Mosaic is an ensemble/collective dedicated to forging an original voice in Jazz. Fusing elements of hard bop, Afro-Cuba and the avant-garde, their rhythmic concept is deep and diverse. Add a modern approach to harmony and melody and you have a music for the body and the mind. Mosaic interprets compositions by Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Duke Ellington, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock as well as their original compositions. The ensemble is made up of reeds, piano, bass, drums and percussion enabling them to flow from high energy swing and Latin jazz to tone poems and lush ballads. Mosaic hopes to add a new sound to Americas musical legacy, rooted in the tradition while looking toward the future.

Mosaic features:

Matt Belzer, alto and soprano saxophones
Ned Judy, piano
Larry Melton, bass
Mark Merella, drums and percussion
Sam Seguito Turner, congas and percussion

www.snackrecords.com/artists/mosaic/

Duende Quartet is devoted to playing Latin Jazz in the style of Mongo Santamaria, Cal Tjader and Willie Bobo with a nod to the Blue Note sound of the 60s. In a unique small group setting (with piano as the lead instrument) Duende Quartet captures the vibe of the jazz combo while using the rhythms of a Cuban conjunto. Duende also has a vast repertiore ranging from traditional Cuban songs to modern jazz compositions. Duende, which can be loosely translated as a dark creative force, seeks to take these traditions to another place and create an original group sound.

The Duende Quartet features:

Harry Appelman, piano and keyboards
Mark Merella, timbales, bongo and bata
Josh Schwartzman, bass
Sam Seguito Turner, congas, bata and percussion

Duende is proud to announce that they have been chosen by Jazz at Lincoln Center to participate in their program Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad. Rhythm Road chooses four quartets each year to tour abroad under the auspices of the State Department. Formerly the Jazz Ambassadors, this program has hosted such legendary musicians as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. Duende will be part of the fall 2006 winter/spring 2007 touring schedule.

For booking contact Harry Appelman - ha.jazz@verizon.net

Mantra is an exciting new trio dedicated to forging an original voice in Jazz. Mantra draws inspiration from the vibrant and fertile early period of electric Jazz-Miles Davis, Tony Williams Lifetime, and Weather Report- and mixes this with the melodic and rhythmic freedom of the avant-garde to produce a compelling and fresh sound. Mantra features:

Chuck Underwood - guitar and loops
Jon Ozment - organ, electric piano and synth
Mark Merella - drums and percussion

Mantra performs original compositions and their versions of tunes by Jazz greats, employing a gamut of textures from structured to freely improvised, traditional Jazz trio to modern electronic soundscapes, resulting in a powerful and persuasive new sound.

www.mantrajazz.com

Snack Records is an independent record label dedicated to presenting works on the vanguard of today's creative music scene. With a catalogue that includes electric jazz, fee improvisation and world music, Snack takes pride in the performances, recording and graphics of each CD, striving for a complete, aesthetic experience. The Snack mission is to provide a forum for creative musicians and allow them total artistic control over their work. The roots of Snack Records extend more than two decades back in time when Mark Merella, Larry Melton and Ned Judy began playing together in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. In the summer of 2003 after having collectively acquired nearly 70 years of professional experience in the music business in the United States and abroad these seasoned musicians, composers and producers formally established Snack Records.

www.snackrecords.com

Dom Pakka Chiki is a percussion ensemble rooted in the Afro Cuban tradition while looking toward the future. Incorporating rhythms and instrumentation from Cuban secular and sacred music, Dom Pakka Chiki also uses elements of jazz, free improvisation, world music and contemporary urban rhythms. The ensemble is directed by Sam "Seguito" Turner who has a wealth of professional experience playing with, among others, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, Monguito Santamaria and 15 years with Lionel Hampton's Orchestra. Arrangements are by all the core members of the group, which reflect their wide array of influences and playing styles. Dom Pakki Chiki has provided music for concert settings and dance accompaniment, led drumming workshops and master classes, and has performed at the Joy Of Motion Studio, Dance Place, The Kennedy Center, The Harlem Renaissance Festival and under the auspices of the Prince Georges County Arts Council.

The core ensemble includes percussionists: Sam Turner, Rudy Morales, Jason Walker and Mark Merella

For booking, contact Sam Turner - seguitoturner@hotmail.com

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