July 21 • Eric Jones Trio featuring Laiken Williams, Marc Chesanow & Robert Saunders

Eric Jones was born in Moultrie, Georgia, and started to play piano by ear at the age of five. At 11, Eric began studying trumpet. At 16 he started formal lessons on piano and within two years, he was awarded a piano scholarship to Andrew College. Eric went on to pursue his education at Armstrong Atlantic State University, studying under Dr. Kevin Hampton, graduating with a B.A. in Piano. In addition to teaching private lessons, composing and arranging, he completed his Masters in Composition from Georgia Southern University, where he studied under Dr. Martin Gendelman. Eric has worked with many prominent artists including Grammy Award winning Esperanza Spalding, Stewart Copland of the Police and Keith Miller of the Metropolitan Opera. In 2011 Eric premiered his latest work, “Songs of Creation,” which combines spiritual, jazz and African influences with the poem of James Weldon Johnson’s “The Creation.” Eric is the pianist with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra and performs with them annually at the Savannah Jazz Festival. Eric has also performed several times during Sunday concerts for Coastal Jazz Association. Currently Eric teaches at Savannah State University.

Laiken Williams was born and raised in Nicholls, Ga. While attending CHS, Laiken was involved with many school activities. She held a state position as Secretary for the Georgia Association of Student Councils for 2.5 years.. Laiken’s other involvements included The National Honor Society, FBLA, Chorus, and Showchoir. After graduating from Coffee High in 2004, Laiken set off to Savannah, Ga to attend Armstrong Atlantic State University to major in Political Science. While at AASU, Laiken was involved with Armstrong’s University Chorale as well as holding an officer position with Student Government and Campus Union Board. Around 2009 Laiken auditioned, and joined, Savannah Philharmonic Chorus. She is an active member to this day. She also performs with a smaller chamber choir named I Cantori. After realizing how important music is to her life, Laiken decided to step out and perform at open mics. This leap of faith led Laiken to be picked up by a band in 2011. From there Laiken has made waves into the Savannah music scene. In 2012 Laiken, AKA Laiken Love, started her own band Fellowship of Love. All of Laiken’s hard work paid off when she was awarded Musician of the Year through SONATA (Sponsors of New and Talented Artists) in 2015. Laiken’s local success has also allowed her to work with top corporate bands that perform all over the southeast region. Laiken is definitely on the rise!

Marc holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Memphis in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music in Double Bass performance. He has studied with world-renowned soloist James VanDemark, John Chiego from the University of Memphis, Louis Kosma from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Clute from the Minnesota Orchestra as well as others. Currently residing in Savannah, Georgia, Marc can be seen regularly performing with the Savannah Philharmonic and The Hilton Head Symphony as well as regular performances at jazz venues such as the Good Times Jazz Bar and The Jazz Corner. Marc was formerly on the faculty of Coastal Carolina University and was the program coordinator for music at Southeastern Community College. Prior to this, he was Music Director for Legends in Concert in Myrtle Beach and performed with the Long Bay Symphony. An avid jazz musician, Marc has studied jazz bass with Rufus Reid, Michael Moore, and Tim Goodwin as well as jazz composition with Rayburn Wright and Bill Dobbins. His arrangements have been performed by the Long Bay Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and the Savannah Philharmonic. In 1993, Marc was awarded a Grammy award in the Student Jazz/Big Band category. Marc has performed with many artists including Tom Scott, Wycliffe Gordon, Rod Stewart, Bernadette Peters, Isaac Hayes, Maureen McGovern, Eddy Arnold, the Marvelettes, Joel Grey, Tommy Tedesco, The Moody Blues plus many others.

Robert is a Savannah native & a rising drummer on the southeast coast. He attended Savannah Chatham County Public schools graduating from Windsor Forest High School. After that, he attended Armstrong State University as a student of Dr. Stephen Primatic. He has performed with Wycliffe Gordon, Scotty Barnhart, Dred “Perky” Scott, Fred Wesley, Cynthia Utterbach, and with local jazz hero’s such as: Teddy Adams, Ben Tucker, Howard Paul, Huxie Scott, & Gina Renee. He is a member of The Eric Jones Trio, the Isaac Smith Band, Laiken Love, & is the house drummer at Good Times Jazz Bar and Restaurant.