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Joel Stopka
Co-Director / Music Director
Joel Stopka discovered his passion for Afro-Cuban music while studying Music Education and Trombone Performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Performing with local favorites, Orquesta Antonetti and Las Figuras Del Merengue, Joel's zeal was further ignited as he was exposed to many different styles of Latin music. He feels very fortunate to have learned from such a talented group of musicians at the crossroads of intercultural exchange in the US.
In 1991, Joel moved to Chicago and was prominent in the music scene writing, producing and performing with local groups and touring artist such as: Orquesta 809 (Isla), Orquesta Sabor, Los Mantas, DLG (Dark Latin Groove), Poi Dog Pondering, Frankie Ruiz, Lalo Rodriguez, Raphael de Jesus, Cheo Feliciano, Charlie Cruz, Huey Dunbar, Cano Estremera, Michael Stuart and Jimmy Bosch.
Joel moved to Roanoke in southwest Virginia in 2005 where he quickly became the go-to musician in every local band with a horn section. He's performed on the albums, “Former Champion” (Lazy Man Dub Band), “Sure Ain’t Easy” (Half Moon) and recordings with Music Road Co and Seedpicker.
Joel Stopka has been leading, composing and arranging for his signature project, Jstop Latin Soul, along with partner Brian Mesko, since spring 2018. The group has released it's latest recording of Afro-Cuban jazz pieces; "Rumbalike" featuring the renowned New York recording artist and saxophone virtuoso, Ken Hitchcock.
Brian Mesko
Co-Director / Booking Manager
Born into a family of musicians, and raised in Little Rock, AR, Brian Mesko began piano lessons at age 8, moving to guitar at age 10. By 12 he was playing drums, and he picked up the bass at age 14. Early prog rock influences such as ELP and Jethro Tull, led Brian to fusion and jazz, developing a passion for emulating artists like John McLaughlin, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Wes Montgomery.
As a teen Brian was gigging professionally, and even played drums on a short tour in Turkey at age 18. While still in high school he studied Jazz Theory & Ensemble at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) under Michael Carenbauer (who studied under Pat Metheny at Berklee). Taking these credits on to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU,) Brian completed a bachelor’s degree in Recording Industry.
Mesko lived in the Nashville area from 1997 – 2005 and played with such international jazz greats as Les McCann, Tony Monaco, Dr. Lonnie Smith, John Jorgensen and Jeff Coffin. He also worked with Roland Gresham, Sam Brooker, Greg Bryant, Chris West, Moe Denham, Nioshi Jackson, Charles Treadway and many more.
After moving to central Virginia in 2005, Brian has been privileged to work with such jazz artists as Robert Jospe, Butch Taylor, Dane Alderson, John D’earth, Bobby Read, Charles Owens, Jonah Kane-West, Liz Barnes, Steve Kessler and many more. He has played guitar in Green Earrings - the Steely Dan Experience, The Nicholson Brothers, and has shared the stage with blues legends Bob Margolin, Mud Morganfield Jr., Big Bill Morganfield Jr., as well as Wayne Newton, Michael Allman, Groove Collective, and the DJ Williams Projekt.
In 2011, Brian helped form The Rootdowns organ trio with organist Brian Mahne and drummer Dusty Simmons, a Richmond-based dream team from such groups as DJ Williams Projekt, The Big Payback, Skydog and more. Adding saxophonist Marcus Tenney (of Butcher Brown), they released their all-original debut album "Songs With Friends" in 2013. Continuing to focus on original compositions, in 2015 Mesko started The Danktet, an instrumental trio creating a unique blend of jazz, funk, rock, pop, reggae, blues, and R&B. With Australian native Dane Alderson of the Yellow Jackets on bass, and multi-instrumentalist/visual artist Forrest Young on drums, they released their first album "One Thing Right" in 2016.
Brian is also part of many local projects, playing guitar and/or bass with the Robert Jospe Express, Lenny Marcus, Terry Brown Ascension Project, The Ambassador, Mojo Parker, Melissa and the Growlers, The Meskos Electric Revue, Jstop Latin Soul, Andrew Winn (Agents of Good Roots), and Steve Kessler.Brian currently resides with his wife and son in Roanoke, VA working as a performer, private instructor, session player, and guitar professor/ensemble director at the University of Lynchburg. For more information check www.brianmesko.com
Bobby Read
Tenor Sax / Alto Sax / Soprano Sax
Saxophonist, woodwind player, studio engineer, producer and composer Bobby Read has played in a wide variety of musical contexts, including rock, jazz, folk, classical groups, and theater groups. He has composed for his various bands, numerous modern dance productions and theater productions in the DC area, and several National Geographic shows. In the studio, Read has recorded, produced, or played on well over 250 CDs and vinyl records in various iterations of his recording studio, currently and hopefully forever located in Charlottesville, VA.
Bands he has played with include the early prog rock band "However," the chamber folk group "Trapezoid," the funky and eclectic "Modereko," years of playing jazz with John D'earth at Miller's in Charlottesville, and with his own band, "Igniter." Links to CDs by these groups are available on his website: www.smallworldrecords.space
He has also performed thousands of gigs over 20 years as a saxophonist, woodwind and wind synth player with Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers. Highlights include performing at the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Woodstock '99, The Jackson Family Honors, Olympic events, and twice for President Clinton, as well as for skater Brian Boitano. Over the years, the list of people he has had the opportunity to perform or jam with while in Bruce's band has grown to include Bonnie Raitt, Branford Marsalis, Eric Clapton, Chick Corea, Don Henley, Pat Metheny, members of Los Lobos and the Black Crowes, most of the Grateful Dead, and numerous others.
