Artist Information

Richard Elliot
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Where do you go from #1?

If youre veteran saxophonist Richard Elliot, long known as the "James Brown of Contemporary Jazz" for the intense soul inspirations of his recordings, a relentless tour schedule and joyfully exhausting onstage performances, you dig deep into your R&B/jazz roots.

With a bestselling discography of over 15 recordings since 1986s Initial Approach, thousands of live dates spanning over two decades and one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in contemporary urban jazz, its incredible to hear Elliot declare: "What Im doing now, enjoying this upward trend in my career, is seriously the most fun I have ever had."

In the past, Elliot has never been big on starting off a new recording project with an overriding concept in mind, preferring to let each one develop more organically—but he came up with a unique starting point for Rock Steady, calling upon his roots and influences in R&B to create an overall vibe that had a retro feel while incorporating contemporary flavors.

"I see all of my solo albums as if theyre vocal albums and using my sax as the voice and offering the latest step of my evolution. When formulas work in the past, many artists have a tendency to do the same thing again and again. But its more exciting to forge ahead and try new ideas that fit into my natural growth as an artist."

Elliot called on his deep all-star soul-jazz rolodex to find the perfect combination of players to help him realize his evolving "old school" meets "new school" vision. Beyond working with his longtime core touring band members Ron Reinhardt (keyboards), Dwight Sills (guitar), Nate Phillips (bass) and Ricky Lawson (drums), he ensembles with Braun, who is also the albums co-producer.

Also of note are drummer Luis Conte, keyboardist Jeff Lorber, saxophonist Gerald Albright and trombonist Nick Lane. Lorber adds his clever keyboard flair to "Straight Up". Rock Steady marks the first time these two powerhouse saxmen have recorded together.

The Scotland born, L.A. raised Elliot found his musical voice on tenor as a teenager and landed his first professional gig touring with Natalie Cole and The Pointer Sisters while he was still in high school. Before joining Tower of Power—which began a stretch that he calls the most influential period of my early career—he played in the adventurous fusion band Kittyhawk, The Four Tops and The Temptations. He later performed with Melissa Manchester and the Yellowjackets.

Embarking upon one of instrumental musics most dynamic and multi-faceted career, Elliots sound played a huge part in pioneering the genre and radio format that became todays contemporary urban jazz. Over the years, he has scored four #1 albums, (On The Town, Soul Embrace, After Dark and Jumpin Off).

In addition to his participation in the current decades all-star tours, in the mid-90s he helped launch the Guitars & Saxes tours, which he continues to participate in. At his peak, Elliot was annually doing over 100 tour dates.

"I think calling this new album, Rock Steady. was an obvious and inspired choice for many reasons," Elliot says. "The music that inspired the CD has an enduring quality and is part of our American musical heritage. Beyond that, its the perfect metaphor for the good fortune doing what I love to do for so many years. I took a risk leaving Tower of Power for a solo career and never dreamed at the time that I would still have these wonderful opportunities to record and tour over 20 years later. I dont gauge my career based on sales, popularity and money. What matters most is my personal and artistic growth and the opportunities that reveal themselves as I evolve."

Richard Elliot performs exclusively on and endorses DAKOTA Tenor Saxophones.

www.richardelliot.com

Deon Yates

Saxophonist Deon Yates is not new to the music scene, and for the last few years he has been gaining popularity worldwide as a solo performer. Since being named runner up in the 2009 Capital Jazz Challenge, in Maryland, Deon has continued to make strides in his music career. Being chosen as one of only 10 artists nationwide to be featured on the first U.S. Smooth Jazz compilation CD "Jazz Infusion Vol. 1", released in 2010, Deon is on his way to establishing himself as a serious solo artist.

Deon grew up on the East Side of Detroit. He was introduced to jazz by teachers Donald Washington, founder of the cutting edge ensemble Bird-Trane-Sco-Now, and music educator Hosea Taylor, whom Deon credits as being his musical father. Deon quickly became an accomplished woodwind player proficient in both jazz and classical music for which he has won several awards.

