The Revolution Vol. 23

QuazztheKid is the moniker of Akeem Hawkins, a saxophonist, producer and rapper. Originally from Oakland, California, he made his way to New York to study Jazz at The New School. In 2017 QuazztheKid performed consistently with his live band at local New York City venues that included Pianos, The Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall. His band often consists of drums, keys, bass and trumpet while he plays saxophone and provides the vocals. His sets range from jazzy R&B vibes to punk rock energy. He is also part of Brooklyn’s FreshMind Music.

Skyes is a sweet yet systemized modular distortion driven duo from Brooklyn.  

Michael Mayo began forging his musical identity long before he hit the stage. The son of two successful musicians, the Los Angeles native grew up just a little more than 20 feet from the likes of Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Earth Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder. This proximity helped Mayo create a musical path centered around the innovative elements of jazz.

After receiving his Bachelors from the New England Conservatory of Music, Mayo attended the acclaimed Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, only the third vocalist to be accepted into the 20-year-old program, where he learned from Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Luciana Souza, among many others. Mayo, who recently moved to New York City, is a veteran international performer. His highlights include singing at the White House for First Lady Michelle Obama on International Jazz Day 2016, the Kennedy Center for both the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program and Renée Fleming’s American Voices Festival in 2013, as well as the Panama Jazz Festival. Whether he is performing with a full big band, a rhythm section or alone with a looper pedal, Mayo’s classic vocal style commands the attention of listeners worldwide.