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About

Voyage was born in late 2009 with an eye on the creative process and a hope of taking a unique voyage of group/self expression.  Each member of this ensemble is committed to the writing of original literature that enables the ensemble to journey together while commenting on a time and place, and a here and now.  The synergy created by each professional member of this ensemble is sure to create many once in a lifetime listening experiences. 

Dan Thomas - Saxophones

Dan Thomas is a dedicated performer and educator in Kansas City, MO. He hails from Canada and has been in the United States since 1993. Prior to his move to Kansas City, he was a regular on the West Coast jazz scene. In addition to being a busy performer Thomas is the Assistant Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  Thomas teaches applied jazz studies, jazz improvisation, jazz history, jazz pedagogy, jazz combo, and the 11:00 O'Clock Jazz Band alongside the iconic jazz saxophonist Bobby Watson. Thomas has served as a woodwind and jazz studies specialist, instrumental music instructor, as well as vocal music instructor in the public school systems in Washington, Missouri, and Kansas. He has served on the faculty at Kansas City's Penn Valley Community College and Rockhurst University. Thomas has earned numerous awards for jazz and classical performances, and is also a three-time recipient of the "Who's Who Among America's Educator's" award.

His ensembles are capable of performing in all styles from Hard-Bop to sounds from around the globe.  Capable of satisfying the most discriminating tastes, Dan has delighted audiences at jazz festivals, clubs, political functions, corporate events, and private performances throughout the globe.

Thomas can be seen throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.   He performs regularly in a variety of settings covering the entire spectrum of the jazz idiom.  With a deep love for educating tomorrow’s jazz future he keeps an active clinician and guest artist schedule at High School and University Jazz Festivals.  Dan's Quintet cd's as a leader "City Scope" and Musical Sanctuary" are receiving critical acclaim.   Look for the upcoming release from Voyage.

Dan Thomas is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays and endorses Vandoren products.

For more information visit Dan on the web.

Wayne Hawkins - Keys

Known in Kansas City as one of the area’s most versatile musicians, Wayne Hawkins excels as both keyboardist and composer. His discography includes over 20 CDs in which he has recorded with a variety of artists as well as his critically acclaimed Wayne Hawkins Trio. Hawkins plays in a variety of styles; from small group jazz to concerts with the Kansas City Symphony. But no matter what type of performance, his musicianship shines. In fact, after playing ‘Autumn Leaves’ with the Symphony one music reviewer wrote: “[Hawkins’] superb keyboard solo was probably the most talked about performance of the evening.” –Jazz Ambassador Magazine.

Hawkins is a first-call keyboardist in Kansas City and has performed with national touring acts such as Bernadette Peters, George Benson, Patti Austin, Diane Schuur, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Joe Piscopo, 2-time Grammy winner, Paquito D’Rivera, and film composers Marvin Hamlisch and Bill Conti. Hawkins performs in many styles with equal aplomb because to him, music has no limitations. “Making music is what I do,” he says. “I try to understand all of the parameters and use them.”

As a young man, encouraged by winning several performance awards in collegiate jazz festivals, he left to study jazz and studio music at University of Miami. Because of his own positive academic experiences, Hawkins enjoys teaching jazz piano. He is currently on the jazz faculty at the University of Kansas, where he teaches jazz piano, jazz improvisation, and coaches small jazz ensembles. In addition, he judges student bands in regional competitions, works with other young jazz musicians as a guest artist, and coaches jazz camps.

Forest Stewart - Bass

Performance experience includes work on both horn and the (electric) bass.  Forest has been both the bassist and musical director for Ida McBeth and friends, a popular and well known singer in the Kansas City area.  He has performed extensively with Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz.  Forest has performed in New York, Las Vegas, Denver, the Twin Cities and at many cities throughout German and Italy, and at festivals in Chicago, Los Angeles, Geneva, Montreaux, and Den Hag.

Artists with whom Forest has performed include Nick Brignola, Steve Cardenas, Richie Cole, Jerry Coker, Gary Dial, John Fedchock, Bruce Forman, Mike Freeman, Bill Goodwin, Steve Houghton, Arnie Lawrence, David Liebman, Chip McNeal, Jim McNeely, Roy Meriwether, Dick Oatts, Kim Park, Jack Peterson, Jim Piu, Joe Porcaro, Emil Richards, Bobby Shew, Marvin Stam, Jerry Steinholtz, Clark Terry, Phil Upchurch, Jiggs Wiggums, and the Paul Winter Consort.

Mike Warren - Drums

Michael Warren is a first call drummer throughout the midwestern region for creative minded, take no prisoners musicians.  He brings a positive attitude and an organic vibe to the stage every time he plays.  Mike is on the faculty at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music.