Jamond McCoy is a dynamic and accomplished musician hailing from Long Beach, CA, known for his versatility as a vocalist and keyboardist. With deep roots in Gospel and Jazz, he has built a reputation for excellence in both performance and education. When he's not lending his voice or hands to recording sessions, Jamond serves as Vocal Director of Commercial Music at California Baptist University and Cerritos College.
He directs the Gospel Choir and the Pop Bands, and he has also lectured in Voice, Theory and Musicianship, Arranging, Songwriting, Vocal Genres, Entrepreneurship and Marketing, Popular Piano, and Music Business. His impact extends beyond the classroom, with many of his private students going on to become successful educators, full-time musicians, and even contestants on high-profile shows like *The Voice*, *America's Got Talent*, and *The Four*.
Throughout his career, Jamond has collaborated with both major and indie labels, big bands, funk groups, international choirs, and small vocal ensembles, allowing him to hone his ability to navigate diverse musical landscapes. His deep understanding of various genres, coupled with his extensive musical ear, drives his passion for music, whether in the studio, on stage, or in the classroom.
Having performed in films and toured across multiple continents, Jamond's unwavering commitment to excellence shines through in everything he does. Above all, his greatest passion lies in teaching guiding others to reach their full potential while striving to be as versatile and impactful as possible in every aspect of their craft.
Dr. Marshall Hawkins was fortunate to know from an early age that he was meant to be a musician. Born in 1939 in the now "infamous" Anacostia district in Washington, D.C., Marshall's home was always full of music. His mother had a love of the classics, and Bach, Verde, and Puccini were his early companions, along with Nat Cole, Charlie Parker, and Jimmy Lunceford.
In 1964, Marshall decided to pick up the bass – and the rest is history. His first professional performance was with Betty Gray, the great Blues singer and pianist. In his mid-20s, Shirley Horn, the amazing jazz vocalist, chose Marshall as her bassist –her youngest ever. He played with Shirley for almost five years, and then another life-changing opportunity presented itself.
In the late 60s, Marshall joined the Miles Davis quintet (with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Tony Williams) and toured throughout the United States. In 1971, Marshall organized the Marshall Hawkins Quintet and played in the Washington, D.C., area until the late 70s, when another opportunity arose. Eddie Jefferson (the innovator of "vocalese") invited Marshall to come to California to be his bassist. From this gig, Marshall was chosen to tour internationally with saxophonist Richie Cole. In the 90s, Marshall's musical collaborators included Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Pharaoh Sanders, the Manhattan Transfer, and other jazz greats.
In 1978, Marshall moved to Idyllwild, California, home of the internationally famous high school for the arts. In 1986, he founded the Jazz program at the Idyllwild Arts Academy, serving as its head until his retirement. The Idyllwild Arts Jazz program has earned top honors at the prestigious Berklee School of Music High School Jazz Festival. In addition to teaching Jazz as an art form, Marshall has mentored hundreds of talented young people whom he still considers to be "his kids."
Being aware of the number of talented young people who cannot afford to attend a private high school for the arts, Marshall saw the need to raise scholarship funds for deserving young musicians. In 1994, Marshall co-founded the enormously successful Jazz in the Pines Festival and served as its Music Director for over 20 years. Marshall is deeply committed to teaching and exposing school children to the uniquely American art form of Jazz. In 2002, he organized the Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra (MOJO) and brings unforgettable Jazz and educational programs to elementary and secondary schools. This orchestra also gives Marshall's former students an opportunity to play with a fantastic group of musicians and guest artists.
Kevin Richardson earned his Bachelor's in trumpet performance from California State University, Northridge. He has studied with many fine musicians, including Carmine Caruso, Jimmy Stamp, Bobby Shew, and Jon Faddis.
As a performer, Richardson has played and toured with Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Michael Bolton, Tom Kubis Big Band, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Mel Torme, and Tom Jones. His film and TV credits include Stuart Little, Fantasia 2000, The Today Show, Conan O'Brien, and Jay Leno. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at California Baptist University, where he teaches Brass Technique, Jazz Combo, Chamber Ensembles, and private trumpet lessons.
