People Here by Chad Anderson Quintet

Finding those like-minded musicians was not a difficult task with the plethora of great musicians living and working in the Memphis area. Anderson met each member of his current quintet and performed with them in various group configurations and settings over the last several years. Deciding it was time to document their efforts, the Quintet tackled the studio in November of 2001 and recorded "People Here."

CHAD ANDERSON-DRUMS:

Born and raised in Mississippi, Chad started learning to play the drums at age eleven and participated in his school's band programs while in grade school. Having been aware of Jazz early on, it wasn't until the end of his high school career and the first year of college that Chad began devoting his musical development towards Jazz. While in college, Chad met Master Drummer, Alvin Fielder, one of the founding members of the AACM in Chicago in the 60's. He began private studies with Fielder and developed new ideas and approaches to drumming, not to mention taking advantage of Fielder's encyclopedic knowledge of Jazz history. Over the years, since then, Chad has performed with musicians such as: Herman Green, Henry P. Warner, Hugh Masakela, Alvin Fielder, Joel Futterman, Kidd Jordan, London Branch, Toby Tenhet, Mark Applebaum, Malcolm Lynn Baker, Alphonso Sanders, Ron Myers, Calvin Newborn, John Birdsong, Darryl Reeves, and many more. Chad is currently working on a new release for 2006.

http://www.chadanderson.com

JONATHAN WIRES-BASS:

Jonathan Wires is originally from New Hampshire where he played bass in high school bands and in his own groups. Wires decided to uproot and move to Memphis to study music. He soon became a regular contributor to the Memphis music scene playing in various rock, blues, and jazz groups. Wires then began collaborations with saxophonist, Chad Fowler and pianist, Chris Parker and became intensely interested in jazz and improvisation. His development as a skillful improvisor has frequently placed him in performances with saxophonist, Frank Lowe, violinist, Billy Bang, and percussionist, Abbey Rader. He has also performed with saxophonist, Michael Marcus and master percussionist, Alvin Fielder.

CHRIS PARKER-PIANO:

Chris Parker was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He first learned from local Arkansas musicians, most notably: Charles Thomas, Art Porter, Sr., Bob Steele, Lee Tomboulian, and Michael Bates. Chris moved to Memphis, TN in 1991. There he received his BA degree from the University of Memphis and learned from/ studied with musicians including Gene Rush, James Williams, Herman Green, Fred Ford, Calvin Newborne, Bill Mobley, Alvin Fielder, Kidd Jordan, Joe Jennings, and Vernel Fournier.

Chris also spent several years in New York City where he learned from masters including: Benny Powell, Chris Anderson, Walter Perkins, Sonelius Smith, Barry Harris, George Braith, Warren Smith, and Bill Fielder.

Chris has worked regionally all over the south in festivals and other performance settings. He has also worked in NYC in clubs and other venues, and also in other countries including Portugal, France, Austria, and Germany.

Chris has performed/worked with: Harold Ousley, Benny Powell, Frank Lacy, Michael Marcus, Warren Smith, Andy McCloud, Roy Campbell, Jr., Wendell Harrison, Kiane Zawadi, Frank Lowe, Alvin Fielder, Joe Jennings, Earl May, Fred Ford, and Herman Green. Also informally with: Rashied Ali, George Braith, Frank Grant, Talib Kibwe, and Sonny Simmons.

Chris has performed in various venues, such as: Paine College Jazz Festival (Augusta, GA), Jazz Lights (Little Rock, AR), Memphis in May Fest (Memphis, TN), Southern Heritage Fest (Memphis, TN), EyeDrum Performance Space (Atlanta, GA), Lenox Lounge (NYC), Knitting Factory (NYC), Museum of Modern Art (NYC), Brooklyn Museum of Art (NYC), 1st Annual Brooklyn Jazz Fest (NYC), Bell Atlantic Jazz Fest (NYC).

Chris is also active in educational activities. He has worked as a teacher/artist with organizations including: Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp (New Orleans, LA), Mind Builders Arts School (Bronx, NY), Memphis Black Arts Alliance (Memphis, TN), Memphis Arts Council (Memphis, TN)

MARC FRANKLIN-TRUMPET/FLUGELHORN:

Marc Franklin was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in 1975. By the time he was six years old, his family moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas. Marc moved to Memphis. TN in 1993 to attend the University of Memphis. He slowly gained work as a trumpet player in and around Memphis with various R&B, blues, and jazz groups (which led to his drop-out status at the University of Memphis). Marc currently lives in Memphis with his wife and dog. Some of Marc Franklin's performance highlights include: Bobby "Blue" Bland, Chris Cain, Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, Rufus Thomas, and Carla Thomas.

ART EDMAISTON-SAXOPHONES:

Art Edmaiston, originally a Tennesee native, currently lives and works in Memphis, Tennesee. He studied classical saxophone with Allen Rippe, and jazz studies with Carl Wolfe. Art also studied contemporary saxophone techniques with Lannie MacMillan.

He has performed with FreeWorld (with local Memphis jazz legend, Herman Green), Aquarium Rescue Unit, and Levon Helm of The Band. Art formed an original R&B project: Sideman Syndicate with Memphis song-writing legend, Parker Card. He joined forces with Bobby "Blue" Bland and played all over the United States and toured the Blue Note Jazz clubs in Japan.

Returning home to Memphis, Art joined all-star R&B band led by Memphis guitarist, Preston Shanon. He toured Scandinavia and Puerto Rico. Continuing to work as a sideman, he toured Canada, performing at the Du Marier Jazz Festivals in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, and Saskatoon. For the past four years, he has performed at the Memphis in May music fest.

His work as a sideman can be heard on recordings by FreeWorld - You Are Here, Jonny Lang - Lie to Me, the Freddy Jones Band - Lucid, The Gales Brothers featuring Little Jimmy King and Eric Gales - Left Hand Brand, Mason Ruffner - You Can't Win, and organist Charlie Woods - Who I Am.

Art is currently a member of the Gamble Brothers Band : http://www.gamblebrothersband.com

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