An Explosion of Musical Energy...

Troy Barnett (keys/vocals); the founder, CEO, and president of Phat Barz Records & Multimedia L.L.C. started playing music at the age of 10. His first instrument was the trumpet. Summer months were spent participating and studying in the Summer Jazz Workshop conducted annually by the late Professor Conrad Johnson, Bubba Thomas, Kyle Turner, Joe Sample, Barry Hall (Director-Duke Ellington Orchestra) and others on the campuses of St. Thomas and Texas Southern Universities. He later taught himself to play the organ and the piano before attending Texas Southern and Sam Houston State Universities. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), and the Writers Guild of America. Not only is he a musician but he is a songwriter and producer as well. He has played for many national artists such as Kim Burrell-Young, Mark Gordon and Eternal Life Ministries, Charles Tyrone, Darius Brooks (Musical Director of the late Rev. Milton Brunsons Thompson Community Singers), Adrian Medearis and GODS Anointed People (GAP), Shawn McClemore, Wynton Marsalis, Dr. Shirley Caesar as well as Blues singers Mel Waiters and Rue Davis. Troy presses to encourage young people of all ages, musicians and non-musicians, that success is not in notoriety, but believing in and unleashing ones own abilities. He has produced for pageants, schools, a children’s book, spoken word artists and theatrical productions. His first cd is the soundtrack to the touring production of “For Your Soul’s Sake” A Soul Opera. His latest is an eclectic mix of Jazz, Soul, and R&B entitled “I’m Not Him”.

Catrell Gray (drummer); started playing music at the age of 3. Hailing from a long line of

musicians, his first musical experiences were vocal performance & the drum set. His skills were honed & perfected in the Latin Jazz/Pop super-group ‘Soulsa Caliente’. He studied in the Diaz Music Institute’s Latin Jazz Workshop conducted annually by Jose Antonio Diaz, Horace Young, Noe Marmolejo & other great musical heavyweights. He became the All State jazz drummer #1 ranking in Texas for the year 2007-2008 & performing at the prestigious Midwest Jazz Clinic & conference 2005-2009. He has played with many major artists in all genres, including:Brenda K. Starr, John Faddis, Ndugu Chancler, Eddie Palmieri, TC Carson, Miguel Zenon,Frankie Negrón, Kevin Mahogany, Jimmy Bosch, David Sanchez, Pete Escovito, PatriceRushen, Carl Thomas, Darrell Rushing, Phyllis Kennedy, Kurt Carr, Bettye Ransom nelson,Kim Burrell, Micah Stampley, Troy Barnett and Raw Energy, Oliver Scott of The Gap Band, Niketta Clegg, V. Michael McKay, and many more. His most recent recording venture is a stellar percussive contribution to the album “I’m Not Him” by Troy Barnett & ‘Raw Energy’ of which, Catrell Gray is the Drummer & Percussionist.

Brent Nabors (alto/tenor sax, flute); is a highly accomplished and decorated saxophonist,

flutist, and brass player in all genres of music. Mr. Nabors, a member of Phi Mu Alpha professional music fraternity – has been schooled by some of the best. A few of his instructors are William Portis –Kashmere School of Fine Arts, The late Conrad ‘Prof’ Jonson, Sam Jackson, the late Ronald Thornton, Craig Green, Al Campbell and countless other greats in the musical spectrum of studies. He holds a Master’s Degree from Texas Southern University. He has played with major artists such as Clockwork, ConFunkShun, and Texas Brass. He currently teaches music in the Houston Independent School District where he strives to empower his students with the same ‘never give up’ attitude that has brought him so much success. Brent’ has recently begun his solo Jazz project with Phat Barz Records.

John “Bud” Hemphill (bass guitar); an accomplished bassist and

percussionist in R&B/Funk/Jazz/Country/Gospel & others. He started playing at

the age of 10. In his 12 years of musical experience he has appeared on the BET

television network twice, has played for the Stellar Awards, the GMWA (Gospel

Music Workshop of America) and has been featured on 10 live CD and DVD

recordings while gigging heavily in every genre. He has played & recorded with

many regional & national artists including Cecil Shaw (former member of the late Ray Charles’ band), Wilma Bivens, Johnny Branch & T.A.S.P., Jackie Smith,Y.D.M. J. Mark and Divine Unity. He continues to play, learn, and share as much as possible. He insists that “We

must respect & learn as much as possible from the great musicians that have gone

before us”.‘Bud’ has recently begun co-arranging & co-production with  Phat Barz Records.

Tannon Gimore (lead guitar); Tannon started playing seriously at 11 years old.

He studied Flamenco guitar under Roberto Guinea, an understudy of Andres

Segovia. He also sat under the expert tutelage of renowned jazz guitarist Dave

Illig. While attending Worthing high school, he won outstanding soloist in 98 and best

jazz band guitarist in 2000. He attended the Berklee school of music summer session in 2000 and double-majored in music performance and engineering at Texas Southern

University. In 2002 he became the executive vice president of the first black chapter of

Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity, followed by winning the election for presidency the

following year. He has played on and off tour for Kirk Whalum, Usher, Brandy, Tweet,

Dorthy Norwood, Caretta Bell, Kim Burrell, Kathy Burrell, Glenn Jones, 112, Carl

Thomas, Kirk Franklin, Dorinda Clark Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Marvin Sapp,

Michael Manson(temptations music director for men of soul tour), Levert, Shai,

Men at Large, Rude Boys, and Dottie Peoples. He currently serves as the Musical Director on the “Men of Soul” tour, while working on his own project.