Artist-in-Residence: Mimi Jones Quartet

Mimi Jones, multi talented bassist, vocalist and composer, brings her beacon of musical light to the world while embracing a positive future with her inspiring messages. Mimi’s elegant sound is an eclectic mix of genres based on a strong jazz foundation that leave room for funky bass grooves, world beat rhythms, and gentle textures. Her inspiring debut release CD, “A New Day” is bursting with original compositions seamlessly melting from one song to another and caressed by the warmth of Mimi’s sultry voice. The title of the CD speaks of embracing a changing world with a positive point of view while maintaining the courage to move forward just as the new persona and alter ego, Mimi Jones, was transformed from “side man” Miriam Sullivan in order to more appropriately express her own messages of change and future progression.

Mimi Jones has shared the stage with such talents as the great Lionel Hampton, Roy Hargrove, Rachel Z, Sean Jones, Kenny Barron, Jesse Davis, Ingrid Jensen, Kevin Mahogany, Denis Charles, Tia Fuller and Onaje Allan Gumbs just to name a few. Besides receiving a Bachelor’s of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music she also studied, attended workshops or mentored with Lisle Atkinson, Barry Harris, Ron Carter, Milt Hinton, Dr. Billy Taylor, Yusef Latif, Max Roach, and Latin bass techniques with Guillermo Edgehill. The Mimi Jones Band has performed at the Jazz Standard, the Blue Note, and the Kennedy Center, Dizzy’ s Coca Cola. For more about Mimi Jones visit: www.HOTTONEMUSIC.com.

Pharez Whitted – Ryan Cohan – Marcus Evans

Pharez Whitted is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana and attended DePauw University and Indiana University with a focus on music. He has participated in several television events including The Billboard Music Awards and The Arsenio Hall Show. He was an artist on MoJazz, Motown’s Jazz label and worked with a variety of artists including George Duke, Elvin Jones, Slide, Hampton, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, David Baker, Ramsey Lewis, Lou Rawls, Bobby Broom, John Mellencamp and El Debarge. He also had two albums on the jazz charts in the top 10 (“Transient Journey 2010 “and “For the People” 2012).

In addition to his work as a musician, Pharez is a producer, composer, arranger and educator. He has taught Jazz Trumpet, Jazz Improvisation, Jazz History and has directed jazz ensembles at various Universities and High Schools throughout the country. Presently he serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at Chicago State University and is part of the faculty at the Ravinia’s prestigious Jazz Scholar Program in Chicago.

Motéma recording artist and Guggenheim Fellow Ryan Cohan has distinguished himself as a vital original voice to be heard amongst the elite young pianist/composers on the global music scene today. Leading his own groups and as a sideman, Ryan has performed at premier venues worldwide and has worked with such jazz luminaries and stellar ensembles as Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller, Joe Locke, Paquito D’Rivera, Bob Cranshaw, Victor Lewis, Jeff Hamilton, Orbert Davis and The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, to name a few.

Ryan has written extensively for and toured with NEA Jazz Master Ramsey Lewis, contributing more than a dozen pieces to several of Mr. Lewis’s albums and the theme music to Lewis’s nationally syndicated television show The Legends Of Jazz. Recently, Ryan penned orchestral arrangements for Joe Locke’s live concert recording, Wish Upon A Star (Motéma Music) featuring Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra and recorded with Locke’s quartet for his latest CD release, Lay Down My Heart: Blues and Ballads, Vol. 1.

Gary, IN native Marcus Evans has been a staple in the Chicago creative music scene for the past 10 years. He has performed with Chicago notables such as Fred Anderson, Nicole Mitchell and the Black Earth Ensemble, The David Boykin Expanse and many others. He has also performed throughout the U.S. and internationally with groups such as Chicago Afrobeat Project, Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and electronic music producer PREFUSE 73.

With the Mimi Jones Quartet, Marcus makes his debut as a leader. He presents original music and arrangements inspired by the post-bop era of the late ’50s and ’60s and hip hop culture….as well as other songs that he just happens to like.