Uptown Jazz Orchestra Bios

Delfeayo Marsalis, Artistic Director/Band Leader

Acclaimed trombonist, producer and educator Delfeayo Marsalis has been praised for his “technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor,” and heralded and hailed as one of “the best, most imaginative and musical of the trombonists of his generation.” In addition to leading his own small groups and the dynamic Uptown Jazz Orchestra over the years, Marsalis has performed with music legends such as Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Art Blakey, and Elvin Jones. He has released 9 recordings as leader to critical acclaim and has steadily gained a reputation for being “a merchant of joy!”

Since producing his first album at the age of 17, Marsalis has produced over 125 recordings, yielding 1 Grammy and 7 nominations. He is the founder of three non-profits designed to help strengthen the New Orleans arts community: the Uptown Music Theatre, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and Keep New Orleans Music Alive! Marsalis' ground-breaking educational program, Swinging with the Cool School, a soft introduction to jazz for hip tots and adults, was implemented in the local Children's Hospital as an experimental form of music therapy in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Marsalis has reached over 6,000 students nationally through Cool School programming.

Terrance Taplin

Terrance Taplin is a native New Orleanian who grew up surrounded by music. He is currently a long-standing member of the historic Treme Brass Band under the direction of Benny Jones, Sr., he is also a long-time staple in the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, and assists as the musical director for Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra. Terrance lends his musical attributes in all genres to bands in and out of New Orleans, often on the international stage. Terrance has worked with Raphael Saadiq, of Tony Toni Tone and Lucy Pearl fame, and has performed with a variety of artists including: Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, New Edition, Charlie Wilson, Eddie Levert, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, and Aaron Neville, to name a few. Terrance has performed at the Grammys, the Espy’s, the Soul Train Music Awards, and the BET Experience. Terrance lends his talents to many award-winning artist projects and is sought after for his versatility in music.

Ethan Santos

Ethan Santos is a Filipino-American multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, arranger and educator from Fresno, CA. Ethan has lived in New Orleans for about two and a half years and has quickly became established in the scene, performing with the likes of Tank & the Bangas, Dumpstaphunk, Nicholas Payton, Leroy Jones, Trumpet Mafia, Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Tidal Wave Brass Band and Young Fellaz Brass Band. Notable performance venues include the Kennedy Center, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, DC Jazz Festival, Tahiti Soul Jazz Festival, JazzAscona, Tokyo TUC and Boston Calling. Beyond the stage, Ethan serves as an adjunct professor at Tulane University and teaches at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and privately. John Gray is a musician and educator born and raised in Baton Rouge. He is a longstanding member of The Michael Foster Project and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra and performs with various jazz and R&B groups in the South Louisiana region. John is also a veteran music educator and recipient of the Baton Rouge Symphony’s Teacher of the Year Award, The Liz Peters Master Teacher Award, and Louisiana Life Magazine’s Louisianian of the Year Award. In addition to his performing and teaching career, John is a member of several music and educational organizations, and serves on the boards of the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, The Debose Music Foundation, and the Academic Distinction Fund. He currently works as an adjunct instructor at Southern University.

Andrew Baham

Andrew Baham has a number of accomplished performances, being a member of The Ellis Marsalis Quintet, Delfeayo Marsalis Sextet, Big Sam's Funky Nation, The Stooges Brass Band, Soul Rebels Brass Band, and more. He has produced albums for The Stooges Brass Band (It's About Time, Thursday Night House Party), Big Sam's Funky Nation' (King Of The Party, Evolution), Tonya Boyd-Cannon (of The Voice Season 8, Muzic Is Life), and arranging/ production credits with the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (Uptown In A Mardi Gras Day). Baham has recorded 3 solo albums (Introducing Andrew Baham, From Whence We Came, …And They Called It Love), and just released his single, ‘Let ‘Em Smell The Roses’. He has recorded with Gavin Degraw (Gavin DeGraw), Pretty Lights (A Color Map Of The Sun),The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, the Soul Rebels Brass Band, The Stooges Brass Band, and Big Sam's Funky Nation. He has also written and recorded soundtracks for NCIS:New Orleans, ESPN, Rockstar Games, and more.

