Alvin Atkinson, Jr., drummer and 5-time "Jazz Ambassador" for the United States, has been featured in concert with various artists such as Houston Person, James Carter, Cecil Bridgewater, Reggie Workman, Vanessa Rubin and Wycliffe Gordon. Atkinson performed as a part of the 2008, 2007 and 2004 Jazz Ambassador-tour of Russia, the Middle East, Africa and South America sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center and the State Department, as the house drummer for the Emeril Live television show on the Food Network 2002 season, and he performed at the White House for President George W. Bush. As an educator, Atkinson served as the Visiting Professor of Drum-set Studies at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada during the 2004-2005 school year. In addition to performing, he has taught at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Middle School Jazz Academy, The Bronx Academy and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City.
Ameen Saleem, bass, attended both the Duke Ellington High School and the DC Youth Orchestra and quickly developed both classical and jazz musical skills quite rapidly, performing with the two groups around the world, including the East Coast, Hampton, Motreaux, and North Sea Jazz Festivals. In college at North Carolina Central, Ameen continues to gain experience performing locally and globally, playing in such venues as the Grady Tate, Montreaux, Carolina, and Vienne Jazz Festivals. In July and August of 2004 Ameen along with Deborah Davis and a Few Good Men (Ameen, Alvin Atkinson, and James Wydman) toured South America for the US State Department and Kennedy Center as Jazz Ambassador. Ameen continues to perform and record with musicians such as Jimmy Heath, Nicholas Payton, Lonnie Liston Smith, Gene Carne, Antonio Hart, Winard Harper and many more great musicians.
Sean Higgins, pianist and composer, earned his college degree in Jazz Performance at UNC-Wilmington and his Master's Degree at Northern Illinois University. As a professional musician, he has performed at the 2006 Vail Jazz Festival, Shanghai Jazz, and many NYC clubs. Higgins has shared the stage with Charles McPherson, Stephanie Nakasian, Al Maniscalco, Wycliffe Gordon, Fareed Haque, Bobby Watson, and Russell Malone. He opened up for Dave Holland, Fourplay, Talib Kweli, Ryan Cohen, Stefon Harris and Blackout, and he is currently a member of the world-renowned Winard Harper Sextet and appears on the group's latest CD; Make it Happen. Higgins’ debut album, The New Thought, is also getting increased airplay and recognition amongst musicians and fans alike.
Lakecia Benjamin, Saxophonist, born and raised in New York City is a multi-faceted artist on the scene. Playing the musical styles of Jazz, R &B, and Funk, she has performed in Switzerland, Turkey, Germany, Norway and many festivals throughout the world. Ms. Benjamin has performed with artists including Clark Terry, John Hicks, Joanne Brackeen,Rachel Z. and many more. She performs in workshops and concerts at public schools, and community events through organizations such as Arts Connection and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
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