- March 17 & March 18 at Sun Life Stadium -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – MIAMI GARDENS, FL – Three of the most gifted and popular local artists join the 2012 out of this world line-up at the 7th Annual “Jazz in the Gardens” taking place at Sun Life Stadium on March 17th and March 18th. Emerging artists Ike and Val, Sensere and Jody Hill & The Deep Fried Funk Band, along with official DJs The Brass King “The Rare Grooves Selector” and Al Johnson will be joining festival host MC Lyte and headliners Mary J Blige, Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, Kenny G, Kem, Ledisi, Doug E Fresh, Ramsey Lewis, Kevin Eubanks and Nicole Henry.

Every year “Jazz in the Gardens” becomes the platform for local and or emerging artists, giving them an opportunity to share the same stage with national super star performers. It is the city’s commitment to celebrate up and coming performers who are on the path to their own stardom. Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson comments “The City of Miami Gardens and “Jazz in the Gardens” motto is simple: “if we can’t do it first class, we don’t do it at all”. With that said, know that these 3 local artists and 2 DJs are “first class” additions to the line-up. The next music sensation is sometimes a single performance away from making their dreams a reality, and if lady luck exists we hope that Jazz in the Gardens becomes their vehicle for stardom.”

“Jazz in the Gardens”, a two-day weekend festival is now in its seventh year and has grown to be one of the top cultural events in America. The jazz festival delivers a diverse mix of music genres that range from jazz, R&B, Caribbean and African sounds. Having something to offer all music admirers at an affordable price, the 7th Annual “Jazz in the Gardens” is expected to exceed 2011 attendance levels, enjoying an attendance of almost 50,000.

Ticket on sale now with prices starting at just $45, through the Sun Life Stadium Box office, www.jazzinthegardens.com or www.ticketmaster.com.  

For more information on the highly-anticipated 7th Annual “Jazz in the Gardens go to www.jazzinthegardens.com or contact the City of Miami Gardens at 1-877-640-5299. All media inquiries should be directed to Circle of One Marketing at 305.576.3790. ** Photos and Interviews available upon request **

ABOUT THE LOCAL ARTISTS

IKE AND VAL
Grammy nominated Ike and Val continue to WOW audiences around the world with their unique style of BluesIke's guitar style is a mixture of B. B., Jimmy Hendrix, George Benson, and Roy Clark all mixed together with The Ike Woods Spice. His singing is soulful with a touch of the Otis Redding power. Val singing has the essence of Ella, Aretha, Etta James and a dash of Nancy Wilson complimented with her own distinct style.

The duo have shared the stage with Buddy Guy, Jerry Butler, Jeffrey Osbourn, Bobby Blue Bland, Shemekia Copeland, the Whispers, Tommy Castro, Deanna Bogart, Eddie Cotton Jr., Jonathan Butler, David Sanborne, Oleada Adams, Earl Klugh, Betty Wright, Nester Torres, the Ruppingtons, Poncho Sanchez, the O’Jays and Shirley Caesar. Ike and Val opened for the Delphonics, Billy Paul, Carl Carlton, Dorothy Moore, Major Harris, the Persuaders, & the Intruders at the Office Depot Center’s auditorium.

Ike and Val have performed at Teatro Lope de Vega in Madrid and L’Autirori in Barcelona, Spain to packed houses. They have performed at the 1st annual Jazz in the Garden at the Dolphin Stadium. They are the 2007 winners of the Monterey Blues Battle of the Bands & opened for Buddy Guy at the Monterey Blues Festival to an audience of 30 to 40 thousand. “Let Love Come Through”, an original composition, was just selected to score the indi. film “Peroxide Passion” written and directed by Monty Diamond!

