ART BARON & The Duke's Men

"...An invigorating mixture of Ellington coloration with a fresh approach and adventurous repertoire."  -  New York Times

Arthur Baron has enjoyed the good fortune to play with some of the greatest musical artists over the past 50 years, all the while helping to create some of the most memorable music of the age.  The trombonist and bandleader's most pivotal musical experience was playing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra during the last year of the Maestro's stellar musical career. Since then he has shared stages the world over with jazz greats, such as Cab Calloway and Buddy Rich, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor and Taj Mahal, George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Mingus Epitaph, the Mingus Big Band, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra among many others.  Art also appeared as a featured soloist on the Broadway stage during the historic run of “After Midnight.”

Art Baron’s music is his own, informed by vast and varied collaborations and experiences but with a firm foundation of Ellingtonia.  These qualities find valuable expression for Baron as leader and creator of The Duke's Men, an eight-piece band that often Includes other alumni from the Ellington Orchestra. 

Expect to hear the big hits, such as “Take the ‘A’ Train”, “Mood Indigo” and “C JamBlues”, as well as more esoteric fare, such as “HappyGo Lucky Local” and “Harlem Airshaft. In the Ellington tradition, every performance offers the excite­ment of exploration and discovery as these timeless tunes unfold revealing new depth and dimensions.  

      AUDRA MARIEL A Real Human Jazz Band

Audra Mariel (vocals) has been acclaimed for her unique sound and sincere interpretation of timeless standards. Mariel frequently performs with A Real Human Jazz Band, but has also had the privilege of performing and recording with Frank Vignola (also appearing with Mark O'Connor, Bucky Pizzareli, and Al Caiola). She has also toured the east coast with her solo looping project, Martin Howth. 

A Real Human Jazz Band is an innovative jazz band based near the NJ coast. The band’s members come from a variety of musical backgrounds and are eclectic themselves, thus infusing their interpretations of standards and somewhat-less-standards with unique energy and insight.  Tom Monda (guitar) also tours with his successful prog rock project, “Thank You Scientist”, and Cody McCorry (bass) is a multi instrumentalist who plays in a litany of projects including his own, “We Used to Cut the Grass”. 

Alexander Rausch     -    Solo Guitar Stylings (during the cocktail hour)

Hailing from Tinton Falls,  Alexander Rausch is a guitarist who began his jazz studies over six years ago at the Jazz Arts Academy.  Alexander has also studied at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Jazz House Kids, and the Berklee School of Music summer program. He has performed at numerous music venues and festivals including Dizzy’s Club NYC, Prudential Hall at NJPAC, the Montclair Jazz Festival, Two River Theater, The Vogel, and the Count Basie Theater.  Alexander is set to graduate from Monmouth County's Biotechnology High School this coming spring and will go on to an as of yet undisclosed university.