BLUE MUSE

ABOUT US….

Members of the band include:

Sarah Lee, tenor saxophone – a native of NJ, Sarah is the founding member of Blue Muse.  After a 20 year career in Information Technology, she received her music degree and became a full-time musician performing with Bold City Classics in northeast Florida while teaching privately and managing both groups.

Steve Strawley, trumpet – A graduate of Westchester University, Steve Strawley now resides and performs throughout Florida after retiring as school band director and sideman in Pennsylvania. He is an adjunct professor for the trumpet studio at Florida State College in Jacksonville and plays with various groups in the Jacksonville area including the award-winning Latin band, LPT. A sideman for Martha Reeves, Neil Sedaka, Temptations, as well as bands for Bob Newhart and Joan Rivers.

Lance Reed, trombone – Lance is an endorsing artist for Best American Craftsmen trombones. Lance has toured with Karl W. Davis and the Milk Men (French) as well as Tye Tribbet (Grammy Nominated and Grammy Winning Gospel artist) and Tommy Schneller Band (German).  He resides in Jacksonville, Florida where he performs with multiple bands while being the premier trombonist for Bold City Classics.

John Medico, drums – A graduate of the University of North Florida’s jazz performance program, John studied with Danny Gottlieb.  He has performed with Vincent Gardner as well as Aaron Lebos and Electric Kif.  John performs with the John Medico quartet and has been a sideman to many groups in and throughout Florida on drum kit and keyboard.  He is originally from Sarasota, Florida.

Cody Wheaton, bass – Cody studied jazz and performed classical Tuba and Bass as a graduate of Jacksonville University. Cody has performed with world-class musicians and composers such as Chris Potter, Delfeayo Marsalis, Rich Redenour, composers Robert W. Smith, Richard Saucedo, and James Curnow. Cody performs primarily with Blue Muse and Bold City Classics. Besides being a freelance musician Cody also teaches privately and performs at multiple churches and musical productions.

Jonah Pierre, jazz pianist and world percussionist - Jonah has been a student of music for the past 20 years. He has had the opportunity to play and/or study with greats like Gary Bartz, Marcus Belgrave, Wendell Logan, Jamie Haddad, Rick Kirkland, Chris Potter, Robert Conti, Tony Steve and Dan Wall. A graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Oberlin College, Jonah now works as a local musician and teacher.

Jarrett Carter, guitar – Jarrett attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he earned a BM in Jazz studies. He is a graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and was a member of the D.A. Big Band that won Essentially Ellington in 2006.  Jarrett has studied with guitarists Barry Green, James Hogan, and Don Casper. He has also performed for classical guitarists Dusan Bogdanovic and Andrew York.  Jarrett resides in Jacksonville and is a full-time musician.