Ronald Rodriguez is an internationally acclaimed classical and jazz pianist and was recently appointed as Assistant Professor of Piano at Samford University. He gained a vast experience in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge, performing at major venues and festivals, including Snug Harbor, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the New Orleans International Festival, and performing with artists such as Delfeayo Marsalis.

Ronald’s recent projects highlight his work as a composer and arranger, featured on the albums Mosaico Quinteto and Desde La Raíz. He holds a doctorate in piano performance and pedagogy from Louisiana State University.

QBOP.  Journeymen of the Birmingham music scene for the past 50 years, Jeff Drew, John Nuckols, and Rich Daviston have drawn from and contributed to the rich musical and cultural heritage of this place they call home.  They have performed with virtually ever musician to grace a stage in this town over that period, including Foxxy Fatts, Ona Watson, Night Flight Big Band, Groove Daddy, Garden of Eaton, Dick’s Hat Band, Dave Amaral, Bo Berry, and many others. They have also exported that Birmingham Magic to larger stages including Donald Byrd, Lew Solof, Lou Marini, Jamey Johnson, The Temptations, The O’Jays, Kenny Rogers, and on and on.  

QBOP is honored to have joining them on guitar the incomparable Tom Wolfe.  Tom has been on the music faculty at the University of Alabama for many years.  

The Jacksonville State University Jazz Combo brings a modern take on traditional jazz with a hard-bop foundation. Recently recognized by local news for our outstanding talent, we’re proud to hit the stage at the Anniston Jazz Festival, Jazzorama, and now a prime performance slot at the JEN Conference in New Orleans.

Saxophonist and producer Amari Ansari brings a fresh voice to soul and jazz music. This New Orleans based artist has built a dynamic career through touring internationally with Birmingham’s own St. Paul and the Broken Bones and performing for over a decade with NEA Jazz Master, Delfeayo Marsalis. An in-demand jazz educator and talented artist whose soulful approach breathes life into the music.

He has performed with many greats including Stevie Wonder, Raphael Saadiq, Solange Knowles, and PJ Morton. From his live appearances on late-night ABC, PBS, CBS, and The Late Show, to his local performances at dozens of legendary venues throughout the south and New Orleans, Amari strives to uplift any and every room with the spirit of music.

Saxophonist and producer Amari Ansari brings a fresh voice to soul and jazz music. This New Orleans based artist has built a dynamic career through touring internationally with Birmingham’s own St. Paul and the Broken Bones and performing for over a decade with NEA Jazz Master, Delfeayo Marsalis. An in-demand jazz educator and talented artist whose soulful approach breathes life into the music.

He has performed with many greats including Stevie Wonder, Raphael Saadiq, Solange Knowles, and PJ Morton. From his live appearances on late-night ABC, PBS, CBS, and The Late Show, to his local performances at dozens of legendary venues throughout the south and New Orleans, Amari strives to uplift any and every room with the spirit of music.

Born a little over a decade after the triumphant, and equally disruptive Cuban revolution Pedro Luis Mayor grew up in a protestant family in which Cuban music was more of a daily intruder from the neighborhood than a part of their chosen entertainment. His earlier musical references were the music of the Wesley brothers and other composers from the Methodist hymnal as well as some seasonal classical music, which he still loves.  It was not until years later, in his early 20s, that he became interested in jazz after attending a series of performances by a local jazz legend in Havana. Pedro Luis came to the US in 1997 as a student after finishing his studies at the Ignacio Cervantes Conservatory.

Born a little over a decade after the triumphant, and equally disruptive Cuban revolution Pedro Luis Mayor grew up in a protestant family in which Cuban music was more of a daily intruder from the neighborhood than a part of their chosen entertainment. His earlier musical references were the music of the Wesley brothers and other composers from the Methodist hymnal as well as some seasonal classical music, which he still loves.  It was not until years later, in his early 20s, that he became interested in jazz after attending a series of performances by a local jazz legend in Havana. Pedro Luis came to the US in 1997 as a student after finishing his studies at the Ignacio Cervantes Conservatory.

