Jazzy Happy Hour

Kakuyon Shakur Mataeh is a trumpeter, bandleader, and composer born in Newark, NJ. He was introduced to jazz music by his parents, began his jazz education through the Jazz House Kids youth program led by Melissa Walker and Christian McBride, and performed in the Montclair Jazz Festival nearly every year since 2014. Kakuyon is in his junior year at Princeton University where he studies Computer Science, African American studies, and continues his jazz education under the tutelage of trumpeter Ted Chubb, bandleader James Darcey Argue, and saxophonist Rudresh Manhatthappa. Mataeh has played at notable venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, , 2021 Montclair Jazz Festival, and recently led his quintet at Clement's Place.

Destiny Diggs-Pinto (Lé Queen) is a bassist, composer and bandleader born in Newark, NJ. Destiny has played at Dizzys Club Coca Cola, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, Carnegie Hall, Trumpet’s Jazz Club, and NJPAC (just to name a few)

Chris Paredes is drummer and composer born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. He’s studied under world class drummers such as Tim Horner, Nathan Webb, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and more

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