Scott Frock

Scott Frock has for 30 years, played lead trumpet for nearly all musical genres, working with internationally touring acts Sturgill Simpson, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, The O’Jays, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, and a range of regional acts. Scott has appeared on The Grammy Awards, Saturday Night Live, Fallon, Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Colbert, Top of the Pops, and many more. He has performed at the Apollo, Red Rocks, The Grand Ole' Opry, the Ryman, at Stadiums and festivals across the world, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, Farm Aid, Newport Folk, Monterey Pop, Japan’s Fuji Rock, Austin City Limits, Belgium’s Rock Werchter, Mexico’s Corona Capital, Johannesburg’s Joy of Jazz, and others. His work also includes support on the film Bolden, and performing in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Jazzman's Blues for Netflix, and NCIS: New Orleans’ 100th episode.

Lynn Grisett

Lynn Grisett is a truly dedicated musician and though his genre of preference and first love is jazz, Lynn studies, writes and performs all genres of music. In addition to the trumpet, Lynn proficiently plays saxophone. His dedication to his craft has propelled him into the company of many reputable professional musicians and recording artists. Some of these artists include: Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Maceo Parker, Larry Graham, Nile Rodgers, Trombone Shorty, Marcus Anderson, Max Wienberg, the late Dewey Redman, Winard Harper, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Ledisi, Judith Hill, Cyrus Chestnut, Ocie Davis, Kobie Watkins, Terri Lynne Carrington, Liv Warfield, and Andy Allo. Most recently, Lynn has the distinct privilege of being a member of New Power Generation Hornz; the horn section of the band New Power Generation (NPG) led by Prince.

Roderick Paulin

Roderick Paulin is one of the most soulful, versatile and accomplished saxophonists in New Orleans. As a native of the Crescent City, Roderick has amassed credits as a musical arranger, soloist, conductor on over 55 studio and live recordings that extends more than 35 years with iconic entertainers Allen Toussaint, Neville Brothers, Jimmy Buffet, Hot 8 Brass Band, Davell Crawford, Kermit Ruffins, Shane Theriot, Jon Cleary, John Boutte’, and Delfeayo Marsalis to name a few. National and International acts such as Maceo Parker, The Afghan Whigs, Dr. John, The Twilight Singers, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Maria Muldaur, The Temptations, The Dells, Aretha Franklin, Tony Toni Tone, and Branford Marsalis have benefited from that ‘special something’ that Roderick Paulin brings to music that pays homage to the musical masters of the past; yet Paulin makes his own indelible mark on any project he’s affiliated within any capacity he’s functioning in. Paulin’s body of work as an educator, musician, author, speaker, and businessman are undeniable making Roderick Paulin the embodiment of the spirit New Orleans artists are known for.

Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson is a New Orleans based saxophonist, bandleader, and music educator. In addition to his teaching duties, Scott has given masterclasses on common practices for successful band directing, as well as serving on several boards aimed at bridging the gap from college to careers in music education. He remains an active clinician and music educator in Mississippi, Texas, and the New Orleans area. In 2018, Scott headlined the P-Town Jazz Festival in Plano, TX, and in 2021, he headlined part one of the Alcorn Jazz Festival. He also has an Artist/Educator endorsement with Cannonball Saxophones. Shaena Ryan Martin is a saxophonist, educator, composer, and arranger born and raised in Richmond, VA. She knew from a very young age that she loved music; one of her earliest memories is asking for a piano for Christmas at age four. One of her favorite childhood hobbies was learning her parents’ favorite music by ear on her keyboard. Shaena lives in Durham, NC, where she is a professor of music at her alma maters, Duke and NC Central Universities. In addition to performing with the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, she has performed with artists such as Harry Connick Jr., Nnenna Freelon, and The Count Basie Orchestra. Most recently, Shaena took part in a tribute to legendary pianist Yusuf Salim, performing in a big band with Gary Bartz and Chip Crawford. Shaena is currently working on original compositions and arrangements as well as writing a Woodwind Methods textbook.

