About The VDE Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, highlighting its groundbreaking compositions and innovative drumming. The program features works by Thad Jones alongside music by key collaborators Bob Brookmeyer and Jim McNeely.
About Emiliano Lasansky is a Los Angeles-based bassist, composer, and bandleader known for his virtuosic, forward thinking approach. A Herbie Hancock Institute graduate and ASCAP award winner, he leads an evening of original music and jazz standards pushing the music in new directions.
Benno Marmur a highly sought after guitarist based in New York City. Benno has had the opportunity to perform at Smalls, Jazz at Lincoln Center - Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, The Iridium, Mintons Playhouse in Harlem, Nublu, Ornithology, The Velvet Note (Alpharetta, Georgia), Westport Jazz and Dock Street (Ireland), Jazz on Main, St. Peter’s Church among other venues. Benno has had the opportunity to perform with Grant Stewart, Vincent Herring, Jimmy Madison, Warren Chiasson , Clovis Nicolas, Erena Terakubo, Mark Whitfield, Fukushi Tainiaka, Grant Green Jr. Eric Wheeler, Marcus McLaurine, the New York Voices, Chris Potter, and Bill Charlap with the WPUNJ Big Band among others. Benno is signed to Cellar Live. . "a brilliant guitar player that without any doubts will leave his mark on the New York jazz scene" — Rotem Sivan Emiliano Lasansky Bassist and composer Emiliano Lasansky is emerging as a distinctive new voice in contemporary jazz, blending a deep respect for tradition with a forward‑looking creative approach. Based in Los Angeles and originally from Iowa City, he has become a sought‑after performer across the West Coast and nationally, known for his warm sound, melodic clarity, and imaginative writing. Lasansky’s recent honors include a 2025 Launchpad composition selection from the International Society of Jazz Composers and Arrangers, the 2024 Bridges Competition – David Baker Prize at the Ravinia Music Center, and a 2023 ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award. His debut album, The Optimist (Outside In Music), drew strong critical attention and introduced his thoughtful, narrative‑driven compositional style. Ryan Shaw a Jazz session drummer who has recorded tracks for Michael Bublé, Laufey, Seth MacFarlane, Jeff Goldblum, Caity Gyorgy, Graham Dechter, and many more. In addition to playing live, he can be heard on various TV and Film including the new Charlie Brown TV shows and specials streaming on Apple TV+. Ryan began his musical pursuits at the age of five on piano. By age 8, he began studying percussion and got his first drum set at the age of 10 eventually leading to him graduating from the USC Thornton School of Music with a Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies. He has studied with Jeff Hamilton, Peter Erskine, Roy McCurdy and many others, and lives in Los Angeles.