Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival

MMJF27 Volunteers MSM ARTS United, Inc. and the Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival would like to thank the following volunteers for helping to keep jazz alive in South, Florida. We love you!!! ❤️❤️❤️Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Staff, Connie Kinnard, Carol Ann Taylor, Yvette Harris, Jim Berry, Silver Spoon Desserts, Kristen Kitchen and the Dunns-Josephine Staff, Ingrid BAZIN, Cynthia Sheppard, Brent Charles, Nailah Mustafa,, Tiffany Moseley, Sister Aneesha Hanif, Alia Pasha, Jeannette Piña, C. B. Hanif, Allen & Lia Paul, The Harden family, Keith Valles, Keith Clark, Miami Jazz and Film Society, Metris Batts, Sunshine Divas Excelling in Motion, Nashid Sabir, Sunshine Dimes, Tiffany Harris, Candra Mustafa, Larechia Washington, Jeremy Daconnect Mills, Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc., Jeanette Pina, The Real Tracy Fields, Martha Whisby, Dedric Jones…. #mmjf #mmjf27 #meltonmustafajazzfestival #miami #lyrictheater #overtownmiami #jazz #festival #thingstodoinmiami

THE KINDEST SOUL… Remembering my dad Melton Mustafa. Thanks for being an amazing father, role model, educator and leader in the community! ❤️❤️❤️ (11/23/1947 - 12/28/2017) #meltonmustafa #teacher #educators #musicians #artist #miami #jazz #mmjf #meltonmustafajazzfestival

Happy birthday to International Jazz Trumpeter Melton Mustafa #jazz #legend #meltonmustafa #trumpeter #RIP

Check out saxophonist Jason Moss doing his thang at the 26th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival #meltonmustafajazzfestival #jazzlegends #miamijazz #mmjf #meltonmustafa

Quiana Lynell live at the 26th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival at Historic Lyric Theater in Miami.

Jesse Jones Jr. live at the 26th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival in Miami. #mmjf26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival #bahlt #miami #jazz #festival #2023

Tickets are now available for the 26th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival 🔥🔥🔥 Https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes South Florida’s “Favorite Entertainer” International Jazz Saxophonist Jesse Jones Jr. February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136#MMJF26 #Meltonmustafajazzfestival #jazz #miami #livemusic #bahlt #southbeach #southflorida Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com Jesse Jones Jr.

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes The Incredible Nicole Yarling #MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival Nicole's education is extensive and ongoing, ranging from a BA in Music from Baruch College, to a Masters in Music Education at Columbia University, as well as private training in composition, arranging, voice and violin. Ms. Yarling just completed a 20 year stint at Florida Memorial University as an Assistant Professor, and Director of Popular Music. She is currently full-time Lecturer at the University of Miami, teaching voice, various ensembles, and is in the process of creating courses for Eclectic Strings. With her creativity, performance, teaching and encouragement she aids in establishing strong artistic community ties. As a mentor, she established a concert series almost ten years ago called Jazz Encounters, at radio station WDNA in Miami. As a result of the series, she created the Jazz Education Community Coalition, going into its ninth year, where she mentors young musicians with an interest in studying Jazz. In 2018, Ms. Yarling received a $10,000 Knights Arts Champion award for her work with the JECC. She has participated as adjudicator, educational consultant, and performer for the prestigious Young Arts organization based in Miami for the past nine years. She did a coaching stint along with Ms. Betty Wright for Little Dreamers, an organization established by Phil Collins to help young performer fulfill their dreams. In Ft. Lauderdale, Nicole serves as Educational Director and host of a monthly jazz jam for young musicians, First Friday Jam, sponsored by the Gold Coast Jazz Society going into its thirteenth year. The Jazz Journalists of America acknowledged her efforts when she received the Jazz Hero Award for 2015. In 2016, Ms. Yarling was inducted into the South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame. In 2020 she was bestowed the honor as one of the top African American Educators in South Florida and in 2022 acknowledged for her work in Jazz by the Links, and

