Chances are you have heard of the Contemporary Smooth Jazz group Freeport not just because two of the members are Grammy recognized but because they are regulars at festivals, top venues and notable events during the past 40 years. Recently they have shared the stage and recording with rising artists, legends and Grammy award winners in the jazz community such as Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Bob James, Jeff Kashiwa, Nick Colionne, Four80East, Art Sherrod, Nils, Bob Baldwin, Tower Of Power,  Grover Washington Jr. and the list goes on. Freeport provides a very soulful, appropriate, inquisitive, and smooth approach to performing. They offer a combination of Smooth Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, and Jazz Standards. The four piece Smooth Jazz group consists of Steve Thornton on saxes, flute, Jo Daniels on keyboards, Tony Testa on drums, and Scott Marvill on basses and guitar.

 

A b o u t  T h e   B a n d

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JO "DREAD" DANIELS
keyboards | vocals​



Jo Daniels is no stranger to the entertainment world via TV, radio, and performing many styles of music. He found himself living and touring in France, Belgium and Africa . Additionally he released three CDs on the JWP International label. His works are publishes through Jo-Wee Publishing and ASCAP.Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio Jo now residing in North Carolina. He finished a B.S. in Music Education and more recently a Masters in Educational. He is a former Professor of Commercial Music classes and online music classes at Winston Salem State University. He was also the Conductor/Arranger for the original National Black Theatre with Larry Hamlin.

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STEPHEN THORNTON
sax | flutes | vocals​ | percussion



Steve Thornton, a well known musician in the Southeastern music scene, joined Freeport in April 2007. He found woodwinds at a very early age. He plays just about every other instrument known to man. These days he is focused on the sax but do not be surprised if he picks up a guitar, a bass, or plays some keyboards.Name a style of music and has performed it. Gospel, Jazz, R&B, Classical, Reggae. This experience has bled into his playing creating an exploration of melodies and solos not found in other musicians. A very soulful, appropriate, inquisitive, and smooth approach to performing.

 

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TONY TESTA - 2016 Grammy Recognized
drums



Hailing from Niagara Falls, NY, Tony learned to play the drums/percussion at age 5! He was schooled through many forms of study from some of the greatest instructors in the Up-State New York Jazz Community. Tony continues to spur his musical growth through Study, performance and studio work. His musical path has taken him from New York City, to Seattle, to Texas, and now settled in central North Carolina.

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SCOTT MARVILL- 2016 Grammy Recognized
bass | guitar | vocals​



Bassist/guitarist Scott Marvill, the founding member of Freeport, is originally from Philadelphia, PA. In his twenties, he found himself attending Combs College of Music, playing gigs, teaching guitar and bass, traveling and being a session man mainly at Ridge Sound Studios in Philly. He worked with numerous acts such as The Temptations, Four Tops, Grover Washington Jr, Leslie Gore, The Dovells, and most of the touring oldies acts in the 1980s. With a friend he started Freeport in 1981 and found themselves opening for Tower Of Power, The Temptations, Special EFX and other national acts. Freeport continues today.