Your Host: BillyRay Sheppard
... a saxophonist living in San Antonio Texas, he has been performing since the 80's. His musical roots run deep, having his earliest musical experiences in Blues, R & B, Reggae, Latin, Tejano and Country bands. It's his love for music that keeps him grounded and his love for jazz that keeps him performing. Soon after academic life, he pursued many different avenues in the field of music; at times as a sideman for many local artists and other times as a studio musician.
BillyRay is one of the first call smooth jazz performers in the San Antonio area, having shared his talents on stage with notable genre stars Steve Oliver, Peter White, Adam Hawley and Will Donato. He's also performed with Roy Hargrove, Julio Iglesias, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and many more. With his saxophone's rich, warm, soulful tone, he has made a name for himself on the local and national music scene.
In November 2017, BillyRay released his debut CD entitled "Silk", co-written and produced by guitarist Steve Oliver. The album contains the single "Heels and Pearls" which has reached the TOP 20 airplay chart on smooth jazz radio.
BillyRay is one of the first call smooth jazz performers in the San Antonio area, having shared his talents on stage with notable genre stars Steve Oliver, Peter White, Adam Hawley and Will Donato. He's also performed with Roy Hargrove, Julio Iglesias, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and many more. With his saxophone's rich, warm, soulful tone, he has made a name for himself on the local and national music scene.
In November 2017, BillyRay released his debut CD entitled "Silk", co-written and produced by guitarist Steve Oliver. The album contains the single "Heels and Pearls" which has reached the TOP 20 airplay chart on smooth jazz radio.
Marqueal Jordan
A Los Angeles native who spent his teen years in Kansas City, KS, Marqueal has been based in the music-rich city of Chicago since 1995. Moving to the Windy City after earning a Business Administration degree at the University of Kansas, Marqueal began paying dues by playing gigs in every musical style imaginable. In those early years, he earned his reputation as a seasoned and magnetic performer. Marqueal was the front man for the critically acclaimed local original band, Fat Time, and a member of the spin-off band, Starcandy. By the early 2000’s, he was highly in demand to perform with the top musicians and bands in the city.
In 2008, Marqueal met Smooth Jazz star Brian Culbertson. Impressed by his playing and singing, Brian offered Marqueal a spot in his touring band. Over the next 10 years, Marqueal traveled the world with Brian, appeared in two DVDs, and was featured on four albums. The exposure gave him the confidence and desire to become a solo artist.
Marqueal’s solo debut album, Catalyst, was released in October 2013. It helped to establish him as an emerging artist in Smooth & Contemporary Jazz. After leaving Brian Culbertson’s band in the summer of 2018 to focus on his solo career, he recorded his second project, Intention & Purpose. Released in February 2019, the album is a musical journey through Contemporary Jazz, Soul/R&B and Hip Hop, and it showcases his growing skills as a songwriter, arranger and producer. The album yielded two Top 20 hits on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles Chart, “If You Only Knew” and “The Edge”. Currently, Marqueal is putting the finishing touches on his third solo album, All We Have Are Moments. After several delays, the album will be released in early 2022. The album’s lead single, “Last Call”, was released in March 2021 and was well received by SiriusXM Watercolors and Smooth Jazz Radio. To support the album, Marqueal will be rejoining Brian Culbertson on tour as a featured Special Guest in 2022, as well as touring on his own.
In addition to leading and touring with his own band, Marqueal occasionally tours with The Legendary Isley Brothers and the prodigious Guitarist/Vocalist Isaiah Sharkey. He has also shared the stage with some of the greats in music, performing with legends such as: Gerald Albright, Patti Austin, Peabo Bryson, Jonathan Butler, Will Downing, George Duke, Candy Dulfer, Floetry, Aretha Franklin, Larry Graham, Buddy Guy, Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Joe, KRS-One, Kenny Lattimore, Maysa, Frank McComb, Marcus Miller, Najee, Mike Phillips, Eric Roberson, David Sanborn, Jill Scott, Sy Smith, and Kirk Whalum. In Chicago, he still performs locally with Brother John Kattke and Midnight Sun Band. Marqueal also collaborates with Chicago-based artist/producer DJ I.N.C., and has been featured on numerous projects of I.N.C.’s since 2000.
Marqueal was proud to be recognized by the Chicago Defender as a Man Of Excellence in 2014. Father, mentor and friend to many, Marqueal Jordan is a humble man who is focused on achieving greatness through his music and his deeds.
In 2008, Marqueal met Smooth Jazz star Brian Culbertson. Impressed by his playing and singing, Brian offered Marqueal a spot in his touring band. Over the next 10 years, Marqueal traveled the world with Brian, appeared in two DVDs, and was featured on four albums. The exposure gave him the confidence and desire to become a solo artist.
Marqueal’s solo debut album, Catalyst, was released in October 2013. It helped to establish him as an emerging artist in Smooth & Contemporary Jazz. After leaving Brian Culbertson’s band in the summer of 2018 to focus on his solo career, he recorded his second project, Intention & Purpose. Released in February 2019, the album is a musical journey through Contemporary Jazz, Soul/R&B and Hip Hop, and it showcases his growing skills as a songwriter, arranger and producer. The album yielded two Top 20 hits on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles Chart, “If You Only Knew” and “The Edge”. Currently, Marqueal is putting the finishing touches on his third solo album, All We Have Are Moments. After several delays, the album will be released in early 2022. The album’s lead single, “Last Call”, was released in March 2021 and was well received by SiriusXM Watercolors and Smooth Jazz Radio. To support the album, Marqueal will be rejoining Brian Culbertson on tour as a featured Special Guest in 2022, as well as touring on his own.
