About this Event
Kelli Cox Collaborative with Chip McNeill
Friday, February 6th, 2026, 7:30 PM
Nashville Jazz Workshop
On February 6, 2026, the Kelli Cox Collaborative welcomes internationally acclaimed saxophonist and educator Chip McNeill for a special one-night performance, bringing world-class jazz artistry to Nashville.
This concert reunites musicians whose shared history stretches back decades, beginning at North Texas State University’s legendary One O’Clock Lab Band and continuing through the University of Miami and professional stages around the world. The result is a deeply musical collaboration fueled by long-standing friendships, mutual respect, and a love for the jazz tradition.
Chip McNeill, currently Chair of Jazz Studies at the University of Illinois, is one of the most accomplished tenor saxophonists of his generation. Former musical director for Maynard Ferguson and Arturo Sandoval, McNeill has performed at major festivals and venues worldwide, earned Grammy recognition, and worked with jazz legends from Frank Sinatra to Wynton Marsalis. His compositions, improvisational voice, and commanding presence make him a featured guest in high demand.
Pianist Kelli Cox, a cornerstone of the Nashville music scene for over 30 years, brings her signature versatility and musical depth to the collaborative. Trombonist Greg Cox, bassist Danny O’Lannerghty, trumpeter Steve Herrman, and drummer Chris Brown round out a powerhouse sextet whose combined credits span jazz, soul, country, pop, and orchestral worlds.
Presented in an intimate sextet format, this performance highlights McNeill’s compositions, extended improvisation, and dynamic interaction—an experience designed for both devoted jazz fans and new listeners alike. This is a rare opportunity to hear elite musicians at the height of their craft, sharing the stage in a celebration of jazz excellence and community.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
Chip McNeill is a Full Professor and Chair of Jazz Performance Studies and the Jazz Area at The University of Illinois. He was formerly an Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Florida International University. Prior to that he was an Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Virginia Tech University for six years. He was formerly the Musical Director and jazz tenor saxophonist for Grammy Award winning recording artist Arturo Sandoval and has recorded with Arturo on his CD “Americana” as well as the Grammy Award winning release "Hot House" on Encoded Music. The “Hot House” CD won a Grammy Award for “Best Latin Jazz Performance”. Prior to Arturo Sandoval, Mr. McNeill was the Musical Director and jazz saxophonist for legendary jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. Mr. McNeill produced, wrote, and performed on six CD’s with Maynard Ferguson including his final one “The One And Only” (06), “Swingin’ For Schurr”(’01) Concord Jazz with guest jazz vocalist Diane Schurr, "One More Trip To Birdland" ('96) Concord Jazz, "These Cats Can Swing" ('95) Concord Jazz, "Live From London" ('94) Warner Bros. Jazz, and "Footpath Cafe"('93) Avion Jazz.
Mr. McNeill has performed at countless jazz festivals and clubs around the world such as The North Sea Jazz Festival (The Hague Holland), The Montreaux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), The Monterey Jazz Festival (U.S.A.), The Noto Jazz Festival (Japan), The Wigan Jazz Festival (England), The Pori Jazz Festival (Finland), The Wiesen Jazz Festival (Austria), The Immatra Jazz Festival (Finland), The Warsaw Jazz Festival (Poland), The Capital Jazz Festival (U.S.A.), The Charlotte Jazz Festival (U.S.A.) and clubs such as The Blue Note (New York City), The Blue Note (Tokyo), The Blue Note (Osaka), Blues Alley (Washington D.C.), The House of Blues (Los Angeles), and The Jazz Showcase (Chicago).
Mr. McNeill's list of recording/performing credits as a jazz tenor saxophonist have included such notables as Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Nat Adderley, David Liebman, Maynard Ferguson, Duffy Jackson, Ira Sullivan, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Ted Shumate and Larry Willis. His past performances include numerous world tours with Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, the Woody Herman Orchestra, the University of Miami Concert Jazz Band, and the North Texas State 1 o'clock Lab Band. Mr. McNeill’s latest CD’s include “The Whirl” (quintet-Armoured Records), “Four Steps 3” (quintet-Capri Records) and “Radio Improved” (quartet), all under his own name.
He has also performed with many of the worlds' top jazz artists and entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joe Williams, Natalie Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine, Wynton Marsalis, Randy and Michael Brecker, Nat Adderley, David Liebman, Bob Mintzer, Slide Hampton, Tom Harrell, Paquito D'Riviera, and Ira Sullivan. Special venues he has performed at include Carnegie Hall (U.S.), Town Hall (Sydney, Australia), the London Palladium and numerous jazz radio and television productions in Europe, Japan, U.K., India, and Indonesia.
Mr. McNeill currently tours with Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band as well as with his own small groups in addition to his duties as Chairman of Jazz Studies at The University of Illinois. A graduate of the University of Miami (MM in Studio Jazz Writing), he also enjoys an active performance schedule as a solo saxophonist, clinician, composer/arranger, and pianist.
Kelli Cox has been a staple on the Nashville music scene for 30 years. A graduate of University of Miami, she has performed with many artists including Richard Marx, Duke Daniels( Platters), LeAnne Rimes, Lori Morgan, Bobby Hebb, Cece Winans, Jon Hendricks, Paul Anka and many others. She was on faculty at Trevecca Nazarene University for 14 years but currently is a freelance artist doing sessions and live work around the Nashville area.
