Stephen M. Lee

Founder and Artisitic Director

Jazz is Stephen Lee’s calling, whether he’s playing it or teaching theory and performance to his students. He can attest to the transformative power of music — the arts were his siren song and the guiding light by which he moved through his own education process.

Patrice Williamson

Vocal

Patrice Williamson, raised in a musical household in Memphis, Tennessee, discovered her passion for music early on. Encouraged by her parents, she embraced the violin at four, later adding piano and flute to her repertoire. Despite initially pursuing communications in college, her heart led her to switch to music, much to her parents’ support.

Her classical training took a turn when a chance encounter led her to explore jazz singing. With guidance from mentors, she honed her skills, eventually becoming a sought-after performer in Boston’s music scene. Alongside her teaching role at Berklee College of Music, she has graced stages globally, from New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club to the New Delhi Jazz Festival.

Patrice’s talent shines through her independent recordings, earning acclaim from critics nationwide. Notably, she initiated The Ella Project, a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, culminating in a series of concerts and recordings. Her peers laud her as a skilled interpreter and improviser, with a voice that captivates audiences.

Gary Topper

Saxophone & Winds

One of the most accomplished professional musicians in Memphis, Gary Topper, saxophonist, has played wide-ranging genres with Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jerome Richardson and Tony Bennet.

Some of Gary’s credits include Broadway performances in “Saturday Night Fever” and “Phantom of the Opera”. He also contributed to many movie soundtracks and has recording credits which include Keith Richards, Jimmy Buffett, Al Green.

Sylvester Sample

Bass

Sylvester Sample, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, has had extensive performing experiences including concert performances with: Dihann Carroll, Sammy Davis, Jr, Pat Metheny, Toots Theilmans, Bob Crosby, Carla, Rufus and Vanesse Thomas and more.

Some of his former group affiliations include: (Memphis) Midtown Jazz Mobile, Tony Caselli Orchestra in Chicago and Milwaukee; Dallas Christian Jazz Band; Pecos River Brass Big Band and Les Elgart Orchestra.

He is currently performing around Memphis,TN with The Sanctuary Jazz Orchestra; Carl Wolfe’s Band; MFNH Band; Charles Scurlock, Sidney Kirk, and Bill Hurd.

Some of his recording credits include: James Williams – Flying Colors; Midtown Jazz Mobile – Bakatak, Fugitive ; Gerard Harris – No Strings Attached; Backswing – Backswing, The Big Band Sound of Memphis; Dwight Lenox – Gershwin and Friends. Sylvester earned a B.S. from the University of Memphis and an M.B.A. from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Charles Pender

Piano

Charles Pender has been an active musician in Tennessee for over 25 years. He  graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1985 with a Music Industry  degree. He went on to earn his Master’s and Doctorate in Music Education and Piano  performance.

Charles is from the rich Memphis tradition of music that includes jazz, blues, R&B and  of course soul. He sites Memphis pianists Phineas Newborn, Mulgrew Miller, and  Donald Brown among his biggest influences.

Charles has performed with many well known artists including, the Memphis Symphony  Orchestra, Al Green, Wendy Moten, Kirk Whalum, Joyce Cobb, and Ruby Wilson  among others. Charles has performed across the country and abroad as a pianist in both jazz and classical music idioms.

Charles has been an adjunct Professor of Music at Rhodes College in Memphis and  currently is Professor of Music at Southwest Tennessee Community college. He enjoys  teaching very much but his first love is performing and composing music.

Will Lang

Guitar

Will Lang is a guitarist, composer, and educator in Memphis, his home for more than a decade. He earned his M.M. in Jazz and Studio Performance at the University of Memphis, and his B.S. from Rhodes College. Will is an active member of the Memphis music scene where he plays upwards of 100 shows per year. He performs regionally with R&B and rock groups, and has held residencies with his jazz groups at venues across the city.

As an educator, Will is focused on empowering his students to freely express themselves and gain greater autonomy on their instruments. He especially enjoys working on fundamentals and theory. He has 10 years of experience working with students of all ages, from beginners to accomplished musicians. Will is an adjunct instructor of guitar and bass at Southwest Tennessee Community College, where he directs the jazz and contemporary ensembles; is a jazz combo coach at Rhodes College; and maintains a private studio of guitar, bass, and piano students. In addition to teaching and performing, Will is passionate about audio production and is currently working on a collection of his own music.

James Sexton

Drums

James Sexton’s musical journey began around the age of 5, while taking piano lessons from his aunt. Around the age of 12, he grew a knack for beating on pots, pans, and empty paint buckets. He had a friend in his home church who had a drum set. They would take turns playing with James’ mom, who was the church pianist, each Sunday until one Christmas when James was surprised with his own beginner “Percussion Plus Drumset” – the rest is history.

James has worked, played, recorded, and performed live with countless numbers of artist in many different genres of music. He has been everything from the house drummer at the world famous B.B. Kings on Beale St., to the main percussionist for the Bountiful Blessings COGIC Orchestra, under the late Bishop G.E. Patterson. Notable artists with whom he has worked include Mulgrew Miller, Donald Brown, George Duke, Marcus Miller, David Porter, Kirk Whalum, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ben Tankard, Anthony Brown, En Vogue, and many more. Currently, James is the minister of music of Peace Baptist Church, in Memphis, TN. He is the drummer for the Garry Goin Group, the house drummer for the Memphis Grizzlies, and the drummer and musical director for “Garry Goin Presents ‘American Vinyl’”, produced by Pinnacle Entertainment. He performs for weddings, corporate events, and private functions. For regular solo public appearances, you can catch him at the Zebra Lounge, in midtown Memphis.

Johnny Yancey

Trumpet

Home-grown, “Johnny” was inspired to play the trumpet while in elementary school by his older brother, a saxophonist. While at Southside High School, he was introduced to Jazz by his band director James Keys. He was mentored by a senior classmate, Donald Brown, who later became an internationally acclaimed pianist with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Attending Memphis State University, he majored in music education. Always a lover of big bands and Jazz orchestras, Johnny was inspired to form his own group in 2002, the Sanctuary Jazz Orchestra. Johnny is quoted as saying, “Jazz is the true music from the soul and for the soul.”