Randy is a classically trained clarinetist, saxophonist and pianist who became aware of improvisational music at an early age. While he has performed and recorded in many different styles, his current focus in The Randy Villars Band (in which he plays the tenor saxophone) and Randy Villars Trio (in which he is the pianist) is post-bop jazz. As a composer, he has written in many different styles and contexts including music for broadcast advertising and film. His professional playing experience includes performances with jazz greats Sonny Stitt, Eddie Harris, James Moody, John Scofield, Steve Turre and Andy Narell among others. Randy has played with The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and The Springfield (Ohio) Symphony. Randy is a music educator, having served as a graduate teaching assistant at The Ohio State University and as a faculty member at the Stivers School For The Arts in Dayton, Ohio. Randy founded The Dayton Jazz Institute, his private lesson studio specializing in the teaching of jazz improvisation. Randy has authored two books on jazz improvisation. He has worked as a session player and composer/ producer in the commercial music field and as a pit orchestra musician for touring Broadway shows. From 2011 to 2015, he toured the world on saxophone with funk legend Bootsy Collins playing to audiences sometimes approaching 100,000 people. Randy is in the planning stage of a CD project called “The Other Side” with the other members of The Randy Villars Band to be released later this year - The group made its New York debut in June of 2017 at The Bar Next Door, in Manhattan. Randy plays and endorses Selmer saxophones and is a registered Conn-Selmer artist. He endorses Jody Jazz woodwind mouthpieces.
MATT WILES - BASS
Matt Wiles has been an active member of the of the Cincinnati music scene since 2010 when he was still a student at Northern Kentucky University. After his graduation in 2012, Matt performed on the acoustic and electric basses with bands of many different styles around the tri-state area and beyond: Theaters such as The Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, The Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and on large festival stages such as the Columbus Jazz and Ribs Fest. He also performs regularly in NYC at the Bar Next Door at La Lanterna di Vittorio. Matt's playing is featured on the albums Drift by electronic-jazz band Art & Science, Infinite Loop by Cincinnati-based jazz guitarist/composer Brandon Coleman, Album II by Brazilian saxophonist/composer Thomaz Souza, and others. Matt has performed with highly acclaimed artists such as Gary Versace, Colin Stranahan, Noah Preminger, JD Allen, Fareed Haque, Peter Mazza, Teddy Kumpel, Glenn Zaleski, Victor Provost, and The Drifters.
JEFF MELLOTT - DRUMS
Born in Cincinnati, OH, drummer, percussionist, and educator Jeff Mellott holds degrees in music education from Sinclair Community College and Ohio University. Jeff earned his Masters in Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM), where he taught as a graduate assistant. At CCM, Jeff was fortunate enough to study with the great Art Gore and legendary John Von Ohlen.
Jeff has followed his passion for music and education by teaching percussion and jazz at several schools throughout Ohio and Kentucky including, Lakota West High School, Turpin High School, Amelia High School and Middletown High School. For the 2015/2016 school year, Jeff was the visiting Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Morehead State University. There he taught alongside renowned percussionist Brian Mason, and others. Education continues to be a central focus of Jeff's career.
As an active performer, Jeff has played across the United States with groups spanning genres including jazz, R&B, and post-rock. Currently, Jeff performs with the Brandon Coleman Quartet and Us, Today.
Throughout his career, Jeff has had the honor of opening for acts such as Galactic, Terence Blanchard Quintet, Mike Dillon Band, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Snarky Puppy, Sylvan Esso, Kishi Bashi, and many more.
In the past year, Jeff has been part of several recording projects, including Brandon Coleman's upcoming album, "Infinite Loop," which will be released at the end of 2016 and
"TENENEMIES," the third album of Us, Today, released in March 2015. The latter has received rave reviews from local, national, and international press and earned a Cincinnati Entertainment A ward.
Jeff endorses Canopus Drums, Bosphorus Cymbals, and Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets.
$10 drink minimum per person