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes Percussionist Yarelis Gandul #MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival Percussionist, Singer, Composer, Writer.Cuban currently resides in the city of Miami.Bachelor of Music Education. She studied Percussion in Cuba and as a professional she performed with several bands Nationally and Internationally. She joined the "Alba Tropical Jazz Band", made up of a selection of the most recognized young people of Cuban Jazz. She resided in Italy where she performed as a percussionist in groups such as Jestofunk.In the City of Miami, she has taught music and percussion and forming groups, making music on Television Shows, Clubs and Festivals with world-renowned artists such as Bobby Carcasses, Nestor Torres, Ed Calle, Jose Negroni, Jose Luis Barba, Donato Poveda , Francisco Cespedes, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Horacio El Negro Hernandez, amongothers.She authored “De Tiempos y Siluetas”. Published in 2022 by Editorial Primigenios, Poesia. Miami. She has as a recording her single album "Un Canto",” Havana” with Peer music 2020, and“GuajiraSoy”2022. Social Mediawww.YouTube.com/yarelisgcab www.instagram.com/yarelisgandulhttps://m.facebook.com/yarelis.gandulDiscographyGuajira Soy 2022https://open.spotify.com/track/2nTC9lhH9eyLkwWR ZE1dp6?si=869ffcb2faa84e94Un Canto. 2020https://open.spotify.com/track/5izNLGHf9sGPTfh8bl Bsrk?si=260c5f6241164030Havana. 2020https://open.spotify.com/track/0SG5taqgRostX9ZlQY gTMN?si=2338ce585950403a February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com Yarelis Gandul

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes Recording Artist Nai Sounds #MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival Nai Sounds is a neo-soul/jazz artist from South Florida. Bred from a jazz and performing arts family, this multifaceted artist is launching into the epicenter of soul, love, artistry, and vibes. February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes International Vocalist Nikki Kidd #MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival Nikki Kidd is an International Jazz Vocalist with a palatable passion for music. Her musical style is the embodiment of classic and current jazz and her voice has the ability to transport you to the days of speakeasies. Nikki started singing at the age of four, born and raised in the culturally diverse Miami Beach, Florida. Being exposed to such an array of cultures and melting pot of genres, has given Nikki her unique sound. Her musical palate ranges from Jazz, Electronic Music, Reggae, Pop, Rock, Soul and R&B and that diversity is shown and very evident in Nikki's music. Nikki earned her Bachelors at the University of Miami in Studio Music and Jazz Voice as well as a Minor in Music Business. At UM Nikki studied with world renown jazz artists such as Kevin Mahogany, Kurt Elling, and John Secada. It was at the University of Miami where Nikki developed and ear for jazz and her own unique stage presence. Voted Miami New Times "Best Jazz Act" and Legacy Magazine 40 Under 40 in 2018! Nikki Kidd has a way of commanding the stage which makes her performances one NOT to miss! February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136 Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com Nikki Kidd #mmjf26 #jazz #concert

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes International Jazz Saxophonist Jazmin Ghent #MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival Jazmin Ghent, saxophonist and vocalist, is an international smooth jazz and gospel recording artist as well as an accomplished music educator. She was awarded the prestigious 2019 “NAACP Image Award” for Outstanding Jazz Album, “The Story of Jazz”. She was nominated for the 2022 “NAACP Image Award” for Outstanding Jazz Album, “Forever Jaz”. She was nominated for 2019 Smooth Jazz Network’s Best Artist of the Year and was voted 2017’s Best New Smooth Jazz Artist. Jazmin was selected to represent Florida State University in November 2021 for the 7 Under 30 successful entrepreneurs and selected in the January/February 2022 edition of Success Sisters as one of the big top entrepreneurs to watch 2022 list.Jazmin has performed at various major festivals and venues throughout the country such as Steel City Jazz Festival, Ocean City Jazz Festival, Hartford Festival of Jazz, Chicago Jazz Festival, Catalina JazzTrax Festival, Vanport Jazz Festival, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Low Country Jazz Festival, Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, Jazz Legacy, and Smooth Jazz Weekend. She has also performed internationally at Mallorca Jazz Festival, Cancun Jazz Festival, Barbados Jazz Festival, Montego Bay Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz Cruise, the Smooth Jazz Cruise and the 2019 Dave Koz Cruise to Australia. She is scheduled to perform aat the USA Expo in Dubai in 2022. February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136 Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com Jazmin Ghent