Jazz saxophonist and clarinetist Dan St. Marseille employs a warm tone and melodic approach, and has won praise from jazz critics worldwide, working with many major jazz and commercial artists and bands. Dan is the Program Director of the Music Education/Instrumental Performance Division and Director of Jazz Studies at California Baptist University in Riverside, California.
Dan's recordings are heard internationally on jazz radio and have been the subject of articles in publications such as Downbeat, JazzTimes, the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, and Japan's Jazz Critic magazine. St. Marseille's recordings have received four-star ratings in the 3rd edition of the All Music Guide to Jazz, The Experts Guide to the Best Jazz.
Mr. St. Marseille is a sought-after Jazz performer and director, a Yamaha Performing Artist and Master Teacher, and a D'Addario Woodwind Performing Artist. In addition to performances on numerous local and national tours, Dan has performed in Europe, Canada, and many jazz clubs and festivals, including a headline performance at the Coleman Hawkins Festival in Topeka, Kansas. In addition, in May 2001, Dan served as the music director for an international event, Clickin' with Clax, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
In 2019, Dan received an Outstanding Arts Educator Award from the Orange County Department of Education, recognizing his innovative teaching strategies, visionary arts curriculum, and positive impact on student achievement at the Orange County School of the Arts.
Beyond performing, Dan has established himself as a jazz composer of distinction, with his Claxography, written for renowned jazz photographer William Claxton, which was chosen as the title of Claxton's book of photographs in which Dan also appears.
In addition, Dan is the former director of the Instrumental Music Conservatory at the celebrated Orange County School of the Arts, where he created the nationally recognized Garn Family Jazz Studies Program and has held positions as jazz ensemble director at Irvine Valley College and California State University Fullerton (CSUF). For 30 years, he was on the faculty, serving as Assistant Director of the Idyllwild Arts Summer Jazz Intensive, where he taught classes in improvisation, music theory, and jazz ensemble. He has been a guest artist and clinician at various schools abroad.
Dan's students are recipients of many notable awards and honors, including Downbeat Student Awards, Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards, Monterey Next Generation Jazz Orchestra and Women in Jazz Combo, Jazz Band of America, Young Arts, and numerous outstanding musicianship awards at major jazz festivals.
Cameron Evans is an accomplished saxophonist known for his exceptional mastery of the tenor and soprano saxophones. He began his musical journey at the age of 10, quickly developing a deep passion for jazz. His early start provided a solid foundation for what has become a distinguished music career
Evans pursued his formal music education at California Baptist University, excelling both academically and artistically. He obtained both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in music, honing his skills and deepening his understanding of the art form.
Throughout his career, Evans has collaborated with a diverse array of prominent artists, such as Oleta Adams, Fred Hammond, Gerald Albright, Darryl Williams, Marcus Johnson, Lemek, J. Mike O'Neal, L. Young, Erin Stevenson, Nathan Mitchell, and many more. Some of the venues Cameron has performed at include Spaghettini, Thornton Winery, Miramonte, Camilla's Jazz Club, Wiens Cellars, SoHo House, Long Beach Jazz Festival, San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, Jazz at the Creek, Catalina Jazz Club, Carson City Jazz Festival, and West Angeles Cathedral. These experiences have not only expanded his musical repertoire but also highlighted his versatility and talent in various musical genres. His latest single, "Fragile," is available on all streaming platforms.
In addition to his performance career, Evans is dedicated to education and served as a jazz instructor at Vista Murrieta High School. Through his teaching, he imparts his extensive knowledge and passion for jazz, continuing to influence and inspire the next generation of musicians
Natalie Hushaw is in her third semester of the Instrumental Conducting graduate program at California Baptist University. She assists Dr. Brent Levine with the CBU Symphonic Band and serves as Assistant Director of the Jazz Ensemble. She completed her B.M. in Music Education and the California Single Subject Music Credential from California Baptist University in 2024.
In her time at CBU, she studied saxophone with Professor Dan St. Marseille. She participated in many groups, including Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and University Choir and Orchestra, with alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, bassoon, and voice. She also assisted with Cal Baptist's summer music program, directing the overnight camp in 2023 and coaching middle school jazz students in 2024 and 2025. Currently, Ms. Hushaw teaches full-time with Rowlands Heights Unified School District, with over 300 elementary school band, strings, and choir students.
