Name: Tennessee Valley Masters of Jazz-Shoals Edition
Start: 2024-10-17T20:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-10-17T23:00:00-05:00
Location: Lava Room

Welcome to the Tennessee Valley Masters of Jazz-Shoals Edition event! Join us for a night of incredible jazz music at the Lava Room. Get ready to groove to the smooth sounds of talented jazz musicians from the Tennessee Valley. This in-person event promises to be a night to remember, filled with soulful melodies and captivating performances. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to experience the magic of the masters of jazz in the Shoals area.

Masters of Jazz House Band for Sep 19, 2024
PIANO
Jazz pianist/composer/event producer, Ed Bisquera. With nearly 35+ years as a professional musician, as well as a event producer and promoter under his belt, Ed has brought together a team of musicians that perform music of some of the world's "masters of jazz" along with many original compositions and arrangements.
BASS
Returning to the jazz series on bass, is Florence native David Ray. He'll be performing on acoustic and electric bass with the house band and will bring his groovy and swingin' sounds to the stage on the set.
David Ray is an electric and double bassist, and active performer on the Alabama music scene. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Alabama, he spent several years touring and recording with original bands. During that time he opened for bands such as Umphrey’s McGee, Blues Traveler, The Wailers, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, George Porter, Jr., and Col. Bruce Hampton.
In his hometown of Muscle Shoals he’s worked with notable musicians such as Kelvin Holly, Will McFarlane, and Bob Wray. He’s also been a studio bassist at FAME Studios and The Nutthouse. David continues to perform frequently while pursuing a master’s degree in Arranging from the University of Alabama, where he also serves as Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Jazz Studies Department.
DRUMS
On drums this evening will be Huntsville native, notable North Alabama musician Marcus Pope.
Marcus received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education/Performance from Alabama A&M University in 2002 and opened Pope’s School of Percussion in 2009. Pope’s School of Percussion has an annual workshop, “Back to Basics”, taught by world-renowned artists such Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets), J.D. Blair(Victor Wooten, Shania Twain) Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy) Darrell Tibbs( Take 6, Donna Summer), Calvin Rodgers (Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Jonathan Butler, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, Rachelle Farell). Pope’s School of Percussion’s mission is: “Strive to help students learn that nothing is beyond their grasp and that they can achieve anything they set their minds to”, making this more than just a school of percussion.
Marcus has been credited on many projects, including: Kelvin Wooten’s Grammy Award-nominated “Windows”; J.D. Blair’s “2012”; The Waters/Felts Project; Madison Mission’s “Soulful Christmas”; Tracy Hamlin “Better Days”; Russell Smith’s “The End Is Not In Sight”; James Bowman’s “My Perspective” and “She’s An Original”; Jolanda Green’s “Scared Serenade”; Sam Pope, Jr.’s “His Sound” and “Hear Our Prayer”; Chris Blue’s “Humanity”, Anthony Hamilton, Elayna Boynton, Walter Hawkins, Kim Burrell, Maurette Brown Clark, Eddie Levery, Percy Sledge, Candi Staton, Ellis Marsalis, Eddie “Spanky” Alford, and Mac Davis.
GUITAR
On guitar is Aaron Stapler. Aaron Stapler is a guitarist, vocalist, and producer who is making his mark on the local scene in N Alabama. From collaborations right here in the Valley to gigs that take him outside of the area, he knows his way around the music industry.
"I believe in the importance of bettering yourself as well as the atmosphere around you. Hard work and self-motivation is key.
I’m a driven musician attempting to broaden my horizons and create as much as I can. I gladly welcome any opportunity to improve and succeed."
https://www.facebook.com/tennesseevalleyliving/videos/sounds-of-the-valley-aaron-stapler/1914246402370005/
https://linktr.ee/StapledTogetherMusic