Four amazing and unique musicians, whose names will soon be household-friendly: Sam Skelton, Brian Hogans and Mace Hibbard. Mace Hibbard is from the south. Most Atlantans view Waco, Texas as the “deep south”. Hibbard was influenced most by his father Dave Hibbard, a well-known lone star state jazz trumpeter. Mace has a Bachelor’s degree in jazz studies and a Master’s degree in musical performance, but he is still able to be a shoot-from the hip improviser. Hibbard can often be found at Georgia State University teaching jazz saxophone. Sam Skelton, a well-known multi-reedist and a first-call multi-reedist is one of the best-known featured saxophonists. Skelton is the Director of Jazz Studies at Kennesaw State University, in suburban Atlanta. He also serves as a Lecturer in Saxophone at Kennesaw State University. Skelton performs and teaches classical saxophone with the same passion. Few can claim to be able to do both. The skills required, such as vibrato and phrasing, basic tone production, and basic tone production, do not overlap with either of the genres. Skelton, who is a native of Georgia, was born and raised in suburban Conyers (Georgia), a few miles east from Atlanta. Brian Hogans is from Morrow, Georgia. It’s just a few minutes south of Atlanta. Hogans’ playing is diverse, fascinating, and enigmatic to say the very least. Amazingly, Hogans is equally proficient on piano and saxophone. Hogans is a jazz musician as individual as anyone. This may be due to his study with Don Braden, Antonio Hart, and Bunky Green. You can hear Hogans on bandstands where truly personal, in-depth musicianship may be appreciated. Gary Harris, a friendly cat that warms up even the most coldest people and nightspots — he is the bluesiest native Atlantan featured. However, none of the four featured cats are immune to blues inflections. Harris is as bluesy as a teapot. Harris, a veteran tenor who has performed on numerous stages such as the North Sea Jazz Festivals and Montreux Jazz Festivals is highly sought after as both a sideman or leader in the Deep South and beyond. Harris’ expertise includes both straight-ahead as well as R.
