Just like his namesake Duke Ellington, Ellington Carthan aspires to be a prolific pianist and composer. This up-and-coming pianist’s diverse career includes performing, teaching, and composing. In January 2022, Ellington released his debut live album Ellington Carthan Live: Volume 1. Since the album’s release he has played piano for President Joseph Biden and Attorney General of Massachusetts Maura Healy. He has also performed at prestigious venues such as Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Blues Alley, Kennedy Center, Wolftrap, National Gallery of Art, Olney Theatre, Prima Theatre, as well as other venues throughout D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Ellington performed with renowned jazz vibraphonist Warren Wolf, opened for jazz icon Cecile McClorin Salvant, and performed with Afro Blue, Howard University’s premier vocal jazz ensemble. Like his mentor Cyrus Chestnut, Ellington enjoys blending genres and storytelling through jazz improvisation.
Ellington graduated from the University of Baltimore County in 2018 with dual bachelor’s degrees in Jazz Studies and Music Technology. He was a class of 2021 Strathmore Artist in Residence and he received his Master of Music from Howard University in 2023. Ellington is a passionate educator and is an Assistant Professor of Music at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. While at St. Mary’s he began his career as a Film/Video Game Music Composer and in the process of recording his first studio album which he plans to release in early 2026.
Knox Barber, a Washington, D.C. native, is a jazz bassist based in New York City. A firm believer in the power of music to create and spread joy, Knox performs with diverse collaborators for a wide range of audiences. He has shared stages with world-class musicians including Johnny O’Neal, Warren Wolf, Matt Wilson, Miki Yamanaka, Julius Rodriguez, Evan Sherman, Tim Green, Sean Jones, Benny Benack III, Alexis Cole, Mike Olmos, and Tedd Baker. Continuously striving for excellence, Knox knows the value of being a multi-dimensional artist who connects with the broader community and shares music with those who need it most. He aims to be a positive force in the world, both on and off the stage.
Knox has performed at venues all over D.C., NYC, and San Francisco, most notably the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Blues Alley, Mr. Henry’s, Keystone Korner Baltimore, Chelsea Table and Stage, the SFJazz Center, and Black Cat. Festival appearances include the Monterey, Chicago, and Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festivals. He is also a frequent collaborator with Jazz Power Initiative, a Manhattan-based program that empowers youth through jazz education.
Knox’s composition and arrangement library is ever-expanding, and he also maintains a private teaching studio with classical and jazz bass students of varying ages and skill levels. Knox is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied bass with Matt Brewer, Matt Penman, and Scott Pingel. Previous mentors include Paul Carr and Michael Bowie. Currently residing in Brooklyn, Knox is establishing himself as a young artist on the New York scene and continuously building relationships with new collaborators.
Carroll V. Dashiell, III is a drummer/percussionist living in the Washington D.C Metropolitan area. CV, (as he is called) was born in Washington, DC and raised in Greenville, NC. Displaying an interest for the drums at an early age, his performance history includes a premiere performance at Carnegie Hall as the featured drummer and soloist with the East Carolina University Jazz Ensemble at the age of 14. CV has performed with Wallace Ronney, Geri Allen, Grady Tate, Benny Golson, The Yellowjackets, Bob Mintzer, Antone “Chooky“ Caldwell, The National Symphony Orchestra, The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Connaitre Miller, Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, Darin Atwater & The Soulful Symphony, Steven Ford,Ashford & Simpson, Terell Stafford, Bobby Watson & Horizon, Patti Label, and Debbie Allen, Cyrus Chestnut, Sean Jones, Warren Wolf, Brent Birckhead, Mark G. Meadows and the Marsalis Family Group.
During his time at Howard University, CV was the drummer for the Howard University Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Fred Irby, III where he was the 2006 and 2008 Zildjian Scholarship Recipient. In addition to accompanying Afro Blue, the Downbeat award winning Howard University Vocal Jazz Ensemble. CV was the Principal Percussionist, and Timpianist for 2 years in the Howard University Wind Ensemble. During his time in the Wind Ensemble, CV was Co-Principal Percussionist in the First Annual Historically Black College Wind Ensemble as a freshmen. In 2010 CV was named Best Collegiate drummer in Downbeat Magazine’s Student Poll edition.