Greg Cox, born in Arkansas, lived in Texas, Louisiana and Pittsburgh, Pa in high school where he studied with Randy Purcell from Maynard Ferguson’s band and BB McCullogh from the Pittsburgh Symphony. He attended North Texas State University and was a member of the One O’Clock Lab Band in 1984 & 1985. After going on the road with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, he went to the University of Miami and was a member of the UM Concert Jazz Band from 1986-1988 where he met his wife Kelli in jazz improv class.
Greg has lived in the Nashville area since 1995 and worked in many musical settings since that time. He is currently the leader of The Establishment Big Band, a non profit organization in middle Tennessee for over 50 years that has raised and given over $250,000 to advance jazz, bringing it to young students and the public to keep the jazz music alive. Chip McNeill is part of their guest artist series to bring world class artists to middle Tennessee.
Greg has known Chip McNeill, Danny O’Lannerthty, and Steve Herrman since 1981 at NTSU which is where Chris Brown also attended college. Kelli and Greg also attended University of Miami with Chip, so there are decades of stories and common experiences on stage for this concert with Chip as a featured guest artist in Nashville.
Performance credits include:
Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Review, The McCrary Sisters, Lari White,
Gladys Knight, Ben E. King, The O’Jays, Dionne Warwick, Mary Wilson, Lou Rawls and The Kelli Cox Collaborative, Salsa Latina, Son Caliente, Al TNT Braggs, Smokin Joe Kubeck, Pat Patrick Band, Miami City Ballet Orchestra, South Florida Symphony, Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, many Broadway shows.
Big Band Experience includes:
Glenn Miller Orchestra , Woody Herman Orchestra, Onzy Matthews Orchestra, Les & Larry Elgart, Bob Crosby & the Bobcats, Art Mooney, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, The Collection Jazz Orchestra, Jake Jacobi & The Arctic Muthers,
Steve Herrman is a highly respected trumpeter whose dynamic sound and versatility have made him a first-call musician across jazz, blues, country, rock, and soul. He earned his Bachelor of Music from North Texas State University, where he was a featured soloist with the legendary One O’Clock Lab Band, laying the foundation for a career defined by excellence and adaptability.
Herrman has toured extensively with iconic artists, including Delbert McClinton (1988–1995), Waylon Jennings (1999–2001), Kenny Chesney (2007–2010), and longtime collaborator Lyle Lovett, with tours spanning from 2005 through 2025. His television appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Austin City Limits, The Late Show with David Letterman, the ACM Awards, and the Grand Ole Opry, among many others.
Throughout his career, Steve has performed with an extraordinary range of artists, from Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, and Buddy Guy to Melissa Etheridge, Joss Stone, and Cage the Elephant. His recording credits span hundreds of sessions across multiple genres, reflecting his musical depth and professionalism.
In addition to performing, Herrman is a published author of Amazing Phrasing: 50 Ways to Improve Your Improvisational Skills (Hal Leonard) and a BMI-affiliated writer, with his composition “Funky Chester” featured worldwide in Bose surround sound kiosks.
Danny O’Lannerghty has spent the better part of his career in the studios of Nashville, playing either electric or upright bass, arranging, orchestrating, writing, and producing. Some notable recordings have been with artists such as Donna Summer, Christopher Cross, Vince Gill, Cece Winans, Wynona Judd, Amy Grant, Matchbox 20, Nicole Mullen, Deana Carter, Rich Mullins, Gary Chapman, Sandi Patty, the Nashville String Machine, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael Card, Phil Keaggy, and David Phelps. Besides touring with David Phelps from 2008 until 2023, he has toured with Lynda Carter, Amy Grant, Gary Chapman, Susan Ashton, SheDaisy, Little Big Town, the Disney Symphony, and Michael Card. He has also worked as a music director: for Sam’s Place (1997-2001) held at the Ryman Auditorium, SheDaisy (2003), the Dove Awards (2002 and 2003), David Phelps (2018 to 2023), and for the Miss Volunteer America Pageant (2024). Danny was also in the house band for TNN’s Prime-Time Country from 1997 to 1999 and the ACM’s Country Christmas in 2013. In these televised and other live settings, Danny has enjoyed performances with a wide range of artists such as Chet Atkins, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Michael McDonald, the Gaither Vocal Band, Faith Hill, Michael W. Smith, Joe Walsh (Eagles), Clint Black, Waylon Jennings, Brian May (Queen), Dolly Parton, Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Sammy Hagar, Linda Davis, Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis, Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave), Ricky Skaggs, Darius Rucker, Billy Ray Cyrus, Larry Carlton, Sara Evans, and Natalie Grant.
Prior to arriving in Nashville in 1989, Danny attended North Texas State University (University of North Texas) and graduated with a BA in Jazz Studies. Under the school’s auspices he was able to play in the world-renowned One O’Clock Lab Band, the North Texas Symphony under the direction of Geoffrey Simon, and the North Texas Percussion Ensemble. While attending school and working in the Dallas area, he was privileged to perform with artists such as John Scofield, Elvin Jones, Bo Diddley, Mose Allison, Lew Soloff, Mel Lewis, Ron Carter, Freddie Fender, Johnny Green, The Temptations, and The Platters.
Chris Brown, moved to Nashville in 1992 from New York City. He grew up in Albuquerque New Mexico and later attended the University of North Texas where he obtained a bachelor of jazz studies degree. While in NYC, he joined the Maynard Ferguson orchestra for a few tours. He continued to work on the road with Maynard until 1992 when he decided to move to Music City. He has played with many of the Nashville jazz professionals and has participated with the Nashville jazz workshop since its earliest days. He's looking forward to reuniting with some of his former college friends for this special performance with Chip McNeill!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Nashville Jazz Workshop, 1012 Buchanan Street, Nashville, United States
USD 22.40 to USD 38.16
