The most versatile band you will ever hear! "They sound just like the original artist!"
The founder and bandleader Aaron is a former visiting professor of music at Georgetown University has performed in most major musical venues in Washington DC including The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, MGM, Blues Alley, Arena Stage and The Howard Theater. He has performed with such artists as, The Who, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Lalah Hathaway, The Temptations, Pattie LaBelle, George Duke and Common to name a few.
aaron broadus
jean francis Varre
Singer songwriter, bassist and percussionist Jean Francis Varre is a terrific Trilingual vocalist who speaks French, English and Spanish. He has performed with artists Lucy Brown of Atlantic Records, European sensation Omar and Latin Grammy nominee Gonzalo Grau & La Clave performing English and Latin music across the country.
Ayodeli owolabi
Mandy McHale
Mandy is based in Washington DC. and has performed at distinguished venues like Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, and the Smithsonian. She has performed with the Grammy Award winning choir, the Washington Chorus, and the ICCA award winning acapella group, the Lehigh University Melismatics. Mandy is a part of the DC based all female a capella group Capital Blend, and is currently pursuing her Masters of Public Health at the George Washington University.
Ayo is a gifted vocalist who studied music at Howard University. During her time there she was a featured composer for the Kennedy Center’s Residency, Betty Carter Jazz Ahead where she studied under Jason Moran and Carmen Lundy. She was also most recently, Young Ella Fitzgerald on the HBO Documentary “The Apollo” and its subsequent album Ella’s 100th Live at the Apollo featuring: David Alan Grier, Liz Wright, Andra Day, Patti Austin and Ledisi.
chris fischer
Chris Fischer, a native New Yorker who relocated to the DC area 6 years ago, is armed with the rather fanciful degree of Jazz Studies from the Hartt School of Music.
Over the years, he has played with such funk and r&b legends as Blood Sweat & Tears, Atlantic Starr. The Main Ingredient, Ronnie Laws, Ceelo Green, Chante Moore, Micki Howard, The Temptations, The Delfonics, Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin Whalum, and many others.
Upon moving to Maryland, Chris has had the pleasure of playing with the Earth Wind & Fire tribute group "In Gratitude" and as host keyboardist at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Jam Night with the Grainger Brothers. Chris also plays in Spyro Gyra bassist’s own group, the Scott Ambush Quartet, as well as in a Prince tribute show featuring members of Prince’s own original New Power Generation.
When not assimilating the styles and music of the stars, Chris plays Gospel at First Baptist Church of Sterling, VA and with his own event group "Skin Tight" and the latin jazz quintet "Sunflare." He also was a music and chart arranger for American Idol, Singing Bee, the 2013 Emmy Awards, and BET’s Celebration of Gospel.
Chris has two CD's released entitiled "Live Funk Nouveau" by the band of the same name under his leadership and a groundbreaking modern jazz record with Chilean saxophonist Anibal Rojas entitled "Root Kinetic."
jon laine
Jonathan Laine is fantastic drummer and producer who has performed with the likes of David Foster, Aretha Franklin, El DeBarge, Erykah Badu, Common, Steve Coleman, Angie Stone, Meshell N'Degeocello, Dwele, Louie Bellson and Charlie Byrd. Jon has also produced albums for local artists and his own solo projects. He is currently music directors for the annual J Dilla tribute and fundraiser held in Washington DC and Virginia Music Adventures big band and combo groups.
terry mettam
Terry Mettam is a Washington DC -based guitarist, singer and songwriter with album credits with Brittany Spears, Fey, and several others. He studied music at Howard University and Montgomery College, and has studio credits that include No Illusion, M2M and National Geographic Explorer. He was a touring member of the John McVey band for the release of the critically acclaimed album 'Jigsaw', and has also been a staple of the local variety band circuit, playing in some of Washington DC's best dance bands.
wardell howell
Wardell Howell is a bass player from Washington, DC. He has been blessed to travel the world, from New York to Kuwait working with a variety of local, national and international musicians. He plays many styles of music and is very well versed in them. Right now he's working with several local groups based in the Washington, DC area and is currently the bassist for Zion Church of Woodbridge.
antonio parker
Saxophonist, composer, educator and music songwriter/producer, Antonio Parker received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and his Master’s in Composition and Arranging from Howard University. He acquired a second bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of the District of Columbia. Antonio’s achievements include serving as a USIA (United States Information Agency) Jazz Ambassador to Africa, where he performed and conducted jazz workshops in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Zaire, Congo, Morocco, and Tunisia. He has toured and performed in Japan, London, Scotland, Paris, Spain, Canada and Austria. He has also performed at the pyramids in Egypt with Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Antonio has recorded and/or shared the stage with many well-known artists and entertainers, including Go-Go legend Chuck Brown, The Blackbyrds, The O’Jays, Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard, Betty Carter, Illinois Jaquet, Jean Carne, and Christian McBride. His 2002 debut CD, “The Exchange,” was well received and his most recent recording, the 2-disc “Steppin’ Out” Live @ HR-57 (released in 2012 on his Airegin Label), documents his constant growth as a jazz performer, composer, and bandleader.
mark wood
Mark Wood serves as lead trumpet in the US Army Blues which is the jazz Ensemble component for the Army Band and Downrange which performs rock and pop music covering many decades of popular music. Mark has been a member of the Blues since 2004 and has shared the stage with some of the most legendary jazz musicians in the United States and abroad.
He is a graduate of the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. From there he began graduate studies at the University of Kentucky and studied trumpet with the legendary teacher and performer Mr. Vince DiMartino. He finished his graduate studies at Northern Illinois University where he received a degree in performance with a jazz studies emphasis.
Outside of the Military Mark is active as a teacher. He also plays in many local jazz bands and several other groups in and around the Washington DC area.
julian ayers
Trombonist Julian Ayers hails from Washington DC and has lived in Maryland for over 30 years. Mr. Ayers developed a love for music in high school. He earned a Bachelors and Masters degree in Trombone Performance from Duquesne University.
"Mr. Ayers proudly serves in the US Armed Forces as a military musician with the United States Army Band in Arlington, VA. As an active freelance musician, Julian has been a member of Broadsound for the past 3 years and has played in the brass section for several Top 40 Bands to include Backbeat, Nightlife, Onyx, and Odyssey. He has also performed with many regional orchestras and chamber ensembles".
When not performing, Mr. Ayers enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, bowling, and baseball.