In addition to leading and touring with his own band, Marqueal occasionally tours with The Legendary Isley Brothers and the prodigious Guitarist/Vocalist Isaiah Sharkey. He has also shared the stage with some of the greats in music, performing with legends such as: Gerald Albright, Patti Austin, Peabo Bryson, Jonathan Butler, Will Downing, George Duke, Candy Dulfer, Floetry, Aretha Franklin, Larry Graham, Buddy Guy, Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Joe, KRS-One, Kenny Lattimore, Maysa, Frank McComb, Marcus Miller, Najee, Mike Phillips, Eric Roberson, David Sanborn, Jill Scott, Sy Smith, and Kirk Whalum. In Chicago, he still performs locally with Brother John Kattke and Midnight Sun Band. Marqueal also collaborates with Chicago-based artist/producer DJ I.N.C., and has been featured on numerous projects of I.N.C.’s since 2000.
Marqueal was proud to be recognized by the Chicago Defender as a Man Of Excellence in 2014. Father, mentor and friend to many, Marqueal Jordan is a humble man who is focused on achieving greatness through his music and his deeds.
Patrick Lamb
Since scoring his first touring gig out of college with Grammy winning singer Diane Schuur, multi-talented saxophonist and vocalist Patrick Lamb has impacted literally hundreds of thousands of lives while enjoying a whirlwind dual career as an artist and sideman. While spending years on the road (both in the U.S. and internationally) with pop and contemporary jazz greats Bobby Caldwell, Gino Vannelli and Jeff Lorber Fusion, he has also become a successful solo recording artist, with five albums and three Top 5 hits on the Billboard chart.
His latest release Soul Ties (2018) featured the Top 20 single “Homebrew” which currently has over 300,000 streams on Spotify; “Tailgate” from the same collection has over 420,000 streams. His 2016 track “Limitless” has nearly 600,000 streams. His 2013 single “Maceo!” (a tribute to Maceo Parker) from his album It’s All Right Now hit #2 on Billboard.
The Mississippi born, Portland based musician also has the unique distinction of being one of the youngest artists ever inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, and his adopted hometown has celebrated him with the Independent Spirit Award. Testament to his stylistic diversity as a player and artist, he has won three Muddy Awards for his blues playing by the Northwest music community and he was a finalist in the Rockstar Mix It Up contest. Patrick’s production company was given the Spirit of Portland and the Caring Heart Award for his contributions giving back to the community. Earlier in his career, he also had the opportunity to perform at The White House.
“When I look back on my life, there are elements of it and things I’ve been able to do that have given it great meaning,” Patrick says. “I’ve been blessed with opportunities not only to work with some of the greatest people, musical and otherwise, on the planet, but also to help people through these great charitable organizations. I’ve overcome so many personal challenges in my life and created a beautiful testimony through the vehicle of music.”
His latest release Soul Ties (2018) featured the Top 20 single “Homebrew” which currently has over 300,000 streams on Spotify; “Tailgate” from the same collection has over 420,000 streams. His 2016 track “Limitless” has nearly 600,000 streams. His 2013 single “Maceo!” (a tribute to Maceo Parker) from his album It’s All Right Now hit #2 on Billboard.
The Mississippi born, Portland based musician also has the unique distinction of being one of the youngest artists ever inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, and his adopted hometown has celebrated him with the Independent Spirit Award. Testament to his stylistic diversity as a player and artist, he has won three Muddy Awards for his blues playing by the Northwest music community and he was a finalist in the Rockstar Mix It Up contest. Patrick’s production company was given the Spirit of Portland and the Caring Heart Award for his contributions giving back to the community. Earlier in his career, he also had the opportunity to perform at The White House.
“When I look back on my life, there are elements of it and things I’ve been able to do that have given it great meaning,” Patrick says. “I’ve been blessed with opportunities not only to work with some of the greatest people, musical and otherwise, on the planet, but also to help people through these great charitable organizations. I’ve overcome so many personal challenges in my life and created a beautiful testimony through the vehicle of music.”
Phillip "Doc" Martin
Phillip "Doc" Martin really is a doctor -- a dentist with a private practice -- but has equally impressive musical creds. Growing up in South Florida, he started playing sax in his public school’s band program and became the leading soloist in the South Plantation High School Jazz Band, and first chair in the All-State Jazz Band.
He studied music at the University of Central Florida, and was quickly hired as a sideman by Sam Rivers, Marcus Johnson,, Sisaundra Lewis, Sunnie Paxton, and others. He also earned his medical degree, meanwhile, at Howard University College of Dentistry. His amazing saxophone skills were so noted by his peers that he stepped out on his own and became a solo artist. He has been captivating audiences worldwide ever since!
Martin has eight records under his belt, beginning with “Saxappeal" in 2003 up to his latest self titled album in 2020.
He studied music at the University of Central Florida, and was quickly hired as a sideman by Sam Rivers, Marcus Johnson,, Sisaundra Lewis, Sunnie Paxton, and others. He also earned his medical degree, meanwhile, at Howard University College of Dentistry. His amazing saxophone skills were so noted by his peers that he stepped out on his own and became a solo artist. He has been captivating audiences worldwide ever since!
Martin has eight records under his belt, beginning with “Saxappeal" in 2003 up to his latest self titled album in 2020.