Some of Deons favorite career moments include being nominated for an Emmy Award for original music he produced for a PBS Television program in 2001, and performing as a special guest on concerts with Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Alexander Zonjic, Rodney Whitaker, James Carter, Roy Brooks, Marcus Belgrave, Kem Dwele, Clarence Carter, Kirk Whalum, The Floaters, The Contours and many others. Deon has toured nationally with the original number one Dave Matthews Tribute Band "The Tripping Billies" based our of Rochester, NY and seamlessly covered the style of Leroi Moore.

His current CD "In Time" is available on iTunes and Amazon.com. It features a variety of moods and styles and offers a little something for everyone. Deon is currently in the studio working on a new project entitled "Spotlight" which will feature guest appearances from guitarist Tim Bowman and Trumpeter Lin Rountree and a few other surprise guests. This will also be the recording debut of Deons new set of Dakota Brand Saxophones. Deon says that his Dakota Saxes have helped bring his sound to another level which means you can expect great things from Deon Yates in the near future. Be sure to look for him around town and abroad.

Chris Kelsey

Over the course of 20 years, a dozen albums, and innumerable performances at top New York jazz venues and festivals, saxophonist Chris Kelsey has established himself as one of the most visionary improvisers and band leaders on the contemporary scene. Called "a provocateur in the best sense of the term: a player (and writer) who thrives on pushing buttons," by Derek Taylor of All About Jazz, and "at the forefront of the fiery reedists today," by Gapplegate Music Review, Kelsey’s music follows in the tradition of individualism and innovation that has long distinguished the greatest jazz artists, from Beiderbecke to Bird to Miles and Ornette. Kelsey’s unique concoction of the modern and post-modern results in music that defies easy description; music inevitably characterized by unlimited imagination and unfiltered intensity.

Kelsey began playing alto sax at the age of ten in his home state of Oklahoma. After graduating with a Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, Kelsey moved to New York City, where he refined and expanded the performing career he’d begun as a student. He recorded his first album, Stomp Own It, in 1993 for his own Saxofonis Music label. A series of CDs on the CIMP label followed, featuring such top-rank NYC experimental jazz musicians as Steve Swell, Dominic Duval, Jay Rosen, and Francois Grillot. Kelseys bands have played many of New Yorks most important venues for jazz and new music, including the Knitting Factory, Roulette Intermedia, P.S. 122, CBs 313, and many others. Hes also played at many of the citys top summer festivals, including the Knits "What is Jazz? Festival; also the Bell Atlantic, Heineken, and Texaco New York Jazz Festivals. Kelsey began a parallel career as a music journalist in the mid 90s, contributing to such publications as Jazziz, JazzTimes, The All Music Guide to Jazz, and others, as well as editing the website Jazz.com with author/pianist Ted Gioia.

Kelseys most recent album also is also his oldest; Stutches, on the Unseen Rain label, was recorded in 1991 but released for the first time in 2011. Upcoming projects include an album by Happy House, a quartet he co-leads with the trombonist Pat Hall and devoted to reinterpreting the compositions of Ornette Coleman. Kelseys group Where Fakebooks Fear to Tread interprets his original tunes, and masterpieces by underappreciated composer/performers of the 70s and 80s. An ensemble inspired by the electronic music of Miles Davis is also in the works.

Kelsey lives in Pawling, in Dutchess County, New York. He and his wife Lisa are parents of two children, son Jasper and daughter Meret.

Chris performs exclusively with Dakota Sax models Straight Alto and Soprano Saxophones.

Doug Webb

Doug Webb was born in Chicago and moved to California at the age of 3. He is a graduate of Edison high school in Huntington Beach, CA and received a Bachelor of Music from Boston’s Berklee College of Music. He began playing the clarinet at the age of 8 and added saxophone and flute at 15. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife Alex and his son, Ryan.

Over his career Webb has played and recorded with such notable talents as Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Sal Marquez, Stanley Clarke, Quincy Jones, Mat Marucci, Kyle Eastwood, Billy Childs, Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, Art Davis, Kenny Rogers, Bonnie Raitt, and Pancho Sanchez. He played with the house band for the Dennis Miller TV show, the Jimmy Cleveland orchestra and continues to tour with the Doc Severinsen big band. He has recorded music for hundreds of movies and television programs, including playing the saxophone of Lisa in the popular television show The Simpsons. He solos on the sound track for Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby. Webb has been featured on over 150 jazz recordings.

