Diane Wilson Bedford and the Steve Rudolph Trio will join us for this Wednesday Jazz Series!
About the artists:
Diane Wilson-Bedford
Harrisburg native Diane Wilson Bedford is a well-known vocalist locally and performs both regionally and nationally. She has strong roots in gospel music, pop, soul and jazz. She was the winner of the Pennsylvania Senior Idol Award in 2007 and was a featured recording artist on Joy To The Burg 2020, a Christmas album created by local Harrisburg, PA area artists to combat homelessness
Hassan JJ Shakur – bass
Hassan is originally from Los Angeles CA and was born into a musical family. His father, Gerald Wiggins, was a major jazz pianist and winner of the L.A. Music Award. J.J. began playing professionally at age 10 and toured internationally with the Craig Hundley trio at age 12, appearing several times on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. At age 17 he began touring with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and continues to perform with them today. He also tours the world with Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander and has played and recorded with jazz masters Pearl Bailey, Al Grey, Teddy Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Billy Eckstein, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, Herb Ellis and many others. Wiggins also played on the soundtrack to the 1989 film, "The Fabulous Baker Boys."
Justin Bowden – drums
Justin is a drummer, bassist, and a producer/mixer based out of central Pennsylvania. He has deep roots planted in jazz and has expanded to other genres that range from gospel to progressive metal, to fusion. Justin’s love of music began as a child playing pots and pans until his parents got upset with all the dents. The first music he played and listened to was classical music. Beethoven, Holst, and John Williams inspired him to join an orchestra where he became the first chair percussionist. He joined the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Youth Band at the age of eight under director Ronnie Waters and played with Inspire bands directed by Curt Sipe and others, playing all over PA. This is where he discovered jazz artists Buddy Rich, Miles Davis, Mike Stern, Jeff Lorber, Pat Metheny and many more. After hearing these amazing artists, he was inspired to pick up the bass, as an aid to help him write the bulk of his music. He looks forward to the future with new lenses, striving to spread a positive message about music, hope, and truth.
STEVE RUDOLPH – Piano
Steve moved to Harrisburg in 1978 after a tour with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He was a founder of the Central PA Friends of Jazz in 1980, one of the country’s most successful jazz organizations to this day. He served as pianist six nights a week at the Hilton Harrisburg’s “Bar” for 22 years featuring many great area and national artists weekly. He has many recordings to his credit and his compositions and arrangements have been performed by the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. Visit www.steverudolph.com for more information.
First-come entry. Please check in with the hosts.
We ask that guests not move tables or save seats.
The floor offers an up-close view from the floor of the Listening Room, and the upstairs mezzanine offers a spot overlooking the floor.