Abena Koomson-Davis, vocals

Greg Wall, tenor and soprano saxes

Rick Germanson, piano

Matt Dwonszyk, bass

Jonathan Barber , drums

Abena Koomson-Davis is a performer, educator, and wordsmith. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts, and also of Teachers College, Columbia University, where she earned a Masters in Education Leadership. Abena was an original cast member of the hit Broadway musical FELA!, which earned three Tony awards. She originated the role of Funmilayo Anikulapo Kuti in the Off-Broadway production at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Abena plays in several notable bands, including the cappella trio Saheli, the Cool Rulers, and Van Davis, where she has been the featured vocalist for over a decade and had the honor of performing with Stevie Wonder.

For more than 15 years, Abena has been the lead vocalist of the funk rock band Van Davis. She is the musical director for the Resistance Revival Chorus, and her song “Joy in Resistance” is featured on their debut album, This Joy. Abena’s debut jazz album on WJ3 Records, Where is Love, features time-honored standards and original compositions co-written with her husband, acclaimed jazz trombonist Steve Davis.

Pianist Chris Coogan has been one of the most popular performers in our area for many years, and for good reason: He “plays great”! Chris grew up here, and has chosen to make Fairfield County his home, as well as his home base for his many faceted music career. He is a world class jazz pianist, a sensitive and in demand accompanist for singers, a powerhouse Gospel pianist, choir director and bandleader, a highly effective and inspiring educator, and general all around amazing and good  guy.

The Jazz Rabbi met Chris shortly after moving to Westport almost 10 years ago, and realized they were cut from the same cloth. They share a deep spiritual attachment to African-American music that digs deep into its roots and extends out from there.