Bio
The Jerry Tolson Quartet is a Louisville-based jazz group that features jazz standards, contemporary originals, and Latin-influenced selections. The sound of this group ranges from the feel good, foot tapping, infectious sound of the hard bop era to the contemporary smooth jazz sound of artists such as Grover Washington and Kirk Whalum. Playing both acoustic and electric piano, Tolson is joined in the quartet by Tyrone Wheeler, bass; Ted Richardson, drums; and David Clark, alto saxophone.
The group has been in existence since 1994 and maintains an active performing schedule on the local, regional, and national music scene. The group has headlined the Louisville Jazz Festival, performed on the Kentucky Center for the Arts Jazz Cabaret concert series, and made numerous regional television appearances. They have been the featured artists at numerous regional colleges and universities.
A versatile ensemble, they have opened for Mark Whitfield and Wycliffe Gordon, and they have worked with, among others, Kevin Mahogany, Benny Golson, Marvin Stamm, Ndugu Chancler, Antonio Hart, Don Braden, Delfeayo Marsalis, Rufus Reid, and James Moody. The group has released six CDs, "Nu View", in 1999; "Back At The Track" in 2003; “Fresh Squeezed,” that features Marsalis, Hart, and Reid, in 2013; “Late Night Cruise” and “Black Sand Beach” in 2018; and their latest recording “Just Chillin’” in 2024.
The group has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and has also completed a performing tour in Barbados.
Minimal Technical Requirements
Minimum stage size: 10 feet x 20 feet
Sound: two mics with boom stands, two DI's and boxes, four stage monitors
Lighting: general room/stage lighting