Chicago born and raised Jazz Trumpeter, Mario Abney, now of New Orleans fuses traditional and extended trumpet techniques in a most inventive way. His strikingly personal instrumental vision endows the music with an infinite array of tonal color. Recognized for his ability to create pure musical dialog, and hear music in a universally spiritual way, he is definitely one of New Orleans best Jazz Musicians . Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Mario Abneyʼs musical career began with his introduction to the piano at age 7. Influenced by his uncle Arthurʼs piano playing and the musical background of his church, Abneyʼs love and fascination for music grew. By age 11 Mario added drums to his musical experiences. It was during high school years that his interest turned from piano and drums to wind instruments. 
Marioʼs first experience hearing jazz was durring a Wynton Marsalis concert. After the jazz trumpet peaked his interest in music, Mario began to absorb the music of Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and all of the great trumpeters who pioneered the music. During his sophomore year Mario began his study under the direction of John McFadden, Mike McGrath, and Phill Crews of Thornton Township High School, During the weekends Marioʼs mother, Ora Abney, would often drive Mario, his best friend, and several other young musicians to the historical Chicago Jazz Landmark, Fred Anderson’s The Velvet Lounge. Known for the most inspiring and creative jazz jam sessions in the nation, this is where Mario and many musicians like him self got their first experiences on the stage. The sessions at the Velvet Lounge were proved to be fruitful to Mario and many other Chicago musicians' careers and musical development. Inspired by his Uncle Arthur, his experiences at church, jazz trumpet recordings and the sessions at The Velvet Lounge, Mario set his sights on a career in music. With a band scholarship in hand, Mario attended Central State University majoring in Music Education with a minor in jazz studies. “During my college years I became involved in the jazz scene in Dayton performing in several professional ensembles such as the Afro-Cuban Jazz ensemble, Babalu, the Chicago based House of Twang, The Afro-Rican Ensemble, SYM, and several other ensembles."
In 2001, after several years of playing as a side man Mario Abney was inspired to lead his own Quintet. During a performance at the Dayton RiverWalk festival in 2007 Mario became inspired by the New Orleans music scene. By spring of 2008 Mario Abney and two members from his quintet moved to New Orleans. During the first year of his residency in the Crescent City, Mario was invited to perform with renowned artists Charmaine Neville, Ellis Marsalis, Delfpheo Marsalis, Irving Mayfield, Bill Summers, George Porter Jr. and many other outstanding New Orleans musicians. Mario Abney Quintet recorded thier first album, "Spirtual Perception". Mario continued to reach people with his muisc at the New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2009 & 2010. It was durring this year that Mario Abney was invited to play as himself in HBO series, Treme. In 2011 Mario Abney toured with his band, The Abney Effect, to Equador for The Cultural Exchange Program between the US and Equador. Performing at The Saratoga Jazz Fest, XRIJF, Satchmo Fest and several other festivals has opened many doors for Mario Abney as he has continued to reach people all over the world and is compared to Miles Davis by many.

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Toni O Is one of the God gifted, heartfelt, real stylist that so seldom comes along in music today.  You cannot listen to her voice or music without experiencing her true gift. ~Razzy Bailey

Toni has powerful bluesy voice and every song comes straight from the heart. Music is her passion and there is nothing she loves more. She started studying voice in 7th grade and continued on to college where she received a full paid scholarship to study music. Toni eventually decided she would rather play rock n roll than sing opera and classical and got her degree in Art from Belhaven College. She continued studying voice however and had numerous bands throughout the years. She grew up watching her dad play music and started recording commercials in her teens. Toni has recorded songs for country and bluegrass artist such as Razzy Bailey and Ferrell Stowe and has been writing songs since she was 12. Her passion comes through in each performance night after night and she is known to jump off the stage and head out into the audience while singing.

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