Kati Sol will be performing her ‘Colors of Love’ program together with Jack Gruber on piano, William ‘MoBetta’ Ledbetter on bass and Julian Berkowitz on drums.
‘Colors of Love’ program infused with enchanting French chansons and beloved jazz favorites, is a mesmerizing tribute to the beauty of music. As the captivating melodies of chansons float through the air, evoking images of charming Parisian streets and heartfelt emotions, one can’t help but be swept away by the sheer elegance and allure of the French language.
Jack Gruber is a jazz pianist and composer from Silver Spring Maryland currently residing in New York. He has received a BFA in Jazz piano performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and a Masters from Manhattan School of Music. He has shared the stage with prominent artists from both New York and DC including Erena Terakubo, Herb Scott, Jim Cammack, Julian Berkowitz and Qaasim Middleton and has performed at venues such as Minton’s Playhouse, The DC Jazz Festival, The AfroPunk Festival, The 55 Bar, Fat Cat, and The Chicago Tri-C Festival. Jack Gruber’s musicianship has been recognized throughout his career, receiving the Best Solo Award at the PA Jazz Idol Competition and the Soloist Award from Orrin Evans at the Chicago Tri-C Jazz Festival. Later this year, Jack will be at the Blue House Productions studio recording his debut album.
William “MoBetta” Ledbetter, a native of Hampton, Virginia, is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in the upright bass. He graduated from UNCG Miles Davis Jazz Studies program in 2019, where he studied double bass and blended jazz with his foundations in the Blues, Gospel, and R&B. In December 2021, Ledbetter joined the U.S. Navy Band Commodores becoming their first African American bassist. Before joining the Navy, he played with The Piedmont Triad Jazz Orchestra, The Camel City Jazz Orchestra, and the John Coltrane All-Stars. Anyone who has worked with or heard “MoBetta” knows that he is a driving force while performing. His drive and love for music and performance has captured the attention of many world-renowned artist. Ledbetter has worked with a plethora of artists including, Branford Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Shana Tucker, Christian Tamburr, and Keenan McKenzie and the Riffers. Ledbetter placed second in the Jazz division of the 2019 International Society of Bassist competition.
Julian Berkowitz is a drummer and educator residing in Washington, DC. Rooted in the deep tradition of American jazz, fusion, funk, and the rhythms of Brazil, Julian has quickly become one of the DC area’s most in-demand drummers. The son of a Jewish-American father and Brazilian mother, Julian was born and raised in the small town of Easton, Connecticut. Upon moving to Washington, DC in 2013 to attend The George Washington University, Julian was fortunate to study jazz with virtuoso Brazilian drummer Alejandro Lucini. Lucini’s mentorship was crucial in Julian’s development in both the straight-ahead jazz and Brazilian/Latin jazz spheres. Julian graduated from GWU in 2017 and began to explore the D.C. jazz scene. Julian has performed and/or recorded with musicians such as Benny Benack III, Kris Funn, Chuck Redd, Michael Bowie, Corcoran Holt, Mike Pope, Bill Heid, Tedd Baker, Herman Burney, Thad Wilson, Herb Scott, Alex Tremblay, and José André. Additionally, Julian played with international artist Michel Nirenberg on his 2017 and 2018 U.S. tours and accompanied smooth Latin jazz artist Debora Galan on her 2019 East Coast tour. Julian has performed at a number of venues in the DC metro area and beyond, including Blues Alley, Westminster Jazz Night in DC, Mr. Henry’s, Sharp 9 Gallery, Rams Head on Stage, Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Society, Twins Jazz, An Die Musik Live, Avalon Theatre, Jojo, and 49 West. He’s also performed at festivals such as the DC Jazz Festival and the West Virginia Jazz & Wine Festival.
