Kirk R. Kadish (Keyboards)

Since 1994, Kirk has been the keyboardist/vocalist with the Volunteers of the U.S. Army Field Band, from Washington, D.C. and stationed at Ft. Meade, MD, currently at the rank for sergeant first class. The "Volunteers" travel the world as musical ambassadors, representing the United States Army and America. From 1990 to 1994, he served as piano instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music, in Norfolk,VA.

Kirk is very active throughout the region as a jazz pianist, working with such jazz luminaries as saxophonist Chris Vadala (head of the jazz department at the University of Maryland); Steve Carrington, Major Boyd, trumpeters' Melvin Stamm, Claudio Roditi, drummers Larry Bright, Jesse Moody and Johnny Jones; guitarists Carl Filipiak, Michael Raitzyk and Shea Welsh; bassits' Leonardo Lucini, Mitchell Coates and Jesse Powers; and vocalists Paris Lane, Tracy Hamlin and Debbie Poole. He can be found performing at Baltimore jazz clubs like the Catons Castle, The Downtown Southern Blues restaurant and Melba's Place. In D.C. he can be found performing at Joe's Bohemian Cavern and the Archives.

He composed, arranged and produced two CD recordings titled, "In Here" and "Tradewinds".

He received a Bachelor of Music, Magna Cum Lauda, from the University of Michigan in 1977 and a Master of Music degree from Towson University in 1999. During his years at Towson he studied with Gregg Hatza and Tim Murphy. He also studied in NY city with Lee Konitz, Harold Danko and Gary Dial.

He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Veronica for 24 years. Together they have a 14 year old son, Nocholas, who will be attending Broadneck H.S. in Anne Arundel COunty this year.

Jesse L. Powers Jr. (Bass)

Born at McDonald Hospital, Ft. Eustis, Virginia, September 14, 1951. Educated in public schools. Graduated Hampton High School, 1970. Outstanding in music and literature. Married Lynn Renee Hope, 1973, now divorced; three children: Anela, born 1975; Carlton, born 1977; Jesse III, 1981. Joined the Army as euphonium/trombone player, April 29, 1971: Graduated basic music course, U.S. Army Element School of Music, 1972; euphonium. Graduated Human Relations course, 1973. Began playing the electric bass, 1973. First job as bass player, Hawaii, 1975. Studied with Mr. Herb Ward, principal bass player for the Honolulu Symphony, 1976. Conducted electric bass clinic at the U.S. Army Bandmasters Association, 1979. Graduated Primary leadership course, Army, 1983. Bass player for the Faculty Lab Band at the Armed Forces School of Music, 1980. Bass player for Army special band, Continental Army Band, Hampton, VA, 1981. Graduated Advanced Noncommissioned Officers course, Army, 1986. Awarded military occupation status (MOS), electric bass (O2U), 1986. Won audition at Army special band, The U.S. Army Field Band, from Washington, DC, 1986. Formed jazz group, Spice. Graduated Equal Opportunity Course, 1988, Army. Awarded staff position, Equal Opportunity Leader, The U.S. Army Field Band, 1988. Noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of the Volunteers of The United States Army Field Band, 1994. Met Rhoda White, artist, 1994. Graduated Consideration of Others program, 1996, Army. Promoted to Sergeant Major, U.S. Army. Thirty-three years continuous military service in the U.S. Army.

UNITED STATES MUSIC TRAVELS All 50 states.
FOREIGN MUSIC TRAVELS

Portugal, Hawaii, Germany, South Korea, Canada, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guantamano Bay, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Johnny Jones (Drums)

Percussion/Trombone. School of Performing Arts (Montclair, NJ); New York School of Music (New York, NY); School of Jazz Mobile (Harlem, NY). Studied under Charlie Persip, Freddy Watts, and Carl Wolf. Mr. Jones has performed with various well know musicians throughout his musical career such as: Dizzie Gilespie, Jimmie Magriff, John Patton, Charlie Mason and Leo Johnson. He has opened for George Duke and Michelle Ferrell. His unique talent and experience has allowed Mr. Jones to be exceptional as a performer and as an accompanist. He has performed with Visions/Jerry Gordon Quintet, Spice and O'donel Levy, Blue Note Jazz Ensemble, Aesthetic Police and C.C. Rogers & Co. et al. He has toured Europe, Iceland, Germany, France and Holland for the Dept. of Defense. Recordings include Eric Howard, ANIMA The Spirit, The Soul, THe Life-Force, THE FORCE OF LIFE, Jerry Gordon, Soft and Warm Saisaa, Saisa Live et. al. Versatile in all styles of music.

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