Trumpeter, composer and producer Stephane Ronget is the driving force behind The Rongetz Foundation, a forward thinking musical entity which bridges the gap between jazz, soul and hip hop. The group’s previous album, “Brooklyn Butterfly Session”, featured Gregory Porter as a special guest and this time ’round their ranks are swelled by the addition of two jazz heavyweights – saxophonist Gary Bartz and trombonist Steve Turre.

Also performing on the album are three talented players from New York’s jazz scene: Frank Locrasto (keyboards), Luques Curtis (bass), and Corey Fonville (drums. They’re joined by an outstanding new discovery, singer Lili Cooper, all of twenty-five years old and already performing on Broadway. Two special guests are also featured, poet Sonia Sanchez (part of the Black Art Movement in the 1960’s and who also mentored Gil Scott Heron) and Philadelphia’s Monnette Sudler on guitar.

Stephane Ronget’s first group was the ‘Nu jazz’ band Metropolitan Jazz Affair, who between 2000 and 2007 released two albums, several 7” and 12” singles and featured on more than forty compilations. Ultimately, Ronget wanted to move towards a more live sound and to create “on the fly” music. The Rongetz Foundation is the result – a band that plays, distinctive, original material and unites musicians from different parts of contemporary music.