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TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
July 27 R&B REVUE
$30 Tickets | $3 Service fee applies for any credit card
July 26 & July 27 R&B REVUE with tunes from Marvin Gaye, Tammy Terrell, The Whispers, Dennis Edwards and more. Featuring DeCasto, Iva, Kendra, Kayla, and introducing Reggie Upshaw and Morgan Johnson, David Cole, Pete Frassrand, Wes Biles, and Manny Kellough
Kaiya Simone Timberlake
Kaiya Simone Timberlake, captured the attention of audiences very early, when she performed in various pre-school, elementary and middle school programs. She began singing with her G-Pop and studying the guitar before 5 years of age. Now, as an 11th grader, at North Point High School, she is a straight “A” student, maintaining a 4.52 grade average. Daily, she challenges and exercises her vocals, in an effort to have them in the best condition, to perform with her school’s choir.
During her time with the North Point Chorus, the group has risen from county festival presentations to state level competitions, where they achieved superior placement (the highest possible score), in every element of their performances. Furthermore, she also had a significant achievement following a recent audition, when she was selected for the All-County Choir.
Moving forward, Kaiya’s plan is to attain collegiate accomplishments, to include attainment of her medical degree and licensure as an ophthalmologist.
Iva Jean Ambush
Jazz Vocalist Iva Jean Ambush, the scat lady, is the recent winner of the coveted Billie Holiday Competition. She has performed at Birdland (NYC), the DC Jazz Festival, Keystone Korner - Baltimore, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Alice's Jazz and Cultural Society, Blues Alley, Le Duc des Lombards, Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club, International Association of Jazz Educators Conferences, Frederick - In The Streets Festival, the Billy Strayhorn 100th Birthday Celebration, WPFW 89.3 Live @ 5, Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Jazz Night @Westminster DC, Amherst Fine Arts Center, Ritz Carlton Pentagon, Frederick's Baker Park 4th of July Celebration (multiple years), the East Coast Jazz Festival, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and more. Iva enjoys exploring the concepts of jazz phrasing and rhythms with the help of jazz legends, Sheila Jordan, Dr. Horace Boyer, and Ronnie Wells. Some of her other influences include Dr. Frederick Tillis, Prof. Charles Ellison and the late Dr. Billy Taylor and Dr. Bro. Yusef Lateef.
She has a family full of Jazz Musicians which include on the maternal side, late trumpeter Lester Bowie, the late Byron Bowie (saxophonist/composer/arranger), Defunkt's founder Joe Bowie, guitarist Jonathan Townes and on the paternal side, bassist Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra [and Formerly with Stanley Turrentine]), and pianist Allen Ambush. There are a host of others too numerous to name.
Ms. Ambush is working on her next CD, I Am Jazz, which is a homage to her family with a Jazz fusion of Gospel, Funk and Soul. Through music written by the pioneers, Iva Jean Ambush, will demonstrate why the "Voice" remains the epitome of communication via syncopation --
Elevating the Instrument, the Language, the Conversation.
DeCasto Brown
Producer, vocalist, and retired record-holding football star DeCasto Brown is a native Washingtonian who found his musical inspiration early on in the Baptist Church, captivated by soloists and choirs. A graduate of Anacostia High School and Delaware State University, he excelled on the football field as an All-American and Hall of Fame wide receiver and thrived in the drama department. He became a member of the Autumn House Gospel Ensemble, a professional theater company in Delaware.
Since early 2023, DeCasto has been producing the Brownsville Jazz Series, sophisticated stage shows performed in a restaurant setting, complete with playbills and sound engineers, creating a classic ambiance. His shows have consistently sold out!
While at Delaware State, DeCasto became acquainted with the “Masters of Jazz,” including his personal favorites Clifford Brown and John Coltrane. His vocal influences include Eddie Jefferson, Paul Williams, Philippe Wynne, Johnny Hartman, Abbey Lincoln, and brothers Nat and Freddy Cole. He is featured on the 2014 Terry Marshall debut CD "Arrival," performing “Moody’s Mood for Love.”
DeCasto’s natural baritone/tenor style is unique, and whether performing up-tempo pieces or ballads, he demonstrates the chops of a jazz maestro.
