The sax battle is an event of particular significance in the history of jazz music. Many of the greats went toe-to-toe with their colleagues in the spirit of friendly competition to push one another to greater musical heights. On July 5th, witness two of NE Ohio's superior saxophonists, Nathan-Paul Davis and Johnny Cochran, as they let loose a Sax Battle Cry!

Tickets for this event will be $20 in advance, $25 day of show.

This event will also be livestreamed on BOP STOP's Youtube Channel at showtime. Accessing the stream is free but donations are encouraged and directly support the band.

Featuring:

• Nathan-Paul, sax/flute/piano
• Johnny Cochran Jr., sax/piano
• Zaire Darden, drums
• Jordan McBride, bass
• Paul Samuels drums

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Nathan-Paul grew up a pastor’s son from Cleveland, and knows how to deliver sound medicine to the people. His velvety lo-fi sounds are a vibe-heavy soul party, fusing modern trap, 70s funk, and fiery southern gospel. He writes for pure enjoyment. “The way I go about writing, I’m like extreme southern hospitality. I’ll always have something for you. I won’t let you leave until you take something with you.”, he said. Singing choir by age 5, Nathan is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in saxophone and flute, as well as production and composition. Though he may defy genre constructs, Nathan-Paul is a Jazz Studies graduate from the University of Akron, and is improvising all the time - influenced by greats Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong.

Nathan-Paul was the music director for Colmine recording artist Wesley Bright & The Honeytones, during which time he contributed toward arrangements and songwriting, and opened for bands including War, Tower of Power, Lee Fields, and Charles Bradley. Written for Bright, Nathan’s song ‘Happiness’ earned him a placement with Nike skateboard.

Click here for more about Nathan-Paul.

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A native of Cleveland’s southwest side, Johnny Cochran attended Cleveland School of the Arts and Cuyahoga Community College simultaneously during high school, studying saxophone with Ernie Krivda. He has had the opportunity to perform with artists such as Clark Terry, Carl Allen, Jason and Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Mike Lee, Billy Hart, and Rodney Whitaker. Johnny studied with Gary Bartz at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. While the saxophone is his primary instrument, Johnny also is proficient in piano, drums, and several other woodwind instruments.