The Mint Julep Jazz Band

With their little big band lineup of 4 horns, rhythm section, and vocalist, the Mint Julep Jazz Band recreates the hot jazz sounds of the 1920′s, 1930′s, and early 1940′s through arrangements based on original recordings from the jazz age and swing era.

The Mint Julep Jazz Band is based out of Durham, NC and is led by trombonist Lucian Cobb and vocalist/swing DJ Laura Windley, and also includes Paul Rogers - trumpet, Aaron Hill - Alto sax and Clarinet, Keenan McKenzie - Soprano sax, Tenor sax, and Clarinet, Ben Lassiter - Guitar, Jason Fourman - Bass, and Aaron Tucker - Drums. 

The Eric Hirsh Quartet

The Eric Hirsh Quartet is lead by award winning composer and pianist Eric Hirsh. Hirsh is a 2012 recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council Composer Fellowship, and a four-time winner of the ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composers Awards. His mission is to use collaboration as a space for bringing out the best in artists so that they in turn might reach and encourage interactive listeners through their performances. The Eric Hirsh Quartet performs a combination of Hirsh's challenging originals and covers from across the musical spectrum. The group's members are Eric Hirsh - Piano, Aaron Hill - Reeds, Pete Kimosh - Bass, and Stephen Coffman - Drums.

Boneslinger

Dave Wright, distinct vocalist and trombonist formerly of The Countdown Quartet and The Squirrel Nut Zippers brings his latest creation to life with BONESLINGER.   It is new music riding on the backs of rhythm and blues bands that were predominantly driven by piano, horns, bass and drums- Louis Jordan, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Huey Piano Smith, etc… but the originals suggest a songwriter who enjoys beer, parties, mambos, dancing, colored lights, and women with accents.

Contrazz

Combining the improvisational style, swing and solos of a jazz band with a repertoire of contra dance music, Contrazz is a high-energy ensemble known for its driving rhythms and hot music. 
This ensemble of highly skilled players includes David DiGiuseppe on accordion, Aaron Hill on saxophone and flute, Bernie Petteway on guitar, Diane Petteway on piano and Ed Butler on drums.

The Aaron Hill Trio

Aaron's newest project is the Aaron Hill Trio, featuring Aaron Tucker on Drums and Jason Fourman on Bass. After years of playing together in other ensembles (all three are members of The Mint Julep Jazz Band) Aaron, Aaron and Jason decided to explore the unique space that a horn trio provides. Inspired by trio records by Sonny Rollins, Kenny Garrett, Stephen Riley, Fly, and others, The Aaron Hill Trio hopes to create a musical experience that thrives on improvisation and conversation.  

The North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra

The North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, the state's most celebrated jazz orchestra, has been delighting North Carolina audiences since its inception in 1993. The NCJRO maintains a large library of repertory jazz featuring music from the Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, and Stan Kenton orchestras. The orchestra also continues to celebrate the ongoing legacy of big band music by regularly performing music by Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Thad Jones, Bob Mintzer, Tom Harrell, as well as staff writers William Fritz and Gregg Gelb.