G S L is new to the scene, put together by veteran Gayelynn McKinney to, showcase the up and coming & talented young women in jazz. These young ladies have already been making their mark on the music scene. G S L’s performance will be a mix of traditional jazz with a twist, some odd meter music, original music, sprinkled with some funk. Gayelynn, Sequoia & Laura, (G S L) will bring a fresh new sound and energy to the stage, that you will enjoy.
Gayelynn has recorded projects with the group Straight Ahead, (which she is a co-founder of ) Ralph Armstrong, Marcus Belgrave just to name a few and has recently recorded solo projects called “It’s About Time” and “McKinFolk The New Beginning”.
Gayelynn McKinney’s many awards include; 2014 Kresge Artist Fellows recipient. With the Group Straight Ahead, a Grammy Nomination, Motor City Music Award and Detroit Black Music Award recipient.
Gayelynn McKinney has had the opportunity to travel extensively and play at many famous jazz festivals including Montreux-Switzerland, Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, Olympics, and the Kennedy Center. She has also performed as a side musician with such notables as, Benny Golson, Diane Shure, Jason Marsalis, Freda Payne, Roy Ayers, Geri Allen, Marcus Belgrave, Chaka Khan, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker Rick Margitza Larry Coryell, Ralphe Armstrong, Steve Turre, Kevin Mahogany, James Carter, Tim Ries, (The Rolling Stones Music director) “Speech” of Arrested Development and is the last drummer to tour with Aretha Franklin. While performing with Aretha Franklin, Gayelynn had the distinct honor to play for presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton and the Tribeca Film Fest featuring, a tribute to Clive Davis.
Sequoia “REDWOOD” Snyder is a Washington, D.C.-born musician, producer, composer, and recording artist who blends the contemporary sounds of jazz, R&B, soul, and hip-hop with striking individuality. Mentored by legends like Rodney Whitaker, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Jason Moran, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University’s Jazz Studies program. REDWOOD has performed with esteemed musicians such as Kenny Barron, Cory Henry, and the R&B band The Internet. A multifaceted artist, REDWOOD showcases her vocal and production talents on her debut album Red 2 Go. In 2025, she headlined at the Kennedy Center and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club and made her off-Broadway debut in Goddess at New York’s Public Theater, where she served as Associate Music Director.
Laura-Simone is a 20-year-old bassist and vocalist whose artistry has already taken her to world-renowned stages, including BBC Proms, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Monterey Jazz Festival, and Blue Note at Sea. She was selected by Marcus Miller to join a five-person bass ensemble for Bass, a groundbreaking exhibit by Oscar-winning director Steve
McQueen, performing alongside legends such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Mamadou Kouyaté, and Aston Barrett Jr
