Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Justin Varnes began studying music at 10 – on the trumpet. His father – an avid jazz listener – exposed him to Stan Kenton, Nat “King” Cole and Erroll Garner. After attending Douglas Anderson School of the Arts on trumpet, Justin studied drum set with Ray Charles alumnus Rick Kirkland. Then he studied music at the University of North Florida under Charlotte Mabrey, Bill Prince and Bunky Green while continuing to take privately from Rick Kirkland.
After graduating with degrees in jazz studies and percussion, Justin relocated to New York City where he continued to study at the New School and study privately with Jojo Mayer. In New York, Justin began touring with Phoebe Snow, with whom he performed on the Roseanne Barr Show, as well as National Public Radio’s “World Cafe” (Justin would later perform on “World Cafe” with “Five for Fighting”).
While in New York, Justin also studied with Vernel Fournier, Reggie Workman, and Joe Chambers. Outside of private lessons, he received a healthy education on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Small’s listening to Kurt Rosenwinkle (with Jeff Ballard) and the Sam Yahel Trio (with Brian Blade). He also developed musically through regular rehearsing and performing in groups led by Coby Brown, Oscar Perez, Bob Reynolds, Nate Shaw and Doug Wamble.
Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, he splits his time performing and teaching at Georgia State University. In Atlanta he performs with Audrey Shakir, Kevin Bales, Mace Hibbard, Joe Gransden and Gary Motley.
Chris Russell (drums) has been one of the top drummers in the Hilton Head/Savannah music scene for 24 years. A native of Binghamton N.Y., Chris began playing the drums at 8 years of age. He took lessons and performed in many musical situations that were available to him. In 1982 he joined the U.S. Navy Band program. During his enlistment he was stationed in Guam and Norfolk.
After the Navy he traveled the country working with many groups. In 1991, he attended Drummers Collective in New York City. There he was able to fine-tune his skills with some of the best players in the world. Throughout his 30-year career Chris has been blessed to have made music around the globe with several great musicians. Some notable names are Bob James, Ken Peplowski , Alan Harris, John Michael Montgomery, Steve Cropper and Paul Williams. For the past 10 years Chris has been a regular at the Jazz Corner, one of the top 100 jazz clubs of the world, located in Hilton Head, SC.
Edwin G. Hamilton is professional musician, recording artist, and educator. As a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, his dedication to the art of music is inspiring. Edwin earned a Jazz Fellowship to study with Herlin Riley in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has toured both nationally and internationally with various artists.
Edwin has performed, recorded and/or worked with notable names such as: Teddy Adams, Explorer’s Club, Chris Crenshaw, Michael Dease, Calvin Edwards, Delbert Felix, Mike Frost, Aaron Goldberg, Wycliffe Gordon, Niki Haris, Amos Hoffman, Enrique Hernandez, Charmaine Neville, Delfeayo Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Shannon Powell, Marcus Printup, Vinny Raniola, Eric Reed, Herlin Riley, Christian Sands, Tye Tribbet, Donald Vega, Frank Vignola, Christian Winther, Ben Wolfe and many more.
In August of 2015, he released his debut album, The Whole World Must Change. The record has received rave reviews in All About Jazz and Jazz Inside. In September of 2020, he just co-released his new recording entitled, Stories with Amos Hoffman. Edwin’s talents, hard work and professionalism have made him one of the most sought after musicians in the Southeast. He serves as the Minister of Music at Greater Young Zion Baptist Church (Augusta, GA) where Dr. William B. Blount is the Senior Pastor. Edwin also teaches private lessons and is an active session musician.
Last but not least, Edwin enjoys spending time with his family. He has a beautiful wife (Ajaree Hamilton) and three beautiful children (Abigail, EJ, and Ariah Hamilton).