Band Leader's Biography Name: A. Wesley Hemmans Hometown: Orlando, Fl Instruments: Alto-Tenor-Soprano Sax, Flute, Piano Influences: Vincent Herring, Kenny Garrett, Kirk Whalum, Cannonball Adderley Genre: Jazz, R&B, Pop, Gospel It’s his new approach to jazz that’s catching everyone’s ears. There are artists that just play and then there are artists that speak to your soul. In the world of jazz, Cannonball Adderley captured emotions through our ears, Coltrane captured our hearts, and Vincent Herring showed us what was missing from music. Now, 24-year-old Wesley Hemmans is bringing us back to great music with his refreshing yet soulful approach to jazz music. Born in rural Waycross, Ga, Wesley grew up listening to the sounds of gospel legends like Fred Hammond and Yolanda Adams, and developed his distinctively honest sound through his early exposure to gospel music. He then learned to manipulate those sounds to make them a soulful expression of his inner self. Growing up in the church, Wesley came to love the saxophone as a child and began playing at 13-years-old. When he entered middle school, he joined the Jazz Band and continued playing through high school upon his arrival to Orlando, Fl. After high school, Wesley was promised scholarships from several prominent institutions based upon his musical prowess & decided to attend Florida A & M University; the alma mater of the legendary duo Cannonball & Nat Adderley. Here, he became the principal chair alto saxophonist for the university’s highest jazz band & became a Drum Major for the university’s famous “Marching 100” marching band during his collegiate tenure. After performing at President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington DC; with Prince in Miami, Fl at the SuperBowl; and with Kanye West at the Grammy’s, Wesley went on to graduate Cum Laude with the esteem of his professors; receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Jazz Studies in December of 2010. Aside from the numerous gigs at hotels, clubs, and weddings, Wesley has also performed alongside or at the same venues as many nationally known musicians including Smokie Norful, Yolonda Adams & The Roots. Wesley has appeared on several Indie albums and songs and can also be found on video footage from college football and basketball games performing the national anthem. Wesley’s soulfully refreshing approach to music is not bound by the restrictions that categorical genre implies. Wesley Hemmans, instead, expresses love in his music and is a captivating crowd pleaser.