Santi DeBriano Quintet

Born in Panama in 1955, Santi moved to New York at age four. His father, a Panamanian pianist- composer, sparked Santi's early interest in music. By 9, he was studying classical bass in a New York City school for gifted children. In junior high school he switched to guitar, playing regularly with a jazz-rock group. At age 14 he heard his first live jazz, a Billy Taylor Trio school show. Santi was an instant convert: jazz was the music he wanted to play. <br>At Union College he led the school's jazz workshop, playing both guitar and bass, and taking his first composition lessons. A year at the New England Conservatory brought Santi back to full time bass playing. An offer to tour with Archie Shepp cut short his studies; he played with Archie for the next four years. <br>In 1981 Santi moved to Paris where he played with Sam Rivers and led his own groups. Most notable was one with Chico Freeman, Billy Hart and Kenny Werner. That group was also the first major group to feature his originalsthe begining of an ever-deepening commitment to composing. <br>Returning to the New York scene in 1985, Santi was soon playing and recording regularly with giants like Don Pullen, Pharoah Sanders, Louis Hayes and Arthur Blythe. Within a couple of years he was again leading his own groups, including an innovative double bass quintet and Euforia, a Brazilian-flavored trio playing his and Paul Meyer's compositions. <br>Playing and touring actively in the early 90s, Santi also started graduate studies at Wesleyan in ethnomusicology and world music. Out of these interests grew his current band, Circlechant, combining influences and musicians from Brazil, Israel, Belize, Cuba and Panama. At the same time, his academic career is flourishing: he is currently Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at UMass. <br>Santi continues to compose prolifically and to play with greats of jazz like Hank Jones, Larry Coryell, Randy Weston, Freddie Hubbard and Cecil Taylor. <br>Since his first record date in 1987, Santi has appeared on over 100 recordings, including eight as leader. His previous Mapleshade CDs are Jazznost with Walter Davis Jr., The Offering with David Murray and Euforia. <br /><br />Artist and Composer, Michael Cruse is a musically captivating talent having captured audiences all around the world. Cruse, a Lexington, Kentucky native, is known for his unique take on the musical stylings of the incomparable Louis Armstrong. Michael’s compositions and arrangements have been featured in various TV shows, films, and commercials, which have been aired across the nation. <br><br>Michael’s musical lineage spans 100 years, including two gospel recording groups, the Brooks Sisters and the Raglin Brothers of Kentucky, and his dear uncle Charles Quillings, teacher of esteemed jazz pianist Les McCann. His Uncle Charles took Michael under his wing as a young child, starting him with piano, and later teaching him trumpet, and how to read and write music. Michael then went on to attend The University of Cincinnati – College Conservatory of Music for Jazz Studies Performance and Composition. <br><br>After graduating, Michael released his first CD entitled “Unbridled'' featuring his group The Michael Cruse Quintet. Michael’s Latest single “You” (2020) can be found available on any music streaming platform. Michael performs locally in Atlanta & New York City, and tours across the nation at various concert halls, jazz festivals, and jazz clubs. Michael is teaching as a Lecturer and Brass Instructor in the Jazz Studies Department at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael also currently works for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Education Department in New York, New York as well. <br><br>Michael has performed with jazz greats such as Roy Hargrove, Les McCann, JD Allen, Jazzmeia Horn & Her Noble Force, Javon Jackson, Wynton Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Curtis Lundy, Victor Jones, Russell Gunn, Warren Wolf, Gregory Tardy, The Royal Krunk Jazz Orchestra, John Fedchock, Fareed Haque, Vince DiMartino, Gail Wynters, Byron Stripling, Jason Marshall Big Band, Jeff Hamilton, John Von Ohlen, and Kevin Harris. <br><br>Michael has also performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk with Rap Artist JID and several R&B groups for Bootsy Collins, KeKe Wyatt, Jill Scott, Keisha Cole, Mike Phillips, Chantae Cann, Damian Sneed, Marc Broussard, and Clyde Brown (Drifters). He also has recorded for Kirk Franklin, Bootsy Collins, Kim Burell, L Spencer Smith, and Travis Malloy. Michael was also a part of the filming of “Miles Ahead” and portrayed NYC-based trumpeter and recording artist, Ernie Royal, starring Don Cheadle as Miles Davis (r. April 2016), as well as filming for HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” (released 2020). He also joined the cast of “The Color Purple” by Oprah Winfrey (released 2024) and was apart of the soundtrack as well. Michael continues his active work of performing, recording, composing music, educating, and acting to this day. You can follow Michael Cruse on Facebook and Instagram @MichaelCruseMusic <br /><br />Saxophonist Tommy Morimoto has appeared in concert with Dave Brubeck, Les Paul, Anita O’Day, Clint Eastwood, The Steve Miller Band, Frank Wess, Benny Powell, Larry Coryell, Santi Debriano, Bob Cranshaw, Reggie Workman, Charli Persip, Joe Wilder, Nat Adderley Jr., Eddie Bert, Lee Konitz, Billy Hart, Paul West, Bob Mover, Victor Lewis, Rufus Reid, Steve Nelson, Dave Liebman, Rodney Jones, Monte Croft, Richard Wyands, Earl May, Junior Mance, and Hank Jones. Mr. Morimoto has played in concert halls, festivals (Playboy, Monterey, JVC), and nightclubs (Minton’s Playhouse,Yoshi’s, Birdland, Iridium, The Zinc Bar, The Beacon, Catalina’s, The Rainbow Room, Ronnie Scott’s and the Blue Note NYC) and throughout the United States, France, Italy, Switzerland and The Kingdom Of Bahrain. He has been a featured sideman on several recordings, including one with Anita O’ Day. Mr. Morimoto studied with bassist Christian McBride, multi-instrumentalist Monte Croft, saxophonists James Moody, Lew Tabackin, Bob Mover, Dave Liebman, Mike Zilber, George Coleman Sr., pianists Barry Harris, and Hank Jones. <br /><br />This artist does not have a bio yet. <br /><br />My resume includes drumming for Dominic Lalli, Ron Miles, Fred Hess, Petite Machine, Erik Deutch, Bill Frisell, North Station, Leslie Drayton, Dotsero, Shaded Red, and The Fuller Family Band with my wife, Shamie (piano). I've also had the honor of playing with a number of jazz greats including Buster Williams, Wynton Marsalis, and Joshua Redman.Weblinks:www.myspace.com/rudyroyston