Paris Strother Trio

Paris Strother has been playing piano professionally since age 13, having started playing at age 2. After attending DeLaSalle High School and the Ramsey International Fine Arts Center in Minneapolis, she took her talents to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, graduating with a double major in contemporary production and film scoring. She has performed not only across this country, but also in tours across Russia, Greece, and the Netherlands. Currently Paris resides in Los Angeles, where she performs and composes regularly.

“Paris has chops to burn, speed, power, and artistic inspiration bubbling up from the springs of McCoy Tyner and Ahmad Jamal.” –Andrea Canter

Chris Smith may be fresh out of high school, but his prowess on the bass has taken him across the country and back. A 2006 graduate of Minneapolis South High School, Smith received a scholarship and was a member of the 2007 Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet, which performed at many prestigious venues throughout the country, including the Monterey Jazz Festival. Smith also won a 2007 Downbeat student award for Best Composition for his song “Left Behind.” Most recently, Smith has been splitting his time between studies at the New School in Manhattan and the bass chair in the Jeff “Tain” Watts quartet.

Kevin Washington is one of the most in-demand drummers in Minneapolis. In addition to his weekly shows at the Blue Nile in Minneapolis, Washington plays regularly with Nachito Herrera, Moveable Feast, and his own Kevin Washington Trio. Adept at jazz, R&B, and more, he has also appeared with James Carter, Marcus Belgrave, and the Stryker-Slagle Band.

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