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.

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. 

Mark Lanter, MM University of Alabama, BA Music University of Alabama at Birmingham, musician, drum set, vocalist, educator, author, producer, mentor, and wilderness enthusiast has been a working musician for decades with a steady schedule of touring, recording, and teaching. 

 Currently, he tours nationwide performing with the Black Jacket Symphony, Eat a Peach, Bonus Round, Heavy Early, The Crimson Quartet, as well as hosting his own concert series, The Maverick Lounge Series, featuring a live “Rocumentary” performances of select icons of popular art music. His most recent published recordings include Sam Pointer’s What Good is Money (2021), as producer and drum set on the album project Big Band of Brothers, a Jazz Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band, on New West Records (2019). It has garnered favorable reviews worldwide including Jazziz Magazine, and Downbeat Magazine.

Mark Lanter, MM University of Alabama, BA Music University of Alabama at Birmingham, musician, drum set, vocalist, educator, author, producer, mentor, and wilderness enthusiast has been a working musician for decades with a steady schedule of touring, recording, and teaching. 

 Currently, he tours nationwide performing with the Black Jacket Symphony, Eat a Peach, Bonus Round, Heavy Early, The Crimson Quartet, as well as hosting his own concert series, The Maverick Lounge Series, featuring a live “Rocumentary” performances of select icons of popular art music. His most recent published recordings include Sam Pointer’s What Good is Money (2021), as producer and drum set on the album project Big Band of Brothers, a Jazz Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band, on New West Records (2019). It has garnered favorable reviews worldwide including Jazziz Magazine, and Downbeat Magazine.

La’Roy Bodiford fell in love with jazz as a young child when he found himself staying up past his bedtime listening to a local radio station on a tape player radio his sister gave him. His love of music became reality when he joined the beginner band of Luverne Elementary in Luverne, Alabama. From then until he graduated high school, La’Roy frequently made All-State Band and All-State Jazz Band. After high school he spent 4 years serving our country as a member of United States Marine Corps.  Upon completing his time with the Marines, La’Roy’s dream and passion became his career. He has since toured with American Idol winner, Ruben Studdard and shared the stage with great jazz artists such as Jeff Lorber, Rick Braun, Brian Culbertson, and many more. 

In recent years La’Roy has become one of the most sought after sidemen in the southeast, but his own playing and band leading is where he truly shines.  

Marlowe Shepherd is a touring recording artist focused on long-term residencies. He has resided in some of the largest music markets in the world including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville, New York, and London. He has toured extensively in the Southeast performing regularly in New Orleans, Savannah, Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham, Atlanta, and Louisville. Shepherd has shared the stage in supporting the likes of Maceo Parker, and Dr. John while performing 300+ nights per year.

Marlowe Shepherd Instagram

Marlowe Shepherd is a touring recording artist focused on long-term residencies. He has resided in some of the largest music markets in the world including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville, New York, and London. He has toured extensively in the Southeast performing regularly in New Orleans, Savannah, Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham, Atlanta, and Louisville. Shepherd has shared the stage in supporting the likes of Maceo Parker, and Dr. John while performing 300+ nights per year.

Marlowe Shepherd Instagram

“Hot Jazz of the 1920s-1930s” 

Join us at Pogo HALLOWEEN NIGHT for a spooky treat as the jazz of the 1920s and 1930s is brought to life again with Dr. Warren Ertle’s Corpse Revivors! Hear the authentic repertory of the Jazz Age with a special nod to Ragtime and Stride piano masters, Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, and Thomas “Fats” Waller. 

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.