Bill Stevens was born to a musical family, and spent the formative years of life touring with his family band, The Tune Mammals – playing original children’s songs all over the country. Bill studied guitar at Berklee College of Music, Composition at UNCSA, Music Business / Piano / Portuguese at WSSU, and ultimately received a masters degree in music composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Equally as important as the education he received at universities is what he learned playing in various music ensembles over the years in a plethora of genres, from progressive fusion bands like Gomachi, Scott Sawyer & Go There, Casey & The Comrades, and Camel City Collective, to hip hop (Solos Unit), to Americana (Yarn, Big Daddy Love), and Artimus Pile Band.
He owns a North Carolina based recording studio, and has worked with a myriad of amazing artists, such as: Billy Cardine, Oteil & Kofi Burbridge, Jeff Sipe, Ivan Hampden, Becca Stevens, Big Something, John Ellis, Joel Frahm, Fred Wesley, and even recorded Dr. Maya Angelou reading ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ for books on tape.
Bill is currently devoting all of his live music energy to Isaac Hadden Organ Trio and Red Panda, and wants nothing more than to make people happy through music. By traveling and releasing music, he hopes to create miles of smiles…
Isaac has been immersed in music since before he could speak. After spending his early childhood at a plethora of concerts and festivals up and down the east coast, he began taking guitar lessons at age 5. His passion and dedication landed him a variety of opportunities, and before he was old enough to drive, Isaac could be seen sitting-in with regional and national touring acts at venues in Southwest, VA.
At age 15 he formed the Isaac Hadden Project, featuring highly respected veterans of the regional scene. The heavy-hitting improvisational funk-rock quintet has gained notoriety on the music festival circuit and the east-coast jamband scene for their high energy performances and tight, dynamic improvisation.
At age 18, he formed Isaac Hadden Organ Trio which features grammy nominated, LA drummer Iajhi Hampden, and grammy nominated NC-Based Organ/Keyboardist Bill Stevens. This unconventional organ trio carves out a unique sound in the world of funk, jazz, rock, and R&B and plans to release their debut album in May 2023.
Hadden and his bands have shared the stage and performed support sets for a growing list of legendary musicians. Additionally, his work ethic and versatility make him a frequent call as a sit-in and session player. Hadden has had the privilege of performing alongside some of the hottest acts on the national touring circuit and hopes to use music to create a positive, collective experience and transport listeners to places outside themselves.
Born in Manhattan to musical parents, Iajhi has had music around him all of his life. Following in the footsteps of his father (Ivan Hampden) who has toured with Luther Vandross since 1987. He began playing drums at the age of ten in a North Carolina church behind his mother who served as the musical director for the church, while taking gigs in the area at 16, as soon as he was able to drive. Since then, Iajhi has had the privilege to be involved in a number of musical opportunities. He has performed on such notable television shows such as: American Idol, BET’s Celebration of Gospel, The BET Awards, MTV’s TRL, Last Call with Carson Daily, Live with Regis and Kelly, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Late show with Craig Ferguson, The Mo’Nique Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Rachael Ray Show, and The View.
Iajhi has also worked and toured with artists such as: Lee Dewyze (American Idol), Nikka Costa, Jessy J (sax), Paige Bryan, Engelbert Humperdink, Dallas Austin, Quadron, Niia, New Kids on the Block, John Legend, Esperanza Spaulding, Stevie Wonder, Kelly Clarkson, Everlast, Raphael Saadiq. Iajhi plans to continue on the journey of life called music and letting the journey take him wherever it may.