Mammoth Lakes, California USA

The D. Benjamin Band, conducted by Duane Benjamin and featuring  Mel Collins, has been performing their music for over a decade. Based  in jazz, their big band sound is influenced by pop, r & b, and all music  that just “feels good”. Made up of 9 -horns, a 4-piece rhythm section,  and two BG vocalists, Mel Collins and The D. Ben-jamin Band present  their versions of John Legend’s “Ordinary People,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Time  After Time”, Miles Davis’s “All Blues” and much more. As members of  BMI their original tunes have been recorded and are often the fan  favorites of their performances. For more on The D. Benjamin Band,  head to @DuaneBenjamin on YouTube and Instagram.  

Affectionately known as Ben-jamin’, Duane Benjamin is a versatile  musician specializing in composing, arranging, and orchestration. As an  accomplished trombonist (who dabbles in electric bass) Ben-jamin has toured with legends Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and  many more. He is proud to say he served as Musical Director for Gladys  Knight for two years. His prolific career spans the gamut from  performances with the Count Basie Orchestra to recordings with artists Justin Timberlake and the great Michael Jackson. Benjamin’s arrangements have been featured on American Idol and The Voice, and  he has co-produced hits for the KPOP phenomenon, BTS. 

Through it all he remained happily tethered to his love for jazz. Ben-jamin instructs  jazz trombone at UCLA. There, he enjoys directing the Commercial  Music Studio Ensemble as well as instructing the undergrad GLUCK  ensemble for exceptionally gifted, emerging jazz musicians.  

Last, but certainly not least he is the annual Music Director for the  Mammoth Jazz Festival “Mammoth Jazz” – a 2-day event filled with  several jazz artists, fantastic food and wine, and an extraordinary  community of music lovers in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. 

Ben-jamin has released three albums, showcasing his talent in jazz and  original compositions. Life Is Music, A Little Jazz Now & Then, and  holiday album Sleigh Ride Vibes are available on all streaming platforms.  You can find out more about D. Ben-jamin’s work on YouTube @Duane  Benjamin 

Mel Collins began her career in musical theatre. It was there she  discovered the many songs from that world that contributed to The  Great American Songbook. This took her into a deep dive of Ella  Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Rosemary Clooney, and so many others who  used improvisation and storytelling, simultaneously. She had found her  tribe.  

In January 2009, Mel performed her very first jazz cabaret to a sold-out  audience. This was the beginning of a new direction for her career.  Since then, she has gone on to performing as a jazz artist all over the  U.S. touring with The Side Street Strutters for several years and  continuing as a solo artist at several jazz festivals. If you’re in Southern 

California Mel can regularly be seen at Catalina’s Jazz Bar & Grill,  Vibrato Grill Jazz, The Drake Laguna Beach., The Casino San Clemente,  and Disneyland California. 

This year she is one of the featured vocalists at LA jazz festival,  presented by Air BnB. Her most recent achievements include the  distinct honor of being voted Best Jazz Soloist for the Audience Choice  Awards 2022/2023, performing as special guest solo-artist for the South  Coast Symphony, and headlining the Mammoth Jazz Festival in  Mammoth Calif for the past 9 years. She has been a regular at the Sun  Valley Idaho Jazz festival, alongside the incomparable Side Street  Strutters, and has been the premiere jazz vocalist for Disneyland’s  exclusive Club33 for over eight years with her quartet, Bourbon Street. 

Mel is also an accomplished jazz recording artist and has released  several jazz albums. Her first, A Little Jazz Now & Then with the D. Ben jamin’ Band, followed by two with the Side Street Strutters- Shiny  Stockings and Vinyl Jazz. Her most recent recordings are singles  “Nearness of You”, “All Blues” and “Nothing Compares to You” on  Duane Benjamin’s Life Is Music. Her Neo-Soul single “Time Concubine”  with DJ True 129 was released last June, and her Holiday album entitled  Sleigh Ride Vibes was released the previous December. All music can be  found on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon Music.

Salsa Bros. featuring Sandy Stein delivers an electrifying blend of Latin salsa and jazz that keeps audiences moving from the first note to the last. Combining infectious Afro-Latin rhythms, dynamic improvisation, and world-class musicianship, the band creates a vibrant live experience that celebrates the rich traditions of salsa and Latin jazz.

