Tony Jefferson, a New York native, is an accomplished drummer and has been a fixture on the New York jazz scene for many years. He has toured around the globe playing both festivals and clubs with world class musicians.

Although specializing in jazz, Tony Jefferson is a versatile musician who’s inventive playing is influenced by his diverse musical experiences. Tony’s passion for woodwinds and his melodic approach on the drums has lead him to doing singing gigs in recent years.

Ray Blue is a soulful and tender saxophonist, composer and music educator. He has a big warm sound that captures you and holds you tight. He has 7 releases with his most recent projects on Jazzheads. His latest release Work remained on the Jazz Week Chart for more than two months, peaking at #7, and his holiday single, soon to be a classic, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas topped off at #2. Ray is earning considerable attention in the U.S. and Europe with his stellar band and his heartfelt soloing. A new recording featuring Kenny Barron on piano is scheduled to be released this fall 2021.

​Honored by The National Endowment for the Arts as a 2010 Jazz Master, Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms. The Los Angeles Times named him “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and Jazz Weekly calls him “The most lyrical piano player of our time.”

Whether he is playing solo, trio or quintet, Kenny Barron is recognized the world over as a master of performance and composition.

The Pro-Am Ensemble is Cross-Cultural Connection's workshop ensemble in which students from diverse backgrounds play alongside seasoned professional clinicians. The result is a powerful current of joy that is a delight for performers and audiences alike as they experience the power and beauty of American folk music - Jazz. 

​Sharif Abdus-Salaam has been hosting jazz radio shows for more than 40 years. At Radio Kingston WKNY, Sharif is the host of Jazz in the Valley, a weekly musician and culture appreciation program focused on the phenomenal American musical expression style known as Jazz. Since 1970 Sharif has been programming and hosting for the Jazz Alternative show at world famous “alternative” student radio station WKCR-FM NEW YORK.