Antonio J. García
Leader
Antonio J. García is a performer, composer/arranger, producer, clinician, educator, and author in both instrumental and vocal genres.
A Professor Emeritus and the former Director of Jazz Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, he has performed as trombonist, bass trombonist, or pianist with 70 major artists including Ella Fitzgerald, George Shearing, Mel Tormé, Billy Eckstine, Doc Severinsen, Louie Bellson, Dave Brubeck, and Phil Collins and in Canada, Europe, South Africa, Australia, The Middle East, and across the U.S. He was tenured at Northern Illinois, Northwestern, and VCU; received NIU’s Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award and the VCU School of the Arts’ Faculty Award of Excellence; is a past nominee for CASE U.S. Professor of the Year, a member of the Conn-Selmer Institute Hall of Fame, and is a 2023 recipient of The Midwest Clinic’s Medal of Honor.
A Conn-Selmer clinician/soloist and avid scat-singer, Tony is the only individual to have directed all three genres of Illinois All-State jazz ensembles: combo, vocal jazz choir, and big band. Books include Cutting the Changes: Jazz Improvisation via Key Centers (Kjos Music) and Jazz Improvisation: Practical Approaches to Grading (Meredith Music). He currently resides in his native New Orleans.
Visit his web site at www.garciamusic.com
Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Beth Steele
Executive Director / Conductor
The Executive Director of Music at the Summit is Ms. Beth Steele, who is an experienced musician and conductor. Beth created Music at the Summit and is the driving force behind it's continued growth and improvement. She received her Bachelor of Music (Trumpet) degree and Master of Music (Wind Conducting) degree from Northwestern University in 1988 and 1989 respectively. Ms. Steele has performed on trumpet in many ensembles including: the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; New Sousa Band; Virginia Symphony; and the British Imperial Military Band.
Beth served as a career US Army musician, where her duties included: Associate Director, US Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, Washington, DC; Conductor, Continental Army Band, Hampton, VA; Commandant, Army School of Music, Virginia Beach, VA; Conductor, US Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus, Washington, DC; and most recently as the Commander of the US Army Europe Band & Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany.
While in Europe, Beth developed enduring partnerships with European musicians and was awarded the German government’s highest peacetime award: The Silver Cross of Honor, the first for an American Director of Music. She also led the Band & Chorus in historic performances in Moscow’s Red Square, for Her Majesty the Queen in London, and in first-ever combined concerts with the National Serbian Defense orchestra.
Jason R CarderTrumpet
Trumpeter Jason Carder’s dynamic personality and nimble talent allow him to move fluidly from intimate jazz clubs to concert stages before audiences of thousands. As Yanni’s solo trumpeter since 2008, Carder has performed all over the world as well as record four live DVD’s. Yanni Voices Live at the Forum at Mundo Imperial, Yanni Live at El Morro, Yanni World Without Borders and Dream Concert at the Pyramids of Giza.
Throughout his career, Jason has toured with a diverse lineup of artists including Maria Schneider, Ray Charles, Woody Herman Orchestra, Arturo Sandoval Big Band, the Jaco Pastorius (Word of Mouth) Big Band, Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band, Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra Jr., K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Dr. John, The Toasters, Carlos Oliva y Los Sobrino’s del Juez, Magnum Band, Tabou Combo, The Original Wildcat Jass Band, Anatoly Vapirov Big Band and the H2 Big band.
He has contributed his talent to over 125 C.D.’s including the 2023 Latin Grammy winner for best instrumental album, Made in Miami. Other notable C.D.’s include Arturo Sandoval’s Rumba Palace, Americana, and the Grammy Award-winning Hot House, Latin Grammy winner Mamblue by Ed Calle, Grammy nominated Sky Blue by Maria Schneider and others with the 14 Jazz Orchestra, Jaco Pastorius Big Band, Michael Bolton, Julian Marley, Gloria Estefan, Wyclef Jean, Placido Domingo, and the Bee Gees. His soundtrack credits include There’s Something About Mary, Studio 54, and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
Jason studied music at University of Miami, Interlochen Arts Academy, Banff Center for the Arts, and Aspen Music Festival. He chaired the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Improvisation Competition from 2015-2020 and now holds a position at the School of Music as the Assistant Professor of Trumpet. His other positions include principal trumpet with the Tucson Pops Orchestra and 1st trumpet with the Century Room Jazz Orchestra. His mentors include Ed Reid, Steve Steele, Whit Sidener and Gilbert Johnson.
Michael BrothersPercussion
Michael Brothers is the retired Director of Jazz and Percussion Studies at Southeastern Louisiana University. He established the Jazz Studies degree and revitalized the annual Bill Evans Jazz Festival into the major educational event it is today. His teaching included Applied Percussion to undergraduate and graduate percussion majors, and courses in Percussion Methods, Percussion Pedagogy, Jazz History and Jazz Pedagogy. He was Director of the University Jazz Ensemble, University Percussion Ensemble and the Spirit of the Southland Drumline.
A native of Oakland, California, his forty-five-plus year career as a drummer and percussionist spans a wide range of musical experience including performances with big bands, symphony orchestras, recording sessions and Broadway, including over 6,600 performances of the Broadway musical The Phantom of the Opera, the longest continually running Broadway tour in history. Prior to his tenure at Phantom, he was the drummer or percussionist on several first national tours including City of Angels, Bye Bye Birdie (with Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking), Starlight Express, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert (with Sarah Brightman), Les Misérables and Me and My Girl.
His extensive credits include performances with some of the world’s legendary entertainers such as Victor Borge, Peter Cetera, Mitzi Gaynor, Marvin Hamlisch, Rupert Holmes, Gladys Knight, Liberace, Maureen McGovern, Anthony Newley, Patti Page, Chita Rivera and Dinah Shore. His albums Reunion and Three Times Two have received extensive airplay throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, France, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. His newest album, House Sessions, Vol. 1 is expected to be released in 2026.
He continues to be an active performer locally and nationally, including as the drummer for the John Mahoney Little Band, one of New Orleans' premier jazz ensembles. Michael holds degrees in Percussion Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL (MM) and Loyola University New Orleans (BM). Visit his website at www.michaelbrothersmusic.com.
Margaret BantonSaxophone
Margaret Banton has performed as a freelance and military musician and served as a clinician for several decades. She started as a saxophonist and vocalist with the Army Ground Forces Band, Ft. McPherson, Georgia. In 1993, Margaret transferred to the Air National Guard (ANG), Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, where she retired in 2013. With the ANG band, she served as a saxophonist and vocalist and senior enlisted leader for the ANG Band of the South. Equally versatile in classical, jazz, rock and rhythm and blues (R&B) genres, Margaret has performed with several large and small ensembles in the Atlanta metro area and around the southeast, including performing as principal saxophonist with the Atlanta Wind Symphony and the Tara Winds. She also performed as saxophonist and vocalist with the Carollton Jazz Orchestra, Third Stream Big Band, the Atlanta 17, and Big Band Contractors. She actively performs with numerous groups and tribute bands throughout Central Florida, where she now resides.
Margaret pursued jazz studies at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis), has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Business/Industry from St. Catherine University and a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Central Michigan University. She is an active member of the Association of Concert Bands (ACB) and the Jazz Education Network (JEN). Margaret recently retired from a 30-year career as the Deputy Director for Human Capital Management with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, and is certified as a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She lives in the Villages, Florida, where she is active with aqua fit, pickleball, and the bands of the Villages. Margaret continues to be an avid fan and student of jazz and R&B music.