Anthony Ware

Anthony Ware is a highly accomplished saxophonist and composer known for his dynamic contributions to a variety of musical genres. He has collaborated with acclaimed artists such as J Cole and Jazzmeia Horn, earning critical acclaim for his versatile and soulful playing. With an impressive range spanning jazz, hip-hop, and more, Ware's music resonates with audiences worldwide. His dedication to his craft and passion for musical expression continue to shape his remarkable career, making him a respected figure in the contemporary music landscape. Dexter Moses is a saxophonist, composer, and educator originally from Richmond, Virginia. In addition to leading his own group, the Dexter Moses Quartet/Quintet, he has performed and recorded with top artists such as Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Nnena and Pierce Freelon, Charles Tolliver, James “Saxsmo” Gates, Desirée Roots Centeio, Billy Williams, and many more. His most recent work as an educator includes his master’s thesis article, “The Connection between Don Byas and Charlie Parker's Improvisational Approach to Rhythm Changes” in Jazz Education in Research and Practice Vol. 5 published by Indiana University Press. Dexter is an alumnus of North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor's in Jazz Studies and Master's in Jazz Composition & Arranging.

Tonya Boyd-Cannon

Tonya Boyd-Cannon falls into the latter category as a vocal musician – a Mississippi-born, Louisiana-raised singer-songwriter who radiates an unmistakable confidence and passion, and an individual who has truly dedicated her essence to the art form. Her sound puts vibe front and center instead of confining herself to genre limitations. It’s a distinctive style that draws from her desire to give and heal others through music – ebbing and flowing from the most heart-wrenching ballads, to jazz, funk, rock, gospel, and everything in between! Tonya’s illustrious career has seen her release many singles, EPs, full-length albums, and collaborations, all of which have received significant praise from media and critics alike. From performing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to Colombia’s Mompox Jazz Festival; Tonya Boyd-Cannon’s voice leaves a musical presence on your heart, mind and soul. Darrell Lavigne - Indigenous New Orleans Pianist/Composer/Producer, Darrell Lavigne has been performing on stages worldwide. After switching from trumpet to piano, Darrell was later mentored by pianist Ellis Marsalis and Composer, Roger Dickerson. In addition to Delfeayo Marsalis, he has performed and recorded with flutist and CBS Jazz artists, Kent Jordan on three releases, and trumpeter, Marlon Jordan. Other performances include, Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Marion Meadows, Sir Edward Kidd Jordan, Ronnie Laws, Oudist Naseer Shamma, Gregory Porter, Kevin Mahogany, The B.B. King Experience with Tito Jackson and Claudette King, Willie Nelson.

Jarrel Allen

Jarrel Allen started out playing music as a Trumpet player. After deciding he didn’t want that to be his instrument, he became fascinated with drums around 7 years old. From that moment on, he has been playing drums and has been fortunate enough to share the stage with the likes of people like Harry Connick Jr, Herbie Hancock and the various renowned musicians of New Orleans. Although he cherishes his music career and everything it has provided, boxing is another part of his life that he takes very seriously. Sometimes more seriously than music. He picked up boxing around the age of 14 and has been training with plans of pivoting from amateur boxing to professional boxing. His current goal is to express himself through both art forms, eventually releasing his own albums and competing professionally for all people to experience what he has to offer the world.

William “MoBetta” Ledbetter

William “MoBetta” Ledbetter is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in the upright bass. He graduated from UNCG Miles Davis Jazz Studies program in 2019, where he studied double bass and blended Jazz with his foundations in the Blues, Gospel, and R&B. In December 2021, Ledbetter joined the U.S. Navy Band Commodores becoming their first African American bassist. Anyone who has worked with or heard “MoBetta” knows that he is a driving force while performing. His drive and love for music and performance has captured the attention of many world-renowned artists including, Branford Marsalis, Sean Mason, and many more. He can be heard on Delfeayo’s latest album “Uptown on Mardi Gras Day”.