The life and musical partners, Davis Little and Haleigh Black, are a violin and acoustic guitar duo from Birmingham, AL. They are known for their intimate performances and a unique sound that combines Appalachian/Irish/Scottish, Jazz, Folk and World music. They've recently brought their music to the UK, Europe, and US and are now touring and promoting the release of their debut album, Bend.

IG: @davisandhaleigh

Ken Watters is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist renowned for blending neo‑bop jazz with world and Caribbean influences. He has performed, recorded, or toured with luminary artists such as Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Marc Anthony, Cee‑Lo Green, Jason Isbell, Ravi Coltrane, Brad Mehldau, and the Mingus Big Band. A winner of the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition while at the University of North Texas, he also studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, Manhattan School of Music, and The Banff Centre as a full‑scholarship recipient, working alongside trumpet greats like Lew Soloff, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, and Kenny Wheeler.

 In his own projects, Watters has consistently pushed musical boundaries. His Haitian‑Caribbean‑infused ensemble RIYEL released a self-titled album on Summit Records in 2010, which climbed to #2 on the JazzWeek World Music charts. He also co-leads the Watters‑Felts Project, a sextet featuring some of the Southeast’s most in-demand musicians, including vocalist Ingrid Felts. A SESAC-affiliated composer and Yamaha Performing Artist, Watters remains a sought-after studio and live performer across jazz, R&B, pop, world music, and spoken word genres.

Ken Watters is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist renowned for blending neo‑bop jazz with world and Caribbean influences. He has performed, recorded, or toured with luminary artists such as Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Marc Anthony, Cee‑Lo Green, Jason Isbell, Ravi Coltrane, Brad Mehldau, and the Mingus Big Band. A winner of the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition while at the University of North Texas, he also studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, Manhattan School of Music, and The Banff Centre as a full‑scholarship recipient, working alongside trumpet greats like Lew Soloff, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, and Kenny Wheeler.

 In his own projects, Watters has consistently pushed musical boundaries. His Haitian‑Caribbean‑infused ensemble RIYEL released a self-titled album on Summit Records in 2010, which climbed to #2 on the JazzWeek World Music charts. He also co-leads the Watters‑Felts Project, a sextet featuring some of the Southeast’s most in-demand musicians, including vocalist Ingrid Felts. A SESAC-affiliated composer and Yamaha Performing Artist, Watters remains a sought-after studio and live performer across jazz, R&B, pop, world music, and spoken word genres.

Matthew Devine is a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Birmingham, AL. He has a remarkable talent for fitting into any musical situation comfortably and drawing in everyone around him, audience and band members alike. His versatility creates an exciting musical experience. After receiving a Master’s degree in music composition, he became the co-founder of the legendary Birmingham band Downright, all the while honing his skills as a jazz pianist. He has since become a mainstay on the Alabama scene playing a repertoire that encompasses classic jazz standards to creative interpretations of modern rock and pop. 

Matthew Devine is a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Birmingham, AL. He has a remarkable talent for fitting into any musical situation comfortably and drawing in everyone around him, audience and band members alike. His versatility creates an exciting musical experience. After receiving a Master’s degree in music composition, he became the co-founder of the legendary Birmingham band Downright, all the while honing his skills as a jazz pianist. He has since become a mainstay on the Alabama scene playing a repertoire that encompasses classic jazz standards to creative interpretations of modern rock and pop. 

Sir J Duke is a 24-year-old trombonist, composer, arranger, and songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. In his young career, Duke has made an impression on the music scene as an emerging artist/musician to watch. His musical versatility spans from jazz, gospel, funk, R&B, and soul. He has performed with renowned jazz artists such as Sean Jones, Terri Lyne Carrington, Greg Hopkins, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Braxton Cook, Elena Pinderhughes, Kurt Elling, Tia Fuller, and many others. As the lead trombonist for the National Youth Orchestra for Jazz, Duke has toured internationally in China—including performances with the orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Duke is a high school graduate of Alabama’s own Alabama School of Fine Arts and is also a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. 

Look for a mix of jazz standards, popular songs, and originals in a mixture of styles performed alongside two of Birmingham’s finest up and coming musicians.