Doug plays.... soprillo, sopranino, C soprano, soprano, slide soprano, swanee, saxello, F mezzo soprano, alto, stritch, C melody, tenor, straight tenor, baritone, bass, cortrabass and tubax saxophones... piccolo, Eb, Db, C, G, bass and contrabass flutes..and almost every size ever made of every other woodwind listed in wikipedia under woodwinds...including sarrusophones and renaissance and baroque woodwinds, double reeds...14 sizes of clarinets...and ethnic woodwinds from every region of the world.

Doug Webb endorses and plays SDTS-1022 DAKOTA STRAIGHT TENOR SAXOPHONE exclusively at all performance venues and clinics.

Skinny Williams

Saxophonist Skinny Williams is an accomplished instrumentalist, a savvy composer, and an electrifying performer who — since the release of his first solo album in 1999 — has created a series of recordings that have made him a distinctive talent in the realm of contemporary jazz. Through his noteworthy combination of earthy grooves and soulful improvisations, Williams has earned both critical acclaim and mainstream appreciation.

Skinnys latest album, Here2MakeUHappy, a collection of toe tappin grooves from the famed saxophonist and all star rhythm section is a praiseworthy successor to Williams last traditional jazz album and audience favorite, Skinny Swings Again.

Skinny Williamss earliest musical influence was his mother who played recordings by everyone from Burt Bacharach, George Benson, Barbra Striesand, and Parliament Funkadelic.

"My mother was not able to take piano lessons as a child but she insisted that we did" He admits. "I agreed to the lessons because I had a crush on the piano teacher. I would just stare at her as she played during the lesson without regard to what was being taught. Im surprised I remembered where middle C was. The teacher moved away and I started playing sax the next year and realized I had found my instrument."

A Chicago native, Williams embarked on his music career while still in his teens. Being 6 feet 4 and 180 pounds, he was often referred to as "that skinny sax player," thus earning him his nickname "Skinny". And putting his first name William as his last name, hence Skinny Williams.

He pursued his music studies at Berklee College of Music. After graduation he toured the world with blues great Junior Wells.

"I went to a jam session one night and these blues guys asked me to go on the road.... I didnt even know who Junior Wells was at the time. I was a jazzer coming out of college and playing the blues taught me to simplify my musical ideas."

Skinny Williams has performed with some of the biggest names in the business- from comedian Bernie Mac, The Ohio Players, Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight, George Duke and Sheila E, jammed on stage with Brian Culbertson, Nick Colionne. Sat in with blues legends Buddy Guy, BB King and Bo Diddley. Toured Australia, Japan, and Europe with blues greats Junior Wells and Lucky Peterson.

Williams is one of the industrys most respected and in-demand players, with critics comparing him to such greats as Stanley Turrentine, Junior Walker, Grover Washington Jr. and Boney James.

Skinny Williams endorses and plays SDT-1200 SILVER PLATE DAKOTA TENOR SAX & SDAS-1020 STRAIGHT ALTO SAXOPHONE exclusively at all performance venues and clinics.

Rick Keller

Rick Keller continues to explore and develop his musical voice. Both , a sought after sideman and an artist composing and pursuing his own projects define the commitment to creative expression so vital to Rick. He has been constantly inspired by music from many countries as a result of concerts and recordings including Ghanaian master drummer Kofi Misiso, tabla master Trilok Gurtu and countless other international musicians. The beauty of music from exotic lands remains an inspiration for Rick to constantly write new music for a variety of instrumentation and style influences.

Rick has a unique personal style to express the emotion created while he performs with his group. 17 years as a young saxophonist living in central Europe resulted in an impressive list of credits both live and recording. Some of the most notable musicians Rick has performed alongside include: Billy Cobham, Joe Sample, Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain, Benny Bailey, Al Porcino, Claudio Roditi, George Russel, Charlie Mariano, Chaka Kahn, Bill Bruford, Natalie Cole, Steve Ferrone , Jon Lord, Wolfgang Schmid and Barbara Dennerlein. Concert appearances include: Ronnie Scotts London, North Sea Jazz Festival, Blue Note Tokyo, Bratislava Jazz Festival, Burghausen Jazz Festival, Expo 98 Lisbon,Leverkusen Jazz Festival, Breslau Jazz Festival.

