Dr. Michael Torregano comes from a musical family. The youngest of four boys, he began playing piano at the age of five. Michael studied music at Southern University in New Orleans earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. He later received a Master in Music Performance with an emphasis in conducting from the University of New Orleans. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University. Michael has been an educator for 32 years, teaching music in Elementary, Middle, High Schools, and at the university level. He performed in his brother, Joseph Torregano’s quartet for 31 years. Michael has also had the pleasure of performing with many New Orleans artists including Allen Toussaint, Deacon John, Dave Bartholomew, and Johnny Adams.

Brian Quezerque, a sought after New Orleans bassist, received his B.A. in instrumental music education from Southern University at New Orleans. Upon graduation he began his teaching career in the public schools of New Orleans. Mr. Quezerque has been involved in Jazz Camp since its inception in1995 when he enrolled as a student. In 2004, he became the first alumni to join the camp’s faculty as the bass instructor. Mr. Quezerque is currently a faculty member at Audubon Charter School. The son of New Orleans composer/arranger Wardell Quezerque, he performs a variety of music genres and has performed with the likes of the Wild Magnolias, Kidd Jordan, the late Alvin Batiste, Clyde Kerr Jr. Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown and many others.

Jazz Vocalist extraordinaire, artist and teacher Betty Shirley has come full circle in her life and is now reaping the benefits of her hard-earned endeavors. The Times Picayune declares “…her range and command of the stage make Shirley’s a voice that should be heard round the world.”

Blessed with all the range and tonal control one might expect from a first-class Jazz singer, Shirley can scat, propel, coax and hang on to a note. She improvises with unerring instincts and delivers exactly what a song needs, spinning notes like silk. Michael ‘Mr. Jazz’ Gourrier (of WRIR-FM, Richmond Virginia) says about Betty, “One of the top female vocalists on the New Orleans scene. sensitive, sassy, coy and a great interpreter.”

Betty Shirley says, “most of my singing is a natural expression, the voice is an instrument and to be able to sing illuminates the entire world, it has given me a chance to express my sincere devotion to this music.” Shirley’s extensive repertoire ranges from original compositions, Jazz (modern and traditional), and Blues to R&B, and Bossa Nova. Lucy Galliher, Musician and former East Coast Editor - Jazz Now Magazine writes “… her songs are alive, mixing vocalizing, talking and scanting into a wonderful blend of colors…”

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Shirley spent her childhood in Chicago, and “ran off” to study music and art in New York City at the age of 16. Betty Shirley honed her skills on the New York scene making use of Jazz Mobile, and performing in such clubs as Birdland, Green Street Café and the Village Gate. In the early 1990’s she followed her muse and settled in the great Jazz city of New Orleans where she has continued to perform at such clubs as Snug Harbor, Royal Sonesta and Donna’s.

She has sung with some of the best Jazz musicians in the world: Ellis Marsalis, Art Blakey Jr., Benny Green and Bross Townsend, to name a few and her tours have included Europe and Brazil. Her credits include the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Pensacola Jazz Festival, Essence Fest and the Women in Jazz Series.

Betty Shirley most recent award was being named and honored as a 2007 Jazz All-star by New Orleans Magazine. Her other awards received included Best Jazz Vocalist, Gambit Magazine's Big Easy Awards and Duke Ellington Concerts Award.

As a recording artist, Shirley has 3 critically acclaimed CDs to her credit as a leader.

Roderick has been singing almost as long as he has been speaking. Chicago Sun-Times writer Lloyd Sachs states that he is, “a smooth and serious singer.” Baton Rouge Morning Advocate writer Rod Dreher calls him, “a very special talent.” Jazztimes Magazine proclaims, “he is an able convert to jazz, when Jon Hendricks invited him on stage for a round of Thelonius Monk’s ‘Rhythmaning.’”
He has worked with Clarinetist Alvin Batiste, Pianist Ellis Marsalis, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and numerous others. His recordings are as follows: Beautiful Beginnings, produced by Delfeayo Marsalis and The Essence Of… produced by Grammy Award Winner, Nicholas Payton, and a self-produced CD, Perfect Imperfections, E-VOL-VING, featuring, Ellis Marsalis and Saxophonist Donald Harrison. His first recorded EP of original R&B music, Back To Love, became an top charting project overseas. It spawned a #1 single, Got To, #3 Make It Last Forever and #5 Back To Love. His voice was apart of the HBO Soul of the Game, the BET BlacKout, and UMC series, Terror Lake Drive, a featured vocalist on Kent Jordan’s CD, Out of this World, as well as, a Folgers Coffee and McDonalds Commercial. His latest release, “2702”, produced by Grammy Award Nominee, Vocalist and Drummer, Jamison Ross is well received overseas as well as in the states. The current project, “2702”, went to #4 on the Amazon U.K. In the states, it went to #26 on JazzWeek Charts.

New Orleans singer and entertainer Anaïs St. John brings her latest cabaret show back for one weekend. Through song and spoken word, Anaïs brings to life Josephine Baker’s extraordinary journey from humble beginnings in East St. Louis to the stages of Jazz Age Paris, to her wartime service in France and North Africa, and to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.

Josephine Baker: From Creole Goddess to Siren of the Resistance, created for and starring Anaïs St. John, was written by @denisealtobello with musical direction by @harrymayronne

Come join us for Jade Santrell's 25th Birthday Bash and Music Release Party!

From a tender young age it was clear that Jason Marsalis had what it took to be great. Jason is the son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, and the youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo. Together, the four brothers and their patriarch Ellis, comprise New Orleans venerable first family of jazz. With each passing year Jason Marsalis continues to grow and develop as both a composer and performer. With a fire in his heart and a passion for the music, his will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity and the command he possesses over his music is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him.