Jonathan Lowery

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Based in Mt. Vernon NY, composer, band leader, and woodwind artist Johnathan Lowery is an active freelancer specializing in both jazz and classical genres throughout the greater New York City area. John performs regularly with various groups including the Grammy nominated Terraza Big Band with co-leaders Michael Thomas and Edward Perez, the Grammy nominated band leader/composer Remy Le Boeuf with his group Assembly of Shadows, the BMI Jazz Orchestra for their Jazz Workshop series, and many ensembles/ chamber groups around the greater NYC area. In addition, John performs regularly with the Jazz Gallery’s Jazz Composer Showcase series, and as a woodwind substitute on various on and off-broadway shows.

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On clarinet, John has collaborated with and performed pieces by Robert Rowe, Corte Lippe, and Eric Lyon among others, often incorporating elements of improvisation and live electronics. He has performed with various dance companies and artists like choreographer Gina Bashour Iacono, composer Julia Adolphe for the Barge Music’s world premiere of her opera Sylvia, and the Millennium Chamber Symphony.

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In addition to work with his quartet, Johnathan composes for and leads the Johnathan Lowery Sextet - an ensemble that combines music steeped in the languages of jazz, classical and folk music, with some Brazilian influences. 

John earned his B.M. at the Eastman School of Music, completing a double major in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media and Music Education. He also served as Adjunct Saxophone and Piano Instructor at New York University, where he completed his M.M. in Jazz Studies. Currently, John is on faculty at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School.

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Taro Okamoto -

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Taro Okamoto started playing JAZZ professionally from 1973 in Osaka, Japan. He moved to New York in 1975 and soon started playing with Reggie Workman's Big Band. In 1976, Taro worked as an assistant and studied with Elvin Jones.In 1977, Taro joined Sadik Hakim Trio and recorded two albums. In 1981, Taro started playing with Warne Marsh and performed at The Village Vanguard. In 1982, 

Taro toured with Warne Marsh to The International Jazz Festival in Amsterdam. Taro joined and recorded with the New York Guitar Ensemble in 1985. In 1988, he recorded with Richie Vitale Quintet with Gary Bartz. In the '90s, Taro has been touring in Japan with his own group. In 2000, Taro toured with Hank Jones to Japan. Taro has played with such jazz notable as Duke Jordan, Barry Harris, Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, Steve Grossman and many more.

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Gui Duvignau

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Gui Duvignau is a French-Brazilian bass player and composer whose multi-cultural background has led to a life of traveling and musical exploration. A jazz musician in essence, he also draws inspiration from his experiences performing Rock, Brazilian, and ‘World’ music, as well as his studies in classical contemporary music.

He attended Berklee College of Music where he studied with Vuk Kulenovic, Yakov Gubanov, Greg Hopkins, Ted Pease, John Lockwood, Fernando Huergo, to name a few, receiving his bachelor degree in Jazz Composition.