Noel Freidline - Pianist, Vocalist, Arranger, Composer, Educator Renée Ebalaroza - Vocalist
Ron Brendle - Bassist
Al Sergel - Drummer, Vocalist, Composer Sam Skelton - Saxophone
A native of Clearwater, KS, Noel Freidline's musical career has taken him from coast to coast. Classically trained at the Wichita State University, then transferring to the University of North Florida to finish his degree in jazz studies, Noel graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1991. In 1992 he assembled the band that he still leads today.
As a pianist, vocalist and bandleader, Noel masterfully walks the fine line between leading and supporting the musicians on stage. He brings a dynamic and charasmatic presence to the stage, yet one never loses the sense that he considers it a priviledge to participate in the world of music. His left-of-center writing and arranging has earned reviews that range from "sublime" and "unconventionally hip" to "masterful and innovative."
His passion for the music as well as his ability to connect with people has made him as engaging as an educator as he is a performer. Noel's educational presentations range from programs for elementary-age children focusing on the joys and accessibility of music, to collegiate-level clinics and workshops ranging from the craft of performing to the business side of music. Noel's heart for teaching has led him to develop and present a series of workshops for church musicians, both professional and volunteer, to help them develop their talents and expand the way they approach worship. Noel also maintains a private teaching studio.
Noel serves on the music team at Mecklenburg Community Church and currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife April and their three children.
Email: noel@noelfreidline.com
A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Renée Ebalaroza's singing career began at age 13 entertaining family, church, and civic groups. She has been a professional vocalist since the mid-70's. With roots in pop and R&B she made a full-time transition to jazz vocals in 1992.
Renée brings to the stage a commanding presence. A consummate and committed professional both on and off the stage, she has taken advantage of her gifts and talents and developed them to their potential. In the world of vocalists, Renée is the ětotal package.î With an innate sense of time and pitch, and impeccable phrasing and diction, Renée glides easily between a whisper and a roar. In addition to her professional performance career, Renée also serves as a vocalist at her home church, Eastfield Christian Church in Charlotte, NC.
An artist who has purposefully developed her craft, Renée understands how she does what she does. She has combined this experience and insight with a desire to teach, presenting her craft and love of music in clinics and workshops from the elementary to collegiate level
Email: rebalaroza@carolina.rr.com
Ron Brendle could best be described as THE bassist of the Carolinas. He has
been named Jazz Artist of the Year five times by Charlotte’s Creative Loafing
Magazine.
His reputation as a musician’s musician has made him a top-call bassist
in the Southeast, and has allowed him to perform with such notable artists as
Nneena Freelon, Clark Terry, Mose Allison, Charlie Byrd, Bucky Pizzarelli, and
Charlie Rouse. As a composer Ron has been a recipient of the North Carolina Arts
Council Jazz Composer Fellowship Grant. As a leader of his own group he has released
four CD’s, his most recent, “Here”, being featured
on the Southern Arts Federation’s “Jazz South” CD series.
Ron graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s Degree
in music. He also studied bass with Charlie Haden at the Atlantic Center for
the Arts in New Smyrna, FL.
Email: ronbrendle@carolina.rr.com
Al Sergel possesses that rare combination of outstanding technique and soul. An extremely intuitive drummer, Al is a consummate musician whose background and expertise is as varied and diverse as they come. His performance credits range from jazz greats Bob Mintzer, Freddie Hubbard and Roy Hargrove to composer Gunther Schuller to the Moody Blues. He has performed internationally and conducted clinics and master classes at universities throughout the US. In 2002 Al was a national finalist and regional winner in the Guitar Center Drum-Off.
Born and raised in northwest Missouri, Al has studied at the Berklee College of Music and received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion and Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from Florida State University. Al currently holds the position of Pastor of Creative Arts at Charlotte North Fellowship in Charlotte, NC and has extensive experience performing for worship conferences throughout the Southeast.
Al is also a talented songwriter and vocalist and is currently working on a recording project of his original music.
Email: al@alsergel.com
A native of Conyers, Georgia, Sam Skelton graduated summa cum laude from Georgia
State University and the private studio of Tony Carere with a degree in Jazz
Studies. During his course of study at GSU, Sam was a Montgomery Music Scholar
and a two-time fellowship recipient to the Aspen Music Festival.
Sam has performed and/or soloed with The London Symphony Orchestra, The Atlanta
Symphony, The Atlanta Pops, The Peachtree Pops, The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
and The Cobb Symphony Orchestra as well as numerous local high school and civic
ensembles. World Premiers include James Oliverio's Children of A Common
Mother, Lee Johnson's Ora Pro Mi: Concerto for Winds Soloist and Seaside
Symphony.
Sam can be heard on over 120 recordings by such artists as: Grammy nominee Howard
Tate, Matchbox 20, The Gap Band and The Ohio Players. Television and radio jingles
include The Weather Channel, The Travel Channel, Ford, The Cartoon Network, CNN,
Nature's Own, Popeye's, Papa John's and Turner South. Television
appearances include In the Heat of the Night, Savannah and Sinbad's Summer
Jam II on HBO. Sam served as Professor of Saxophone at Georgia State University
from 1991 to 2004 and was Jazz Ensemble Director at Georgia Tech from 2002-2004.
Email: sam@samskelton.com