As a leader Rick also assembled his groups to perform his personal style of jazz music, some of the venues include: Kiama Jazz Festival Australia, Canary Islands Jazz Festival, LaRochelle jazz festival, The Basement Jazz Club Sydney. Ricks first release "One Take" (currently out of print) defines the way jazz is meant to be documented, live! Celebrated musicians from around the globe Steve McKenna, Doug Bickel, Eugen Apostolidis, Guido May recorded live at the Unterfahrt Jazz Club in Munich Germany. In 2001 Rick recorded "The Instigator" (i-tunes, amazon) which is a CD that can be best described as colorful, highly emotional progressive jazz. World class trumpeter Bobby Shew wrote the liner notes, and said " Each tune is extremely unique in harmonic and rhythmic structure as well as lyricism. These tunes are all very challenging but the guys in the band really nail everything beautifully. This is a "PLAY MANY TIMES" CD." Info regarding Ricks latest appearances can be found at www.futuresax.com.

In 2002 Rick made his US debut in Los Angeles becoming acquainted with the L.A. jazz scene, and revealed a healthy and deeply established community of some the worlds finest musicians. Recent releases featuring Rick on Alto, Tenor, Soprano sax and flute include: Geoff Stradling Less is Mo Chris Walden "Home of my heart" Origin. John Rangel Morning Pages, Steve Huffsteter Live at the Café 322. Los Angeles is the home of several world renown big bands which is also a part of Ricks itinerary. He is currently the lead alto saxophonist with Bill Holman, Rick has been privileged to play with the big bands of Bobby Shew, Steve Huffsteter, Chris Walden and Johnny Mandel as well and can be heard on some recordings of these great bands.The past 7 years have been truly inspiring as the variety of music Rick has played both live and recorded includes the following jazz greats: Steve Huffsteter, Bennie Maupin, Buddy Childers, Carl Saunders, Bob McChessney, Art Davis, Al Mckibbon, Joe La Barbera, Lanny Morgan, Pete Christlieb, Herman Riley, David Benoit, Wayne Bergeron, Ric Fierabraci, John Rangel, Nick Manson, David Hughes and Bill Fulton.

2009 saw Rick touring South America with Christopher Cross. The new acoustic quartet Christopher has been performing with for 2 years now provides an excellent vehicle for Rick to share his passion for lyrical pop style saxophone playing. Among some of the most notable pop/house recordings featuring Ricks inspired saxophone and flute playing are on Morehouse records with the Groove Junkies.

Rick is a dedicated educator and frequently teaches master classes at summer camps and schools along with individual instruction in the language of jazz. Passing valuable information and techniques to help the American jazz art form to thrive. Having completed his performance degree at the famed University of Miami as well as some masters studies at New England conservatory of music his teachers include Ron Miller, Gary Cambell, George Garzone and Vince Maggio.

Rick Keller endorses and plays SDT-XG 606 DAKOTA BLACK/SILVER TENOR SAXOPHONE exclusively at all performance venues and clinics.

Rich Maraday

Rich Maraday has been active both in the studio and on the stage across the nation. His style has been described on national radio as "Tasteful high energy soul jazz fused with funk." Rich has recorded 3 full length CDs that have all landed on the MP3 top ten smooth jazz charts. Tangle Room, The Passage, and When I Close My Eyes are all available for purchase on CDBaby.com. Rich has also had the honor of performing live as a member and featured solo artist in the house band at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. His seasoned career continues to grow as he has played with such notable artists as Virgin Records recording artist Bill Perry Blues Band, Alive And Kicken, Papa Chubby, Jimmy Vavino, Joey Defancesco, Danny Brubeck, Richie Morales, Bernard Purdie, Harvie S, Joel Rosenblatt and Atlantic Records recording artists Rob Affuso, Sebastian Bach, and Snake of the popular band Skid Row. He has opened for such acts as Warren Zevon, Meatloaf, Delbert Mclinton, Room Full Of Blues, Johnny Copland, NRBQ and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Rich Maraday is also an active endorser and marketing rep for Sax Dakota Saxophones.

