JAZZ N" STYLE

ROBERT “MOSS” MACK
SAXOPHONIST/FLUTE MUSICIAN

Moss attended Florida A&M University.  In 1965 he performed with Florida A&M and Florida State University College Quintet Members in the Newport Jazz Festival. Moss has played for performers such as the Spinners and The Four Tops. He opened for Dionne Warwick at the Greenville, SC Peace Center and played for Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole at the Peace Center. 1972 Moss toured and played in the Count Bassie Band. He has also played in SC Greenville’s Symphony.

Moss has played with several local musicians over the years and has recently joined the band Jazz ‘N Style established by Gaylyn Arnold.

SONNY THORTON
JAZZ DRUMMER

Sonny was born in Washington, DC,  as a young boy he would listen to his mother’s friends play their family piano.  Later in years he began to beat out the tempo as they played.  As a teenager he had the opportunity to see Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Buddy Johnsons Band, Duke Ellington and Charlie Barnett at the Howard Theatre. Sonny’s mother relocated to Columbia, SC and he was able to listen to the Jam session at the Fort Jackson’s USO he saw Rufus Jones and Duke Ellington’s Drummer.

Sonny enrolled in Xavier University in New Orleans and took to the city and spent a great bit of time with Ed Blackwell. Sonny later went on the road with Ornette Coleman and played with Ellis Marsalis.  When his mother found out that he spent more time in the French Quarters than the classroom, he was summoned back home where he enrolled SC State University.

He later married and moved to Greenville where he played with Frankie Lester, when bands can through he played for Woody Herman, Stan Keaton, Count Bassie and Duke Ellington.

Lately he has performed with local musicians, Robert Moss, John Brookshire, Charlie Parker, Bill Gerhard, Mike Holstein, Josh Espinoza and has recently joined the band Jazz ‘N Style established by Gaylyn Arnold.

JOSH ESPINOZA
PIANIST

Josh Espinoza began playing the piano at the age of 11, having always felt an attraction to the instrument.  His early studies included mainly classical repertoire, but after several years he began branching out musically, exploring the jazz idiom more fully.  With a strong foundation in classical technique and an open-minded approach to jazz, he exhibits well-rounded musicianship.  With influences from Red Garland to Herbie Hancock to modern masters like Kenny Barron, Josh is excited to be a part of the uniquely American music that is Jazz.  Josh has recently joined the band Jazz ‘N Style established by Gaylyn Arnold.