Kenny Alexander January 6th Kenny has more than 40 years of experience playing the saxophone. He's played a variety of styles including blues, R&B, jazz and gospel. His primary instrument is the tenor saxophone, but can also play the alto, flute and clarinet. He started his music training in middle school and continued from there through high school and college. He has played with Dionne Warwick, Ester Phillips, James Brown,...
Mike Allen January 6th Michael, one of the original members of Nu World Beat and Deas-Guyz, is originally from Massachusetts and had the advantage of growing up with a musical mother who was a professional Jazz and R&B singer. He fondly remembers growing up in a house with bands constantly rehearsing. While playing in high school he was exposed to many accomplished musicians in the Detroit and Springfield, MA, areas. Between...
Doug Allen January 11th Doug began playing in bands in the 60's and has continued ever since. He is considered a "variety player" and has played with blues bands, jazz groups and more, mostly in the South Carolina area.
Frank Baron January 6th Frank, one of the newest member of Deas-Guyz and originally from Tennessee, brings more than 30 years of musical experience to the stage. Through the 90's, he toured with Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions, The Marquees, The Coasters, The Beach Boys, Travis Tritt and Toby Keith. He has also had the honor to share the stage with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops and...
Andre Barton Andre Barton started playing music at the age of 5 and continued through high school and college. He has had the pleasure of playing with Earth, Wind and Fire, Kathleen Battle and Deas Guyz. He opened for Al Green and toured with Jill Scott and The Roots.
Sabur Bismillah January 6th Sabur began his musical journey at the age of four years old, having been born into a very musical family, by singing in church and then by continuing singing in the grade school and middle school glee clubs. By the age of nine, he began experimenting with different intruments and finally settled upon the bass at the age of nineteen. He honed his bass skills and...
Ivan Bridgewater Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Ivan's interest in music began during grammar school. He began to play by listening and picking his way through melodies until eventually he learned the harmonies. Ivan then began a 20-year career in transportation before joining the fabulous Deas Guyz and was able to participate in their first CD!
Corey Burgess January 6th Corey is a South Carolina native who enjoys singing and hunting. Since graduating from college in 1992, he has served his country as a soldier in the US Army and a public school educator. He is currently the Principal at a South Carolina High School and adds his musical talents to Deas-Guyz as a back-up singer and percussionist when his busy schedule permits.
Larry Duff A stage, studio, and touring expert, having been a session drummer for the Ichiban Record Company in Atlanta. He has brought what he learned from his mentor and World-Class Drummer Billy Cobham To his own style of drumming. He is the drummer in the Movie and on the Soundtrack ?The Color Purple? having the honor of working with Quincy Jones. He can also be seen in the church scene...
Renée Ebalaroza February 15th A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Renée Ebalaroza's singing career began at age 13 entertaining family, church, and civic groups. She has been a professional vocalist since the mid-70's. With roots in pop and R&B she made a full-time transition to jazz vocals in 1992. Renée brings to the stage a commanding presence. A consummate and committed professional both on and off the stage, she has taken advantage of her gifts...
Maggie Evans February 1st Maggie Evans was in born in Denton, Texas in 1980. She holds an MFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design (2007) and a BFA in Illustration from Utah State University (2003). Maggie's art is perpetuated by her intimacy with music. Her current portfolio is based on her experiences playing bass in a blues band...
Norm Gagne January 16th One of the most recent additions to the low-country jazz scene is none other than pianist and Connecticut native Norm Gagne. Gagne is a disciple of the legendary pianist and teacher, Lennie Tristano. His piano style is rooted in jazz history and evokes hints of Tristano, Bud Powell, Art Tatum, Hank Jones, Hampton Hawes and George Shearing. He has performed and recorded with a vast array of jazz masters including...
Jakubu Griffin February 15th Jakubu Griffin is originally from the NYC area, and now resides in North Carolina. Son of trombonist Dick Griffin, his childhood was surrounded by music. Growing up with many musical instruments and influences around him, he was always drawn to percussion and can remember playing the drums as early as age 3 or 4. He started studying classical piano at age 5, and later added the trumpet. When his...
Juan Rollan February 15th
