Virginia Arts Festival is pleased to announce the musicians of this year’s Attucks Jazz Orchestra May 9 at the Attucks Theatre. The Attucks Jazz Orchestra, a virtuoso ensemble of some of the country’s finest jazz artists, comes together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the births of jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The night will pay tribute to their inspirational legacy that shaped the artform through innovation, collaboration and fearless creativity. Tickets are available at vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office (440 Bank Street in Norfolk).
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Todd Stoll, director
An experienced performer, educator, and Duke Ellington expert, Mr. Stoll serves as Vice President of Education at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he has helped expand global jazz education programs reaching millions of students. Under his leadership, initiatives like Essentially Ellington and Let Freedom Swing have brought free resources, performances, and outreach to schools across the U.S. and around the world, with a strong focus on educational equity. An in-demand conductor and clinician, he has worked with prestigious ensembles and institutions internationally and founded the Springfield Symphony Jazz Orchestra and the Springfield Jazz and Blues Festival. His contributions have earned numerous honors, and he remains an active leader in national arts and education organizations.
Anthony Hervey, trumpet soloist
Anthony Hervey, named one of Grammy.com’s “10 Emerging Artists to Know in 2023,” is an acclaimed trumpeter who has performed alongside artists like Christian McBride, Jon Batiste, Michael Bublé, and Wynton Marsalis. A graduate of The Juilliard School, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while developing a distinctive voice as a performer and composer. His debut album, Words From My Horn, reflects a blend of soulful and introspective influences drawn from his personal and musical journey. Committed to honoring jazz tradition while pushing it forward, Hervey continues to inspire audiences through performance, composition, and storytelling. Hervey makes his Virginia Arts Festival return after a 2024 performance at the Attucks Jazz Club series.
Kirk Whalum, saxophone soloist
Rooted in Memphis gospel and shaped by Houston’s vibrant 1980s nightclub scene, Kirk Whalum developed a distinctive saxophone sound that has captivated audiences worldwide. Discovered by pianist Bob James, he went on to become a sought-after session musician, collaborating with artists like Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, Quincy Jones, and Whitney Houston—most notably performing the iconic solo on “I Will Always Love You.” With chart-topping projects like For You, his Gospel According to Jazz series, and more than 30 solo albums, Whalum has established himself as a singular voice in contemporary jazz. He is also a member of the soul/jazz supergroup BWB, alongside Rick Braun and Norman Brown.
Nii Akwei Adoteye, baritone saxophone
Nii Akwei Adoteye is a Springfield, VA–born saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator based in the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore area. He has performed across the U.S. and Europe with renowned artists including Kenny Garrett, Kurt Elling, Dave Douglas, and Emmet Cohen. As founder of 11th Hour Music, he has mentored students who have gone on to top music schools and elite ensembles nationwide. A two-time ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award winner, his compositions have been commissioned by major institutions and performed at the Kennedy Center.
Steven Cunningham, trumpet
Steven Cunningham, a Dinwiddie, Virginia native, is Assistant Professor of Music Education and Trumpet at Hampton University and Director of the Peninsula Youth Jazz Band. He has previously taught at institutions including Grambling State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Brightpoint Community College. An active performer, he has appeared with renowned ensembles and artists at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Cunningham holds advanced degrees from the University of Maryland and is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
Lexi Hamner, trombone
Lexi Hamner, also known as Lexicocoa, is a Cincinnati-born vocalist, trombonist, songwriter, and producer with a dynamic and genre-spanning career. A Berklee College of Music Presidential Scholar, she has performed internationally, collaborated with major artists, and toured with Janelle Monáe and Coldplay. She is a 2022 Next Jazz Legacy awardee and has worked with mentors such as Terri Lyne Carrington and Tia Fuller, while also appearing at festivals like Montreux and Newport Jazz. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, Lexi continues to perform, teach, and create while inspiring others through her artistry.
Joseph Jefferson, trombone
Joseph L. Jefferson is an award-winning educator, performer, and scholar who serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles at St. Olaf College. An accomplished trombonist, he has performed across jazz, classical, and commercial settings with artists such as Vanessa Williams, Sean Jones, and the Cab Calloway Orchestra on stages around the world. Recognized for his impact in music education, he was named a Yamaha 40 Under 40 honoree and received the Ellis Marsalis Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year Award. Jefferson is also an active clinician and guest director, working with organizations like Jazz at Lincoln Center while mentoring nationally recognized student ensembles.
Jen Krupa, trombone
Jen Krupa is a dynamic jazz trombonist, educator, and leader known for her exceptional musicianship and global impact. She has performed with renowned artists such as Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Michael Bublé, and appears regularly with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra at major venues worldwide. A dedicated educator, she serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School as Director of the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble and is an active clinician and guest conductor. Krupa holds degrees from the University of North Florida, The Juilliard School, and the University of Maryland.
William Ledbetter, bass
William “MoBetta” Ledbetter, a Hampton, Virginia native, is a multi-instrumentalist and upright bassist known for his powerful, driving performances. A graduate of UNC Greensboro’s Miles Davis Jazz Studies program, he blends jazz with influences from blues, gospel, and R&B. In 2021, he joined the U.S. Navy Band Commodores as their first African American bassist and has performed with artists such as Branford Marsalis and Delfeayo Marsalis. He has appeared at major events like the Newport Jazz Festival and can be heard on Uptown on Mardi Gras Day.
