Carlos Francis

The Band

Jennifer Ransom

A great young talent, Jennifer is a new addition to the open space. She has a great voice and also plays the piano. Jennifer hails from Millington, a suburb just outside of Memphis Tennessee, but is currently living in East Orange, NJ.
Did you know Jennifer went to NYC and auditioned for the VH1 diva competition?
The open space band appreciates Jennifer’s determination, dedication, drive and desire to chase her dreams. Jennifer is also a Music Educator.

Takashi Otsuka

A fantastic bassist lends authenticity to any genre of music. He has performed with Ted Curson, Lew Solof, Claudio Roditi and many others. Takashi has been involved with the Open Space Band for a year and half. He is currently living in Teaneck, NJ.
Did you know Takashi studied composition and arranging at Berkley College of music?

Chris Eddleton

A tremendous musician with the driving force which propels the Open Space Band. As a drummer, Chris has performed with many different sounding bands. If you were to see Chris perform with “Brazil & Co.” you would think that he is just a Brazilian style drummer. Chris has performed with island/def jam recording artist Saul Williams, Cyro Baptista and many others. He has performed all over the world, Okinawa Japan, Instabul Turkey, and Montreux Switzerland and he has been an open spacer for eight years. He currently resides in Roselle, NJ.
Did you know Chris has appeared on BET’S “Planet Groove” and the “The Chris Rock Show”?

Daille Ketrell

A versatile jazz pianist who can play in just about any genre of music. Daille is also a vocalist and has performed with the great Lionel Hampton. She also leads her own band, “Rites of Passage” where she showcases her writing and arranging skills. She has collaborated with Carlos Francis for many years. Daille hails from Camden, NJ and is currently living  in East Orange, NJ.
Did you know Daille and her band, “Rites of passage” performed for the Newark Jazz Festival which was broadcasted live on WBGO FM? She is also a music educator.

Raymond Johnston

Another versatile musician. Ray plays soprano sax, tenor sax, alto sax, baritone sax and flute to name a few. Ray has performed with Irene Reid, “The Spirit of Life Ensemble” and the “Tonemasters”. Ray and Carlos represent the frontline of the Open Space Band and have a great camaraderie on the band stand. Ray is from Pleasantville, NJ and is currently living in East Orange, NJ.
Did you know Ray Johnston is also a music educator and teaches a lot of young woodwind disciples?

Special guests with the Open Space

Muhammad Bilal – “The Mad Violinist”
Everald Brown – Powerful percussionist.
Micheal Cochrane – Jazz pianist, composer and arranger has many Cd’s in his name.
Carlos Darci De Seixas – High Energy Trombonist
George A. Gray – High Energy Drummer
Bradford Hayes – Alto sax “The Gig Man”
Carrie Jackson – Vocalist “The Gig Lady”
Oloyae Karade – A master percussionist who leads his own band, “Fa-Fusion”.
Marcus Mc Claurine – Super bassist.
Cornell Mc Gee – “Cool” trombonist.
Jann Parker – The classiest vocalist to ever sing with the open space.
Roberta Piket – Fantastic pianist.
Dave Rodriguez – Great bassist.
Siraj – A super talented alto saxophonist, flutist and percussionist and producer.
Barbara Sharpe – A powerful vocalist who needs no microphone
James Stewart – Plays all sax’s and flute writer and arranger.
Jon Valerie – Great guitarist.

Other Open Spacers

Jenella Adkins – Female vocalist
Robert Barone – Creative bassist
Marcus Bleeker – Exciting Drummer
Kevin Bowden – Cool drummer.
Greg Bufford – Dynamic drummer.
Kenneth Burrell – Dedicated drummer.
Dave Calebrese – Fantastic jazz pianist
Gavin Davies – Drummer, Educator
Chris DeFrancesco – Superb Tenor Saxophonist
Serge Dor – Bassist/Painter.
Vince Ector – Dynamite drummer has his own cd out “rhythm master”.
Jack Gourdine – Dedicated Drummer
Kimiesha Holmes – Fantastic vocalist.
Calvin Jones – Super bad bassist.
Gordon Lane – Dynamic drummer.
Bobby Martone – Fabulous bassist, composer, arranger.
Tom Mattioli – Vibraphone, Mallet Kat, composer and arranger.
“Lil” Monique – Versatile Female Vocalist
Anthony Nelson – Young lion tenor sax “ferocious”.
Darwin B. Oden – Thunder Drummer
Richard Pierson– Fierce drummer.
David Robinson – Superb tenor sax with Joe Henderson influence.
Donald Robinson – Tremendous trombonist holds the section together.
Greg Searvance – Versatile drummer.
Mark Turner – Cool and laid back drummer also plays percussion.
Ken Watts – Pianist/Vocalist.
Steven Waxman – Bassman!

Early Open Space

Ferman Bannister – Bass
Raymond “Rahim” Goodwin – Guitar
Duane Richardson – Drums

Other Early Open Spacers

Dawn Coleman – Female Vocalist
Easy Ed – Rock Ear Bass
Ed Ford – Tall Tenor Saxophonists
Gwen Harris – Female Vocalist – “Club 88”
Vince Jackson – Young Piano Man
Jacqueline Jeffries – Female Vocalist – “La Sala”
Vernon Jones – Rock Guitarist
Keith – Funky Bass
Rainy Lassiter – Female Vocalist
Torrence Mobley – Funky Bass
John Parker – Guitar
Sahara – Background Female Vocalist
Robert Siebert – Cool Piano
Artilious “Artie” Sims – Funky Ear Bass
Matt Soler – Hard Rock Drummer
DT – Composer; Piano/Bass

Young Open Space

Jon Britt – Drums
Matt Jovanis – Bass
John Paul Velez – Piano

Pre-Open Space

Charles Dixon – Tenor Sax
Benny Harris – Drums
Stanley Jones – Bass
Darryl Miller – Guitar