Thursday, February 20, 2025

ReelMusic

Thursday, February 20, 2025

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Event Schedule

7:00 PM: Doors

7:30-9:00 PM: Concert

Event Overview

Celebrate music’s power to connect us, unite us, and lift us up at ReelMusic 2025, which showcases the talents of jazz, rock (and more!) musicians and performers who live with disabilities. ReelMusic 2025 will feature ReelMusicians from the past, new-to-the-Festival ReelMusicians, and our ReelMusic house band.

ReelMusic Affiliated Sponsors

Event FAQs

House Band and Emcee

Special Guests

Kelly Dean

House Band

Sax

When not inspiring students as an Instrumental Music teacher at the Emery/Weiner School or serving on the faculty of The Summer Jazz Workshop, Kelly Dean can be found bringing his talent to major Houston stages alongside a list of globally-recognized artists.

Emmanuel Gilligan

House Band

Guitar

Eman Gilligan is a guitarist and prolific singer-songwriter who, along with his family band The Sundogs, plays throughout Houston. Shot in a robbery attempt nearly 10 years ago, he has not let a spinal cord injury stop him from continuing to share his powerful story and songs.

Andrew Lienhard

House Band

Keys

Andrew Lienhard is a pianist and software developer living in Houston, Texas. After graduating from HSPVA, he started touring with famed Blue Note saxophonist Ronnie Laws. He has since performed with Kirk Whalum, Joe Henderson, Hubert Laws, Doc Powell, Mindi Abair & many others.

Arthur Gilligan

House Band

Drums/Percussion

Arthur Gilligan received his education from various institutions,such as the Villa-Lobos School of Music, San Jacinto College, and The University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. He is also a performer and member of the DaCamera Young Artist Program and The Music Box Theater.

Glen Ackerman

House Band

Bass

Glen Ackerman is a Houston-area bassist, composer, and educator. Additionally, he is an accomplished band leader, heading his own fusion jazz quintet.

Cesar and Miriam Tello

ReelMusicians

Keys/Bass/Percussion/Vocals

Cesar and Miriam Tello met through their mutual love of music back in 2007 when Cesar, who is blind, was subbing as a keyboard teacher and Miriam was studying music at The CanZion Institute of Music in Pasadena, Texas.

Kyle Cousins

ReelMusician

Singer/Songwriter

Kyle Cousins channels Freddie Mercury in Houston’s Queen Legacy tribute band, composes and performs his own music, and is a proud crew member at the nonPareil Institute of Houston. Visit Kyle’s Facebook to learn more about his upcoming March 13 performance.

Patrick Billette

ReelMusician

Saxophonist

Patrick Billette is a student at Lone Star College Tomball in the LIFEPath Program where he will earn his Occupational and Life Skills Associate (OLSA) degree in May. He began playing the violin when he was seven years old and saxophone at the age of 10.

The River Performance Troupe

ReelMusicans

The River Performance Troupe is a musical theatre performance group comprised of students of The River, Theatre Under The Stars’ school for students with disabilities and their siblings. Throughout the year, the Troupe performs at various events throughout the Houston community.

Grace Fisher

Featured Artist/ Reel Music Collaborator

Composer

ReelAbilities 2024 Featured Artist and composer of the beautiful instrumental, “Midnight Moonlight”

Jamie Harberg

ReelMusician

Vocalist

Native Houstonian Jamie Harberg is thrilled to be singing this year in ReelMusic! With her proud mom Karen as a Chair of this year’s Festival. Jamie lives in New Haven, CT., works at an area Walgreen’s where she undoubtedly lights up the lives of her co-workers and customers.

Travis Davidson

ReelMusician

Rapper/Composer

Travis Davidson (TX3, aka lil bag) knew he wanted to be rapper at the age of six. His journey to that dream came in an unexpected way when, in 2019, at the age of 24, he was hurt in a car accident that left him paralyzed.

Toni Hickman

Composer

"We Are The Most Beautiful People"

Toni Hickman is a talented singer/songwriter and survivor of two brain aneurysms and a stroke. Her music, featured on Spotify, includes the memorable song, “Rising Phoenix,” currently featured in the ReelAbilities 2021 Netflix film of the same name. ToniHickman.com

David Harris

Composer

"Enter Dancing"

David Harris decided to stay in Houston while touring with a band 42 years ago. He attended Swarthmore College, majoring in Classical Theory and Composition. He has played with jazz greats including Arnett Cobb and Don Cherry, and has composed more than 2,000 original pieces.

Ernie in sport coat and collared shirt smiling

Ernie Manouse

Emcee

Executive Producer and Host, 11 Time Emmy Award Winner, Houston Public Media

Ernie joined Houston Public Media, as an anchor and producer in 1996. Over the years, in addition to his 11 Emmy Awards, Manouse has garnered five KATIE Awards, a Houston Press Club Lone Star Award, “Viewer’s Choice” recognition from multiple local and regional publications

ReelMusicans

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A night of jazz, rock and more featuring accomplished musicians with disabilities.

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Event Overview

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House Band and Emcee

Special Guests

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Event Tickets

Event Overview

ReelMusic Affiliated Sponsors

Event FAQs

House Band and Emcee

Special Guests

ReelMusicans

Event Tickets

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