The BOP STOP is excited to present the return of the Bill BcRae Group! The group presents evocative works from several generations of modern jazz artists including Ben Tucker, Marcus Miller, Don Grolnick, Hal Galper, Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny, Steps Ahead, David Sanborn and Bob Reynolds. Tickets for tonight are $20 each (a $2 surcharge will be added to your purchase).

Featuring:

Bill McRae
Jennifer James
Mike Vincent
Art Jensen
John Steball III
Chis Hovan

Special Guest - Garrett Folger

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.

------------------

Bill McRae is a United States Military Academy graduate, and retired Army Colonel, who never lost his love of music. A Music Settlement student at a young age, he’s performed with, and found fellowship with musicians from Nashville, to Savannah, to South Korea. He’s honored to have played with Bassist Ben Tucker, Pianist Doug Carn, Hobb's Groove and myriad Army musicians who’ve embraced him even though music wasn’t his “day job.” Bill is honored to join some of N.E. Ohio’s finest musicians to present evocative works by Marcus Miller, Don Grolnick, Bob Reynolds, Hal Galper, Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Steps Ahead, and David Sanborn.

Jennifer James is a pianist based in Akron, OH. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from The University of Akron in 2021, studying under Jack Schantz and Rock Wehrmann. In 2023, she returned to The University of Akron to later graduate with a Master of Music in Piano Performance, studying with Chris Coles and Theron Brown. Jennifer has performed in ensembles including the Sam Blakeslee Big Band, the Jazz Heritage Orchestra, and is currently a member of the DANJO Jazz Orchestra. She also performs at public and private events along with Blutique Hotel and Blu Jazz in Akron. In addition to performing, Jennifer teaches Applied Jazz Piano at the Cleveland State School of Music.

Garrett Folger is a freelance composer, educator, and performer based in Cleveland, Ohio. A graduate of the conservatory of music at Baldwin-Wallace University, he has performed across the country including at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, as well as internationally in Canada, Europe, and in numerous festivals across Cuba in 2023. Notable musical collaborations at home include performances with Sammy DeLeon y su Orquesta, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and Jazzworks. Garrett has released four recordings as a leader: DUO (2025) with Aidan Plank, its hard to know for sure what is happening but all you need to do is listen and be a part of it (2026) with Tyler Hawes, and two recordings with Horizon Trio,Horizon (2025) andOscilla (2026).

Art Jensen is veteran Cleveland bass player with over 40 years of experience in many jazz genres plus blues funk rock R&B

John P. Stebal III has been professionally gigging in all genres since 1975. (currently averaging approximately 120 dates per year). A second generation musician- John’s, father, John P. Stebal Jr., was the area’s top live & studio guitarist as well as teacher & author. John currently owns & operates Stebal Drums, a five star Drum Shop located in Willowick Ohio (est. 1996). John has also been teaching Drums since 1980.

Mike Vincent began playing guitar at the of age 10. In 2016, he graduated from the The University of Akron with a degree in Jazz Studies under the direction of Jack Schantz and Bob Fraser. Since then, Mike has taught music lessons and performed professionally in the Northeast Ohio area. In addition, he has had the honor of performing at the Tri-C Jazz Festival. As a guitarist, Mike welcomes all styles. “I have concentrated on jazz for a number of years, but I also love playing blues, rock and funk”.

Chris Hovan, a respected drummer, percussionist, journalist, and photographer, has been a vital presence in the Northeast Ohio music scene for over 25 years. His musical journey includes formal training at the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music, and Berklee College of Music. A versatile and in-demand performer, Hovan has appeared at venues throughout the region alongside many of Cleveland’s top musicians, including Moises Borges, Rich Holsworth, Josh Smith, François Roland, Larry Ross, Jackie Warren, Jeremy Poparad, Bobby Selvaggio, and Mark Russo, as well and nationally and internationally recognized artists, including Arturo O’Farrill, Brian Lynch, Alex Harding, James Carter, Brian Charrette, and organ trio mainstays Organissimo. In addition to his work in jazz, Hovan performs as a percussionist with Cleveland’s premier Doobie Brothers tribute band, China Grove. As a bandleader, Hovan leads several distinctive projects including his Organic Trio, Generations Quartet, Double Take, and The Unity Project, having performed at notable venues including The Bop Stop, BLU Jazz, The Treelawn, Cliff Bell’s, and Con Alma.