Dion Parson & 21st Century Band - Live At Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Vol. 1 (2013)

Audiences and critics around the globe are raging about the talents of Dion Parson & the 21st Century Band.

Parson has assembled a powerhouse ensemble featuring some of the world’s finest musicians. Many of the band members hail from the Virgin Islands. So, the 21st Century Band has Caribbean music in its veins, along with a mastery of American jazz.

Their innovative music is infused with elements of quelbe - the cultural music of the Virgin Islands - along with funk, reggae, calypso, mento, ska, Brazilian and even chitlin' circuit B3. The combo creates an entirely unique sound with a prominent, authentic island feel and high energy show that audiences love.

Their latest release, Dion Parson & 21st Centry Band; Live At Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola -Jazz At Lincoln Center NYC, Volume One was co- produced by Branford Marsalis, director of Jazz at the Lincoln Center. The group plans to release a new CD at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in June 2012 in celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month. Their sold-out performances at Lincoln Center last June garnered tons of rave reviews from fans and critics.

The 21st Century Band includes these amazingly talented musicians:

Grammy Winner, Band Leader & Educator Dion Parson is truly one of this generation’s greatest drummers. A Virgin Islands native based in New York City, Dion has toured and recorded with Milt Jackson, Monty Alexander, Diane Reeves, Gary Bartz, Lee Konitz, Ernestine Anderson, Donald Harrison, Terrance Blanchard, Geri Allen, Don Byron, Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Turre, Jon Faddis, Cyrus Chestnut, Ernest Ranglin, Nat Adderley Jr., Nicholas Payton and John Hicks, to name just a few.

Saxophonist Ron Blake is a current member of NBC’s legendary Saturday Night Live Band and has collaborated with some of the top names in jazz and world music including Grammy nominated Yerba Buena, Art Farmer, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Meshell N’Degeocello and many others. Ron also hails from the Virgin Islands and resides in New York.

Bassist Rueben Rodgers has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Jackie McLean, Diane Reeves, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Mulgrew Miller, Marcus Roberts, Nicholas Payton, Charles Lloyd and other top musicians. Reuben was also born in the Virgin Islands.

Steel Drummer Victor Provost, one of the most widely sought after Pan Drummers in history, is widely considered a virtuoso of his instrument. In addition to playing with 21st Century Band, Victor has shared stages and recording studios with Hugh Masakela, Dwayne Dolphin, Roger Humphries and many more. Victor is a native of beautiful St. John USVI.