Andy Bragen’s honors include a Workspace Residency with the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the Clubbed Thumb Biennial Commission, a Tennessee Williams Fellowship from Sewanee: The University of The South, a Jerome Fellowship, a New Voices Fellowship from EST, a Dramatists Guild Fellowship, and residencies at Millay Colony and Blue Mountain Center. His plays and translations have been seen and heard at numerous theatres across the country, including The Guthrie, The Goodman, PS122, The Playwrights Center, Queens Theatre in the Park, Rattlestick, EST, Brown/Trinity Playwrights Rep, Repertorio Español, Studio Roanoke, The University of Rochester, Soho Rep and the Lark. He has an MFA from Brown University. For more information: www.andybragen.com

As the Second Place winner of the prestigious 2002 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition, John Ellis is beginning to be recognized as one of New York’s premiere young talents of the tenor saxophone. Featured with artists as diverse as R&B star Bilal Oliver, eight-string guitar virtuoso Charlie Hunter, and bass icon, John Patitucci, John has performed extensively from the Filmore to Lincoln Center. An accomplished writer and bandleader with six records out under his own name, he recently co-produced the music for the popular children’s book series, “Baby Loves Jazz”. His latest release, “Puppet Mischief”, is out on the ObliqSound Label and features Jason Marsalis on drums, Brian Coogan on organ, Matt Perrine on sousaphone, Alan Ferber on trombone, and Gregoire Maret on harmonica. In May of 2009, John premiered “The Ice Siren” at the Jazz Gallery as a part of their Large Ensemble Composers Series. For more information: www.johnaxsonellis.com