Passionately driven to create good music; arranger and composer Marvin Dolly combines his love for jazz with broad influences from Calypso and Brazilian music to create his signature style. Originally from the beautiful Island of Trinidad and Tobago, Marvin started playing the guitar at very young age studying classical guitar and taking part in various music festivals in the Caribbean. Gaining popularity Marvin began touring extensively throughout the Caribbean, United States, Canada, and Europe. Feeling the need to pursue his musical career further Marvin moved to London to study at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance where he had the opportunity to study and play with great musicians including: Miles Davis, Blood Sweat and Tears, Michael Brecker.
In the early 90s, Paradigm Shift was born in Rochester, NY to bring spirit back to neo-jazz with organic, funky grooves and street-level ambiance with guitarist Mel Henderson. A Berklee grad, Henderson has recorded and shared the stage with Al Jarrreau, Roy Ayers, Cheryl Lynn, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
Mel and Marvin team up again for the 2025 Webster Jazz Festival!
Tim Forster – flute John Nyerges – piano Dan Vitale - bass
Tim Forster has performed in the Rochester and surrounding areas as a flutist and singer for the past 45 years. He currently plays flute in his own Latin jazz quintet Sofrito, and with the Spanish infused Daniel King Band. He also managed and performed with his daughter jazz vocalist Madeline Forster’s quintet for 8 years. Additionally he sang in The Bowties a cappella group for 17 years. He is also a freelance jazz & Latin flutist for many other projects, appearing as a guest artist on various album projects. Tim has been the Music Director for Fairport Canal Days since 2012, and is on the Music Committee for Perinton’s Center Stage summer concert series.
John Nyerges is a jazz pianist and composer based in Rochester, NY. He performs with his own Jazz Quartet/Quintet, is the jazz pianist for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and freelances with the region’s top jazz groups, and guest artists that come to town.
Dan Vitale is the Rochester area’s premier jazz bassist, performing with visiting artists from around the world. He performs regularly in guitarist Bob Sneider’s trio with drummer Mike Melito.
Andy Calabrese, pianist, educator and music producer, plays in the Rochester NY area with his own jazz trio as well as Prime Time Funk and Chet Catallo and the Cats. He's in demand as a sideman as well, having performed with jazz and pop artists such as Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, The Cowsills, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, David Clayton Thomas, Paul Schaffer and many many more.
Rochester bassist and guitarist Peter Chwazik has performed at festivals, concerts, and clubs across the U.S., Canada, and Europe with a wide variety of artists in many genres, including trumpeter Don Cherry and guitarist Trey Anastasio. Peter teaches privately at Opus Ithaca and is a Visiting Lecturer at Cornell University and a Lecturer at the Ithaca College School of Music.
Sarah De Vallière is a lot of things – an award winning composer of film and game music, a classically trained pianist, and a performing singer-songwriter. As a graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music, it’s no surprise that her talent has taken her further than most independent artists – allowing her to pave a non-traditional path and lifestyle of full-time artistry.
In an industry that can often feel oversaturated with stale soundscapes, lifeless lyrics, and predictable patterns, Sarah’s music cuts through the clutter. Drawing comparisons to iconic contemporary pianists such as Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, and Ben Folds, De Vallière’s music is equally thoughtful, quirky, intentional, and honest. It’s a sound she describes as cinematic folk rock with nuances of jazz and pop.
Sarah will be joined by Emily Champion for this event.
Check out Sarah's Bio here..
Check out Sarah's brand new CD here:
In the early 90s, Paradigm Shift was born in Rochester, NY to bring spirit back to neo-jazz with organic, funky grooves and street-level ambiance. Bandleader Melvin Henderson and co-founder Gerry Youngman grew up in the golden age of jazz clubs: simmering hotbeds of grit and soul.
In an era of turmoil and enormous social change, Henderson and Youngman spent their formative years watching and listening to the great jazz legends. After attending Berklee School of Music, Youngman toured with classic R&B icons like The Drifters, The Platters, Martha Reeves, and St. Louis soul legend Walter Scott. Also out of Berklee, Henderson has recorded and shared the stage with Al Jarrreau, Roy Ayers, Cheryl Lynn, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and legendary organists Jack McDuff and Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Guitarist/Composer Deepak Thettu is an active member of the music scene in Rochester, NY. He performs regularly with his own band as well as with Saxophonist/Producer Judah Sealy. Their collaborations together have yielded the singles “Follow Your Heart” which landed at #21 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz charts, “Can’t Wait (to see you smile)” and Forever (without a doubt)”. His current single "Kissing a Star" can be heard on Sirius XM Watercolors.
Deepak performs with his own group weekly at the Brown Hound restaurant at the Memorial Art Gallery, and recently at Fairport Canal Days and Brighton’s Independence Day celebration to appreciative audiences.
Deepak and Friends include a Powerhouse of Talent that You don’t want to miss… and by the way Deepak is a graduate of Webster Schroeder HS.
Deepak Thettu and Friends:
Deepak Thettu: Guitar
Judah Sealy: Saxophone
Armani Works: Keyboards
Tony Padilla: Percussion
Tyrone Coley: Bass
Carlton Campbell: Drums
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