Pianist and co-leader Michael Jefry Stevens has performed and/or recorded with Dave Douglas, Mark Feldman, Gerry Hemingway, Billy Martin (Medeski-Martin-Wood), Pheeroan Aklaff, Leo Wadada Smith, Steve Turre, Cecil Bridgewater, Valery Ponomerev, Potato Valdez, Thomas Chapin, and Dominic Duval His most recent releases include “The Equinox Trio: Dominic Duval” (Leo Records), The Fonda Stevens Group “Evolution” (Leo Records) and Stevens, Siegal and Ferguson “Panorama” (Imaginary Jazz). He has written over 250 pieces for different musical ensembles. He is also an experienced educator and clinician, with clinics such as Arhus, Denmark, Mexico City, Mexico, Tempe, Arizona, Bristol, Virginia, and the Lichtensteinn School of Jazz. Joe Fonda, co-leader and bassist, has a strong international reputation. He has recorded and toured with Anthony Braxton over many years. This includes performances at some of the most prestigious jazz festivals around the globe including the North Sea Jazz Festival as well as the Istanbul International Jazz Festival. Fonda is also the featured bassist on many recordings with Mr. Braxton, including the Charlie Parker Project Recordings and the piano quartet recordings with Braxton. Fonda has performed alongside such musicians as Ken McIntyre (bass), Charlie Persip (piano), Lou Donaldson, Perry Robinson and Chico Hamilton. He has recently released his first solo CD as a bassist on Konnex Jazz label, Leo Records and Music and Arts label Master drummer Harvey Sorgen. Fonda has recorded or performed with Anthony Braxton and Bruce Hornsby, Jack De-Johnette and David Torn, Art Lande and Roswell Rudd, NRBQ and Bill Frisell. He is currently a member of “Hot Tuna”, a world-famous rock band. He was also featured in an interview with a modern drummer. Hot Tuna, The Arc Quartet and The Mallards are just a few of his albums. NRBQ, Sorgen-Rust-Stevens Trio is also among them. “Drumming Made Easy”, his first instructional video, is available worldwide via Homespun tapes, Inc. Herb Robertson, an internationally recognized trumpet/brass improviser, is widely regarded as the best. Robertson joined Mark Helias’ group shortly after joining Tim Berne’s original ensemble in 1981. Robertson’s original brass idea, which included extended mute techniques, was first recognized by the public. Robertson has released five albums under his own name. He has performed with Bill Frisell and John Zorn as well as Bobby Previte and Charlie Haden Music Liberation Orchestration. He has appeared at many of Europe’s most important jazz and new music festivals, including the October Meeting in Amsterdam, Saalfelden and Willasau, Arri, and Nicklesdorf Music festivals. bio by joefonda.com/fonda-stevens-group
