Michael Gedzelman - Sax
Michael grew up in the New York City area where he fondly remembers going to Greenwich Village clubs as a teen and hearing Stanley Turrentine, Joe Henderson, Roy Ayers, Zoot Simms, Al Cohn, and many more. Since moving to the DC/Virginia area in 1984, Michael has played in many bands covering various genres. Classic rock, pop, standard jazz, blues, wedding bands, fusion, smooth jazz, yacht rock; whatever it is, he's done it! He is an accomplished alto saxophonist channeling the spirit of Coltrane, Rollins, Adderly, and Sanborn, creating soul-stirring jazz magic.
Alec Kenessey - Keyboards
Alec started taking classical piano lessons at age eight, which lasted for four years until he decided at age 12 that sports were far more important than music. Fortunately (for him at least) he rediscovered music in high school, playing rock organ in a couple of different bands. He retained music as a hobby while working in Central Europe and New York, and returned to the DC area in 2001. A few years later he began playing with a band, and has performed since then in a variety of groups playing blues, classic rock/alternative rock, soul, funk, and jazz/funk . He’s played in a variety of venues small and not so small, from bars and restaurants to the 9:30 Club. Some of his favorite keyboard players are Professor Longhair, James Booker, Ray Charles, Allen Toussaint, Chuck Leavell and Jimmy McGriff. He is just as happy playing piano, electric piano, organ or synthesizer — or maybe happiest playing them all!
Mark Allen - Drums/Percussion
Mark has been playing drums since he was 12. He comes from a musical family. Both of his grandparents played the organ at church and his brother is also a drummer. In the early 80’s he was on tour with the classic rock band Tyler out of Louisville, KY. They were managed by Triangle Talent and shared the same stage with bands such as Humble Pie, Head East and Black Oak Arkansas. Since living in Northern Virginia he has played in a jazz fusion band (where he met Dave Skipp), southern rock band, blues rock band, traditional jazz band, western swing band and now a groove oriented jazz band known as the Red Clay Jazz Quartet.
Matt Zakri - Bass Guitar
Matt is originally from Liverpool, NY, and comes from a musical family. He picked up the electric bass guitar at a young age, inspired by legendary musicians like James Jamerson, Jack Bruce, Jaco Pastorius, Donald “Duck” Dunn and Billy Sheehan. He began to hone his craft by playing in several groups during high school, making music along with his family and friends. His musical journey expanded into jazz while attending Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, where he was a member of the Le Moyne College Jazz Ensemble. He was also a member of the Bob Cooper Quartet and performed shows with a local rock band, Apollonian Jack. Throughout his years of service in the United States Air Force, Matt remained dedicated to music, practicing when he could and collaborating with fellow musicians along the way. Now that he is retired from the military, he has settled in northern Virginia, where he is now an active member of the local music scene. Matt is excited to play bass with the incredibly talented Red Clay Jazz Quartet. He also plays bass for the local rock band One More. Matt blends his musical influences to inspire his own unique style. Matt’s primary instruments are Fender Jazz basses, and he incorporates both the four and five string models into his performances.