Birckhead

Biography

BIRCKHEAD, formed in 2015, is a group uninhibited in their embrace of experimentation and its diversity of musical genres and provocative topics. Led by woodwind artist and composer Brent Birckhead, the group pulls from the rage of punk and political activism to the nuanced soul of classic r&b, the murky wobble of funk and the unbridled freedom of out jazz. Joined by bassist Romeir Mendez, pianist Noble Jolley and drummer Carroll Dashiell III the group pools their respective dialects to play with a fluidity that suggests the members of the group are used to finishing each other’s statements.

BRENT BIRCKHEAD

Saxophonist Brent Birckhead is an award-winning artist, whose aesthetic is an an intersectional amalgam of traditional and popular styles. Unbound by genre, Birckhead’s approach to woodwind artistry is driven by his compulsion for creative risk and deep respect for legacy. His place in the continuum of a storied lineage begins with his surname, Birckhead, and extends to his extensive musical education and work ethic as a visionary approach to life as a rising leader.

Educated at Howard University (BME, MM), Birckhead was named best blues/pop/rock soloist
and outstanding instrumental jazz soloist by Downbeat Magazine as part of the annual StudentMusic Awards. In 2011 Brent was named “Best Alto Saxophonist” by the Washington City Paper. The New York Times calls Birckhead “One of the most riveting young improvisers in New York.”

The Baltimore native’s talent earned him the honor of performing and touring with legendary artists including Lauryn Hill, Nas, Wale, Eric Benet, Larry Graham, George Duke, and many more.

NOBLE JOLLEY, JR.

Noble Jolley, Jr. is a Jazz Pianist, Composer, Arranger, and Producer. He received a scholarship to study at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, where he majored in Jazz Studies/Performance. Noble’s achievements at Peabody were rewarded with a Study Abroad invitation to study jazz and classical piano at the esteemed Paris Conservatory in his junior year. Noble graduated with honors in 2009. He was selected as an Artist-In-Residence at
the Strathmore Arts Center in 2010–2011

Noble has toured and/or opened up for renowned artists such as Ron Carter, James Moody, McCoy Tyner, John Legend, Ayọ and Fred Hammond to name a few. The Jazz Times called him “fiercely talented,” and the Jazz Setlist said, “Noble Jolley, Jr’s. jazz styling’s seamlessly meshed the past and the future… .” Noble was selected as the “Best Pianist” awarded by the Washington
City Paper’s “Jazzies Award for D.C.’s Best Jazz in 2013.” In 2016, Noble wrote a 64-piece orchestral arrangement for the David Foster composition “The Prayer” that was performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall with Grammy Award winners Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin. Noble has produced for Grammy Award winner Mya, as well as artists Chante Moore, Kenny Lattimore, Kiana Ledé, Too Short, Rayven Justice, and Elijah Blake among others.

ROMEIR MENDEZ

Bassist Romeir Mendez is a native of Baltimore, MD, and over the years has
become one of the most sought-after musicians in the Washington DC/Maryland area. Having studied with legendary bassist Steve Novosel at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), Romeir continues a legacy of great bassists from the DC area. Throughout his growing popularity, Romeir has also had the privilege of gracing the stage of some of the world’s most revered venues, such as Carnegie Hall, The Walt Disney Theater, and The Sydney Opera House.

Romeir In addition to performing with some of the top local musicians, is currently working and touring with Grammy-nominated group Sweet Honey In The Rock and has had the pleasure of and continues to perform with world-renowned artists Donald Harrison, Warren Wolf, Tim Warfield, Terell Stafford, Russell Gunn, Duane Eubanks, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Regina Carter, Dionne Farris and Terence Blanchard to name a few. In his career, Romeir has traveled and toured Doha, Qatar, Osaka, Japan, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Australia, South Africa, Swaziland, Peru, Jamaica, and many other countries. Currently back in the states, Romeir continues to perform regionally, nationally, and abroad;
occasionally leading his own bands at various venues in the Washington DC and Baltimore area.

CARROLL V. DASHIELL, III

Carroll V. Dashiell, III is a drummer/percussionist living in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. CV, (as he is called) was born in Washington, DC, and raised in Greenville, NC. Displaying an interest in the drums at an early age, his performance history includes a premiere performance at Carnegie Hall as the featured drummer and soloist with the East Carolina University Jazz Ensemble at the age of 14. CV has performed with Wallace Ronney, Geri Allen, Grady Tate, Benny Golson, The Yellowjackets, Bob Mintzer, Antone “Chooky“ Caldwell, The National Symphony Orchestra, The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Connaitre Miller, Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, Darin Atwater & The Soulful Symphony, Steven Ford, Ashford & Simpson, Terell Stafford, Bobby Watson & Horizon, Patti Label, and Debbie Allen, Cyrus Chestnut, Sean Jones, Warren Wolf, Brent Birckhead, Mark G. Meadows, and the Marsalis Family Group.

During his time at Howard University, CV was the drummer for the Howard University Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Fred Irby, III where he was the 2006 and 2008 Zildjian Scholarship Recipient. In addition to accompanying Afro Blue, the Downbeat award-winning Howard University Vocal Jazz Ensemble. CV was the Principal Percussionist, and Timpianist for 2 years in the Howard University Wind Ensemble. During his time in the Wind Ensemble, CV was Co-Principal Percussionist in the First annual Historically Black College Wind Ensemble as a freshman. In 2010 CV was named Best Collegiate Drummer in Downbeat Magazine’s Student Poll edition.