MEMBERS
TYLER CASSIDY
Tyler Cassidy is an American musician specializing in woodwinds, piano, and composition. Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he is a 26-year-old performer and educator who has a wide range of experience as a leader and sideman specializing in original music and jazz standards. He graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Education and a minor in music. Tyler has played at multiple venues in the DMV area such as the Kennedy Center, Twins Jazz Room, Jojo, Sotto, and more. Tyler plays saxophone for The New World and also composes music for the group.
STEVE ARNOLD
Stephen Arnold is a bassist and composer born and raised in Greenfield, MA, living in Washington DC. He double-majored in Music and English at The George Washington University, where he had the privilege of studying with Herman Burney and participating in the university’s many student ensembles, including the Latin band “Los Gringos”, and the University Orchestra. In 2017 he was the recipient of the Barry Manilow Endowed Prize in Music. He can be found performing regularly on upright and electric bass in venues in and around Washington DC.
KEITH BUTLER JR.
Keith Butler, a Winston-Salem, NC native, is a drummer motivated by the tradition and future of jazz music. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management from The University of North Carolina Wilmington, and studied privately with Thomas Taylor and Michael D'Angelo during his time in Wilmington. With influences such as Art Taylor, Joe Chambers, Tony Reedus and Billy Higgins, he seeks to support the band and push the music forward.
PEPE
Joe Epstein is a D.C. native and has been playing trumpet since the age of 11. He moved to the west coast when he was 14 and became drawn to jazz while at Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, which has one of the best public school jazz programs in the country. Despite not pursuing a performance degree afterwards, he's remained dedicated to his instrument and has had the privilege to study with great local jazz trumpeters in the places he's lived: Tom Peron and Anthony Coleman (Sacramento), Jorge Vistel (Madrid), Tom Ashe (Rio de Janeiro), and currently Donvonte McCoy (DC).
EROL DANON
Born and raised in New York City, Erol Danon is now proud to call D.C. home. Erol began playing piano at the age of 4 and first fell in love with jazz at the age of 11. His biggest musical influences include Barry Harris, Keith Jarrett, and Maria Schneider. When he isn't playing piano, Erol also enjoys performing as a jazz vocalist.
FRANCISCO QUINTERO
Francisco Quintero is a guitarist, composer, and producer from Venezuela. He attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2009, where he graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors with a Bachelor's degree in Performance, and Northern Illinois University with a Master's Degree in Jazz Studies. He has taken active part in the jazz scene of several major U.S. cities and Venezuela, studying and performing with artists such as Peter Bernstein, Richie Hart, Andres Briceno, Derrick Gardner, Ari Brown, Carl Allen, Victor Provost, and many more. Although primarily working in jazz, Francisco is extremely versatile and passionate as an instrumentalist, composer and producer, having worked with artists of different genres inside and outside the U.S as a performer but also producer and composer.