Dreamworld is a collaborative ensemble which takes on many forms and sounds. The ensembles' nucleus features Richard Wyands on piano, Kelly Shepherd on woodwinds, Paul Brown on bass and Eric Kennedy on drums and vocals. Dreamworld often features special guests. They have previously featured artists : Gary Bartz, Curtis Fuller, Charles Davis, Virgil Jones, Lyle Atkinson, and Tardo Hammer.
Richard Wyands is a superb pianist with a wealth of experience. He played on the Grammy nominated album First Light by Freddie Hubbard. He has played with such vocalists as Sammy Davis Jr., Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae. Richard has accompanied many great soloists such as Benny Carter, Oliver Nelson, Illinois Jacquet, Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard, Zoot Sims, Paul Desmond, Kenny Burrell, Phil Woods and Benny Bailey. He has performed and recorded with many great artists and performed on the soundtrack to the Robin Williams movie, "Moscow on the Hudson".
Paul Brown is a very sympathetic bass player with experience performing jazz, classical and broadway theater. Mr. Brown has toured and recorded with many great artists such as Clark Terry, Frank Sinatra, Clifford Jordan, Max Roach, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, George Benson, Kenny Clarke, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughn and Tony Wilson, to name a few...
Eric Kennedy began singing and playing drums at a very early age. Eric has studied in school and privately with singer Timmy Shepherd and drummers Jamal Wilson and Leroy Williams. He has performed with Gary Bartz, Gary Thomas, Cyrus Chestnut, Greg Osby, Keter Betts, John Hicks, Ronnie Matthews, Larry Willis, and Bunky Green among many others.
Kelly Shepherd began his musical studies at the age of eleven. He has studied classical and jazz saxophone with Junior Cook and Gary Bartz. Kelly has taught and performed music in the states and abroad. He has performed in clubs, concerts and festivals with his own group and with Grady Tate, Dave Hubbard, Yusef Salim, Leroy Williams, Curtis Fuller, Virgil Jones and many others.
The combination of youth and wisdom, tradition and experimentalism, energy, finesse and many influences makes for an ensemble that is truly a Dreamworld.
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