Ken Watters Group kenwatt@aol.com http://www.wattersbrothers.com http://myspace.com/kenwatters (256)603-5059 ****** Robert "Dig" Dickson / acoustic bass · Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Robert Dickson received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Alabama and a Master of Music from the University of New Orleans where he was a graduate teaching assistant. He performed extensively in the New Orleans area and recently relocated to Atlanta after hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005. In addition to his background in jazz, Mr. Dickson also attended the Brevard Music Camp as an orchestral bassist. He has performed with many jazz greats including Terri Lynne Carrington, Jerry Coker, Dizzy Gillespie, Lou Marini, Jason Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Irvin Mayfield, Davy Mooney, Ed Petersen, Shannon Powell, Lew Soloff, and Johnny Vidacovich. __________ Marlon Patton / drums ·Marlon Patton was born in Atlanta, Georgia, raised on music. He began playing his brothers drum set at age 1, his love for drums continuing to grow, picking up other instruments such as bass and guitar. After studying at the University of Georgia's school of music, he received his bachelor’s degree in music performance. Currently, Marlon’s weekly agenda is a continental divide of performances featuring modern and straight ahead jazz to hip hop, latin, salsa, and afro-cuban influenced music. In addition to Ken Watters Group, his main projects include a 15 piece Salsa/latin jazz band, Grogus and supra original hip hop group Heavy Mojo, both of which Marlon helps produce and record. Heavy Mojo has taken him all over the world, winning a slew of awards and honors including the Global Battle of the Bands 1st place winners and Billboard song writing contest’s 1st place award in the urban music category in late 2006. In addition to these awards, Heavy Mojo has completed two self released albums and been successful with placement on two Midway video game sound tracks; both of which Marlon performed on, helped produce and engineer. Marlon has performed with some of the finest jazz musicians in the world, including recent concerts with trumpeter Marcus Printup, pianist Takana Miyamoto, and guitarist Ryan Waters of Sade’s band. He also lent his studio talents to jazz guitarist Trey Wright's Where I’m Calling From, Ryan Waters’ release Nothin Left to Leave Behind, saxophonist Will Scruggs’ soon to be released Blueberry Jam, and continues his pursuit of new musical projects regularly.  Marlon is the recording engineer/co-producer for Grogus and plays drum set, timbales, percussion, upright bass, as well as being an active composer. In addition to Ken Watters Group, current and former bands Marlon has performed with include: Marcus Printup, Takana Miyamoto, Heavy Mojo, Gunnison, Trey Wright Trio, Kevin Hyde Quartet, Carl Lindberg Quartet, Hyde-Lindberg-Patton Trio, Dave Bass Quartet, Squat, Sir Loin of Steak Dinner, Patton Productions, One Mic Studios (owner). __________ Bryan Leitch / guitar · Bryan Leitch was born in Fort Myers, Florida and was exposed to music at an early age, but it wasn't until 12 years old that he found his way to the guitar. He went on to graduate cum laude from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in jazz studies. While at Berklee he had the good fortune to study and play with Hal Crook, Wayne Krantz, Jon Damian, and Mick Goodrick, while attending masterclasses with Pat Metheny, David Liebman, and Mulgrew Miller. Since 1998 he has performed with many of world's finest jazz musicians, such as Joe Lovano, Phil Wilson, Aiyb Dieng, Kendrick Scott, Minsarah, Julien Lage, Philip Harper, Lionel Loueke, and Bob Reynolds. He recently participated in the debut recording of the Mace Hibbard Group, consisting of some of the finest young jazz musicians in the Southeast playing Mace's exciting and highly personal compostions. Bryan currently lives in Atlanta and continues to work diligently to one day become a musician who can do justice to the immense musical lineage of jazz. (Note from the anonymous website editor: Bryan Leitch does not use a pick when he plays. Next time you see him perform, watch his right hand closely... You'll be amazed.) __________ Ken Watters / trumpet   · Trumpeter Ken Watters has performed, toured and/or recorded with Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Marc Anthony, John Abercrombie, Clarence Carter, Terry Gibbs, Kelis, Ravi Coltrane, Wyclef Jean, Mingus Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Buddy Miles, The Vanguard Orchestra (Village Vanguard, NYC), Bill Goodwin, Roger Hawkins, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Russell Malone, Fred Wesley, Roland Vazquez, Mike Stern, Richie Cole, Dave Valentin, Anthony Jackson, Dan Penn, Steel Pulse, David Liebman, Eartha Kitt, Bonnie Bramlett, Peter Bernstein, The Fifth Dimension, Herbie Mann, Petula Clarke, Ralph Boncy, Gregory Hutchinson, Tabou Combo, Marvin 'Smitty' Smith, David Holland, Steve Coleman, The Manhattans, The Platters, Chris Potter, Marilyn McCoo, Jeff Hirschfield, Phyllis Diller (yeah, you read that right -- Phyllis Diller), Larry Goldings & many more icons of the music world. Ken is a Yamaha artist, a SESAC affiliated jazz composer & a Summit recording artist with four CDs to date released internationally on the label (all of which spent time in the top 50 on the US jazz charts). Watters attended the University of North Texas, Manhattan School of Music, The Banff Centre for the Arts, Interlochen Arts Academy & has been an adjuct jazz faculty member at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.