Marco Antonio Santos

Marco Antonio Santos is a guitarist, arranger, and composer from Minas Gerais, Brazil. He performed with several artists (Jazz, Funk, Brazilian Music, and Pop Music) from Brazil and the USA, mostly in São Paulo and Austin areas. He has a Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Texas and is currently doing his Doctoral degree in Jazz Composition at the same institution. He won the award “Best College Jazz Ensemble” by Downbeat (group AIME/ 2017). His most important works (performance and/or writing): Nene (important drummer and composer from Brazil), Di Melo (pop singer), Jurema Paes (Brazilian singer), Hilda Maria (Brazilian singer), Katchie Cartwright trio (Brazilian jazz), UT Jazz Orchestra (jazz big band), Live Jukebox Trio (jazz/pop), Christian Wiggs (jazz singer) and Matt Maldonado Experience (jazz Quartet). Produced and wrote the arrangements for some artists such as Hilda Maria´s debut album, called “Feita de Rendas” (Top 100 best albums of 2016. Website “Embrulhador”), for the album “Realinhando” by Selia Nask, Tina Latora Ep in 2018.

 

Ben Newsome

Ben Newsome is a Graduate of New York University (MM) and the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music (Bmus.). As a saxophonist, he has played and recorded with GRAMMY award winner Malcolm Cecil, John Menegon, Tani Tabbal, and Marvin “Bugalu” Smith. He has been featured in concert with Dave Pietro, Michael Dease, Andre Hayward, and Rudresh Manhanthappa. He is currently a doctoral student at the Butler School of Music. His research interests include Jazz History, Performance Studies, and Biographical research.

 

 

 

Jonah Springs

Originally from Greensboro, NC, Jonah received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Greensboro College in 2019. While completing his degree, Jonah actively performed as a classical and commercial trumpet player throughout NC and the east coast. He has performed with a variety of ensembles and artists such as The Camel City Jazz Orchestra, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The John Brown Big Band, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ernie Watts, The Piedmont Wind Symphony, The Chairmen of the Board, the traveling broadway production of “Chicago” the musical, and many others. After Completing his degree, Jonah relocated to Austin, Texas where he currently attends the University of Texas at Austin as a Jazz Graduate Teaching Assistant and studies with Dr. Mike Sailors.

 

 

Fabio Augustinis

Fabio Augustinis is a drum-set and latin percussion player from São Paulo, Brazil. He has earned a Bachelor degree from the The State University of Campinas, Brazil and a Master of Music degree from The University of Iowa – IA.

Augustinis has recorded and/or performed in Brazil and in the United States with names such as Nailor “Proveta” Azevedo, Ivan Vilela, Teco Cardoso, Léa Freire, Alexandre Ribeiro, Fábio Peron, André Marques, Tibó Delor, Gabriel Santiago, Damani Phillips, The Des Moines Big Band, Bryan Lynch, Ernie Watts, Jiggs Wigham, Melvin Butler, Steve Davis, Joe Lovano, Jeff Hellmer, and many others.

In the Spring of 2018 Augustinis released his debut album as a composer, untitled Sunrise. Currently based in Austin – TX, Augustinis is about to finish his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at The University of Texas at Austin, where he is also working as a teaching assistant in the university’s jazz department. He has been performing extensively around the Austin area. Augustinis is an endorsing artist for Canopus Drums and Bosphorus Cymbals. For more info: fabioaugustinis.com and fabioaugustinis.bandcamp.com

 

Ian Henderson

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Ian Henderson began playing saxophone at the age of 12 in school band where he was introduced to and fell in love with jazz. He graduated from the University of North Texas’ prestigious jazz studies program with a Performance Degree in 2016 where he played in the Two and Three O’ Clock Lab Bands and studied with Brad Leali. Before moving to Austin to study for his Masters Degree in jazz performance at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music, he lived in Costa Rica where he taught and performed all over the country. Ian has performed professionally in Chile, Costa Rica, and all over Texas.

 

Gene Centeno

Gene Centeno is a professional saxophonist and music educator. He obtained his Bachelors in Jazz Saxophone Performance from Texas State University. He has performed and recorded with many artists locally and nationally, such as, Grupo Fantasma, The Latin Players, Andre Hayward, Greg Boyer, The Temptations, Prince, Maceo Parker, Sheila E and many others. Originally from San Antonio, Tx, he enjoys calling Austin, Tx home since 2014. He takes part in Austin’s rich musical environment and is proud to be a Graduate Jazz Student and TA at the University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music.