March is Women's History Month
Works by female composers/lyricists: Abbey Lincoln, Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday, Bernice Petkere, Carole King and more.
Rhonda Robinson, vocals/flute
Todd Simon, piano/sax
Eliot Seppa, bass
Philip Thomas, drums
Tickets: $15 advance/$18 at door/$10 full-time student with ID
Vocalist/flutist Rhonda Robinson grew up in Indian Head, MD. After studying acting, voice and dance at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, she was drawn to jazz while studying with Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, Janet Lawson....
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March is Women's History Month
Works by female composers/lyricists: Abbey Lincoln, Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday, Bernice Petkere, Carole King and more.
Rhonda Robinson, vocals/flute
Todd Simon, piano/sax
Eliot Seppa, bass
Philip Thomas, drums
Tickets: $15 advance/$18 at door/$10 full-time student with ID
Vocalist/flutist Rhonda Robinson grew up in Indian Head, MD. After studying acting, voice and dance at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, she was drawn to jazz while studying with Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, Janet Lawson.
Rhonda gives educational concerts, workshops and artist residencies in area schools. Since 2010, she has been the Vocal Jazz instructor at Contemporary Arts, Inc.'s SAX Music and Dance summer camp at Loyola University. A member of the Baltimore Jazz Alliance, she performs with their “Jazz for Kids” Quintet. Rhonda sings with the Peabody-Hopkins Chorus, and with Joyous Voices a cappella holiday carolers. Since 2010, she has been the featured vocalist for Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter’s Jazz Vespers services. In 2013, she became Director of the Jazz Ministry.
Pianist/multi-instrumentalist Todd Simon performs mainly in the DC/Baltimore area and has served as pianist and saxophonist for the Annapolis-based United States Naval Academy Band since 2009. His father Dale “Rocky” Simon was a founding member of the premier show band The Fabulous Hubcaps. Todd’s brother Shawn is also a talented musician; he is a bassist based in Baltimore.
In 2007, Todd earned his B.M. in Jazz Performance from Peabody Conservatory, where he studied piano and organ with Tim Murphy and saxophone with Gary Thomas. He is in high demand, playing 300+ gigs per year in addition to USNA Band performances. He was featured on trumpeter Donvonte McCoy’s 2011 album “Third Floor” and vocalist Tom Moore’s 2010 release “Restless Journey.” Todd continues to perform on Fender Rhodes with McCoy’s quintet every Friday and Saturday night at D.C.’s famed Eighteenth St. Lounge.
2013 was a banner year for Todd: His debut CD of all original compositions, “Simon Says,” was released in March, and in June he organized a gig with Nicholas Payton and Tim Warfield at the Tinder Box Cigar Lounge in Waldorf.
Eliot Seppa is an upright and electric bassist and a native of the DC area. As a child, Eliot studied classical bass with the late George Vance and heard his dad's favorite rock and folk music at home while also becoming influenced by the hip-hop, R&B, go-go, and Latin American music that he heard at school, friend's houses, and elsewhere. In high school, Eliot played bass in every group he could think of - big bands, orchestras, pit orchestras, and - since he had recently picked up the electric bass - rock, funk, and hip-hop bands. Eliot attended Howard University, where he studied under professors Steve Novosel (jazz bass), Jeffrey Koczela (classical bass), and Charlie Young (jazz improvisation). Since graduating, he has continued to gain valuable experience playing all types of music while also expressing himself through composing and arranging.
Philip Thomas was born in Wilmington, DE and raised in Cleveland. After moving to Baltimore, Philip was afforded the opportunity to play with such notable musicians as Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Bilal and many others. Philip Thomas's goal when he is performing on drums is to help heal and encourage the person in the audience.
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