Young Lions Showcase

Paris Strother has been playing piano professionally since age 13, having started playing at age 2. After attending DeLaSalle High School and the Ramsey International Fine Arts Center in Minneapolis, she took her talents to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, graduating with a double major in contemporary production and film scoring. She has performed not only across this country, but also in tours across Russia, Greece, and the Netherlands. Currently Paris resides in Los Angeles, where she performs and composes regularly.

“Paris has chops to burn, speed, power, and artistic inspiration bubbling up from the springs of McCoy Tyner and Ahmad Jamal.” –Andrea Canter

Chris Smith may be fresh out of high school, but his prowess on the bass has taken him across the country and back. A 2006 graduate of Minneapolis South High School, Smith received a scholarship and was a member of the 2007 Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet, which performed at many prestigious venues throughout the country, including the Monterey Jazz Festival. Smith also won a 2007 Downbeat student award for Best Composition for his song “Left Behind.” Most recently, Smith has been splitting his time between studies at the New School in Manhattan and the bass chair in the Jeff “Tain” Watts Quartet.

Brandon Commodore is a prodigiously gifted drummer whose ability to play many different styles belies his age. His diverse musical interests have landed him gigs with The R Factor, Alicia Wiley, and Darnell Davis and the Remnant. Notably he has been seen behind the drum set with Mint Condition and Grammy Award winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness.

After spending five years at UW-Eau Claire and establishing himself as a mainstay in the Twin Cities jazz scene, trumpeter John Raymond is well on his way to becoming a major force in the music industry. John already has two, self-produced original recordings, and he has appeared as an arranger and player on numerous Gospel/R&B recordings with the up-and-coming Twin Cities Horns. While in town, John played regularly with his own band, the John Raymond Project, as well as Nachito Herrera and the Dakota Late Night All-Stars. After relocating to New York City this past August, John is pursuing a Master’s in Jazz Studies at SUNY Purchase, studying under trumpet expert Jon Faddis, and starting to make his way into the New York jazz scene. Hear samples of his music and see his schedule at johnraymondmusic.net