Meet Our Staff

Jonovan Cooper, a saxophonist, composer, and professor, teaches Jazz Ensemble, Arranging, and Jazz History at NC A&T. His unique blend of Western Jazz and Ethiopian sounds has been featured on CNN, BBC, and other media, earning acclaim for its stunning quality and passionate performance.

Dr. Cooper studied with Frank Foster of the Count Basie Orchestra and holds degrees in Jazz (BM), Music Education (MM), Business Administration (MBA), and Saxophone Performance (DMA). His research focuses on Ethio-Jazz and Ethiopian traditional music, and he has conducted masterclasses and clinics on the subject.

His diverse performance experience includes work with the US Navy Band, cruise ships, stage plays, and various bands. He has performed across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, sharing the stage with renowned musicians like Louis Belson, Chuck Mangione, and Ronan Tynan. He has also opened for The Four Tops, Isaac Hayes, and Angélique Kidjo, and recorded with notable Ethiopian musicians such as Mulatu Astatke and Teddy Afro.

Cooper has released two projects as a leader: Suite Abyssinia and Kaÿn Lab Live at Fendika. Since relocating to North Carolina in 2021, he has directed the jazz band at NC A&T and earned certifications in Teaching & Learning and Higher Education Instruction. He has been an Artist in Residence at Creative Greensboro Cultural Arts Center and a guest speaker at UNC institutions. He is currently working on his third album of Ethiopian-influenced jazz compositions.

Some people are naturally inclined to produce rhythm and sound, while others master their craft through formal study. Chuckey Robinson benefits from both. He refined his talent at North Carolina Central University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry and a Master of Arts in Jazz Composition. As a dedicated producer, his work has been featured on networks like The Word Network and ESPN.

Chuckey traveled as the minister of music and personal musician for renowned speaker Bishop George Bloomer, where his talent opened doors to assist in live tapings and events with various Christian networks. His musical abilities have led him to work with artists and ministries such as Bishop Paul Morton, Kim Burrell, Jessica Reedy, Branford Marsalis, Nnenna Freelon, and Roy Hargrove.

Chuckey's passion for music is rooted in his musical lineage, learning to play the piano and drums at just three years old. He describes music as "artistic air—a necessity for inhaling our daily dose of positivity and productive living." His signature style, which blends jazz and gospel into a genre he calls "Jospel," defies categories and crosses boundaries.

In 2015, Chuckey coined the term "Jospel" with his first solo album.
Through music, he seeks to inspire, convict, and promote lasting change. Currently serving as Minister of Music, Chuckey continues his contributions as a Grammy-nominated producer, musician, songwriter, and clinician. His business acumen led him to create C.E.R.J. Productions, a company that helps others explore their creative gifts and spread positivity through sound.

Jeremy "Bean" Clemons, a St. Louis, MO native, began his musical journey with the Royalaires Drum and Bugle Corps, an organization founded by his grandmother. This early experience led him to Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, where he studied percussion and drum set. As a high school student, he also played in the Missouri All-District and All-State Jazz Ensembles and performed with the World Champion Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.

Clemons continued his studies at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), earning degrees in Jazz Studies. At NCCU, he further honed his skills in drum set, harmony, arranging, and jazz theory, studying under Ira Wiggins, Arnold George, and Thomas Taylor. As the drummer for the NCCU Jazz Ensemble, he performed at notable festivals like Montreux and Vienne.

In 2003, Clemons moved to Brooklyn, NY. A year later, he was recommended by Freddy Cole to Grammy-nominated vocalist/pianist Andy Bey, with whom Clemons toured worldwide from 2004-2006. During this time, he also played with DJ Carl Craig and artists like Gregory Porter, Jennifer Holiday, and Jason Moran.

Currently, Clemons co-leads the band Soul Understated with award-winning vocalist/composer Mavis SWAN Poole, showcasing his talents as a drummer, band leader, composer and producer.

Christian is a skilled synth, upright, and electric bass player from Buffalo, NY. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Master of Music in Jazz Performance from North Carolina Central University. Christian has performed with artists like Rakim and Braxton Cook and recorded with Frank McComb and Branford Marsalis.

He is a founding member of the Durham-based Fusion Jazz band Zoocrü, which is set to release their second studio album of original music. With a deep passion for composing, arranging, and performing, Christian aims to inspire through music. He also performs with the North Carolina Symphony and other jazz projects.

Christian’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of providing a safe learning environment for student discovery. He believes that through a combination of traditional methods and innovative approaches, students can progress and master their chosen discipline. His goal is to develop skilled professional musicians, educators, and forward-thinkers by fostering a holistic educational experience. When teaching bass or any instrumental discipline, he focuses on creating an optimal, tailored learning environment that encourages growth and knowledge transfer.

JC Martin, a Lecturer, was born in Fort Liberty, N.C. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from North Carolina Central University in 2009, studying under renowned musicians such as Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo. During his undergraduate studies, Martin performed internationally with the award-winning NCCU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ira Wiggins.
He was also a two-time guitarist for the National HBCU All-Star Jazz Big Band, performing both nationally and internationally.

After graduation, Martin returned to North Carolina Central University for his Master’s degree in Jazz Studies, supported by a teaching assistantship. As a professional guitarist, he has toured globally with a diverse range of artists, including Branford Marsalis, Burning Spear, The Hamiltones, and Tamela Hairston. Martin is recognized as a sought-after guitarist, performing with many renowned musicians across the state.

Award-winning vocalist Mavis SWAN Poole, dubbed "Little Ella" by the late trombonist Curtis Fuller, has made waves on the international music scene with her rich, smoky sound that transcends genre boundaries. Known for her rare ability to sing two or more notes simultaneously, or "multiphonics," Poole has continued to captivate audiences even after overcoming vocal surgery.

Al Jarreau praised her band, "Soul Understated," after their 2015 performance at the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival, remarking, "Coltrane and Miles wouldn’t have wanted to follow what y’all just did." Poole’s versatile voice allows her to croon sweetly or deliver fiery, improvised lines with confidence.

She has performed with legends like Lauryn Hill, Prince, Gladys Knight, and Sheryl Crow, but often takes the stage under her own name, showcasing her original music. A 2007 Magna Cum Laude graduate of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) with degrees in Music Education and Jazz Vocal Studies, she later earned an MA in Jazz Vocal Performance from Queens College in NYC. She also studied psychology.

As an educator, Swan has served as a Vocal Jazz Adjunct Professor at NCCU and currently teaches music at a prestigious charter school. With over 20 years of experience as a vocal coach, she continues to perform her own music globally.

Now, SWAN is stepping into the national urban adult music scene with her EP Adult Time: Vol 1, featuring the standout single, "The Assignment." Inspired by her personal experiences, the world around her, and moments of reflection, the track offers a captivating blend of sensuality and artistry, produced in collaboration with Eddie "Gypsy" Stokes.

Queen SWAN is carving her space in the music world, establishing a legacy that ensures her music will be remembered for years to come.