DeCasto has performed at numerous prestigious venues, including the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Twins Jazz, Montpelier Art Center, Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Center, and Jazz Night at Westminster DC, among others.
Kendra Johnson
Vocalist and Recording Artist Kendra Johnson has been immersed in music her entire life. As many artist do, she began singing in the church at an early age and continues to lift her voice in song every chance she gets. Kendra’s love of music crosses several genres, from gospel to jazz, neo soul to contemporary. Together, they shape her own unique musical style. This Motown born vocalist has performed throughout the East Coast, Midwest, the Carolinas and the DC Metropolitan area. In recent years, she has performed at various venues which include The National Museum of African American History and Culture, The Andrew Mellon Auditorium, The Fillmore, Twins Jazz Club, Montpelier Arts Center, Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Society and the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival to name a few. Kendra’s vocal journey has been blessed with corporate requests that extend from opening AT&T’s first Black History celebration at the Smithsonian, performing at the National Association of Broadcasters gala honoring Jon Bon Jovi, Howard University, the United States Naval Academy, the Food and Drug Administration, The Victim’s Rights Foundation and events hosted throughout Montgomery County, MD.
Under the direction of Connaitre Miller, Associate Professor of Music and Vocal Jazz Coordinator at Howard University, Kendra has performed at the Strathmore Arts Complex. She is one of the featured vocal artists on DC’s own jazz composer/pianist Terry Marshall’s debut CD, Arrival. Kendra periodically performs with local jazz artists and plans to embark upon her own recording project soon.
God continues to light the path in all that she does musically and personally. Kendra, a Marylander, is a wife and mother. In her corporate profession, she is a financial consultant.
Reginald "Reggie" Upshaw
Reginald "Reggie" Upshaw is a versatile vocalist from the Boston area, known for his ability to deliver tender ballads, plus scat, and swing with equal finesse. His clear tenor voice seamlessly transitions from the vibrant rhythms of Brazilian music to the soulful sounds of Louisiana blues. Influenced by the harmonic sensibility of Jon Hendricks and the innovative musicality of Al Jarreau, Reggie captivates audiences with his dynamic performances.
Reggie's love for music was nurtured by his parents, who, though not performers, filled their home with the sounds of Motown, Tom Jones, Al Green, BB King, and Stax Records. Introduced to 50s Doo-Wop by childhood friends Jimmy and Gary Martin, Reggie was inspired by groups like the "North Shore Acapella." His passion for music led him to explore genres from Parliament Funkadelic to Al Jarreau and Bobby McFerrin.
In 1985, Reggie joined the military and was stationed in Colorado, where he delved deeper into jazz, inspired by artists like Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Wynton Marsalis. During his service, he performed in the U.S. Air Force “Tops in Blue” talent competitions and connected with the Air Force Academy Falconaires Jazz Band.
Reggie has performed at venues and festivals across the country, including the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Blues Alley, Mr. Henry’s Restaurant, Westminster Church, and Alice's Jazz and Cultural Society. He has been a member of Capital City Voices under Peggy Stern and DC’s Cloudburst Vocal Jazz led by Wayne Wilentz, performing alongside artists such as Jerry Jones, Wes Biles, and Jon Ozment.
Mentored by jazz greats like Buster Williams, Rebecca Parris, Miles Griffith, and Ronnie Wells, Reggie honed his craft and developed a unique style. He has collaborated with notable musicians, including Iva Ambush and participated in Linda Harris' Harriet Tubman music project. His Brazilian jazz skills were refined under the guidance of Wayne Wilentz, Nanny Assis, Leonardo Lucini, and David Jernigan, just to name a few.
Reggie has been a vibrant part of Denver's late-night jazz scene, performing at "El Chapultepec" and with blues chanteuse Hazel Miller. He has provided background vocals with her band at the Telluride Jazz Festival and Caffe Sole in Boulder, performing alongside Rare Silk’s MaryLynn Gillespie.