Rich Maraday endorses and plays SDT-XG 505 DAKOTA ANTIQUE BRONZE TENOR SAXOPHONE exclusively at all performance venues and clinics.

Michael Hulett

"From King Curtis to Nat King Cole". Thats Michael Huletts creed. "Diversity is a spice of life and I find inspiration from all genres of music, though Jazz is my main love", he proclaims. "The truth is...inspiration can come from anywhere - the tweet of a bird, the pounding at a construction site, even. Charlie Parker was one of Jazzs great innovators and he absorbed classical music and incorporated itinto his playing. Its understood that he even started getting into Vareses electronic music before he died."

Michael finds that that kind of absorbtion perpetuates his own creativity. "My focus now is on my saxophone and even my vocals", he says. In his past he was a mellophone soloist in two top-12 World Class Drum and Bugle Corps, but no longer attends to the brass. "Ive found myself focusing on my first and true love, the saxophone. The singing came out of necessity, but thats a whole other story", he declares.

His musical experiences have taken him around many musical genres (Straight-ahead, Smooth, Rock, Reggae, Pop), but Jazz has always come him with all those genres. Hes recorded with Grammy-winning record producer Jon Keane of R.E.M. and Widespead Panic fame. "I grew quite a bit from what I learned during that time", he says." I can say the same about my experiences with playing with the late Dr. Billy Taylor, the Four Tops and Cab Calloway."

Born and raised in the Georgias Golden Isles area (Brunswick, St. Simons & Jekyll Islands) Mike Huletts heartfelt soulful vocals combined with his smooth yet smokin jazz and R&B stylings on sax make him a favorite entertainer.

Michael has done many charity events, like the Help Haiti Concert that brought in $370,000.00 of medical supplies for the earthquake victims. Other events are Relay for Life, Bark for Life, Hart Foundation, and many more. "Its important to me to give back to the world. If in a position to help were somewhat obligated at times. We never know when or if well need that kind of assistance." His newest project is getting local musicians to donate their old, replaced instruments to local schools so the under priviledged kids who can not afford instruments will have a chance to pursue their passion for music.

Michael has recently relased his studio CD titled "4 the Love of You". With great current instrumental tunes, and of course a couple of vocal tracks thrown in the mix.

Michael currently has 4 CDs out, 1st is Michael Hulett, 2nd, At it Again, 3rd After Dark, and of course the latest 4 the Love of You. He also has a Christmas CD that is only available during the Holidays.

Michael plays his Sax Dakota Alto Sax model SD-XG 303 exclusively at all events and venues.

Pattie Cossentino

Nashville based saxophonist/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist; Pattie Cossentino is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Pattie earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Maryland at College Park. She also completed graduate studies at the University of North Texas. Pattie competed in regional and national competitions winning first place in the Baltimore Music Club Competition, first place in the University of Maryland Undergraduate Solo Competition and was a finalist in the Baltimore Symphony Young Soloists Competition as an alto saxophonist. As an accomplished pianist/organist, she also served as Minister of Music and organist/choir director at many churches. Additionally, Pattie was saxophone instructor at Albright College in Reading, PA.

In 2007, Pattie released her first CD as a solo artist. Pattie Cossentinos "Invitation" CD spent 8 weeks on the National Jazz Top 40 chart and peaked at #22 in the nation in 2008. The CD was also featured on National Public Radio's nationally syndicated show, "Jazz With Bob Parlocha" Top 40 CD list in 2008 as well. "Invitation:" A marvelous debut disk, revealing a seasoned singer & multi-instrumentalist named Pattie Cossentino.

Greg Lee Jazz-89 WMOT Nashville said of "Invitation;" "Here's YOUR invitation to discover a worthy artist youll want to hear more from!" Jazz Review said of "Invitation :"Pattie Cossentino delivers a refreshing dish of originals, standards, and straight ahead jazz in Latin and swing styles on her debut CD Invitation." "The versatile Nashville-based Cossentino is blessed with a warm and inviting singing voice that she compliments with her flute, and the soprano, alto, tenor, and bari saxophones. But its Cossentinos instrumental work that makes these tunes come alive."

