Sketches Jazz Ensemble

The SKETCHES palette is a soulful and energetic use of contemporary jazz blended with a Latin hue. Nominated as the "Best Urban Contemporary Group" in 2000 by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), SKETCHES has become very popular throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area by covering the canvas with their musical rainbow that will soothe, energize and uplift you.

SKETCHES has performed for private events and at many local clubs and venues including Blues Alley, BET on Jazz Restaurant, Takoma Station Tavern, Unifest, Taliano's Restaurant, Bowie State College, Bohemian Caverns, and the Virginia Jazz Festival, and Capital Jazz Festival Kick Off Party 2001.

SKETCHES is instrumentally drawn by the artistic compositions and rich amber tones of Glenn  DOUGLAS on keyboards. An accomplished writer, his credits include theme music and commercial "bumps" for Black Entertainment Television's (BET) programming of "Video Soul", "Hit List", and "Caribbean Rhythms". Glenn has served for three years as the musical director of the "Flamingos, playing in Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City. He has performed with Eric Benet, Lloyd Price, Jerry Butler, Keith Kilgo, Al Green, Marcus Johnson, and Yolanda Adams. Glenn has also opened for Pieces of a Dream, Betty Carter, Lee Ritenour, and Phyllis Hyman.

Bassist DAVID OLIVER delivers velvety smooth and funky bass lines adding sophistication to the phrase "breath of fresh air" and providing an energetic, strong foundation for the artistic jazz ensemble. He has been playing for more than 15 years and has toured across the US playing for many of today's major gospel artist, including musical style's like Rock, Funk, rhythm & blues, and Jazz. He has worked with the "SOS Band", Lakeside, Salt N Peppa, Kirk Franklin, Bob James, Nancy Wilson and Carl Anderson.

Drummer JEFFREY NEAL provides the slate strokes of rhythm, just as he has done with the Ford's Theater production of the Broadway musical "Five Guys Named Moe". He has also played with Mary Ann Redmond, Hilton Felton, Debbie Kirkland, Keter Betts, and Davey Yarborough. Jeff has shared the stage with Gladys Knight, Stanley Turrentine, and Spyro Gyra's Scott Ambush. His studio experience has been honed at Cue, Bias, Ambient, and Omega Recording Studios. Jeff's professional affiliations are with The American Federation of Musicians Local 161-710, The Percussive Arts Society, and the International Association of Jazz Educators.

Infused with indigo highlights is the warmth of saxophonist HOWARD RILEY. Formally trained at Howard University on the alto and soprano saxophones, he studied various musical styles from classical and jazz, to funk and pop, to rhythm & blues, and rock. Howard has shared the stage and worked with Teddy Pendergrass, Willie Jolly, Debbie Kirkland, The Blackbirds, Stanley Turrentine, and Patti Labelle.

Percussionist ROMERO WYATT completes the artistry of SKETCHES with his unique splashes of color. His studies with master hand drummers and percussionist from around the world has given him extensive knowledge in afro-cuban, rhythm & blues, gospel, jazz and other world ethnic music. Romero shares his gifts and knowledge by teaching hand-drumming and assorted percussion techniques to the young and old. He has provided percussion for The Alvin Ailey Dance Company, The American Dance Institute, The Jones Haywood Ballet Company, Dance Place Theater, Melvin Deal's African Heritage Drummers & Dancers, Coyoba African Dance Theater, and The Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts. Romero has performed or recorded with Jerry Butler, Al Johnson, Keith Kilgo, Debbie Kirkland, Davey Yarborough, Rob Seals, Pat Magee, Travis Allison, and Marcus Johnson, Mambo Combo, and many others. Romero is a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 161-170.

By using their "amber so rich" and "velvet so smooth", and "strokes of slate", "highlights of indigo", and "colors perfectly placed", the members of SKETCHES come together with a common goal to create an original tapestry of music worthy of framing. So, give a listen, and experience the "musical art' SKETCHES can do for you!