SIGNATURE EVENTS

Heidi Beatty is a jazz vocalist who believes in the transformative power of music. Residing in Pittsburgh, PA. Heidi, a central Pennsylvania native, found her passion for music singing in church and eventually fell in love with the free-flowing jazz style. Influenced by the classic styles of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Etta James, Heidi takes you on a journey with her sultry, soothing and powerful sound.

You can find Heidi performing downtown at venues such as Con Alma, in Sewickley at Rodeo Lounge inside The Hotel and Rosa’s Cantina and in Bellevue monthly at 565 Speakeasy and Stage as well as various locations in the greater Pittsburgh area. More details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/HeidiBeattyJazzVocalist/ or contact Heidi directly at heidibeattyjazz@gmail.com.

Heidi Beatty Jazz Group
Heidi Beatty – Vocals
Andrew Kirk – Drums
Greg Lutz – Keys
Siheng Teng – Bass
Tony Cambpell – Sax

For nearly twenty years, Thoth Trio has been at the vanguard of Pittsburgh’s creative music scene. Described as “intense acoustic jazz,” Thoth Trio brings energy and excitement to each of their performances.

Thoth Trio
Ben Opie: reeds
Paul Thompson: bass
David Throckmorton: drums

The Roger Barbour Jazz Quartet was created in 1994. Since that time the group has played at just about all of the Jazz venues in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.

The instruments in the group are as follows:
Trumpet/Flugelhom – Piano – Bass – drums

Bios are as follows:
My name is Roger Barbour. I am the leader, trumpet and flugelhorn player for the Roger Barbour Jazz quartet. I received my early jazz training at the old Philion School of music in Pittsburgh Pa.While vacationing in Paris France in 1994 and having the opportunity to play with several French musicians, I was inspired upon returning home to create the ROGER BARBOUR JAZZ QUARTET. In 2012 I was inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame by the late Tony Mowod.

Dr. Kevin Clark is the piano player. He studied music at Duquesne University. He is also. a composer and arranger, and has performed for former Vice president and former president George W, Bush at the White House. Dr. Clark’s compositions and arrangements have been performed nationwide by the World Civic Orchestra
Vince Taglieri is the drummer. He attended the University of Pittsburgh where he studied jazz and then on to Duquesne University. He has been playing professionally for many years with a variety of groups, and in a variety of different styles in Boston, Cincinnati, Dayton, and of course Pittsburgh. He can be heard on several recordings as the drummer for the late great sax player Richie Cole.

Ken Kovach is the Bass Player. Ken became interested in music at a young age. After graduating from High School he attended Duquesne University and enrolled in the Performance/Teacher program where he studied under Matty Shiner. All the while Ken was playing bass. He continued to play gigs throughout his school years and continues to play currently. He has been honored to play with many iconic musicians through the years and continues to play with world famous groups such as the Skyliners, The Four Aces, and the Drifters, just to mame a few.

Roger Humphries was just 3-1/2 years old when his family discovered his talent for playing drums. He began playing professionally at the age of fourteen and led his own group at Carnegie Music Hall when he was just sixteen. “I’ve had a love for music as long as I can remember.” He was encouraged by his older brothers Lawrence Jr. and Norman who were musicians at that time.

After playing with various groups around the country, ace drummer Roger Humphries decided to organize his own group in 1972 which he called RH Factor, and in 1996 he assembled the Roger Humphries’ Big Band. Roger gives special thanks to Dr. Harry Clark, principal of The Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) who has allowed him to have such a beautiful experience teaching the kids at the school, and to Dr. Nathan Davis who gave him an opportunity to teach and touch the lives of students at the University of Pittsburgh. Roger has influenced the careers of many of his students and musicians also through participation in a number of clinics such as the Slippery Rock University Summer Jazz workshop, Mellon Jazz Masters Class and Concerts, and the teaching goes on especially on the stage.

RML Jazz has been entertaining audiences throughout the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas since 2004 at venues that include Jackson’s Restaurant in Monaca, Crafton Park, Collier Park, Cioppino’s Restaurant in the Strip district, Libations Winery, Greendance Winery in Mt. Pleasant, Aspinwall Park, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership events, Greenhouse Winery, Carnegie Library in Carnegie, as well as many private events.

RML Jazz performs from a trio up to a 7-piece group and features Laura Chu Wiens on vocals, Mike Clancy on saxes/flute, Jeff Leonhardt on guitar, Glenn Utsch on keyboard, Gene Laus on trumpet/flugelhorn, Perry Pinto on bass, and Rick Laus on drums. RML Jazz performs Smooth Jazz, Classic Jazz, and Jazz Pop tunes from artists such as Miles Davis, Chuck Mangione, Wes Montgomery, Diana Krall, Bonnie Raitt, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Grover Washington, Herb Alpert, and even Mr. Rogers!

RML Jazz has also recorded the following CDs:

Family and Friends
Smooth and Hot!
RML Jazz Live!
Keepin’ It Smooth & Hot!

You can find audio/video tracks, group bio information, and a complete performance schedule at www.rmljazz.net.

Etta Cox, originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, has performed in the tri­-state area for many years. She has appeared on Broadway in I LOVE MY WIFE, with Lawrence­Hilton Jacobs, the 1940’s RADIO HOUR with Dee Dee Bridgewater, as well as the starring role in Showtime’s production of THE ME NOBODY KNOWS. Locally she has appeared in the Pittsburgh Public Theaters’ MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, City Theaters’ productions of FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA, SPUNK, AVENUE X and CROWNS.

She is well remembered for her starring roles in Ken Gargaro’s production of BEEHIVE and the Shakespeare Festivals TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. Her film career started in 1985 with SILENT WITNESS, starring Valerie Bertinelli and John Savage, LADY BEWARE, with Diane Lane and Michael Woods, CRIMINAL JUSTICE with Jennifer Grey and Forrest Whitaker, BUMP IN THE NIGHT with Meredith Baxter and Christopher Reeves and THE CEMETERY CLUB with Ellen Burstyn and Danny Aiello, WARRIOR starring Nick Nolte and THE NEXT THREE DAYS with Russell Crowe.

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor