Touring Musicians Join Rock and Jazz Bands for a Memorable Performance

12/12/2023

Ensworth's High School Jazz Band and Rock Band, led by Director of Arts and accomplished musician Jim Aveni, benefited from Nashville's music scene by performing alongside some in-demand session players and touring musicians in a recent performance.

Evan Cobb, who had worked with the Jazz Band in previous years, returned to lead the crew of professional musicians for the Jazz and Rock Band Concert. He has performed with many artists, including Steven Tyler, Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Strait, Brett Eldredge, Cage the Elephant, and the Nashville Symphony. Cobb worked with the Jazz and Rock Bands before and during the performance on Saturday, December 1 to hone the students' chops and improvisation skills.

Joining Cobb were David Williford on saxophone, Emmanuel Echem on trumpet, and Roy Agee on trombone.

David Williford works in Nashville as a performer, composer, and educator. He has released two albums: Possible Futures in 2016 and Season of Smoke, a conceptual jazz album released in November.

Emmanuel Echem is a trumpeter, composer, and arranger who has recorded widely and played at top venues worldwide, including a recent appearance on Nashville's Grand Ole Opry.

Roy Agee was the trombonist for the late musical legend Prince and now leads Lauren Daigle's horn section on tour. He has played with numerous musicians, such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Maceo Parker, Natalie Cole, Keb Mo, Cee-Lo Green, The Who, Phish, and Bela Fleck.

Cobb, Echem, and Agee comprised the horn section for the summer 2023 tour of Eric Church, one of the top-grossing country tours in the country.