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes International Jazz Bassist Teja Veal #MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival Ask anyone what they remember most about a performance with Téja and their answer will most likely be her infectious smile! However, it’s her killer bass-playing that keeps her working!Artists Téja has worked with most recently include Janelle Monáe (currently serving as her touring bassist), Frank McComb, Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michelle, Kindred the Family Soul, Kenny Lattimore, Angie Stone and Chandra Currelley - as well as her own all-woman band: VENUS. Téja has over 20 years of live performance and touring under her belt! She's performed on six continents, on varied illustrious stages including the Grammy Awards, the White House, Radio City Music Hall, Jazz in the Gardens, Montreaux Jazz Festival, O2 Arena, Billboard LIVE, Wembley Stadium, Madison Square Garden, the Late Show, the Today Show, Austin City Limits, the Hollywood Bowl, Essence Festival, Coachella, the Bitter End, Good Morning America and tons more! ]February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136 Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes International Jazz Trombonist Mariel Bildsten #MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival Mariel Bildsten is a trombonist, based in New York City. Mariel currently works as a bandleader and side-woman, playing in jazz big bands and small groups, as well as Afro-Latin music, rock, funk, and R&B bands. She is the lead trombonist in Arturo O'Farrill's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and tours internationally with the rock band Brass Against. She has performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, London’s O2 Arena, and the Apollo Theater, among other venues and festivals. Mariel has also performed alongside Jennifer Hudson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roy Hargrove, Wycliffe Gordon, Brian Lynch, Cyrus Chestnut, and Frank Lacy. Her own groups, ranging from duo to septet, have headlined jazz festivals, played around the country, and perform regularly in New York City. Her debut quintet record “Backbone” (2020) received rave reviews. February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136 Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes International recording Artist Shirazette Tinnin. Shirazette Tinnin is a recent 2022 Latin Grammy Nominee for (Andean-Funk “The Sacred Leaf) Make Jazz Fellow, Fulbright Scholar recipient, drummer, composer and bandleader. She is a newly appointed full time associate professor at Berklee College in the percussion department ( Spring 2022). Tinnin performs with Lea Delaria (Orange is the New Black), Endea Owens, Yuri Juárez’s Afro-Peruano, Afrikkanitha, Alan Harris, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Alicia Olatuja, Nicole Mitchell, Tia Fuller, Mimi Jones, Orange Coffee (2022 New Artist Release) Alicia Keys; Black Girls Rock (BET) and leads her own projects called The Sonic WallPaper Band and her jazz trio for political injustices called “Moods of Her”.Shirazette Tinnin has television credit for the 1st season of The Meredith Viera Show on NBC. (2015) along with around the world notariety!Tinnin’s wide accomplishments include music coordinator for Urban Bush Women founded by Zawolé Zollar. Tinnin was Musical Director for Alan Harris’s “Cross That River” and curated the final festival presentation at Little Island (summer 2021) called Jazz Women.Shirazette has a background in classical percussion, world percussion and her primary is on drum set. Tinnin studied at Appalachian State University for her undergraduate degree and her masters from Northern Illinois University in Jazz Pedagogy. Tinnin has a diverse background in fitness with certifications in TRX, DNA Fitness Programming, Corrective Exercise and Exercise Therapy from ISSA and NASM.Shirazette has released a new album called “The Cards That Life Can Deal” in 2021 and it’s available on SoundCloud, iTunes and Spotify.The album was added to JAZZIZ’s INSIDE TRACK.#MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes International Recording Artist Endea Owens! Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist of 2019 and Detroit native Endea Owens, is a vibrant up and coming bassist. She has been mentored by the likes of Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, and Ron Carter. She has toured and performed with Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Holliday, Diana and Rhonda Ross, Jazzmeia Horn, Solange, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Steve Turre, and more. Endea has taught and performed in Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, London and numerous other countries. Endea is the bassist for Jon Batiste’s Stay Human and the house bassist for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In 2022, Endea won The George Foster Peabody Award and an Emmy with The Late Show. Endea was also a part of Jon Batiste’s Grammy Award winning album We Are. Recently, she recorded bass for the film Judas and The Black Messiah as well as recording with the artist H.E.R for her widely acclaimed Super Bowl LV performance. She has been featured and performed on ABC7 News (New York) with Sandy Kenyon, ABC7 “Here and Now: ” Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Spotify Music Sessions, Pix 11 News, and The Indie Beat with the Manhattan Neighborhood Network. #MMJF26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival @endeatheebassbae February 23 - 24 - 25 - 26, 2023 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33136 Tix https://MMJF26.Eventbrite.com

Happy Holidays from the Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival. Save the date!!!! 26th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival “Celebrating International Ladies of Jazz”February 23-24-25-26 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater819 NW 2nd Ave. Miami, Fl. 33136 #mmjf #mmjf26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival #miami

Save the date!!!! 26th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival “Celebrating International Ladies of Jazz” February 23-24-25-26 Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater 819 NW 2nd Ave. Miami, Fl. 33136 #mmjf #mmjf26 #meltonmustafajazzfestival #miami

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to International Jazz Trumpeter, Educator, Composer, Iman and Father Melton Mustafa. 🎂11/23/1947-2017 We love & miss you!