Serente Jazz And Wine Escapes Presents Dee Lucas's Heart & Soul CD Release!

Serente Jazz & Wine Escapes presents national recording artist Dee Lucas's Heart & Soul Tour and new music release at Scott Gertner's Rhythm Room!!! Also a special guest and opening performance by 17-year old guitar sensation Will Carter

Come and hangout with us for this is a SPECIAL EVENT!!!!

Meet & Greet for VIP ticket holders at 5:15 pm. - 5:45 pm.

Showtime starts at 6:00 pm.

VIP and General Admission tickets available now.

LIMITED SEATING. (ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS)

Scott Gertner's Rhythm Room

5535 Memorial Drive, #G

Houston, TX

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Dee Lucas - Official Artist Biography (2004-2025)
For over two decades, Dee Lucas has built a reputation as one of the most distinctive soprano saxophonists in contemporary jazz. With a sound rooted in the smooth elegance of George Howard yet stamped with his own blend of jazz, R&B, and funk, Lucas has navigated the independent music landscape with entrepreneurial drive, critical recognition, and consistent chart success.

Early Years & Breakthrough (2004-2007)
In 2004, Lucas founded Mo Better Recordings, setting the stage for his debut album Remembrance (2005), a heartfelt tribute project that earned airplay on more than 115 radio stations nationwide. His sophomore release, Something to Ride 2 (2007), expanded his profile, climbing to #10 on the SmoothJazz.com Top 50 Indie Chart. That same year, he was named runner-up in the Capital Jazz Festival Competition, marking him as a rising star in the genre. Building Momentum (2010-2016) Lucas's third album, Standing Room Only (2010), solidified his reputation with a #26 SmoothJazz.com peak and a #29 Billboard Jazz Albums placement. The compilation Rebirth of the Smooth (2012) celebrated highlights from his early catalog, while The Smooth Factor (2014) showcased his fusion of smooth jazz and R&B textures. In 2016, he reached another milestone when Going Deeper debuted at #30 on the Billboard Jazz Albums Chart.

Artistic Expansion (2017-2020)
In 2017, Lucas launched ODL Music, his new imprint under Dee Lucas Enterprises. His EP Collection, Vol. 1: The Sweet Spot featured the standout single "Road Warrior," which spent eight weeks in Billboard's Smooth Jazz Top 100. He followed with Going Left (2018), distributed by UMG, and then delivered what became one of his career-defining projects: The Time Is Now (2020). The album's single "Full Tilt" cracked the Billboard Top 20 Smooth Jazz rankings, while the album earned an Indie Soul nomination for Smooth Jazz Album of the Year. Chart Success & Recognition (2023-2024) Lucas's 10th release, No Boundaries (2023), marked a creative peak, producing a series of chart-topping singles:- "Hot Ice" (ft. Gino Rosaria) - #1 on Smooth Jazz charts- "Sir Dee" (tribute to Stevie Wonder) - #1 on Smooth Jazz charts- "Love Is Enough" (ft. Selina Albright) - Top 10 R&B single; Indie Soul Award nomination for Jazz Vocal Single of the Year- "On the Verge" (produced by Bob Baldwin) - Smooth Jazz charting single In 2024, Lucas celebrated 20 years as a recording artist with the aptly titled Twenty. The album featured collaborations with Grammy-winning producer Michael Broening and multi-hit producer Adam Hawley, who delivered the smash singles "Twenty" and "Tighten Up," respectively — both soaring to #1 on multiple smooth jazz charts. His anniversary year also saw the launch of The 20 Tour, highlighting his journey as both an artist and independent label owner.

Career to Date (2004-2025)
Across 11 full-length projects and multiple singles, Dee Lucas has become a three-time Billboard charting saxophonist and a fixture in contemporary jazz. He has performed alongside legends such as Roy Ayers, Hugh Masekela, Boney James, Peter White, and Michael Franks, while appearing at major festivals including Jacksonville Jazz, Atlanta Jazz, and Savannah Jazz. Awards & Honors- Runner-up, Capital Jazz Festival Competition (2007)- The Time Is Now - Indie Soul Award Nomination, Smooth Jazz Album of the Year (2020)- "Love Is Enough" - Indie Soul Award Nomination, Jazz Vocal Single of the Year (2023)- Central Standard Show/STL Smooth Jazz - Artist of the Year (2024)- Multiple #1 Smooth Jazz singles (2023-2024)

