lessons with Tim Price // A post about my music teacher and the importance of studying with a great instructor no matter your age.
Thank you all for making 2015 such a great year! We look forward to the continued growth of our little community in 2016!
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Mariea Antoinette Straight from the Harp Review
In an industry prevalent with saxophonists, guitarists, and keyboardists, it’s not often that you come across instrumentalists of a different sort, but Mariea Antoinette is one such musician paving her own way as a jazz and soul harpist.
On September 25, 2015, with the release of a special edition of her Billboard Top 5 charting album “Straight from the Harp” with MAH Productions, harpist Mariea Antoinette celebrated her recognition as a Phenomenal Women in Entreneurship with an award from the National Council of Negro Women. The new version of the album features two bonus tracks and updated artwork.
“Straight from the Heart” was produced by Allan Phillips and includes a combination of both original music and R&B classics such as “Rock Wit’cha”, “Give Me Your Love”, “Boogie Nights”, “Waiting in Vain”, “Human” and “I’m Gonna Love You”.
Several of the tracks feature a live horn section and string section, and violinist Karen Briggs even performs as a guest on “Walk the Walk.” I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Mariea Antoinette perform several of the tracks from her project at an event in Los Angeles last year and the energy of her live performances are certainly reflected in the recordings on “Straight from the Harp.”
One of my favorite tracks on the album is “Special Treasures,” a tune that is somewhat nostalgic for me with trumpet parts that make me think of a lot of the music I heard in films growing up. Her rendition of “Boogie Nights” is another fun track as is “Single Dance”.
Mariea Antoinette transcends the ways in which many may have perceived the harp – showing that it’s more than a classical instrument and that artists can pursue the performance of the music that they love and not just the styles that their instrument may have been traditionally used for. It’s certainly an inspiring message to send to the next generation of musicians.
Based in San Diego, California, Mariea Antoinette made her debut with “Sexy Paradise” in 2003. Since, she has performed around the world for events including a performance for Barak and Michelle Obama, backing Ne-Yo at the BET Awards, and playing for a Vanity Fair Grammy soiree. She currently performs as a part of Jazz in Pink.
Get Straight to the Harp on Amazon
Title: Straight to the Harp
Artist: Mariea Antoinette
Year: September 25, 2015
Genre: Jazz, R&B
Label: MAH Productions01 Fly Away
02 Rock Wit’cha
03 Special Treasures
04 Give Me Your Love
05 Single Dance
06 Spend Some Time
07 Boogie Nights
08 Journey
09 I’m Gonna Love You (Just a Little More Baby)
10 Waiting in Vain
11 Human
12 Straight from the Harp
13 Walk the WalkGet Straight to the Harp on Amazon
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Groove LTD Releases Debut Album “First Class”
Teen Jazz Host Shannon Kennedy and guitarist U-Nam are proud to announce the release of their debut album as Groove Ltd. The new project, “First Class” features guests including Myron, Maysa, Jonathan Fritzen, Paulhino da Costa, Michael White, and many more.
The first day of its digital release saw the album attain a #1 place for Smooth Jazz and #6 for overall Jazz on Amazon.
You can purchase the album here.
