LANCE’s sound is an eclectic mix of jazz, funk, blues, and rock. The band was founded by Rahsaan Nance and Jarron Long in 2014. That year Lance did its first official performance, a Pop-Up concert at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Soon after Jarron and Rahsaan met Devin Shaw at Fernando Jones’ Blues camp and invited him to join the band. Since then they’ve performed at churches, art galleries, street fairs, record shops, and open mics.

 

Lance is Jarron Long, Rahsaan Nance, and Devin Shaw.

 

JARRON has been moving to the beat of his own drum since he was 2. He started taking drum lessons at age 5. He has had several wonderful great mentors and teachers including John Milan, Dave Bernat, and Ernie Adams. At age10, he began taking tenor sax lessons and joined the wind and ultimately the jazz ensemble at St. Giles school in Oak Park. He was selected twice by the IMEA to play in Illinois All-District jazz ensembles playing the tenor sax and drums alternatively. Jarron studies formally at the Merit School of Music Conservatory, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Jazz Academy and through programs such as Fernando Jones’ Blues Camp, MYA Jazz Camp and the School of Rock. Jarron is a senior at Northside College Prep where is a member of the jazz band and advanced jazz combo.

 

RAHSAAN started guitar lessons at 5, began teaching himself bass at 12. He has studied at Steckman Studio of Music, Fernando Jones’ Blues Camp, and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Jazz Academy where he received the Duke Ellington Award for Leadership Focus and Professionalism. Rahsaan also studies jazz guitar and piano at the Merit School of Music Conservatory. In addition to his work with Lance, he’s performed with George Bailey and the Ring Shout, Steckman’s jazz combo and at book events for Rosalind Cummings-Yeates’ “Exploring Chicago Blues”. In Middle School, Rahsaan played viola in the orchestra and was a member of the rock band, jazz combo, and IGSMA Division 1- rated jazz ensemble. Rahsaan is a junior at the Latin School where he studies saxophone as a member of the wind ensemble and plays guitar in the jazz ensemble.

 

DEVIN began classical piano training at age 6, at Dorolyn Academy of Music here in Oak Park. In the 4th grade, he started playing the Alto and Baritone Saxophones. In 2013 he was selected by the Illinois Music Educators Association to be a member of the State Jr. Concert Band. Devin has performed at many popular music venues, including Andy’s Jazz Club, Hard Rock Café, The House of Blues, Reggie’s Rock Club and the Chicago Blues Festival. As a 7th grader, he was a member of the Lane Tech H.S. Symphonic Orchestra and Jazz Combo. Devin is a member of Fernando Jones’ Chicago Blues Kids and has trained under Orbert Davis at the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Jazz Academy. Devin is a sophomore at Lane Tech College Prep High school, as well as a student at the Merit School of Music Conservatory, studying both Jazz piano and saxophone.