Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown and the Philly Sound

Born and raised in Portland, OR, Ashley was multitalented and artistic at a very young age, but singing was not a prevalent part of her life until her early teenage years. Ashley began singing solos and leading choir songs in her local church and in other choirs around town. Ashley’s ear began to develop rapidly. She was able to listen to music and not only single out the notes or tunes she would hear, but she was able to retain them and interpret them in her own unique way. This only enhanced her already impeccable ear and ability to translate music. She began to writer her own songs and create and arrange unique harmonies. Her creativity began to grow as she was blossoming and coming into her own. Once she began to be discovered by local artists, many doors soon began to open for her. She started her musical journey singing with artists such as Liv Warfield and Mike Phillips. These ventures led her to the late and great, Prince, who she began touring with, and eventually led to her becoming a member of the New Power Generation. Ashley now sings with Tyrese Gibson, Monica, and Jazmine Sullivan, and is spreading her wings and soaring as she embarks on a journey becoming, Ashley Jayy.

Chester Gregory is an award-winning singer, actor, and producer, who was last seen starring in Motown The Musical as Berry Gordy on Broadway. Gregory’s additional Broadway credits include Hairspray (Seaweed), Tarzan (Terk – Original Broadway Cast), Cry-Baby (Dupree – Original Broadway Cast), and Sister Act (Eddie – Original Broadway Cast). His national tour credits include roles in Dreamgirls and Sister Act, as well as his one-man show, The Eve of Jackie Wilson. Gregory’s acting credits include roles in August Wilson’s Fences and Two Trains Running.

Gregory has received many awards, including the Jeff Award and an NAACP Theatre Award. He has also been presented with the keys to two cities: one for his hometown of Gary, Indiana, and one for East Chicago. Gregory was selected to be an Honorary State Representative for Indiana and received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, Columbia College Chicago.

Brik.Liam, is a R&B/Soul singer/songwriter and visual artist. The young creative credits his sound and influences to be the likes of Marvin Gaye, D’Angelo and Brandy. Born into a military family in Petersburg, VA, as Jacoby J. Williams, Brik’s eclectic style is partially the result of the places he has called home, such as Schweinfurt, Germany, Atlanta, Georgia and Killeen & Houston, Texas.

While attending Clark Atlanta University, Brik.Liam’s creativity intensified as his matriculation was filled with both struggle and inspiration. This increased creativity placed him in high demand to perform in various events and venues. Intentionally focusing on creative growth Brik started the #cre8daily movement, where the goal is to inspire others to continue to create until their creativity creates new spaces and opportunities for them to occupy.

In March 2012 Brik.Liam released his freshman project CobyMeetsWord: Acoustic Heart. The mixtape was recorded with fellow indie artist, producer,and writer Douglas Whatley. With no specific goal in mind other than to #crea8, the project reached over 3,000 downloads within the first two weeks of its release. After returning to Houston, in the winter of 2013 Brik was inspired to change his stage name from Jacoby to Brik.Liam. Brik (brick) simply being a creative synonym for his favorite color, red; and Liam being a nickname for his last name, Williams.

Brik’s sophomore project debuted in March of 2014 #MLN, Mr. Liam’s Neighborhood. Collaborating with his friend, a fellow artist and songwriter Kori James, they paired up to show Brik’s growth and more importantly help others be inspired to grow. With Mr. Liam’s Neighborhood, Brik also showed his visual artistry, adding individual artwork to each song on the project, helping to make it an authentic music and visual experience.

Brik.Liam is currently working on the release of third indie release. He plans to continue to cre8, find inspiration, and be the inspiration.

Brik is a creative director and partner at www.thecre8tivecollective.com A creative consulting firm specializing in graphic and web design.

Eric Metzgar is an in-demand drummer and versatile collaborator who offers his musicianship to various jazz/pop artists and symphony orchestras worldwide. He has had the opportunity to play with numerous first-rate performers including Jeff Tyzik, Sutton Foster, Joe Locke, Jimmy Greene, Shayna Steele, Byron Stripling, and Delfeayo Marsalis.

Metzgar is a passionate educator deeply invested in music teaching and learning. Each summer, he teaches at the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop under the direction of saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. He maintains a private studio and serves as a clinician at grade schools and universities.

Metzgar holds a BM in Drum Set Performance and an MM in Music Teaching and Learning from the Eastman School of Music. He lives in New York City and tours frequently around the world.

Shubh Saran is a New York-based guitarist, composer, and producer who has performed globally with his band throughout the United States, India, Canada, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Mexico. Having grown up in six different countries, his career has been shaped by a mixture of influences. Saran’s intricate compositions fuse sounds from modern jazz, neo-soul, and rock with classical and contemporary Indian music.  In October 2021, Saran independently released his second full-length album and fourth overall release titled inglish – a groundbreaking work that explores concepts of assimilation, global identity, and native culture.  

Pitchfork described inglish as “a heartfelt exploration of the ups and downs of being part of the world’s fastest-growing floating tribe—part global citizen, part cultural refugee,” and named the album to its list of Best Jazz and Experimental Music of 2021.  DownBeat described inglish as a “scintillating musical brew,” and awarded the album three and a half stars. Before moving to New York City to start his music career, Saran studied at Berklee College of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. In 2017, Saran made his critically acclaimed debut with the release of Hmayra, and later followed up with H.A.D.D. (2018), and Becoming (2019). Throughout his career as a recording artist, each release has represented a different introspection for Saran.