All About Jazzs "Sisterhood of Saxophone Players" said of "Invitation : "Pattie Cossentino proves to be the most fully realized of our women saxophonists, playing all of the flavors of sax plus flute. Cossentino proves to have an embarrassment of riches." Fritz the Nite Owl Jazz said of "Invitation; "Overall, the CD encompasses a good sampling of vocal and instrumental jazz, including straight ahead, standards, Latin, and swing – definitely an impressive introduction to a new rising star in the always-evolving world of jazz."

She has been featured in interviews and podcasts on many of the nation’s leading jazz stations and was featured in March 2009 as part of "Women in Jazz" on "The Jazz Life" whose focus is on original new music and new releases from independent jazz record labels and is available on I-Tunes. In 2011, her original instrumental tune "Danza Por Belle" was chosen to be part a "Jazz of Music City…which features all original jazz from 10 of Nashville’s top jazz artists and received national acclaim.

Pattie has performed with David "Fathead" Newman, Al Vizutti, Randy Brecker, Steve Houghton, Chris Vadala, Cliff Richard and Michele Bell from 5th Dimension fame as well as with the Earl Gaines Band, Reading Civic Opera Orchestra, Nashville Jazz Orchestra, NPR’s "Live in Studio C" on WPLN Radio, The Bo Thorpe Orchestra, Teri Reid & Girltalk, The Nashville Saxophone Quartet, Sumner County Symphony, Jackson Symphony Orchestra as a featured soloist, Opryland Hotel and on the General Jackson Showboat.

She has also performed on many prestigious cruise lines as a head line performer. Pattie's jazz quartet has recently been featured at the Nashville Jazz Series-Belle Meade "Jazz on the Lawn," Watertown Jazz Festival, Franklin Jazz Festival, Murfreesboro Main Street Jazz Fest, Cookeville Summer Music Series, Wine on the River & Taste of Music City. In demand as a studio musician, her jazz quartet is a main stay on the local jazz scene in Nashville and is regularly featured at many jazz festivals and concerts throughout the southeast.

Go to www.pattiecossentino.com, CD Baby, Amazon or I-tunes to purchase her CD.

Pattie exclusively plays her Sax Dakota Tenor Sax model SDT-1200 with Satin Silver finish and 18K Gold trim at all performance venues.

Hayan Charlston

Hayan Charlston (HC WINDS) professional experiences include live on-stage performance, studio recording, teaching, song writing, contracting, woodwind specialist i,e; oboe & English horn, soprano, alto, tenor, bari saxophones, flute/alto flute/ piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet & EWI

Hayan earned her Bachelor of Music B.M. Music Performance in 2006 at California State University, Long Beach and a Masters of Music Performance in 2011 at University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Ms. Charlston's teaching experience includes directing band, chamber groups, private instructions at Fountain Valley Music Studio, Fountain Valley, CA in 2006. Her Master Class and woodwind clinic experience includes giving a Master Class concert and woodwinds demonstrations to schools in the Orange County district in 2008, supported by The Philharmonic Society of Local 47, Master Class for Tom Kubis' intro to music appreciation class at Golden West College in 2008, woodwind clinic concert at the YULA Jewish High school in 2010. In addition, by participating in a USC Outreach program 2010, she educated many elementary schools in the Los Angeles district. She is still currently active with giving master classes and private instructions on all woodwinds.

Her professional on-stage /recording resume includes: The First Joel- Billy Joel comedy improv musical at Gary Marshall's theatre , Chicago, Aida, West Side Story, Oliver, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Guys and Dolls, Modern Millie, Chorus Line, Carousal, Man of La Mancha, Anything Goes, Flower Drum Song, Sweeny Todd, Beauty and the Beast, Ragtime, Wizard of Oz, You are a Good Man Charlie Brown, Urinetown, Oklahoma!, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Forum, Kiss Me Kate, Cabaret, The Music Man, Company, City of Angels, Evita, 25th Annual Spelling Bee, Damn Yankees and many more.

