An all-star ensemble performs two exhilarating sets featuring a powerhouse saxophonist.

Bassist Michael Hawkins has performed with jazz legends saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Eric Alexander, Gary Bartz, Donald Harrison; pianists Bruce Barth, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, Cyrus Chestnut, John Hicks; vocalists Vanessa Rubin, Leon Thomas, Carla Cook; vibraharpist Stefon Harris; guitarist Mark Whitfield, Mark Elf and Russell Malone; drummers Carl Allen, Ralph Peterson, Cindy Blackmon; and the trombone and seashells of Steve Turre. Hawkins has led groups and performed in prestigious venues such as The Village Vanguard, Sweet Basil's, Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Cleopatra's Needle, Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase (Chicago), Jazz Bakery (Los Angeles), Ragatta Bar, Sculler's (Boston), The Dakota (Minneapolis) and Yoshi's (Oakland). He is based in Richmond, Virginia.

This unique and rare performance features the extraordinary talents of Dr. Weldon Hill on piano, Billy Williams on drums, and Tedd Baker on saxophone.

Tedd Baker has worked with a wide variety of jazz greats and contemporary artists including Barry Harris, David Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Slide Hampton, Eddie Daniels, Victor Lewis, Jason Moran, Wycliffe Gordon, Fitz and The Tantrums, Sean Jones, Michael Mossman, Warren Wolf, The 8-Bit Big Band, Ryles Jazz Orchestra w Jon Faddis, Artie Shaw Orchestra. and Donny McCaslin among others. He has also recorded with New York Voices ("Let It Snow"), Bobby Caldwell ("After Dark"), Bohemian Caverns All-Stars, Amina Figarova Sextet, David Sanborn, and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra under the direction of David Baker.

An avid believer in educating the next generation, Baker has served as an adjunct professor of saxophone at the University of the Virgin Islands, SUNY New Paltz (State University of New York), and Morgan State University Baltimore (substitute professor), and has conducted masterclasses and guest artist/clinician performances throughout the US, Central and South America, and the Caribbean at high schools, universities, and conventions including American University, Shephard University School of Music, Howard University, Shenandoah University-National Jazz Workshop, Berklee College of Music, University of North Texas (UNT Jazz), Midwest Clinic Conference (2022), Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival (2019), Universidad Centroamericana-El Salvador, Capitol University-Columbus, OH (2019), Valdosta State University, GA (2019), PASIC-Percussive Arts Society International Convention (w/Johnny Vidacovich Trio, 2017), and the Jazz Education Network Convention (2014, 2018).

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