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Dan Kaufman has emerged as a leading and promising young voice in Jazz Piano. Dan’s playing is adventurous and dynamic while firmly rooted in the jazz tradition. As a versatile and sensitive sideman , he has performed for audiences around the world, with many of the most prominent figures in jazz. From Jimmy Heath, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride and Mark Turner. He is also an accomplished composer and arranger.  Kaufman began classical piano studies at age four and was working professionally as a teenager. He then moved to Boston to attend the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Fred Hersch and Danilo Perez. He joined the Grammy Nominated group, The Either/Orchestra, and quickly became on of the most in demand young talents on the Boston scene, working extensively with Jeremy Pelt, Miguel Zenon, and Bob Moses among others. After a brief stint as a member of the highly selective Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Kaufman moved to New York to attend the Juilliard School on a full scholarship for the inaugural class of jazz studies where he studied with Kenny Barron. Kaufman has established himself as an in demand pianist in New York, joining the working bands of Donald Harrison, Ben Wolfe, Wycliffe Gordon, Rodney Green, Wayne Escoffery and Dominck Farinacci. He also works regularly for many of the worlds top jazz vocalists including Nnenna Freelon, Kevin Mahogony, Robin McKelle, Allan Harris, Gretchen Parlato and Marilyn Maye. He currently resides in Manhattan and is releasing his debut recording as a leader, "Familiar Places" this fall on Red Piano Records.

Petra's Recession Seven: Petra van Nuis - vocals Art Davis - trumpet Eric Schneider - reeds Russ Phillips - trombone Andy Brown - guitar Dan DeLorenzo - bass Bob Rummage - drums At the start of the Great Recession in September 2008, Petra's Recession Seven, an authentic Chicago-style jazz band was born at Chicago's legendary Green Mill. The seven piece ensemble is led by Petra van Nuis, a vocalist praised by the Chicago Tribune for her "interpretive savvy...light-and-silvery vocals and, better still, saucy manner of delivery that emphasizes the art of the double entendre." Petra's Recession Seven features a front line of all-star internationally known Chicago veteran horn players. Trombonist Russ Phillips grew up "in the wings" listening to his dad, Russ Phillips Sr. play trombone in Louis Armstrong's All-Stars. Russ Jr. decided to follow in his dad's footsteps, and in addition to Chicago performances is a popular fixture on mainstream jazz festivals and cruises. Reedist Eric Schneider began his early career as a member of the bands of Count Basie and Earl Fatha Hines. Since then, Eric has played with many legends including Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald and continues to be one of the busiest working musicians in Chicago. Trumpeter Art Davis is charter member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and a highly respected jazz educator. Early in his career, Art toured with Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney and continues to be the top call trumpeter for musicians touring through Chicago. The swinging rhythm section of bassist Dan Delorenzo and drummer Bob Rummage is led by guitarist Andy Brown, recognized in Downbeat Magazine's annual critics poll as a “rising star.” In their hometown of Chicago, Petra's Recession Seven is a big hit at the Jazz Showcase, the Green Mill, Andy's Jazz Club, Winter's Jazz Club and Fitzgerald's. Festival performances include the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Cedar Basin Jazz Festival, the Juvae Jazz Festival and the American Music Festival. Regionally, the Recession Seven has played jazz societies including the Madison Jazz Society, the Starr-Gennett Foundation, the Illiana Jazz Club, the "Masters of Swing" series at Cincinnati's Xavier University, the Lafayette Jazz Club and the Indianapolis Jazz Club. The American Rag, in a review of the band's 2011 on location recording "Live In Chicago" praises “a killer of a band that grabs your attention and doesn't give it back until they are finished playing." www.petrasings.com

Bethany Pickens is an award winning pianist and composer. Born in Chicago, she began her musical training under the watchful tutelage of her father Willie Pickens, world-class Jazz pianist. She also was impacted deeply by the 9 years she spent as a member of the Chicago Children's Choir during her formative years. Since graduating from the American Conservatory of Music, Bethany has had the opportunity to perform, record, and conduct clinics with such artist as Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Bobby Watson, Von Freeman, Steve Turre, Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen, Willie Pickens, Susan Anton, Lizz Wright and Grammy award winners Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roy Hargrove and Branford Marsalis, Rascal Flats, Josh Groban, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Usher.Ms. Pickens is an Illinois State Board Certified Instrumental Music Teacher. She has taught PreK-12 for the Chicago Public School System for over 20 years. She currently is the Piano Instructor at Kenwood Academy High School, her Alma Mater!Additionally, Bethany has worked as an Artist-in-Residence with the Jazz Institute of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools All-City Elementary Jazz Ensemble, and an Instructor with the Ravinia Jazz Scholars Program. She has also served as an Adjudicator for The CPS City-Wide Jazz Festival.Bethany and her Father have Performed Duo Concerts at Chicago Symphony Center, Ravinia, The Steinway Society, and the International Jazz Educators Convention and most recently NPR's Jazz Piano Christmas Series at John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in Washington DC, 2016."Steeped in tradition, committed to creativity" is how Bethany describes her Performances, "a musical menu—something for everyone."