“I like a nice blend of having fun and taking music seriously.” I suppose that explains the large sections of Bach and The Hoosier Hot Shots in his sheet music collection. A past resident of Wallowa County Or, Matt Bell now resides in New Orleans where he lives and breathes traditional jazz, old-time country music and — well let’s just say etcetera. He earned his master’s degree in music from the University of New Orleans and he hopes that doesn’t tarnish the schools reputation too much.

Joy Patterson lives in New Orleans where she plays blues, jazz & country music from the very early days of recorded music. As a vocalist & percussionist, Joy blends traditional instruments with not-so-traditional sound makers, such as found objects, dog toys, confetti cannons, and various hand-built contraptions. Joy is a lead vocalist & washboard player in a variety of musical projects in New Orleans, where for the past decade she has been producing a community event called The All-Star Covered-Dish Country Jamboree. Each week the Jamboree hosts traveling country roots bands from all over the United States and abroad, and has served as a model for similar weekly events that have sprouted up in cities across the country.  Joy and Matt have a concert series in New Orleans called the Jamboree Listening Salon.  She is a founding member of the Bad Penny Pleasuremakers.

Coleman Akin, originally from Tennessee explores music of New Orleans on string instruments and vox. History in bands including Frog & Henry, Leonie Evans, Crazy Arms, Clover Valley Boys. Leads Swing Sept.

Jonathan Greene is an in-demand clarinetist based part time in Saratoga Springs, NY and New Orleans, LA. He is known by his peers and audiences alike for his lyrical phrasing, originality, and ability to adapt to a wide variety of styles, from classical, to jazz, to world music. As both a bandleader and sideman, Jonathan has performed with groups that shared the stage with Jay Leno, Marcus Roberts, Anat Cohen, Gabacho Maroc, Rebirth Brass Band, Robert Glasper among others.

Joplin Parnell is a prominent pianist and vocalist on London’s Jazz and Blues scene. He has lived a life immersed in music having started out at an early age following his piano playing father around New Orleans parades, jam sessions and bars, snare drum in hand. Whereas, days at home were spent receiving a musical education in the back of his mother’s audio engineering studio, watching her cut records and listening with keen ears. His sets weave a rich tapestry of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues and Brazilian Choro, New York Stride and French Musette with a Tango or two thrown in for good measure. His music draws influence from the full breadth of his musical heritage and imparting a deep soulful sensibility onto everything he does.

Max Bien Kahn is a songwriter, bandleader, and side-man who has been based in New Orleans for the past fourteen years or so. His fourth solo album Flowers came out November 2024. When Kahn moved to New Orleans, he was already a songwriter, but in Louisiana he became a performer—busking up and down Royal Street with jazz and country bands, playing upright bass and guitar until it became a full-time gig.