Monte, I'm pretty out of the loop, but here's some guy that I know still live and work there. These are pretty much all straight ahead jazz players too, if that's what you're looking for. Some drummers are Renardo Ward, Tom Lonardo, and Paul Taylor. I think Renardo plays at King's Palace on Beale St. He's a really good guy to know. I don't really know Tom or Paul very well, but they're both good players--Paul is also a killer electric bass player. Some pianists are Gene Rush, Chris Parker, Alvie Givhan, and Pat Fusco. Gene's getting older, but he probably still plays, and Pat does lots of hip hop producing, so he may not be around much either. Chris and Alvie are both great players and cool people. I think Alvie is at King's Palace also. Michael Jefry Stevens is another good pianist, and he puts together all kinds of gigs and concerts. Google him and find his website. There's alos a great guitarist named Joe Recivo(sp?).
I don't know many horn players. There's a sax player named Jack Cooper that hustles alot. There used to be a great trumpet player named Scott Thompson, but I don't know if he's still around. There's another trumpet player that's good--I forgot his name but he plays with his horn way off to the side of his mouth. Herman Green is a good tenor player, but I don't know if he still works. You should track him down just for the stories though
As for bass players, you should meet Tim Goodwin and Jonathan Wires if you haven't already. There's another guy named Errol Thomas. There's a guy named Bob Buckley that is a cool dude. Jason Ellis is a really good player, but I don't think he actually lives there, although I see him almost every time I go to Memphis.
That's about all the folks I can think of right now, but there's plenty of people I don't know. You should try to track down Renardo, Alvie, Chris Parker, and all the bass players first. Especially Jonathan Wires. Hope that helps. Tell Renardo hello for me if you run into him.