Explore more about Reggie's journey and upcoming performances at www.ReggieUpshawJazz.com
Morgan Johnson
Morgan K. Johnson is an autism and mental health activist and a 12 year musical prodigy. She is immensely active in her community as a vocalist and has performed in the Chapel, Gospel, University, and Women’s Choirs on the campus of Howard University alone. Beginning her instrumental career at the age of eight, she developed her foundational musical skills as a flutist, where she excelled at sight reading and music theory. Using these skills she taught herself the piccolo and pursued vocal performance opportunities first at her local church and then in Montgomery County and Maryland State honors ensembles that she repeatedly participated in until college. Johnson is passionate about all genres of music and aspires to share her unique perspectives of music through her musical competence, musicality, and performance with the world, but most importantly to those she loves.
Beyond music, Johnson loves to listen and understand new perspectives of the people she may encounter, finding it the most valuable tool in a world full of so much noise and chaos. Using these skills she looks to obtain her degree in Psychology at Howard University and aspires to make a change in how we think, view, and express ourselves in the world.
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BAND:
PETE FRASSRAND
Pete Frassrand, born in Detroit, grew up in a family of musicians and teachers, and he is proud to continue that legacy as both a musician and educator. He first learned piano from his mother, who was the music minister at their local church. After playing piano on and off for years, Pete moved to the Washington, DC area in 1995 and decided to pursue music seriously. He is grateful to have studied with esteemed area players like Robert Redd, Charles Covington, Greg Hatza, and Tim Murphy. In 2000, Pete received his music education degree from Towson University and now shares his passion for jazz with young people as a music teacher.
Over the years, Pete has honed his performance skills in numerous DC area clubs, including Twins, Bohemian Caverns, Jojo’s, Utopia, Mr. Henry's, and Columbia Station. He has also performed in churches such as Westminster Presbyterian, All Souls Unitarian, Metropolitan AME, and Wesley United Methodist, as well as prestigious institutions like the National Museum of African American History, the Kennedy Center, the National Press Club, American University, and Nationals Park. His performances have been featured on TV (NBC4, Voice of America Africa), radio (WPFW Live at Five, WAMU, WOWD Takoma Park), and live streams hosted by An Die Musik concert venue in Baltimore.
Since 2011, Pete has served as the pianist for the Greater U Street Jazz Collective, making appearances at events such as the DC Jazz Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, and the Congressional Black Caucus. He also maintains long-standing associations with respected area musicians like David Cole and Main Street Blues, Iva Ambush, and Charles Rahmat Woods. Pete deeply appreciates the knowledge, friendship, support, and opportunities he has received from these individuals and many others in the local music community. He considers himself extremely fortunate to be able to pursue his passion in an area with such a rich musical and cultural history.
DAVID COLE
David Cole was born and raised Washington D.C. young David was captivated by guitar flavorings of Curtis Mayfield, Cornell Dupree and Clarence Carter in addition to the electrifying showmanship of James Brown that he heard on the radio and saw live at the Howard Theatre.
While singing in his school’s Glee Club he borrowed a neighbor’s guitar to emulate the R&B/Soul hits of the day eventually forming his first band after receiving his own instrument from his Father who recognized his gift.
As David embarked on “paying his dues” at local venues he credits D.C. guitarist Michael Edwards, Omar Mesa (Mandrill), Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix and Howlin Wolf (whose music he heard from his older brother) with expanding his appreciation to the sonic possibilities of the instrument beyond R&B/Soul.
As his musicality flourished David caught the ear of R&B Entertainer “Little Royal” who recruited him as his guitarist and toured North America playing venues from Canada to Florida and all stops in between.
Tired of the road and concerned about his future David returned home and enrolled at The University of D.C. obtaining his BMED Degree in Music Education. He formed a close friendship with local Jazz guitarist the late Jerry Gordon and became deeply interested in the Jazz and Blues stylish of Wes Montgomery, Grant Green and Albert King.
As a budding guitarist he honed his skills performing in the Bobby Felder and Calvin Jones Big Bands thus adding “new colors” to his expanding musical palette. David has performed with Roberta Flack, Archie Bell, The Clovers, The Orioles, Percy Sledge, The Jewels and toured Japan with R&B balladeers The Delphonics.
In 2006 he co-founded the group Main Street Blues to further develop and show case his skills as a vocalist, guitarist and engaging entertainment/front man to elevate and pay tribute to the Blues contribution to Contemporary music.
