What is Continuum Music???
Continuum Music is a record label, booking agency, & entertainment production company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. From releasing new recordings to promoting shows to booking artists, Continuum Music backs performs a multitude of tasks in an effort to make their artists shine. Continuum's affiliated artists are: John Gray, The JGRAYJAZZ Trio, The Michael Foster Project, The Soul Jukeboxx, & Ernest Jackson. Read more about these artists below.
John Gray
John Gray is an award-winning music educator, musician and entrepreneur based out Baton Rouge, La. A proud alumnus of McKinley High School (c/o 98’) and the Southern University Music Department, Gray’s foundation began on the stadium fields as a member of both the McKinley High and Southern University marching bands and has manifested into an astonishing career in the realm of music education, independent artistry and music business. Under the mentorship of the late jazz great/Master Teacher, Alvin Batiste, Gray received his Associate of Arts in Jazz (01’) as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Performance (05’) from Southern University. In the decade that would follow his undergraduate studies, Gray has been named as The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s Teacher of the Year (2013-2014), he has been the recipient of the Master Teacher Award at the Dunham School where he currently teaches, he has also been awarded The LINK’s Role Model of the Year award (in 2014), and also has been named as one of Louisiana Life Magazine’s Louisianians of The Year, as well as Arts Ambassador by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. He’s been named as one of the People to Watch in 2015 by The Drum Magazine, and a Top 40 Under 40 Black Entrepreneurs for 2014-2015. He has also received artist residency training through the renown Kennedy Center for the Arts and completed training at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center’s Directors Academy. He is a 2015 graduate of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s Leadership Class, and has been a TEDx speaker as well as a 99u speaker.
John currently teaches full time at the Dunham School, and performs professionally with The JGrayJazz Trio, The Michael Foster Project, The Soul Jukeboxx, The Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and The Treme Brass Band. He also runs his own music company, Continuum Music, specializing in the recording, promotion, and booking of jazz artists and their music.
The Michael Foster Project
The Michael Foster Project is a Baton Rouge based brass band, covering multiple genres of music. From Trad jazz to Latin, and from Pop to Hip-Hop, this group is Baton Rouge's longest running brass band, making their start in the late 90's. This group of top notched musicians have performed in just about every setting one can think of, from Mardi Gras Balls to Miss USA Pageants, and from music festivals in China to the film festivals at Sundance. The MFP has released three recordings throughout their existence, "Kick Some Brass" Live in New Orleans @ Donna's Grill (1998), "Weapons of Brass Destruction" (2003), and "Funkin' With Friends" Live @ The Varsity Theatre (2011). The current group, made up of John Gray (trumpet), Roderick Jackson (Saxophones), Charles Williams (Trombone), Xero Skidmore (Percussion), Craig Trusclair (Drums), and the namesake & bandleader Michael Foster (Sousaphone),are currently working on their 4th album, and can be found at music venues, festivals, and private engagements on a regular basis.
The JGray Jazz Trio
John Gray leads this incredible group of musicians through a repetoire of timeless Classic Jazz, mixing Louisiana Trad Music along with Swing and Latin Favorites. Everything from "All of Me" to "Bourbon Street Parade", "My Funny Valentine" to "Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)" is all covered by John's Trio. Ernest Jackson also appears with the group regularly, supplying a masterful delivery of lyrics in the Vocal department. The instrumentation consist of John Gray on Trumpet, Dr. Charles Brooks on Vibraphone & Congas, & Michael Foster on Upright Bass and Sousaphone. They come together to provide the best music atmosphere & experience to Corporate Events, Festivals, and Club Venues on a regular basis.
The Soul JukeBoxx
The Soul Jukeboxx is one of the baddest R&B/Soul cover bands around, featuring an all-star lineup of the best musicians from Baton Rouge. This lineup includes John Gray (Trumpet & Vocals), Esco McCollum (Keys & Vocals), Laurence Hebert (Keys & Vocals), Don Thomas (Keys & Vocals), Greg Darville (Bass), Dre Britton (Guitar), & Chancelier 'Xero' Skidmore (Percussion & Vocals). From Old and New School R&B to classic and current Pop tunes, this band puts their own twists to the songs we all love. But don't be too quick to pigeonhole them as just another cover band, this group has originals that have become favorites amongst their fans.
Ernest Jackson
A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Ernest Jackson has been been a long time performer in South Louisiana and beyond. His brand of jazz and blues vocal stylings have garnered him acclaim amongst local musicians and venues. He currently appears on the "Any Given Thursday" Live album, and has his own recording, "Moments Reflected", on sale and playing on jazz radio stations in South Louisiana.