Carr-Keys featuring Paul Carr and Marshall Keys

Experience the dynamic sound of Carr-Keys—a groundbreaking collaboration between two masters of their craft: Tenor Saxophonist Paul Carr and Alto Saxophonist Marshall Keys. Merging the essence of straight-ahead jazz with the spirit of soul, Carr-Keys delivers a sound that is both sophisticated and deeply expressive. Their performances are a journey through jazz history and soul heritage—grounded in tradition yet propelled by innovation. The result is a sound that resonates with both seasoned jazz lovers and new audiences alike.

Paul Carr is a Houston native and the new Director of the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. He is an acclaimed saxophonist, educator, and presenter known for his lyrical tone and his commitment to jazz tradition. He has released ten albums with several reaching the top 10 on the JazzWeek charts. Most recently he has led the Paul Carr Legacy Quartet, featuring jazz giants Buster Williams, Bruce Barth and Lewis Nash. As the founder and director of the Jazz Academy of Music, Paul is also an advocate for jazz education, earning numerous awards including the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award.

Peña, Prince & Keys

Federico Peña, Mark Prince and Marshall Keys are a trio of musical soulmates. Playing piano, keyboards and keyboard bass, Peña constructs arrangements on the fly so compositions never come out the same way twice. Mark’s unique drumming style creates heat with or without fire and Marshall creates sinewy horn lines that respond instantly to the shifting musical topography.             

The Blackbyrds

THE BLACKBYRDS were formed in 1973 as part of the legendary jazz trumpeter Dr. Donald Byrd’s brainchild to expose college students to the music business, and in his own words to “bridge the gap between academia and the real world.”

The name The Blackbyrds was derived from Byrd’s most successful record Blackbyrd, which appeared on Blue Note Records and was produced by the duo of Fonce and Larry Mizell. Both Larry and Fonce, who were also Howard University alumni, produced the group's 2 recordings for Fantasy Records. Created in the back seat of Joe Porter’s (attorney) car outside of Fantasy studios in Berkeley, California, The Blackbyrds were hatched.

The creative minds behind this birthing were record producer Orrin Keepnews, label executive Ralph Kafael, Donald Byrd and the band members Keith Killgo, Kevin Toney, Joe Hall, Allan Barnes, Barney Perry and Perk Jacobs. From that union, The Blackbyrds went on to create an everlasting musical style that combined Classical Jazz, R&B and Gospel while creating hits like Do It Fluid, Walking In Rhythm, Happy Music and the iconic Rock Creek Park.