Featuring acclaimed saxophonist Sandy Stein, Salsa Bros. performs an exciting repertoire of classic salsa favorites, Latin jazz standards, and high-energy originals that appeal to dancers and music lovers alike. Whether on the concert stage, at a festival, or in the dance hall, the band's irresistible grooves and passionate performances guarantee an unforgettable evening.

Bring your dancing shoes—Salsa Bros. featuring Sandy Stein is ready to get the party started!

Nolan Shaheed is an internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter, recording artist, and world-record-holding Masters runner. Born in California in 1949 and raised in Pasadena, he began playing trumpet at age 12 after being inspired by Louis Armstrong. His talent quickly earned him places in All-City and All-State Bands while he also excelled as a standout high school track athlete.

Shaheed launched his professional music career in 1970s Los Angeles, performing with legendary artists including Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye before becoming lead trumpeter for the Count Basie Orchestra. Throughout his distinguished career, he has shared the stage and studio with icons such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Miles Davis, Earth, Wind & Fire, and toured with the Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton Orchestras. A highly sought-after studio musician, his distinctive trumpet sound has appeared on countless jazz, soul, and pop recordings. He is also the creator of the acclaimed album Lamentations From The Middle Passage, reflecting his artistry as both a performer and composer.

Beyond music, Shaheed is one of the world's most accomplished Masters runners, holding world records in the 800-meter, 1500-meter, and one-mile events. Known for jogging 10 miles a day while on tour, he credits running with strengthening his endurance for trumpet performance and inspiring many of his musical compositions.

Derrick Harris (D. Harris) is a dynamic vocalist whose commanding voice seamlessly blends R&B, soul, funk, pop, hip-hop, and gospel. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he began singing in church at age five before training with the prestigious Newark Boys Chorus. A proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Harris later honed his craft at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. 

Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Stevie Wonder, Dave Koz, and Howard Hewett, and has lent his voice to national Del Taco commercials through Warner Chappell Music. 

Known for his rich vocals, magnetic stage presence, and emotional authenticity, D. Harris delivers unforgettable performances that combine world-class musicianship with timeless artistry, captivating audiences wherever he performs.

Mammoth High School Jazz Band, under the musical direction of Michael Hammers, showcases the talent, dedication, and creativity of the next generation of jazz musicians. The ensemble performs an exciting repertoire that spans jazz classics, contemporary favorites, and student-inspired performances, reflecting the energy and spirit of Mammoth Lakes' young artists.

The Mammoth High School Jazz Band's appearance at Mammoth JazzFest highlights the festival's ongoing commitment to supporting music education in the community. Each year, Mammoth JazzFest proudly awards music scholarships to graduating Mammoth Lakes students, helping them continue their musical studies and pursue their artistic goals. By supporting these young musicians, the festival invests in the future of jazz and the vibrant local arts community.

The UCLA Gluck Global Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of faculty member Duane Benjamin, brings together outstanding student musicians from UCLA's acclaimed Global Jazz Studies program. Dedicated to excellence in both performance and education, the ensemble explores the rich traditions and evolving language of jazz through dynamic, engaging performances.

Rooted in the legacy of America's greatest jazz innovators, the ensemble honors legendary artists such as Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk while embracing the global influences that continue to shape the music today. With exceptional artistry, creativity, and a deep respect for jazz history, the UCLA Gluck Global Jazz Ensemble delivers performances that inspire audiences and celebrate the enduring spirit of this uniquely American art form.

Maurice Cooper is a versatile performer, actor, and emcee who has been entertaining audiences across the Eastern Sierra for more than a decade. A familiar face at community events, he hosts Mammoth Mountain's popular Weekend Après Party, along with trivia and karaoke nights at local venues throughout Mammoth Lakes.

A trained actor, Maurice has appeared in productions with Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre and Sierra Classic Theatre, bringing the same energy and charisma to the stage that he does behind the microphone. Whether hosting a festival, leading a sing-along, or engaging a live audience, Maurice creates memorable experiences with warmth, humor, and enthusiasm.