"New England's Premiere Jazz Poetry Ensemble"

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 T. Namaya - "High wire performance poet of the spoken word." Namaya has published in numerous domestic and international magazines and is the author of Eros To Godhead and recently released GOD.SEX.POLITICS. (available at bookstores & www.vermontpoet.com).  Namaya has performed widely over the past twenty-five years in Vermont, New York, and the Midwest. During the mid to late seventies he was a performer at clubs and galleries in NYC and the metropolitan area. During tours he has performed as far a field as the Dakotas and in Morocco during the l980’s. Currently, with Bill Shontz he has created the Jazz Beat Blues Poetry Ensemble, New England’s premier Jazz Beat Performance group. Visit Namaya's website www.vermontpoet.com

Bill Shontz  - Musical director for Jazz Beats  is trained in classical clarinet and received a Masters Degree in flute, clarinet, saxophone and recorder from The Ohio State University. As one critic acclaimed, "He is a Master of Woodwinds!" Bill has ten award-winning albums that have sold over 700,000 copies, and have won over 25 National Awards. He has three videos to his credit, one of which was nominated for an Emmy. Bill has appeared at such notable places as The Kennedy Center, The White House, and The Colonial Theater in Boston. TV appearances include; "Live with Regis and Kathy Lee" show, and "The Today Show." He is the co-founder and the musical director for the Jazz Beat Blues Poetry Ensemble. Visit Bill's website www.billshontz.com

Jumpin' Jersey (aka: George Adair)  is a bass player who was educated at Berkeley College of Music. He has played in classical orchestras, jazz clubs throughout the US, and been a studio musician at Electric Lady and Robt. Stigwood Studios. In addition, he is a certified martial arts master and an actor with several films to his credit.

 
Dave Roitman, master percussionist has played with Jimi Hendrix (then known as Jimmy James), Janis Joplin, Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Santana, and Commander Cody.  He has has played with some of New England’s most distinguished jazz bands. Dave states, "To play this music, you have to be able take big risks, be totally honest with yourself and your brothers and sisters, and dedicate yourself to it. You have to practice every idea that comes to you, until you are reeling– then practice some more – and then when you’re playing out, you have to be totally present, hear everything, act and react instantly, and most of all, let the muses, the spirits, the Orishas, take over completely, and really be with the people. With jazz, every second is on the edge, and we’re all totally dedicated to putting out the truest stuff. Often it’s beautiful, sometimes it’s nasty, but man, it is always cooking."

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