The Performers
The Marshall Keys Ensemble
Federico Gonzalez Peña honed his craft in Argentina before arriving in North America in 1984. His first piano was left to him by his grandmother, an accomplished pianist and organist, and, while still a teenager, he played recording sessions with many of the finest musicians in Buenos Aires. Feel- ing constrained by the rigidity of classical music, he began exploring other teacher in D.C.’s Public School system. Additionally, he has worked with the Wolftrap Institute for Early Childhood Learning, the Thelonius Monk Insti- tute, and is the current musical director of the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra.
Marshall Keys is a virtuoso soprano and alto saxophone artist, and is a gifted composer as well. A native of Washington DC, Marshall began with the DC Youth Orchestra Pro- gram, then flirted with jazz studies at Howard University, all the while working with legend- ary jazz musicians like Jimmy Witherspoon, Jimmy Heath, Pepper Adams, Miriam Makeba,
Jimmy Scott, Stevie Wonder, and the blues organist Jimmy McGriff. Some career highlights include the “Tribute to Lionel Hampton” at the Kennedy Center in 1981 where he performed with Milt Hinton, Al Grey, Clark Terry, Zoot Sims, Illinois Jacquet and Lionel Hampton; a commission by the Smithsonian to perform works by Wayne Shorter; performing and speaking at the Romare Bearden Exhibit at the National Gallery of Art; and tours around the globe. Marshall’s recent endeavors include playing in the Washington National Cathedral Band and collaborating with saxo- phonist Paul Carr in the Carr/Keys project. Thanks to his collaborations with the world-class musicians and institutions in Washington, DC, this is the most productive and satisfying period in his long career.
styles of music, such as funk, progres- sive rock, and jazz-rock fusion. He has worked with an extensive list of artists, including Meshell N’DegeOcello. Marcus Miller, and Raúl Midón, to name a few. “All these cultures coming together at the same time… it means he plays whatever you want him to play.” says Miles Davis’ alum Marcus Miller.
Mark Prince , a D.C. native, is one of the premier drummers on today’s music scene. He was a student of the legendary Grady Tate and is a National Symphony Fellowship recipient. His versatility has been sought after by artists such as Andy Milne, Bobby Lyle, and the seminal World- Beat/R&B sensation Fertile Ground. He has also toured and recorded with Carlos Ward’s Radius,
Michael Bowie performs on electric and contra- bass, and is a composer and multi-media produc- er. He received the National Endowment of the Arts Award in Jazz Studies and was an original member of The Harper Brothers. He has ap- peared at most major music festivals and countless television shows. Recordings include the Grammy
Stanley Jordan, Jennifer Holliday, Jeff Lorber, Opus Akoben, Ruth Naomi Floyd, and Davey Yarbor- ough. Tonight’s concert will include music from Mark’s album “Fraction of Infinity.”
Award winning “Look What I Got” with Betty Carter. He has worked with luminaries including Patti Labelle, Isaac Hayes, Gil Scott-Heron, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, Della Reece, Michel Camilo, Ricky Skaggs, and Manhattan Transfer. With roots in the D.C. jazz and gospel communites, he is deeply involved in developing children’s music enrichment. He a cartified
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