Guest Artists

Andy Martin

Coming from a musical family, trombonist Andy Martin launched his career while still in his teens. His technique and virtuosity quickly established him on the Los Angeles music scene. As an instructor, Martin has influenced countless young players. He has appeared at many colleges and universities throughout the country as a guest artist and clinician.

A world-class jazz musician, Martin is featured as leader or co-leader on twelve albums. These albums showcase his collaboration with other top jazz artists such as the late Carl Fontana, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, and Eric Marienthal. He has also collaborated as a sideman with jazz greats such as Stanley Turrentine and Horace Silver. Martin had a long association with British bandleader and jazz promoter Vic Lewis, and was the featured soloist on many of Vic’s CDs.

Martin is well known for his work as a lead player and featured soloist with virtually every big band in L.A. Martin is the lead trombonist and featured soloist with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the lead trombonist and soloist for The Tom Kubis Band, and was a featured soloist for the Bill Holman Big Band for 15 years. He has appeared in bands led by Jack Sheldon, Louis Bellson, Quincy Jones, Matt Cattingub, Bob Curnow, Patrick Williams, and Sammy Nestico, among others.

Martin has long been one of L.A.’s most prominent trombonists for commercial recordings, television and motion picture soundtracks and live theater. He has contributed on albums for many popular artists, including the Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay, and Michael Bublé. His television credits include the Grammys, the Emmys, the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Martin has been the lead trombonist on television shows Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, and has appeared regularly on the soundtracks of major television series such as Family Guy, American Dad, and King of the Hill. His motion picture credits span the soundtracks of over 150 major films.

The Stockton Helbing Trio

Stockton Helbing

Drummer, composer, arranger, producer, bandleader, educator, music director, author, and entrepreneur Stockton Helbing maintains a busy schedule of performing, recording, lecturing, and teaching around the Dallas/Ft. Worth are. He is a frequent guest artist at colleges and high schools across North America where he clinics, rehearses, and performs with their small groups, big bands, and percussion ensembles. Stockton first gained national recognition in 2003 as drummer and music director for jazz legend Maynard Ferguson. Then in 2011, Stockton was hired by Tonight Show icon and trumpet player extraordinaire Doc Severinsen.

Stockton has released eight albums to date: Lodestar (2005), For Nothing is Secret (2007), Battlestations & Escape Plans (2010), Crazy Aquarius (2012), Handprints (2014), Patina (2015), Swimming in Place (2017), and Light Sleeper (2020). Each album showcases Stockton’s drumming abilities as well as his composing, arranging, and producing skills. Stockton has authored two books, Big Band Drum Set Sight Reading Etudes Volume 1 and Studies in Syncopation, and Jazz Drum Set From Scratch.

In 2016, Stockton launched a jazz outreach project called the Helbing Jazz Initiative (HJI). Through HJI presentations, Stockton has provided Jazz masterclasses for thousands of elementary school, middle school, and high school students throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area. HJI masterclasses focus on celebrating the jazz masters of the past through performance and discussion of their musical and social contributions to jazz music and United States history. In April of 2019, Stockton received the Jazz Innovator of the Year award from the Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month (DJAM) Jazz Legend Awards for his work with HJI in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Stockton has performed and recorded with a wide range of artists including Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, the Maniacal 4, Erykah Badu, David Braid, Steve Wiest, Jennifer Holiday, Blue Lou Marini, The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Ft. Worth Symphony Orchestra, Denis DiBlasio, The Cincinnati Pops, Chip McNeill, Darden Purcell, Clay Jenkins, Phil Woods, Wayne Bergeron, Randy Brecker, The Imperial Brass, Mary Wilson, Paul Tynan, Andy Timmons, Tom “Bones” Malone, Ernie Watts and many more.

Stockton currently teaches drum set at the University of North Texas and drum set and jazz history at the University of Texas Arlington. Stockton has appeared as a guest artist at schools including San Jose State University, University of Missouri St. Louis, the University of Illinois, Simpson College, George Mason University, the University of South Carolina, St. Francis Xavier University, Oklahoma State University, and Troy University.

Stockton lives in Dallas, TX, with his wife Denise, John their son, Liliana their daughter, Jack the dog, and Aquarius the turtle.

For more information, please visit www.StocktonHelbing.com.

Peter Rioux

Originally from Canada’s East Coast, pianist Peter Rioux is rooted in the traditions of blues and jazz. His love for improvisational music led him to formal studies at St. Francis Xavier University and the University of North Texas, where he deepened his understanding of jazz language and expression.

Over the course of his career, Rioux has toured across Canada and performed at many of the country’s premier music festivals. He’s shared the stage with blues legend Lazy Lester and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee D.J. Fontana. Since relocating to Texas, he has become an in-demand pianist throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, performing regularly as both a bandleader and sideman.

Rioux’s collaborations include performances with Shelley Carrol, Frank Lacy, Tatiana Mayfield, Stockton Helbing, Andre Hayward, and Ashlin Parker. He has opened for Ravi Coltrane and contributed to tribute concerts honoring jazz greats Don Wilkerson and Arnett Cobb. His playing is known for its soulful touch, stylistic range, and deep respect for tradition.

In addition to performing, Rioux is committed to jazz education and keeping the lineage of this music alive through teaching and mentorship. His debut album, Decent!, is available on all major streaming platforms.

Peter Rioux performs at a wide variety of venues, festivals, and private events. Whether delivering an intimate listening experience or creating a refined musical backdrop, his group adapts to suit the occasion with style and professionalism. Use the contact information below to book Peter for your event or venue.

James Driscoll

Bassist James Driscoll has been an active member of the Dallas/Ft. Worth music scene for 20 years. He has performed with Doc Severinsen, Dan Haerle, George Garzone, Stockton Helbing, Joe McBride, Ed Soph, Marin Stamm and many more.

After earning a BM in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas, Driscoll began an adjunct faculty position at Richland College (DCCCD) where he teaches bass performance. In addition to his busy performing and recording schedule, Driscoll operates a small studio in Dallas where he composes for music production libraries and mixes and masters artist recordings.