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.

Kenneth Reed

Music Theory and Saxophone

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.

Henry Connerway

Drums

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.”

Mike Assad

Drums

Victor Sawyer

Trombone

Ted Ludwig

Guitar

Alan Clayton

Saxophone