Maria Marmarou, drums
Maria Marmarou, a dynamic jazz drummer known for her swing and groove, has quickly become a rising star in the jazz world. Based in Philadelphia and New York, she has performed with artists such as Orrin Evans, Michael Dease, and Terell Stafford, and has played with ensembles including The Count Basie Orchestra and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. At just 26, she balances an active performing career with teaching through private lessons, masterclasses, and summer programs like the Brevard Summer Jazz Institute. Marmarou is also a proud Sabian Cymbals artist.
James Nesbit, alto saxophone
James Nesbit, a Pittsburgh native and Duquesne University graduate, is a versatile saxophonist and clarinetist who has performed with legends including Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The O’Jays. He has appeared as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and with the Virginia Symphony and currently performs with the American Saxophone Quartet and the Great American Music Ensemble. An experienced educator, Nesbit has taught at institutions such as William & Mary, Hampton University, and the Governor’s School for the Arts, while also conducting international workshops in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba. Since 2016, he has served as President of the Hampton Roads Chamber Players.
Stephanie Sanders, alto saxophone
Stephanie K. Sanders is assistant professor of music at Norfolk State University, where she serves as associate director of the Spartan “Legion” Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and director of the NSU Jazz Ensembles. A versatile performer on bassoon and jazz saxophone, she has played with symphonies, jazz ensembles, and renowned artists including George Duke, Kirk Whalum, and David Sanborn. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she has received numerous honors, including the 2024 VEER Music Award for Best Smooth Jazz Artist, and is active as a clinician, performer, and board member in regional and national music organizations. Sanders holds degrees from Jackson State University and the University of Houston.
Duane Smith, trumpet
Duane Smith is a trumpeter, producer, and arts leader whose work spans jazz, technology, and community engagement. He co-founded The Fuzz Band at Hampton University, touring internationally, performing at presidential events, and winning the Capitol Jazz Festival. An early pioneer of the electronic trumpet, he blends jazz, funk, and soul with genre-crossing projects, collaborating with artists like Eric Roberson, Sy Smith, and Boyz II Men. Currently, he serves as Director of the School of the Arts and Lower School Band at Norfolk Academy, balancing performance, innovation, and education.
John Toomey, piano
Professor John Toomey, a celebrated jazz educator and performer, has received numerous teaching honors, including University Professor for Excellence in Teaching, TELETECHNET Professor of the Year, and the SCHEV Award for Excellence in Teaching. Designated a cultural specialist in jazz by the U.S. Information Agency, he has taught and performed internationally, including in Botswana. Toomey performs and directs for the Attucks Jazz Series and Diehn Concert Series, collaborating with artists such as Randy Brecker, Terell Stafford, and John Fedchock, and has toured with jazz vocalist Rene Marie. He is featured on multiple recordings, including Live at the Jazz Standard, Timely, Fluidity, and his recent quartet release Reminiscence.
Eric Williams, trumpet
Trumpeter Eric Williams, rooted in gospel and blues, brings a deeply expressive voice to modern jazz. Based in Washington, D.C., he has performed with artists such as Sean Jones, Christian McBride, and Jazzmeia Horn, as well as ensembles including the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra and New York Voices. Williams is a member of The Jazz Ambassadors and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and leads the Eric Williams Quintet, performing at major venues and festivals nationally and internationally. His music blends tradition with improvisation, establishing him as a rising voice in contemporary jazz.
Nathaniel Williford, trumpet
Nathaniel Williford, a trumpet player, bandleader, and composer from Kissimmee, Florida, is pursuing a BM in Jazz Trumpet at The Juilliard School. A two-time first-place winner at the Essentially Ellington Competition, he was also the inaugural recipient of the Snooky Young Award for outstanding lead trumpet. Nathaniel has performed with the NYO Jazz, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, and artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Harry Connick Jr., and Jazzmeia Horn, as well as on Broadway. He studies with Mike Rodriguez and Billy Drummond and continues to develop as a performer, educator, and collaborator in the jazz world.
John Winn, tenor saxophone
John Winn is a jazz vocalist and musician with over 30 years of experience performing across the Mid-Atlantic. He spent seven years with the Great American Music Ensemble, appearing at the Kennedy Center alongside legends like Jon Faddis, Milt Hinton, and Arturo Sandoval. As a U.S. Jazz Ambassador in 2004, he toured internationally with his quartet Neighborliness, performing in Mexico, Russia, South Korea, and Cambodia. John continues to perform for Broadway productions, serve as a music director in regional theater, and is currently composing a new musical, Safety.
About Virginia Arts Festival
Virginia Arts Festival celebrates its 29th Anniversary in 2026. The largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, Virginia Arts Festival has transformed the region’s cultural scene, presenting great performers from around the world and making this historic region a cultural destination for visitors from across the United States and around the world. In 2024 the Festival welcomed visitors from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 8 foreign countries. Each season, the Festival presents over 250 performances, including free community events, student matinees, and workshops, with an annual attendance of over 110,000. Millions more are reached through international broadcasts of Festival performances on American Public Radio’s Performance Today, nationally on PBS TV, and regionally on WHRO TV. Over 34.4% of ticket sales come from outside the region, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to local museums and attractions and filling regional hotels and restaurants. Estimated annual economic impact of the Festival exceeds $25 million.
