The 7-piece ensemble includes Kim Richmond-alto sax, Clay Jenkins-trumpet, Ido Meshulam-trombone, Will Brahm-guitar, Daniel Szabo-piano, Jordan Richards-bass, Jamey Tate-drums. Composer, arranger, producer, educator, and performer, Kim Richmond has played in every facet as a professional in the music industry. Kim is an active and versatile musician who’s first love is jazz, and alto sax his primary voice, yet plays all of the woodwind and reed instruments as well as flute. Kim has played with the big bands of Stan Kenton, Louie Bellson, Bob Florence, Bill Holman, Vinny Golia, just to name a few. Kim leads his own concert jazz orchestra which is a workshop for his own writing, conducting, and leading his own ensemble as a platform for free-form expression and improvisation. Kim taught for 12 years in the USC Jazz Studies Department, Cal Institute of Arts, Cal State Fullerton, and many jazz camps and clinics. Kim is the president of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers providing master classes and music education for all levels. Kim expresses his unique, original voice with extensive experience and new sounds in the evolving musical world. Kim is a lecturer, conductor, and guest soloist at college music festivals and workshops. Kim has written over 100 compositions for small and large ensembles, and chamber orchestras. Kim has made 10 recordings as a leader, 6 as a producer, 23 as an arranger, and 76 as a sideman.
Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is the co-leader of this 7-piece ensemble with Kim Richmond. Clay has worked with the big bands of Stan Kenton, Harry James, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, and the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Clay has studied with trumpet teachers James Stamp, John Haynie, Boyd Hood, and Uan Rasey. Clay studied at North Texas State, and received his Masters at USC. Clay has taught at USC, Cal State Northridge, Cal Institute of Arts, Colburn School of Performing Arts, and the Foundation for the Junior Blind. He currently teaches at Eastman School of Music. Clay has played with dozens of jazz greats, and made several recordings with Joe LaBarbera, the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Bill Perkins, Kim Richmond, and over 50 recordings in total. Clay has arranged and composed on a dozen recordings and performs and gives clinics all over the world.
Trombonist Ido Meshulam is a graduate of Berklee School of Music, Herb Alperts School of Music at UCLA, and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Ido has appeared on the jazz recording “Infinite Winds” and has trained with top jazz masters. Ido is a young and upcoming talent with his own original sound.
Guitarist Will Brahm is a graduate of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music School at Cal State Long Beach. Will is a five time K-jazz scholarship recipient. Will is the leader of the band “Homenaje”, and he tours internationally with the “New West Guitar Group”. Will has recorded 2 albums, one with his own trio, and one entitled “Heart Quake” with bassist Katie Thiroux and drummer Matt Wittek. Will gives music clinics, teaches master classes, and performs concerts for students and schools. Will is a versatile and talented musician.
Pianist Daniel Szabo began playing piano at the age of 4 in Hungary. Daniel has won prizes in Lithuania, Hungary, and the Best Piano Solo Award at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Daniel has played at the IAJE Conference in New York City, and studied at the Henry Mancini Institute, and New England Conservatory as a Fullbright Scholar. Daniel has studied with Bob Brookmeyer, Danilo Perez, Jerry Bergonzi, Vince Mendoza, Peter Erskine, Bruce Broughton, and Steven Hartke. Daniel has played with dozens of jazz greats and won the Martial Solal Jazz Piano Competition. Daniel has received high praise from “Downbeat”, “All About Jazz”, “Modern Drummer”, and “New York City Records”. Daniel has toured world-wide and works regularly with singers, actors, poets, dancers, theatrical directors, and film makers as a composer, improviser, arranger, and song writer. Daniel’s unique voice can be heard in his playing and improvising on boundary crossing compositions. Daniel trained at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest Hungary, and holds a Doctorate in jazz piano, classical composition, and film scoring. Daniel lectures at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Daniel has recorded 4 CD’s.
Bassist Jordan Richards plays in many types of music settings on the Southern California scene. He plays in jazz duos, he has accompanied Lorraina Marro, and plays in the Latin Jazz group “Mas Que Nada”. Jordan has studied at Western Michigan University, and The Berklee School of Music, and has won 2 “Downbeat” student music awards for bass. Jordan plays in the band “Roll Call Quartet” and the “Homenaje Jazz Trio”. Jordan is a young, upcoming jazz talent.
Drummer Jamey Tate is a touring musician, studio session player, and has played with a variety of top musicians including David Benoit, Michael Buble, Al Jarreau, Christopher Cross, Stan Kenton, Quincy Jones, Melissa Manchester, Kurt Elling, Bonnie Raitt, New York Voices, Jane Monheit, Russ Freeman, American Idol, Ron King, Russ Ferante, Peter White, Jeff Kashiwa, and LA composers and producers like Patrick Williams, Chris Walden, and many more. Jamey has played on movie and TV soundtracks, commercials, and on the productions of Jersey Boys, Agent Carter, Empire, Longmire, and Heartbreaker. Jamie has written and produced for ABC’s Red Carpet, McDonald’s, ESPN College Football, AT&T, and many more. Jamie has produced for Justin Ray, Courtney Fortune, Solomon Jaye, The Edge Effect, Selina Albright, and more. Jamey is the music director for the Music Center Spotlight Awards in LA, and for Lou Giovannetti’s Big Band. Jamey teaches master classes and gives private instruction. Jamey has appeared on over 100 recordings and live shows. Jamey has made one recording entitled “Rotated”, and has performed and recorded with the organ trio “Strangers on a Saturday Night”.
