2011 Syracuse Jazz Fest

The Rascals ruled the airwaves during the late 60's with hits like "Good Lovin'," "Groovin'," "A Girl Like You," "A Beautiful Morning," and "People Got to Be Free," as they evolved from blue-eyed soul (a term coined to describe them) to pop psychedelia and jazz fusion.

AWB are widely regarded as one of the best soul and funk bands in the history of music. Though perhaps best known for their timeless instrumental mega-hit 'Pick Up the Pieces' the band's strength actually lay in their consistently accomplished song-writing, stretching across several gold selling albums and multi-grammy nominations for the legendary Atlantic Records.

Five-time Grammy-winner Cray started playing guitar in his early teens. At Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, his love of blues and soul music flourished as he started collecting records. Originally, he wanted to become an architect, but around the same time he began to study architectural design, he formed a local band "Steakface", described as "the best band from Lakewood you never heard of"

Sheryl's band mates in her Jazz Guitars Meet Hendrix project include legendary fellow NYC-based session guitarist Vic Juris, Brian Charette on Hammond B3 organ, Anthony Pinciotti on drums, and veteran jazz great Lincoln Goines on bass, comprising a true tribute to the Master from players that all love Jimi!

Alan Chez joined the CBS Orchestra on Feb. 3, 1997, after years of sitting in on trumpet and flugelhorn, with Paul Shaffer on "Late Night with David Letterman" and the LATE SHOW. Chez started his extensive music career at the age of 9 when he joined his father's local drum corps, the Saints.

Originally, the tours planned to feature the electric music from RTF's classic Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy. But as the guys got together, rehearsed and threw ideas around, a new game plan emerged: include songs from the entire RTF songbook, add highlights from each of the players' careers, and include new material specifically written for this version of the band.