Meet Our Host
GAIL LEWIS
Professor, Speaker, Host
Gail Lewis is a CUNY grad. Her research interest is in political communication.
Gail has served as moderator to the NYC Department of Health’s Queens Town Hall on Covid-19 to assist in health communications to Queens County and communities of color, and recently moderated a series of Inter-Generational Conversations About A Sustainable Queens, sponsored by a grant from Public Agenda and Eastern Queens Alliance. Gail had the privilege of serving as Director of the longest-running English-language Caribbean-American talk show, Caribbean Classroom, and hosts QPTV’s Communication Corner. She serves as Chair to A Better Jamaica, where she promotes activities designed to strengthen access to The Arts in historically underserved Jamaica, Queens. Programs include The Jamaica Dance Festival, Jamaica Classic Film Fridays, Jamaica Arts Council Holiday Music Festival, Jamaica Shoots Photography Program, The Air Train Jazz Festival, and The Jamaica Morning Drum Circle.
Featured Acts
CHOPS HORNS
Music professionals with over 30 years of experience in the recording industry.
Music entertainment professionals with over 30 years of experience in the recording industry possessing the skills to create a unique blend of horn arrangements for any occasion. Chops Horns has an extensive background and has recorded for artists in every genre of music including R&B, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Funk, Rap, Hip-Hop, Latin, and Adult Contemporary.
COURTNEY FADLIN
Gospel Jazz Saxophonist
Courtney Fadlin is an award winning Saxophonis who graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with concentration in saxophone performance. Fadlin is also competent on other musical instruments, such as flute, clarinet, piano and steel pan.
DAILEN SPENCER
Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and lyricist
Dailen Spencer is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and lyricist from Panama City Beach, Florida. Combining high-quality musicianship with story-driven lyricism, he creates authentic and emotionally impactful experiences for audiences. Having worked professionally as a jazz pianist, lead vocalist, blues guitarist, and b3 organ player, his influences vary across a wide spectrum of genres. He has written and produced a catalog of unreleased music which will make their way to Spotify and Apple Music over the next year. Currently available online are Puzzle Piece Blues, Heroes of a Western Night, Time Machine, and Safe Place
LAURYN BYRD
Singer, Songwriter, Producer
Virginia Union University Alum, Lauren Denise Byrd is a versatile singer, songwriter, vocal arranger and producer known for her eclectic harmonies and vast vocal range. Her recent single "Meant to be" is an inspiration and can be found on all streaming platforms.
ASSEL JEAN-PIERRE JR.
Pianist, Composer
Trained by his father, Assel Jean-Pierre Sr., he is a skilled pianist who has performed in various churches and at events like Red Coconut at Citywalk. He is also a composer, with credits on films such as Mickey (2015) and Generations After (2018).
As a recording artist, he has released albums, such as The Jean-Pierre Pianists Present: Hymns of Meditation for the Soul, Vol. 2, and has a presence on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
PETULA BECKLES
Award-Winning Gospel Jazz Artist
Petula Beckles is a singer, songwriter, and creative force known for her seamless fusion of Gospel, Jazz, and Caribbean soul.
She is the creator of Finding Your Voice, a vocal training program that empowers both music and acting professionals. Her commitment to arts education extends to youth through her FYV Summer Music Program, nurturing children ages 7–17.
Petula is also the founder of the Petula Beckles Jazz Festival in Queens, NY; the visionary behind AlutepTV—a Roku-based inspirational music channel set to relaunch in 2025.
Join her growing community to stay connected to live performances, new releases, workshops, and more.
PBJazz KIDS ZONE
FIREFLY FAMILY THEATRE
Teaching empathy through the arts
Firefly Family Theatre strives to create unique theatre experiences that spark imagination for young audiences through interactive storytelling and music.
We promote literacy and storytelling, encourage curiosity and exploration, instill social emotional learning and a deeper understanding of self and others, and provide a sensory friendly and gentle experience for kids.
“Master your instrument, master the music, and then forget all that... and just play.” - Charlie Parker
