James Bjork

Saxophone

Dr. James Bjork (“Byork”) is Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Virginia Commonwealth University Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies and is a Neuroscientist in the Mental Health Service of the Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Bjork conducts behavioral and neuroimaging research on impulsivity, as a cause and consequence of drug and alcohol addiction and suicidality in Veterans and in other populations. He also studies brain development. In addition to all that, he has performed Smooth and Traditional Jazz, as well as Rhythm & Blues and Contemporary Worship all around the Mid-Atlantic for the past 20 years.

Kevin Gaines

Drums

Kevin Gaines is a versatile drummer who leads his own jazz quartet based in Richmond, VA. Kevin is a frequent performer in the Richmond and Tidewater regions, and he has been a great friend to Lake Anna Jazz who brings great music to Lake Anna.

For more information, visit
kevingainesdrums.com

Tina Hashemi

Vocalist

Tina Hashemi is a jazz singer who recently graduated from the University of Virginia, where she studied music performance and jazz voice under Stephanie Nakasian and John D’earth.  She recently completed an album of originals and standards entitled Blue Champagne.

For more information, visit
https://tinahashemimusic.com/ 

Michael Hawkins

Bass

Michael Hawkins, a Virginia native now residing in Chester, is an accomplished musician and educator.  His quartet, “Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood” performs frequently on the Richmond jazz scene, and he has provided the bass lines behind many jazz greats, including multiple recordings with pianist Cyrus Chestnut and his band. When not performing, he teaches individual lessons, as well as conducting clinics and master classes in upright bass.  Apart from his musical pursuits, Michael serves as an advisor for the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business at Virginia State University.

Michael can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Michaelhawkinsandthebrotherhood/

Tim Holmes

Keyboards

Tim Holmes grew up in Louisa County with musical parents who taught him piano at home.  He began performing at church by 14 and soon became Minister of Music, a position he still holds at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Gum Spring, VA.  Along the way, he gained an appreciation for jazz and developed his skills, to the point that he soon was appearing regularly at the Boar’s Head Inn, the Clifton Inn, and many country clubs in the Charlottesville-Richmond corridor.  When he’s not playing the church organ or performing for private parties on his portable keyboards, he works as a certified in-home personal fitness trainer, concentrating on clients in the Lake Anna area.

Rich Johnston

Tenor Saxophone

Rich Johnston is a resident of Louisa County who cut his Jazz teeth in New Jersey before relocating to Zion Crossroads. He studied at Rutgers University with such luminaries as Frank Foster, Paul Jeffries, and Kenny Barron. Rich has performed various musical styles from Classic Jazz, Latin Jazz, R&B, Smooth Jazz and is always on the lookout for the next jam session where anything can happen!

Bruce Middle

Guitar

Nicknamed the “Chameleon”, Bruce Middle weaves a tapestry of sounds from Classical to Jazz, Blues to Country and Bluegrass to Funk.  He is a composer, arranger, performer, and recording artist with over 35 years in the industry.  In addition, Bruce is a highly respected and in-demand educator, offering private lessons, group lessons, workshops, and clinics. He is the Instructor of Guitar for the University of Mary Washington and Director of The Guitar Ensemble. His Private Lessons include instruction in Mandolin, Electric Bass, Piano, Banjo, Ukulele, Guitar, Theory, and Composition.

For more information, go to https://brucemiddlemusic.com/

Matt Niess

Trombone

Dr. Matthew Niess is a Washington, DC based cross-over Edwards Trombonist and Summit label recording artist. He served in The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” as lead trombone with The Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and trombonist with The U.S. Army Brass Quintet. He is currently a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and has taught at Towson, West Chester, and George Mason Universities.  In 2021 he became Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Trombone at Shenandoah Conservatory. He is the founder and director of The Capitol Bones, The National Jazz Workshop, and has appeared as a soloist, clinician, and adjudicator at numerous venues throughout the United States.

David Smith

Drums

David Smith is a Louisa County resident who performs locally and is supplying the beat for today’s opening rhythm section.  This is his second appearance with Lake Anna Jazz at Cooling Pond Brewery.

Jonathan Wheelock

Bass

Jonathan is an in-demand bass player from Richmond who is currently working with the Kevin Gaines Trio.