Legacy & Vision
As founder of ODL Music, Lucas has championed independence in jazz, owning his masters and steering his business with vision. Two decades in, he continues to innovate, release charting singles, and inspire the next generation of jazz entrepreneurs. With a career that bridges artistry and business savvy, Dee Lucas stands as one of smooth jazz's most consistent and dynamic saxophonists

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Will Carter

Will Carter - "The Future"

Will Carter Music is a young upcoming Neo Soul and Smooth Jazz Instrumentalist. Born June 15, 2009, he has known music all of his life. He is becoming known and recognized in the Smooth Jazz world. He is now known as a young prodigy and effectionately called the Nephew of Smooth Jazz. He literally began at 7 months old when he was handed a drumstick and started beating in rhythm on his mom’s kitchen floor. He then moved to an adult drum kit at the tender age of 14 months old. While gaining his skills on the drums, he would often times play random chords on the piano.

One day at the age of 7, he asked for a lead guitar for Christmas. He got the gift and let it sit for one year. During that time, he picked up the alto saxophone to play for his junior high school band, simply because he was told, “we have enough drummers”. He went on to play in high school, adding the tenor and baritone saxophone. Before that though, he eventually picked up the guitar and it was like they already knew each other. During COVID, he taught himself all the chords and learned how to take vocals from various Pop and R&B songs and transpose them to his guitar to make them his version in Smooth Jazz form. He also did this with the alto and tenor saxophone. At the age of 12, he was booked for his very first gig, where he incorporated songs playing lead guitar, bass guitar and alto saxophone all in one set.

Performance Experience:

▪ Taste of Joliet – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Joliet, IL
▪ iFest of Bolingbrook - 2023, Bolingbrook, IL
▪ Opening Artist for National Smooth Jazz Artist Nathan Mitchell – 2023, Lockport, IL
▪ Opening Artist for National Smooth Jazz Artists Dee Lucas & Lin Rountree – 2023, Lockport, IL
▪ Opening Artist for event at Chicago City Winery, 2024, Chicago, IL
▪ New Year’s Eve Main Entertainment, Leilani’s Asian Fusion Restaurant, 2024, Aurora, IL
▪ Opening Artist for National Smooth Jazz Artist JJ Sansaverino feat. Marqueal Jordan, 2025, Lockport, IL
▪ Opening Artist for National Smooth Jazz Artist Adam Hawley (Billboard 2025 Artist of the Year)
▪ Special Guest Guitarist with J. Grant Experience, Jazz on the Vine 2025, Elkhart, WI
▪ Special Appearance for High School Musician Scholarship event, 2025, Bethesda, MD
▪ Special Guest for Jam Session (personally invited) for Dee Lucas BDay Bash, 2025, Las Vegas, NV
▪ Multiple Appearances Blues Jam Sessions at Tailgater’s Bar & Grill, Bolingbrook, IL
▪ Jam sessions with National Smooth Jazz Artists (Eric Darius, Ragan Whiteside, Lemek)
▪ Multiple Private Event Bookings, National and Surrounding Area Locations

Other Notable Mentions:
▪ Illinois State University Concert Band Festival, Center for Performing Arts with PCHS Wind Ensemble, Normal, IL
▪ SuperState Concert Band Festival, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts with PCHS Wind Ensemble, Urbana, IL
▪ Guitarist for Indoor Percussion 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school year
▪ Section Leader for High School Jazz Band 2025-2026
▪ Selected for ILMEA Jazz Guitarist 2025
▪ Multiple other school performances and is a part of Wind Ensemble and other Ensembles throughout the school year along with Marching Band

Info: Showtime starts ‘promptly’ at 6:00 pm. There will be no admittance after 6:00 pm.
• VIP Ticketholders: Check-in 5:15 pm – 5:45 pm / Meet & Greet 5:15 p.m. – 5:45 pm.
• General Admission Ticketholder: Check-in 5:45 pm – 6:00 pm
List of wines to pre-order: (TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!)
To pre-order your wine, please contact Linda Cuffari at (713) 518-8848. This is to ensure your order will be readily available in a timely manner.

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