An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein —

Johnny Hubbard

Johnny Hubbard is one of Mississippi’s most active bassists. He has performed or recorded with some of the best artists in jazz and blues, including Cassandra Wilson, Dorothy Moore, Rhonda Richmond, Frank McComb, Bobby Watson, Steve Turre, and Joe Jennings. Hubbard appeared on the 2014 biography / drama film titled, Get On Up.

As an educator, Professor Hubbard has served as an adjunct in Jazz Education at Jackson State University since January 2015. He also served as interim coordinator of jazz studies within JSU’s department of music from September 2020 until May of 2021. Hubbard now serves as an Instructor of Music at Tougaloo College in Jackson Mississippi.

Johnny is married to Latoya Hubbard and they have one son, Jayden.

Robert Simmons

Robert Simmons is a recent graduate of Tougaloo College, where he earned a degree in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance and Music Technology. He has performed as a percussionist for numerous events and organizations, including The Grammy Foundation and the W.C. Handy Festival. Robert is currently employed with the Mississippi Department of Medicaid and also works as an audio engineer and music producer at 16 Bars Recording Studio in Jackson, Mississippi.

Caleb Armstrong

Caleb Armstrong born in Jackson Mississippi started musically at a very young age in his fathers’ gospel group the Seven Stars.  He spent his early years playing in church where he developed a rhythm and feel for playing guitar.  While in his first year of college at Jackson State University he along with other fellow students started the band, Freedom.  Freedom signed a record contract with MALACO Records where they achieved national recognition with the hit song “Get Up and Dance”.  This song brought the band and its writers Caleb Armstrong and Ray Smith national acclaim becoming one of the most sampled songs in Hip-Hop Music.

Known as one of the experienced guitarists in the Jackson MS area Armstrong has played with practically every Mississippi musician around.  Armstrong can be seen these days performing regularly with Tonya Boyd-Cannon and The Krewe a Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Band in New Orleans LA.  Tonya Boyd-Cannon is known for her appearance on the TV Show “The Voice” where she competed and finished in the top 12 of the competition.

As a long-time Gospel, Jazz, Funk and R&B Guitarist Armstrong released his first solo Smooth Jazz project in 2012 entitled “An Artful Manner” the Smooth Jazz single “Urban Life” in 2014 and recently “As the World Turns” all found on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and other music platforms.

For more information, please contact Caleb Armstrong on Instagram at ctamusic

Kimble Funchess

Kimble Funchess is a nationally respected trumpeter, arranger, educator, and mentor whose career bridges performance, education, and community engagement. A native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, he embodies the spirit of Southern music and is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of artists.

He has performed with legends such as B.B. King, The Temptations, and Mavis Staples, recorded for major labels, and appeared in Get On Up. As a member of The Jackson Horns, he arranged and recorded for three International Blues Challenge winners.

As Band Director and Performing Arts Director at the Mississippi School for the Blind, Kimble blends musicianship, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning to help students thrive. His ensembles have performed nationally, including multiple NBA National Anthem appearances for the New Orleans Pelicans.

A graduate with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education and a master’s in School Counseling, Kimble has taught across several Mississippi school districts, where his bands earned consistent top ratings. His recognitions include the 2021 Mississippi Jazz Foundation Music Education Award, two Jackson Music Awards for Jazz Group of the Year (2022 & 2024), and the 2024 Anthony “Tony” Gobar Distinguished Juvenile Justice Support Professional Award.

He serves on the boards of the Mississippi Musicians’ Hall of Fame and Successful Inc., and with his wife Julia, co-owns Mobile Music Makers and Mindfulness Through Music. Together, they live in Madison, Mississippi, with their four daughters.

Rooted in faith and community, Kimble Funchess continues to uplift and inspire through the power of music.