The Robert Hurst Quintet - Jazz Standard, New York, NY

Robert Hurst, Band Leader, Bassist

Hurst played guitar early in his career before concentrating on bass. He worked with Out of the Blue and also did work with musicians such as Tony Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Harry Connick Jr., Geri Allen, Russell Malone, and Steve Coleman. From 1986 to 1991 Hurst played in Wynton Marsalis's ensemble, and played with Branford Marsalis in the early 1990s. He was also a member of The Tonight Show Band. Robert Hurst Presents reached #13 on the Top Jazz Albums chart. He currently is an Associate Professor of Jazz and Director of Small Jazz Ensembles at the University of Michigan School of Dance, Music and Theater.

Jeff "Tain" Watts, Drums

One of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today, Jeff Watts initially majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist, followed by enrollment at the Berklee School of Music, where he pursued jazz studies alongside such talented players as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Aimee Mann, Steve Vai and Marvin "Smitty" Smith. 

Pepe Espinosa, Percussionist

Jose “Pepe” Espinosa: Born in Havana, Cuba, in one of the best known and most versatile percussionists today. A veteran of over 80 recordings, his extensive resume boasts tours with Cubanismo, the Afrocuban All Stars, Arturo Sandoval, Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Frank Emilio Flynn, and many other orchestras and small groups.

Marcus Strickland, Saxophone

Marcus Strickland is a jazz soprano, alto and tenor saxophonist who grew up in Miami, Florida who currently lives in New York. Down Beat Magazine's Critic's Poll named Marcus 'Rising Star on Tenor Saxophone' in '10 and 'Rising Star on Soprano Saxophone' in '08.

David Virelles, Piano

The young Cuban has been nicknamed 'the marvel' for his brilliant technique, and many believe he is destined to become one of jazz piano's greats. Virelles blends elements of his Cuban heritage with contemporary American jazz, thus creating his own distinctive sound. Born in Santiago de Cuba on November 10th, 1983, David Virelles Gonzalez comes by his musical talent honestly. His father is a singer-songwriter and his mother is a flautist in the Santiago de Cuba Symphony. At age 7, he began studying classical piano at prestigious music schools in Cuba, first at the Jose Maria Heredia School of Art and later at the Esteban Salas Conservatory of Music.

The Robert Hurst Quintet - Grand Rapids Jazz Festival, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Robert Hurst, Band Leader, Bassist

Hurst played guitar early in his career before concentrating on bass. He worked with Out of the Blue and also did work with musicians such as Tony Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Harry Connick Jr., Geri Allen, Russell Malone, and Steve Coleman. From 1986 to 1991 Hurst played in Wynton Marsalis's ensemble, and played with Branford Marsalis in the early 1990s. He was also a member of The Tonight Show Band. Robert Hurst Presents reached #13 on the Top Jazz Albums chart. He currently is an Associate Professor of Jazz and Director of Small Jazz Ensembles at the University of Michigan School of Dance, Music and Theater.

Nate Winn, Drums

Nate Winn is not just a drummer, he has been labled "drummer extraordinaire. It was at the age of three when young Nate discovered the drums during a church service. It was at that time when Nate would make a toy drum out of everything his family's home had to offer. By the age of 8, Nate began to play drums for his school band. He would later become a member of his high school jazz band, marching band and wind symphony orchestra. Nate has been most privileged to work with such great as trumpeter Marcus Belgrave and Saxophonists Joe Lovano and Eddie Daniels.

Pepe Espinosa, Percussionist

Jose “Pepe” Espinosa: Born in Havana, Cuba, in one of the best known and most versatile percussionists today. A veteran of over 80 recordings, his extensive resume boasts tours with Cubanismo, the Afrocuban All Stars, Arturo Sandoval, Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Frank Emilio Flynn, and many other orchestras and small groups.

Rafael Statin, Saxophone

Rafael Statin is one of those rarest of young jazz instrumentalist who can combine great passion, intellectual discipline, and a spiritual fire that is evocative of great artistic creativity. He has so far established himself as a remarkable composer and musician. Rafael has had the greatest privilege of sharing the bandstand amongst two of the very best Jazz musicians of today, Robert Hurst III and Jeff “Tain” Watts. Rafael received incredible reviews from New York's local jazz critics playing with them.
 

Ian Finkelstein, Piano

Finkelstein is one of a new generation of up-and-coming Detroit jazz musicians who're playing at jazz clubs such as Cliff Bell's, Northern Lights and Baker's Keyboard Lounge. The generation includes drummers Alex White, Julian Allen and Jesse Kramer, saxophonists Marcus Elliot and Rafael Statin, bassist Ben Rolston, and pianist Michael Malis. You can catch them playing in established bands or leading their own.

The Robert Hurst Quintet - The Blue Whale, Los Angeles, California

NOTE: This is Robert's 1st return to L.A. as a leader since our relocation to the University of Michigan.

Robert Hurst, Band Leader, Bassist

Hurst played guitar early in his career before concentrating on bass. He worked with Out of the Blue and also did work with musicians such as Tony Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Harry Connick Jr., Geri Allen, Russell Malone, and Steve Coleman. From 1986 to 1991 Hurst played in Wynton Marsalis's ensemble, and played with Branford Marsalis in the early 1990s. He was also a member of The Tonight Show Band. Robert Hurst Presents reached #13 on the Top Jazz Albums chart. He currently is an Associate Professor of Jazz and Director of Small Jazz Ensembles at the University of Michigan School of Dance, Music and Theater.

Karriem Riggins, Drums

Karriem started his carreer as jazz drummer, working with vocalist Beety Carter and trumpeter Roy Hargrove. He is also a hip-hop producer, and has worked with people like The Roots, Common and Slum Village.

Munyungo Jackson, Percussionist

Though Daryl "Munyungo" Jackson began his musical career as a classical pianist, he began to play timbales at age 17 with his high school classmates in a Latin jazz band. It wasn't long before Jackson was hooked on Latin styles of percussion, moving on to congas, bongos, bells and triangles. Throughout his career he has worked with traditional drummers from Africa, Latin America, China and Japan, building an international resumé of musical styles, as well as a collection of over 400 pieces of equipment.

Jackson has also performed with artists like Willie Bobo, The Supremes, Miles Davis and Anita Baker, as well as working on a number of film and television soundtracks. Because of his skill and range, Jackson can perform in any musical setting, from funk to pop to jazz to Latin. He has also performed and toured with Jean Luc Ponte, Stevie Wonder and Diane Reeves.

Anthony Wilson, Guitar

Anthony Wilson is one of the leading musicians of his generation.  Known for his imagination, maturity, and depth, the esteemed guitarist/composer/arranger has recorded ten solo albums since his Grammy-nominated debut album was released in 1997.

Geoff Keezer, Piano

Barely into his 40s, Geoffrey Keezer's singular style of intellectually abstract lyricism woven over exotically complex rhythms and harmonies makes him one of the most sought-after artists on the modern jazz scene. Regardless of the nature of his projects, from solo to duo to quartet, from bandleader to big band, from post bop jazz to electronica to global fusion, from composer to arranger, Geoffrey delivers music from the heart of the piano to the ear--and heart--of the listener.

D3 is the name of this supreme Rhythm Section, the collaboration of Robert Hurst, Geri Allen & Karriem Riggins.

Three Detroit born musicians who are longtime friends and colleagues and each one of them is among the very best in the genre.