JODY HILL & THE DEEP FRIED FUNK BAND
A native of Miami, Jody quickly became a child prodigy as one of the youngest drummers in the music industry playing for hit gospel artists such as: Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, The Clark Sisters, The Pace Sisters, Ron Winans, BeBe Winans, and the late James Cleveland, just to name a few. Jody has earned himself 3 Grammy nominations with Joss Stone for the album "Mind, Body & Soul" where his God-given talent landed him even more gigs and exceptional opportunities.

Jody is the C.E.O. and founder of his band called Deep Fried Funk Band which is organized with the concept of performing for local, national, and international artists. This concept came to fruition and landed them performances with Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Jaguar Wright (known for Jay Z’s hit song "A Song Cry"), Kindred Family Soul, Dwele, Peter Harder, Gloria Gaynor, RL, Bobby Valentino, Young Lloyd, Roscoe Dash, Flo-Rida, Rick Ross, Tank, Git Fresh, Trick Daddy, Big Brooklyn Red, D.Woods, Anthony David, and Eric Roberson with Jody commissioned to be the Music Director. One of Jody’`s dreams was to have his band perform with a complete orchestra. That dream came to pass in the winter of 2009 when Deep Fried Funk Band performed with The Houston Symphony Orchestra where once again Jody was commissioned to be the Music Director for Gloria Gaynor, thus quickly gaining the attention of the media and making the morning newspapers.

Jody was also named Musical Director for The 2011 American Black Film Festival. Currently, Jody is concentrating his efforts on writing and producing his and the band’s upcoming albums. One of the most sought after Drummers of this Generation deftly playing any genre, David "Jody" Hill possessing infinite talent maintains his status in the industry as “a force to be reckoned with!”

SENSERE
Enter into a new era of sound. One that only the future holds. SENSERE, a musical collaboration of original vocals and melodic baselines, features strong men of God, who under the direction of James E. Wright III, deliver rock-infused, soul-based, Gospel music that's exalted with an assortment of live horns, bass guitars, shocking vocals and a style inspired by the essence of true gentlemen.

Band director James Wright III is joined by Terrel Terry, Wildmayer, Marcelin, Timothy Wimberly, Jermaine Dean, Darryll, Efford, Clinton Cornish, Terrance McClain, and Glen Eichelberger to form the group of 12 men who use their daily desire to please God as a compass for creating feel-good rhythms that promise to move the core of any music lover.

About the Official DJs

The Brass King “The Rare Grooves Selector”
No one genre can define the method, how he seamlessly weaves through music space and time, to remind you about what you have forgotten and to introduce you to what you need to hear. Through his rare collection of sound "the audio fondelist" provokes a dance floor with feel good music. His mantra; "For requests, contact your local radio station"

When his DJ night spots are not enough, he'll sell you his dose of Aboveground music therapy for any ailment, with mixes, like the unique blend of original production and classic music on "The Renaissance of Hip Hop" or single mother therapy on "Crazy Baby Mama" or the slow and sensual "Aphrodisia Its A Place Not A Thing". It's no secret, his music is Above Ground!!! BK has been blasting his sound for the past 18 years at some of the hottest spots in the Unites States and around the world. You are guaranteed to hear him touch a little of everything in one nights set. His music is for the Trendsetters who are chic before it hits mainstream, they beat to their own drum and start the styles that become duplicated!!! The Brass King will not only share his old vinyl and CDs but will collectively explore the many similarities in music and lifestyle. “We have many different names and descriptions for musical genre today, but it all stems from the same place – Africa home of the original drum!” – proclaims The Brass King, co-host and DJ.

Al Johnson
A native Of Miami, with over fifteen Years experience in his field, Al Johnson has taken his love for music to another level. By combining his expertise of the Saxophone with the love for all types of music, he creates an atmosphere of great ambiance, serenading his audience and producing a jazzy, lively environment. As a DJ/VJ, he mixes the latest sounds in all genres. He has the ability to read the crowd and blend in the music that all quests will enjoy and respond to. His personality as well as his wide range of music has made Al Johnson one the top DJs in South Florida.