Melvin Sparks - (click here for a photo) - One of the most original and unique of all modern jazz guitarists today. This native Houstonian began his career touring with the Upsetters, the infamous backup band for Little Richard, Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson in the fab 60's. He then moved to NYC and toured & recorded with Brother Jack McDuff and Lou Donaldson where he teamed up with Idris Muhammad, Grover Washington Jr, Charles Earland, Leon Spencer Jr and many others. Along with these legendary cats, Melvin pioneered what's now known as 'Soul Jazz' on numerous classic recordings on Prestige and Blue Note records. He has penned several Soul Jazz classics such as 'Texas Twister' and 'Spark Plug'. He now has a wonderful solo release on Savant Records. Melvin's Gibson L-5 has teamed up with Ron Levy on many critically acclaimed projects over the last 12 years. www.melvinsparks.com

Karl Denson - (click here for a photo) - From southern California hails the hardest working/touring Jazz saxophonist on the today's world-wide music scene. Prior to his ever popular and current, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Karl was a major contributor to The Greyboy Allstars and Lenny Kravitiz's famous horn section in the 90's. His Alto, Tenor saxophones and flute grace many recordings today, ranging from Roy Hargrove and Stanton Moore to Gov't Mule. Karl recorded 2 Levy originals on his Blue Note debut 'Dance Lesson #2' [which Lev handled B-3 & Wurlizter piano duties] and is another integral contributor to the Wild Kingdom sessions. www.karldenson.com

Jeff Lockhart - (click here for a photo) - No doubt the best guitarist from his native Boston and maybe even beyond! He's considered, a musical soul mate and one of Lev's favorites he's ever jammed with, as well as a genius by everyone else. Playing upside-down and backwards left-handed, on a Fender Stratocaster, he consistently surprises and challenges the listener with his super-slinky soulful tasty licks. Jeff has added his sublime soulfullness to all of Brian McKnight's hits, has toured cross- country with RLWK and hosts the hippest jam ever every Wednesday at Wally's on Mass Ave. Lev aptly dubs him as 'the Lockhart Monstah'.

Russ Lawton - (click here for a photo) - Of Salem Massachusetts on drums and percussion has recorded and toured on Phish's Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon's solo projects. It's been said; "Russ Lawton grooves like a metronome on ginseng" and "this guy rides like a good train ride" on their websites. Levy agrees 100%.

Yahuba Garcia - (click here for a photo) - His hot conga, timbale and percussion style, straight from Bayamon, Puerto Rico via the Berklee Scool of Music, make him one of the most in-demand percussionists in the Northeast's Funk, Jazz, Latin, Fusion, Rock, R&B, Reggae etc, etc, etc & etc music scenes over the last 10+ years.

Adrome "Acidman" MacHine - (click here for a photo) - Another southern California native, studied drums & percussion at the University of Texas, Berklee School of Music & Julliard. He has been on countless sessions and is one of the most sampled drummers on the scene today. His steady groove, feel & time is unparalleled. His true identity remains a mystery, refuses to be photographed but will pose for drawings.

'Sax' Gordon Beadle - (click here for a photo) - Currently with the great Duke Robillard band on Tenor sax, has recorded and toured with Luther 'Guitar Jr' Johnson, Matt Murphy, Jimmy McGriff and many others. He has 2 critically acclaimed solo recordings on the Bullseye Blues label. As a producer for that label, Levy featured Gordon on sessions with Champion Jack Dupree, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy McCracklin, Luther Johnson and Levy's own celebrated & famous Rudy Van Gelder recorded, Bob Porter co-produced session 'Zim Zam Zoom', along w/ Melvin Sparks & Idris Muhammad. In fact, Levy gave him the 'stage name' of "Sax Gordon" in lieu of his legal moniker, Gordon Beadle!

SPECIAL GUEST DEPARTMENT:
Jerry Portnoy - One of the baddest harmonica players & educators living today. His resume? How about 9 years with the Muddy Waters Blues Band, and now records and tours with mega- guitar star Eric Clapton? Need we say more? Very proud to have him as a friend [20+ years] and as a soloist, bringing that Mississippi Delta sound to Lev's composition 'Memphis Memries' on 'Voodoo Boogaloo'. Perfection, class & soul, exemplified. www.harpmaster.com