Listen Live from 12 pm - 2 pm
We are excited to introduce you to the musical talents for this year!
First up, taking the Stage from 12-2pm, we are thrilled to have the Steve Hobbs Quintet featuring Bill Easley!
Steve Hobbs, a huge animal supporter , has always been a part of Spring Fling. With the new venue, he will be back with a bigger band than ever before. This year, we can't wait to enjoy live music performed by the Steve Hobbs Quintet featuring Bill Easley!
Steve Hobbs is a celebrated jazz musician whose love of music started at the age of 7. Hobbs received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from Berklee College of Music in 1978 and a Master of Music in Jazz Mallet Performance from the University of Miami in 1982. He has toured with multiple bands and groups like the Art Van Damme Quintet, pop group, Janice, and Jum200pin’ Johnny. He was even featured on American Bandstand in 1980! He has released multiple albums and compilations, like Steve Hobbs’ “Tribute to Bobby” and Steve Hobbs Quartet Vibes, Straight Up. Having such a celebrated musician at Spring Fling is an incredible addition to the festivities!
Bill Easley has had a diversified career as a professional musician. He joined the
musicians union, Local 115 in 1959. Bill represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to music. Easley had traveling and recording experiences with such notables as: George Benson, Ruth Brown, Isaac Hayes, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Short, Louie Bellson, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPherson, James Williams, Sir Roland Hanna, Earl May, Illinois Jacquett, Ron Carter, Frank Foster, Mercer Ellington, Warren Vache, Panama Francis, Grady Tate and many more. In addition to his extensive discography as a sideman, he also has seven recordings as a leader: Wind Inventions, First Call, Easley Said, Business Man's Bounce, Hearing Voices, Love Stories, and Diversitonic. His arsenal of woodwind instruments includes: Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet, Flute and Alto Flute and piccolo.
Bill was a part of the Jazz Repertory Movement, playing in The American Jazz Orchestra (John Lewis); The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra (David Baker); and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (Wynton Marsalis), and twice with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra (Jon Faddis).
Learn more on Bill Easley's website!