This Saturday, I’ll be playing in Champaign with Tetralogy, a new group put together by singer Kvn Tajzea. Get to know the band! See below also for some clips from the last time Kvn, Aaron, and I played together.

Kvn Tajzea (pronounced KE-vin TAH-zhay) is a actor, singer-songwriter, writer, creative and activist hailing from Central Illinois. Kvn began his love affair with the arts at a very young age. He has appeared in a number of theatrical productions, independent movie projects and his music has been featured in award winning films.  In 2015 Kvn released his debut album “The First Return” which spawned the hit song “All My Time” from the successful independent film, Christopher Nolen’s 72 Hours. When he’s not appearing onstage in venues across the country and traveling for other artistic projects, Kvn works with his nonprofit, the D.O.S.E. Foundation. D.O.S.E. is committed to ensuring that the theatre community is a mirror of the world in which we live by the creation and implementation of programs for marginalized and underserved populations.

Outside of his work with Kvn Tajzea, Justin Brauer plays keyboards and sings backup vocals in Whiskey Shadows, currently working on their debut EP, and has also appeared with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. He is an active music director and vocal coach whose career includes work with the UIUC Department of Theatre and School of Music, Parkland College, and high schools across the country. Justin founded and served on the inaugural board of Illini Student Musicals, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the D.O.S.E. Foundation. He holds an MM in Musicology and BME in Choral Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 301.

Andrey Gonçalves is an active Brazilian bassist and earned his Brazilian Popular Music degree from the Espírito Santo Music College (Brazil). Graduated in Masters in Music Performance at Campbellsville University (Kentucky), and in Masters in Jazz Performance in the University of Louisville, he is currently doing a Doctorate in Jazz Studies in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  As a jazz bassist, Mr. Gonçalves has performed with Frank Gambale, Chuchito Valdés, Ron Bridgewater, Thomas Becker, Larry Gray, Phill de Greg, Rusty Burge, Chip McNeill, Willy Thomas, Isaac Laussel, Oliver Groenewald, Alan Broadbent, Johan Eriksson, Tito Carrillo, Jim Carroll, Karan Chavis, Denis DiBlasio, Ben Sollee and the trombone quartet Maniacal 4. Also, he has toured Europe (2011), USA (2012/2016), and Argentina (2014) with different musical projects.

Aaron D. Wilson (aka A+ or ATrain)- Noted as the Drum Chameleon because there isn’t a genre he can’t play and hasn’t played. Influenced by Stewart Copeland, Clyde Stubblefield, & Vinnie Colaituta when it comes to playing—James Brown when it comes to being a Music Director. Timeless skills that started as a child, from recording on an album at the age of 9, recording on cassette tapes, CD, to DVD. Playing along with & sharing the stage with many great artist such as Shirley Murdock, Shirley King, Lurrie Bell, Dorinda Clark, Murali Coryell to name a few. Currently touring with the National/International blues award nominees The Kilborn Alley Blues band, playing sessions with his band Ther’Up.Y (pronounced Therapy), writing & touring with his Brother National gospel artist Bryan Wilson, as well as accompanying the U of I Dance Department.