Zawinul Legacy Band Bios

Scott Kinsey - Keyboards And Musical Director

Scott Kinsey worked with Joe Zawinul on a number of projects and was Joe’s “Star Pupil.” He was producer for The Zawinul Syndicate album, Faces and Places and Joe Zawinul was the Executive Producer for Scott's album, "Kinesthetics." Scott is also well known for his work as leader of the band, Tribal Tech. He was a contributor to the Ocean's Eleven and Ocean's Twelve motion picture soundtracks. He has also worked with James Moody, Tim Hagans, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Nicholas Payton, Dan Aykroyd and Joe Walsh.

Robert Thomas Jr. - Hand Drums

Two time Grammy Award Winning Hand Drummer Robert Thomas Jr. is the only musician to have played in All of Joe Zawinul’s bands, Weather Report, Weather Update and The Zawinul Syndicate. Robert can be heard on the ground breaking albums Night Passage and Weather Report, both from the 80’s and many of The Zawinul Syndicate releases. Robert co-wrote songs with Zawinul including the wonderful, “South Africa” and “In an Island Way.” He was a core member of Jaco Pastorius Word Of Mouth Band and has also toured and recorded with such greats as Stan Getz, Ahmad Jamal, Monty Alexander, Herbie Mann,Zoot Sims, Eddie Harris,David Sanborn, Dion Parson and Wallace Roney.

Robert also co-leads his own group, The Alien Brothers which will feature some of his fellow Zawinul Legacy Bandmates and famous guests stars. Alien Brothers are currently in the studio recording their debut CD scheduled for release Spring 2014.

Mike Baker - Drums

Mike Baker was a regular recording and touring member of The Zawinul Syndicate and appears on the Grammy Nominated album, Lost Tribes. He has also recorded and toured with the likes of Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Sting, Elton John and Aretha Franklin.
Mike was drummer and Musical Director for the late-great Whitney Houston. He also leads his own group.

Hadrien Feraud

Being the youngest member of The Zawinul Legacy Band doesn't stop Hadrien Feraud from being widely known as a talented bass player throughout the world. At 29 years old, Hadrien has played with many renowned musicians like Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Jada Pinlett Smith, Matthew Garrison and Scott Kinsey.

Katisse Buckingham

Katisse graduated from the L.A. County High School for the Arts and then from the Grove School of Music where he studied with multi-Grammy winning jazz legend, Rob McConnell.

Katisse plays Tenor, Alto & Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Alto Flute & Ethnic Flutes as well as spoken word. He has performed and/or recorded with Yellowjackets, Prince , Dr. Dre, Airto & Flora Purim, Billy Childs, Herbie Hancock, Poncho Sanchez, Dave Douglas, Andy Summers, Colin Hay (Men at Work), Lionel Richie, Amos Lee, Brian Auger, Lennie White, Roy Ayres, Simon Phillips, Terri Lyne Carrington, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Left Side Sax Alliance, John Daversa Big Band and Small Band, Strunz and Farah, Bill Summers, Jimmy Haslip, Russ Ferrente, Munyungo Jackson, Gary Novak, Johathan Butler, Alphonso Johnson, B-Sharp Jazz Quartet, Don Grusin, Greg Phillinganes, Abe Laboriel (Sr. and Jr.), Russ Irwin (Aerosmith), Russ Kunkel, Robben Ford and Patrice Rushen. He has played on numerous films (including the "jazz flute" scene in the Will Ferrell film, Anchorman).

Katisse currently leads his own band and plays with The Left Side Sax Alliance (a forward thinking sax quartet featuring Jeff Driskill, Bob Sheppard, and Adam Schroeder),The John Daversa Small Band, The Billy Childs Electric Quartet. He is an adjunct faculty member at Cal State Northridge.