She continues to be active in Musical theatre and entertainment companies such as: The Troubadour Co., Musical Theatre West , Pacific Light Opera , Downey Civic Light Opera , Brea Civic Light Opera , Fullerton Civic Light Opera , The Mystic Music Long Beach Ballet Company , Stargate Productions and Bob Gail casual bands.

She was on a national classic rock tour with the Mystic Orchestra, and a European tour with American Music Abroad jazz group.

Groups/Artists she has performed with include:

Artists/ Entertainers- Played With or Played For (in alphabetical order):

Adam Pascal of Rent on Broadway (benefit concert)
Amir Efrat (Air Supply keyboardist)
Barry McGuire (California Dreamin’ singer)
Bob Sheppard (jazz saxophonist)
Carol Kaye (Beach Boys original bass player)
Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night lead singer)
Faramarz Assef (Persian pop artist)
Garry Marshall (Falcon Theare)
Grant Geisseman (Two and a Half Men, guitarist)
Jeff Jarvis (Kendor jazz publishing company)
Jennifer Hall (saxophonist of Dancing with the Stars)
Jennifer Shellton of the Ragtime Tour (benefit concert)
Joan Ryan of Saved by the Bell (benefit concert)
John Lloyd Young (Frankie Valli of Jersey Boys Broadway)
Joseph Bwarie (Frankie Vallli of Jersey Boys Tour)
Matthew Morrison of Glee (benefit concert)
Michael Ziegfeld (comedian)
Nicole Parker of Wicked on Broadway (benefit concert)
Kazem Alemi (Persian producer, composer)
Mansour Persian Rock Star (shows in CA, Vegas, Dubai)
Omid (Persian artist)
Pouya (Persian artist)
Samir (Perisian artist)
Scott Whitfield (jazz trombonist)
Shahram Shabpareh (Persian artist)
Teri Hatcher of Desperate Housewives (awards concert)
Tim Russ Band (Tim Russ from Star Trek)
Tom Kubis (jazz composer, arranger, educator, session player)
Will Ferrell (Funny or Die Comedy proj)
Zane Musa (saxophonist of Carson Daly Show)

Groups (in alphabetical order):

American Music Abroad (Europe tour to London, Paris, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria)
Bells of Burbon Street
Big Noys Jazz
Bijuoux International Band
Blues Racket Band
Crazy Rhythms the Charleston Band
DJ Behmix
Emerald*Horns
Friends Band
Geo Valley big band
Green Smoke (Smooth, R&B)
GroovinTouch
Industrial Jazz Group (San Diego, San Francisco shows)
Jeff Jarvis CSULB studio jazz orchestra
Jennifer Anderson Swing Band
Loung-O-Rama
Mike Hanaberi 20’s Swing Band
Nazarian, Allen G band
Newport Winds Quintet
The Tim Russ Band
Tino Productions (Latin, Salsa)
The Illustrious Sounds
The Mystic Orchestra (Classic Rock National Tour)
Tom Kubis GWC jazz ensemble
Scott Slane Jazz Trio and recording sessions
Shawn Kayvon Instrumental Band
Smooth Touch
Symphony Orchestras: USC Thornton | LA Camerata Orchestra (broadcasted on radio from The Zipper)

Critical Reviews:
"Hayan Charlston's sax is heavenly..." - Candyce Columbus, Examiner Review

"Hayan Charlston on sax gets a heavy workout..." James Petrillo, Glendale News Press

"Hayan Charlston (sax/EWI) is terrific..onstage and throughout..." -Ellen Dostal, Musicals in LA

"Especially noteworthy are Hayan Charlston's sizzling sax and clarinet performances"-By LA Weekly Cristic, Dec.23, 2010

"Hayan Charlston (sax &ewi)- provided bang-up back-up, with an extra round of applause for Charlston's sax solo.." Steven Stanley, Stage Scene LA Review

Hayan Charlston exclusively plays both Dakota Alto and Tenor saxes XG SERIES MODELS SD-404 & 606. Contact: HCwinds@gmail.com