While maintaining his career as an educator David remains musically active in such activities as “Bessie’s Blues Show (A Tribute to Blues Legend Bessie Smith), The D.C. Blues Society Lecture Series Showcase – “Blues and It’s Influences (1950’s-1980’s)” and The Capital All Stars Big Band.
In February 2015 Main Street Blues successfully headlined The 1st International Blues Festival in Paraguay while also conducting a series of Master Classes relating “The History of the Blues and The Civil Rights Movement.”
Finally stepping out front “Urban Blues” is his first CD release as a featured performer.
WALTER COSBY
Walter Cosby is a bassist who has been a well established presence in the DMV music scene for many years. His mother and father exposed him to a wide variety of music as a child on radio, tv, and recordings. His grandfather was an amateur musician who had many instruments, and Walter was inspired by him and eventually gravitated to bass, after hearing legendary bassist Larry Graham playing with his group Graham Central Station. He learned bass lines on complete albums note for note, and still knows a ton of songs just by looking at or hearing the names. Walter earned a degree in University of MD at College Park, and played with contemporary jazz group Spur Of The Moment at TJ Remingtons, which was one of the most popular music spots in the DMV. He later went on 4 European tours with acid jazz pioneers Fishbelly Black, playing many of the hip venues and festivals in Europe. During his career he has done many recordings and played with a variety of artists on electric and acoustic bass, and has been a voting member of The Recording Academy for over 10 years. Walter brings energy and groove to anything he does. During the pandemic he did a cutting edge weekly virtual live show with Sylver Logan Sharp and Darryl LA Hunt, Feel Better Friday, which features live virtual performances—with band members and artists appearing “together” while being in their own homes. He currently plays with The JoGo Project, a hip Jazz/Gogo group out of the DMV featuring members of the Chuck Brown Band, Vocal icon Miki Howard whenever she’s in the DMV, Plug-In Band, featuring young vocal sensation Elyscia, who was recently on the TV show The Voice, his own funk/soul/jazz group The GrooveNix, groups that do tribute to legendary R&B/Soul artists, and any group or artists in a variety of styles who may call. He also teaches young bass and guitar students.
Walter Cosby is just a groovy dude, and his bass playing expresses that sentiment!!
MANNY KELLOUGH
Manuel "Manny" Kellough was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He began playing drums at the young age of eight at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. By the age of thirteen, he was performing professionally with various local bands. His first recording was with Hank Jacobs and the TKO's on the track "The Fat Man." Later, he formed The Rhythm Rebellion, performing at Maverick's Flat in LA and touring France, Canada, and Mexico. At just 17, he had the opportunity to play with the Ray Charles band.
Over the past 60 years, Manny has had the privilege of working with some of the most renowned artists in the industry. Notably, he was the original drummer and band leader for the late great Billy Preston, earning four Gold Records and two Grammy Awards. Manny toured extensively throughout the US and Europe with Billy Preston and the Rolling Stones. He also toured with Larry Graham and Graham Central Station, earning a Gold Album and a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1974.
Manny's impressive career includes collaborations with Barry White, Carmen McRae, Freddie Hubbard, and The Platters, among others. He recorded with Quincy Jones on the TV theme song for "Sanford and Son," with Little Richard on "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," with Billy Preston on "The Bus is Coming," and for the movie "Slaughter" starring Jim Brown.
In 2009, Manny, along with Nick Weir, launched the Jazz Program for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. He continues to perform with his trio or quintet and vocalist at various jazz venues.
CREDITS
Performed with:
- The Late Legendary Billy Preston (25 years)
- Larry Graham and Graham Central Station
- The Platters (Toured US and Japan - 1996)
- Lou Ragland's "World Famous" Ink Spots
- The Late Great Carmen McRae
- Marlena Shaw
- The Late Dobie Gray
- The Late Freddie Hubbard
- The Late Great Ray Charles
- The Main Ingredient (South Africa Tour - 1976)
- The Late Rev. James Cleveland
- The Rolling Stones (The Goat's Head Soup Tour, 1973)
- The Late Barry White
- The Legendary Flamingos
- Lenny Welch
- Quincy Jones (Sanford & Son TV Theme Song "Ghost Rider")
Venue Details
El Golfo Restaurant (Assigned Seating)
8739 Flower AvenueSilver Spring, Maryland 20901
