Artist description Between keeping up their GPA's, applying to college, and participating in high school extracurriculars, these four young lions have managed to pull together a fine jazz quartet which has accomplished great things in its brief, 2-year history. Their style ranges from from ballad to bebop, lazy to latin, and funk to fusion throwing in the occasional standard to thicken their musical gumbo [very poetic, yes, we know]. They have played at various locations as a group including the Bogart's Backroom and the Shockoe Bottom Art's Center, and between them, they have participated in numerous ensembles and concerts including: GRHSJB, GRYWE, RYSO, and All-District Band [almost States for R.W... soooo close]. They have also expressed intense interest in music and plan on persuing music as possible careers. R.W. Enoch attended the Berklee College of Music 5-Week Performance Program in 2003, Brent Merritt participated in the Bravard Academy in 2002, and Eric Burcham has attended a Piano Workshop at UNC 2 years in a row.

Music Style Original Jazz Compositions of All Varieties

Musical Influences Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers; Herbie Hancock & his groups; Miles Davis & his groups

Artist History The Fat Four, was originally the Fat Five and was started by James, R.W. and Brent over the summer of 2002. They adopted Matt and Charles before the beginning of the school year. They played a few gigs that year, including the MLWGS Fall Festival, BOB, and National Honors Society Induction Ceremony, the Shockoe Bottom Arts Center, and the FPS State Conference. But this would pale in comparison to the leaps and bounds that would be made after Charles and Matt graduate. Starting in the Summer of 2003, the group transformed into the Fat Four using Eric, a pianist/keyboardist in lieu of Charles and Matt. They would play more restaraunts, clubs, and private occasions, and would record more CD's. Buy their current CD, Just Jazz, at their website.

Group Members -Brent Merritt- Plays the alto saxophone and has been a member since 2002. He is a city-ranked saxophonist and attended the prestigious Bravard Music Academy in North Carolina last year. -R.W. Enoch- Plays the tenor and soprano saxophones and clarinet and has been a member since 2002. He is a state-ranked saxophonist and the principal tenor saxophonist in the renowned Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band and Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble. -Eric Burcham- Plays the piano and keyboard and has been a member since 2003. He is an accomplished pianist in both the classical and jazz genres, and has played at several social functions around Richmond. -James Houghton- Plays the drum set and percussion and has been a member since 2002. He is a region-ranked timpanist, and acts as principal timpanist in the illustrious Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra. He also holds the position of principal drummer in the Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band.

Instruments Brent-Selmer Series III alto; R.W.-Keilwerth SX90R tenor; Eric-Yamaha Keyboard; James-Yamaha Stage Custom 5piece set with Paiste cymbals; Live Recording: Tascam 424MkIII Porta Studio with Shure, AudioTechinca, and AKG microphones.

Albums Just Jazz (Fat Four Records, 2003)

Press Reviews "The talent we have here tonight, is talent we've had here 30 years ago that is playing all around the country today. . ." -Manager of Bogart's

Additional Info Thanks to Charles & Matt, Bogart's, Prof Garcia, Mr. Clark, Mr. McClellan, Mr. Gates, Jake Gunst, Ms. Joanne Stanley, Jake Wise & Brian Noel [formerly Edmondson], and anyone else that helped us along the way.

Location Richmond, Va - USA

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