Since emerging as a force in contemporary jazz in the mid-90s with a trademark sound captured in the title of his debut album Classical Soul, Marc Antoine has shared his joyous musical wanderlust on a discography infused with extraordinary exotic journeys. After living and recording in Madrid – his wife Rebecca’s hometown – for 12 years, the multi-talented Parisian born acoustic guitarist relocated back to Southern California in 2015. While keeping his deep melodic flow and exotic textures front and center, he shares the lighthearted spirit of his exciting new life on his highly anticipated Woodward Avenue Records debut, an homage to his new hometown of Laguna Beach.

Since emerging as a force in contemporary jazz in the mid-90s with a trademark sound captured in the title of his debut album Classical Soul, Marc Antoine has shared his joyous musical wanderlust on a discography infused with extraordinary exotic journeys. After living and recording in Madrid – his wife Rebecca’s hometown – for 12 years, the multi-talented Parisian born acoustic guitarist relocated back to Southern California in 2015. While keeping his deep melodic flow and exotic textures front and center, he shares the lighthearted spirit of his exciting new life on his highly anticipated Woodward Avenue Records debut, an homage to his new hometown of Laguna Beach.

Two-time grammy nominated organist and winner of Downbeat Magazine’s 2016 rising star poll Pat Bianchi, has established himself as one of the most in demand organists on the scene today. His command of the instrument, harmonic prowess, rhythmic intensity and versatility are rivaled by few.

In June of 2009 Bianchi officially joined The Lou Donaldson’s quartet. While continuing to play with Lou, Bianchi also joined Pat Martino’s working trio in 2011 in addition to taking on the responsibilities of musical director.

Bianchi is featured on numerous recordings such as Tim Warfield’s Sentimental Journey, a follow up to Warfield’s recording One For Shirley (on which he also appears) as well as guitarist Chuck Loeb’s release, Plain and Simple. At this time Bianchi also continued to perform with drummer Ralph Peterson Jr., forging ahead with The Unity Project. While still actively performing with both Pat Martino and Lou Donaldson, Bianchi not only continues to collaborate with many well known musicians, he is also on the faculty of Temple University and Queens College (NYC). Bianchi has released six CD’s as a leader and is also a featured artist on over 30 recordings.

Contemporary Jazz bassist Gerald Veasley is not just a regular performer at SOUTH, he’s the producer of our long running Thursday night Unscripted Jazz Series. His musical odyssey has taken him to the top of the contemporary music world as a bassist, bandleader, composer, producer, educator, and curator. Gerald has recorded or performed with many of the world’s top artists in Jazz, R&B and Gospel: Kirk Whalum, Will Downing, Chuck Loeb, Maysa, Nnenna Freelon, Special EFX, Pieces of a Dream, McCoy Tyner, The Jaco Pastorius Big Band, Gerald Levert, Teddy Pendergrass, Philip Bailey, the Dixie Hummingbirds, John Blake, Odean Pope and Pat Martino.

Big, bad beauty from Boise, Idaho, Emily Braden covers a lot of ground. Whether she’s fronting an genre-defying orchestra or leading a world-class trio in the heart of Manhattan, Braden has the innate ability to win the heart of any audience with her powerhouse vocals and striking stage presence.

Winner of New York City’s prestigious “Best of the Best” Jazzmobile Vocal Competition, Braden’s signature sound is an effortless blend of jazz and soul. Her debut album Soul Walk is composed of high-energy originals and “flipped-out” jazz standards. Producer Misha Piatigorsky says, “As a singer, Emily has no boundaries. She gives me goose bumps.” Braden has performed at notable NYC venues such as the Blue Note Jazz Club (Late Night Groove Series), Birdland Jazz Club, le poisson rouge, BAMCafe and as well as on international festival circuits. East coast residencies include Richard Bona’s Club Bonafide and Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem, the original home of bebop.

Braden is joined by Philadelphia pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader Joe Block. Joe has worked and played with a list of many esteemed artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jaleel Shaw, Terell Stafford, Joe Farnsworth, Tim Warfield, Hannibal Lokumbe, Don Sickler, and Byron Landham.

Big, bad beauty from Boise, Idaho, Emily Braden covers a lot of ground. Whether she’s fronting an genre-defying orchestra or leading a world-class trio in the heart of Manhattan, Braden has the innate ability to win the heart of any audience with her powerhouse vocals and striking stage presence.

Winner of New York City’s prestigious “Best of the Best” Jazzmobile Vocal Competition, Braden’s signature sound is an effortless blend of jazz and soul. Her debut album Soul Walk is composed of high-energy originals and “flipped-out” jazz standards. Producer Misha Piatigorsky says, “As a singer, Emily has no boundaries. She gives me goose bumps.” Braden has performed at notable NYC venues such as the Blue Note Jazz Club (Late Night Groove Series), Birdland Jazz Club, le poisson rouge, BAMCafe and as well as on international festival circuits. East coast residencies include Richard Bona’s Club Bonafide and Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem, the original home of bebop.

Braden is joined by Philadelphia pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader Joe Block. Joe has worked and played with a list of many esteemed artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jaleel Shaw, Terell Stafford, Joe Farnsworth, Tim Warfield, Hannibal Lokumbe, Don Sickler, and Byron Landham.