The Snarky Puppy Side Projects: Cory Henry Group, Ghost-Note, Mark Lettieri Trio

Cory Henry is a multi-instrumentalist and producer with a catalog worthy of a man twice his age. His primary instrument is the organ, and he began playing at the age of two. At the age of six he competed at the Apollo Theater and made it to the finalist round. In 2010 he co-produced Jay White's Larger than Life. Later that year he released his first album Christmas With You, which featured his lively renditions of Christmas classics and prominently showcased his skill as an improvisor. Kim Burrell's Grammy nominated and Stellar Award winning Love album released in 2011 boasted several tracks that were written and produced by Henry. That year he wrote for and produced much of Krishnar Lewis' One Lover's Trilogy album and released his first, "Leave you alone".

Henry is primarily known for harmonically rich organ playing that owes a greater debt to the virtuosic unpredictability of Tatum and Peterson than it does to Jimmy Smith and other members of the Hammond organ pantheon. In his best moments he seems to capture the breadth of the Jazz and Gospel idioms and produce something altogether new through his unique blending of the two genres. Although he possesses a great deal of technique, in his solos he regularly subordinates it to a narrative arch and exhibits a maturity that surpasses his years. Unlikely many virtuosos he is a great accompanist, and perhaps this is why he excels also as a producer and sideman.

At the tender age of nineteen he had the opportunity to begin traveling with the Jazz legend Kenny Garrett as his organist in a stint that lasted three years. He has done television work playing on the third season of Sunday's Best for BET and on the Jimmy Fallon Show. He has worked with Yolanda Adams, Sara Bareilles, Stanley Brown, Ray Chew And The Crew, P. Diddy, Kirk Franklin, Rob Glasper, Ron Grant, Lalah Hathway, Derrick Hodge, Israel Houghton, Joe, Shaun Kingston, Donald Lawrence, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Michael McDonald, Boyz 2 Men, NAS, Snarky Puppy, Tommy Sims, Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Hezekiah Walker, Bishop Jeffrey White, Betty Wright, the late Timothy Wright, and many others. Henry's awe inspiring impromptu YouTube performances have gained him a loyal and sizable following. His latest release, Gotcha Now Doc was released in the Spring of 2012. He is currently touring with "Snarky Puppy" and lending his considerable talent to the production of several projects for other artists. He's also working on his third album which is to be released sometime in 2013.

If the Grammy Award winning band, Snarky Puppy, was a heart, drummer Robert "Sput" Searight and percussionist Nate Werth serve as its explosive pulse. World renown for their artistic communication through rhythm, this dynamic duo debuts their own project, expanding their percussive voice into a night of melody through innovative grooves and captivating artistry.

• 2014 Grammy Award Winner for Best R&B Performance (Snarky Puppy with Lalah Hathaway)

Mark Lettieri is a guitarist, composer and producer from Northern California. Lettieri moved to Texas to attend Texas Christian University to study Advertising/Public Relations and compete in track and field. After graduation in the spring of 2005, he began pursuing his passion for music.

Working in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex's gospel and r&b scene led Lettieri to join jazz/fusion group Snarky Puppy in 2008. The band tours heavily, performing an average of 175 a shows a year the US, Europe, Asia, and most recently, South America. In January 2014, the group won the Grammy Award for “Best R&B Performance,” for a reworking of Lalah Hathaway’s song, “Something.”

Aside from Snarky Puppy, Lettieri also travels with neo-soul icon Erykah Badu, gospel singer/actress Tamela Mann, and NBC’s The Voice: Season 2 contestant Anthony Evans. He has also performed live with a myriad of other artists, including Chrisette Michele, Myron Butler, N'dambi, Bilal, and even Pat Boone.

When not on the road, he is a busy session guitarist. Proficient in a multitude of styles, he records and performs in virtually every genre of popular music. Recent recording sessions include work featuring 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Adam Levine, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Eric Roberson, LeCrae, Keyshia Cole, and Xzibit. He is also a member of Team SKP, a production collective led by award-winning producer Symbolyc One (Kanye West, Beyonce).

Since 2010, he has been a member of the house band for “Marcus & Joni,” a morning talk/variety show broadcast in 200 countries on Daystar, a Christian cable network.

As a composer/bandleader, Lettieri has released two albums, Knows in 2011, and Futurefun in 2013. Through tours with Snarky Puppy and social media network shares, both records have created a sizable buzz in the instrumental guitar community. Lettieri looks to record his third record in the coming months, as well as tour his material in 2015.

He resides in Fort Worth, TX with his wife Shalyn, and their two cats, Cioppino and Wah Wah.