Ron Powell - Percussionist/Artist: Knowing Your Worth, the Art of Preparation, Balancing Musicianship & Showmanship

Mayor Rick Rodriguez - "The Road To The Mayor's Office"

Rick Rodriguez served as the Mayor of Downey California in 2018. He is founder of RMI International, an international security firm that operates in 18 states and three countries. Rodriguez founded the company in 1996 after a lengthy career in private security. Rick is a past president of the Downey Chamber of Commerce and current president of Gangs Out of Downey. His other volunteer work includes stints as chairman of Downey's Emergency Preparedness Committee, member of Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis, and member of Downey's Veterans Memorial Committee. He is also a chaplain with the LA County Sheriff's Department and founder of the Living Tree Foundation, which helps returning Combat Veterans and their families. Rodriguez, the son of migrant farm workers from Texas, grew up in El Monte, California. He and his wife Lupe have seven children and nine grandchildren. http://www.rmiintl.com/ [http://www.rmiintl.com/] http://www.yourlivingtree.org/ [http://www.yourlivingtree.org/]

Verdine White & Shelly Clark White - Hit Songs, Philanthropy & Gratitude

Shelly was born Mashelle Clark in Brooklyn, New York. An original member and cofounder of The Honey Cone, Shelly has had a remarkable career. Beginning as a child star at the age of seven she headlined at the renowned Apollo Theatre and the Palace Theatre before making her Broadway debut with Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll in the celebrated hit musical "The House of Flowers." Clark went on to dazzle audiences touring with Cab Calloway in his renowned Cotton Club Revue followed by her work with artists including Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Little Richard, DJ Rogers and Richard Harris. She also toured nationally with The Ike & Tina Turner Revue as one of the historic Ikettes. With The Honey Cone, Shelly was part of creating an enduring legacy of Billboard No. 1 and Top 10 hits that garnered numerous gold records and esteemed industry awards.Shelly has been married to Verdine White, the iconic bass player and co-founder of Earth, Wind & Fire for 40 years. Verdine White is best know as the visionary entertainer, producer, fashion trend setter and electrifying bass player of Earth Wind & Fire. Born and raised in Chicago, he easily might have followed his father’s footsteps into the field of medicine. It turned out however that music chose Verdine instead. He saw a Double bass in his high school orchestra class and there began his formal training. In Verdine’s words… ”The instrument was standing alone in the corner of the orchestra class....tall, mysterious and majestic, so different from all the others, it called me and the love affair began." Verdine honed his skills in local jazz clubs throughout Chicago and neighboring cities which allowed him to perfect his unique electric bass style and technique. Already an accomplished bassist, Verdine joined his brother Maurice White in Los Angeles to form one of the most successful POP and R&B bands of all time... Earth Wind and Fire. https://www.verdinewhite.com [https://www.verdinewhite.com] https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVerdineWhite [https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVerdineWhite] https://www.facebook.com/OfficialShellyClark/ [https://www.facebook.com/OfficialShellyClark/] https://www.thehoneycone.com [https://www.thehoneycone.com] @verdine_white @shellyclarkwhite http://www.earthwindandfire.com [http://www.earthwindandfire.com]

Ron Walters Jr, (Music Director/Barry Manilow) - The Art of Music Directing and Enjoying The Journey

Ron Walters Jr is a keyboardist, composer, arranger, producer, and conductor.  This Chicago native began his musical journey at an early age singing and playing drums in church.  Heavily influenced by the music of Walter Hawkins, Andrae Crouch, Duke Ellington and Count Basie, Ron fell in love with the piano and never looked back.  He went on to study with Chicago jazz piano legend Eddie Baker and composer/arranger William Russo.   Ron graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Composition and a minor in Conducting. In 2004, Barry Manilow took Ron "under his wing" as his new music director.  Ron moved to Los Angeles and has served as Barry's conductor/MD/keyboardist ever since. With Mr. Manilow, Ron has performed on stages and TV shows all over the world. His most memorable experiences so far have been conducting and performing for the Nobel Peace Prize concert in 2010, and conducting both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and BBC Concert Orchestra in 2019. His conducting and playing earned him an Emmy nomination for Best Music Direction for the PBS special: "Barry Manilow Sings Songs of The 70's". Ron’s new Christmas EP "Incredible Love” is currently available on all music outlets. https://ronwaltersjrmusic.com/ [https://ronwaltersjrmusic.com/] https://www.facebook.com/ronwaltersjr/ [https://www.facebook.com/ronwaltersjr/] https://www.instagram.com/official_ron_walters_jr/ [https://www.instagram.com/official_ron_walters_jr/]

Ron Powell - Percussionist/Artist: Knowing Your Worth, the Art of Preparation, Balancing Musicianship & Showmanship

Ron Powell is an accomplished musician, clinician, author and educator with over 40 years of performance experience. In addition to touring with Sergio Mendes for 20 years, as well as with Kenny G and Diana Ross for the past 30 years; Ron has recorded and performed with renowned artists including Black Eye Peas, Santana, Madonna, Maria Carey, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Justin Timberlake, George Duke, George Benson, Sheena Easton, Josh Groban, Lee Ritenour, Barry White, Brand New Heavies, Gloria Estefan, Boyz 2 Men, Annie Lennox, Pattie Austin, The Four Tops, Poncho Sanchez, Jeffery Osborne, Donna Summers, Peabo Bryson, Donny Osmond, The Supremes, The Commodores, Lou Rawls, India Irie, Michael Bolton, Patti Labelle, David Cassidy, Faith Hill, Al Jarreau, Boy George, Merv Griffin, Paula Abdul, Najee and Cirque De Soleil. Ron has also played for The American Music and Grammy Awards, Smokey Robinson’s Motown Review, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno & Johnny Carson, American Idol and also has been a member in my band for many years. http://www.ronpowellpercussion.com/ [http://www.ronpowellpercussion.com/]

Sandy Shore - Founder/CEO of SmoothJazz.com, Visionary Radio Personality & Global Music Innovator

She thought she could and so she did. This California radio personality, concert event producer and global music innovator has been on the radio since she was 15 years old, starting her career on John Steinbeck's Cannery Row in Monterey, California in 1979. She has worked her way up and down the Coast to broadcast on many respected FM frequencies including The Wave in Los Angeles and KKSF in San Francisco. Known in the music industry as a visionary in regards to Internet Broadcasting and music programming, Sandy has dedicated her talent to introducing the lifestyle vibe of contemporary jazz to millions around the world by keeping the sound fresh and warm. She believes that the genre is evolving and appealing to a new breed of listener who enjoys a diverse music mix. Shore describes it as a modern and robust blend that includes both the "relevance of pop and the depth of jazz." Music is her life. Shore works personally with today's hottest jazz artists and recording labels, building successful branding by integrating marketing and social media. She also works closely with music producers consulting on radio singles and developing new artists, all the while spearheading SmoothJazz.com's event partnerships with jazz festivals all over the world. LINKS: http://smoothjazz.com [http://smoothjazz.com] https://www.facebook.com/sandyshore4U [https://www.facebook.com/sandyshore4U] https://www.jazzweekender.com [https://www.jazzweekender.com]