In addition, Bobby appeared on all of Hornsby's CDs from 1993 to 2013, several full-length videos, and numerous TV performances. He is forever grateful for the incredible experience of playing Bruce's great music with an amazing band. In 2006-2007, Bobby released his first two solo jazz records, "Monkfish" and "Simbia," featuring his compositions and great bands on each.
After a period focused on family life, he released "Saturn Blue" and "Out of My Mind" in 2016, featuring all original compositions. Details on these albums can be found on his website: www.smallworldrecords.space
Since 2020, he has been exploring modular synthesis, creating a variety of tracks both for fun and with an eye on the sync licensing world. Visit his YouTube channel to hear some electronic tracks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3tvK_oq-09rFuia2YxTuyA
A recent joy for Bobby has been playing with Jstop Latin Soul!
Vladimir Espinosa
Congas / Batas / Vocals / Latin Percussion
Vladimir Espinosa is a musician, actor, and choreographer born in Havana, Cuba. He graduated from Escuelas Nacionales de Arte, now known as the Instituto Superior de Arte, (ENA) in 1985, the premier school of national arts in Cuba. Additionally, Vladimir studied with the National Folkloric de Cuba with Regino Jimenes and Pelladito, both having taught at ENA. After graduating he became a professor and instructor in the School of the Arts and the House of Culture in Havana.
Vladimir then started a professional career as an actor, dancer and choreographer with such companies as Teatro Caribeno (Cuba), Teatro Orile (Cuba), Compania National De Danza (Ecuador), and Rojo Oscuro (Ecuador). He was the protagonist in the movie "El Accidente De La Libertad," and a co-producer for the adaptations in Germany and Venezuela. In 1996, Vladimir was the Artistic Director and Choreographer for the election ceremonies for Miss Ecuador. Since 2005 he has been a teacher, instructor, and musical accompanist for the American Dance festival in Durham, North Carolina.
Espinosa has been and is part of many different groups and bands, including Savuka Son, Havana Express, Coral y Esmeralda, Los Gatos, Las Manos Del Sol, Solazo, Western Mambo, Lenny Marcus Jazz Trio, Jazz Trio Michel & Vladimir, Latin Clave and many others. His specialties include Latin and Afro-Cuban music, contemporary Latin and Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance, and traditional African Diaspora rhythms.
David Sandoval
Bongos / Cowbell / Vocals / Latin Percussion
Percussionist David Sandoval was born into a family of musicians and raised in Santurce, Puerto Rico, where he performed in several local salsa bands. His father played bongó for famous Puerto Rican trumpeter Mario Ortiz. David has played with such greats as Jose Justo Canales and Nacho Sanabria. David’s styles range from Afro-Cuban to Latin jazz, merengue and salsa beats.
His stepfather, Ray Coen, a well-known pianist/arranger/composer, afforded him the opportunity to learn from such musical talents as Roy Rosario, Papo Pepin, Roberto Roena (his godfather) and Rafael Cortijo.
David strives to promote cultural diversity and break down racial and ethnic barriers through his talents as a percussionist. His wide-ranging percussion skills add a vibrant and energetic flavor to the already dynamic rhythm section. Sandoval's playing can be as smooth as sugar cane or as fiery as sazón!
Willis Greenstreet
Guitar / Tenor Sax / Alto Sax / Flute
Willis Greenstreet grew up playing multiple instruments at his father's church in Roanoke, Virginia. At age eight, he began learning how to play the guitar. He studied with Cyrus Pace over the course of approximately two years. Willis played guitar with Judi Jackson, the French Jazz band Djangabond, and several other various bands over the years. Annually, he is contacted to play with the Cave Spring High School branch of the Jazz Café. He began playing saxophone when he was eleven years old (finishing his education under the guidance of Linda Pasquarell), played with his middle and high school bands, and has significant exposure in the Roanoke Valley.
Willis works with bands such as The Color J, Hoppie Vaughan and the Ministers of Soul, and Runaway Jones, and with musicians such as Ben Trout, Jonathan Barker and Elmer Coles. When he began playing the saxophone, Willis also took up other woodwind instruments like the clarinet and the flute. He has performed in productions for Roanoke College, Ferrum College, and Attic Productions. Willis enjoys teaching guitar and woodwinds at the Jefferson Center.
Tom Floyd
Piano
Tom Floyd hails from Lynchburg, Virginia. Tom played trumpet through college at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro (UNC) where he received a Bachelor's of Music degree in Music Education. Though he plays many different styles, jazz is always Tom’s first love in music. From Greensboro, Tom moved to Raleigh, NC where he led the Second Set jazz band, playing his own original tunes.
Tom now resides in Roanoke, Virginia. Extremely active in the music scene, he's called upon wherever a first-rate pianist is needed. Tom plays with many local artists including Jstop Latin Soul, JoJo Stockton, Shawn Spencer & Star City Swag, Lew Woodall, and the Tom Floyd Trio.
Whether in the recording studio or live, on stage, Tom's passion for the music is unchanging. His contributions are appreciated by jazz fans and music lovers from all over Virginia.
DeWayne Peters
Drum Set
DeWayne Peters, a native of Salem, Virginia, started his musical career at the age of twelve. By the age of sixteen he was a Virginia All-State percussionist, and at 17 he marched in the highest ranked corps, Drum Corps International with the Florida Wave Drum and Bugle Corps. Upon High School graduation, DeWayne entered the United States Navy Music Program, accomplishing a highly successful career serving on active duty as a military musician. During his 23 years of service, he led many performance ensembles that traveled the globe to include 58 countries throughout Europe, South America, Africa, Iceland and Asia.
Over the years, DeWayne has continued his percussion education by studying with world renowned educators like John Campese, Founder of the Winter Guard International (WGI Sport of the Arts ) Activity Infinity; Boston-based jazz recording artist, Alan Dawson; Gary Chaffee, Berklee College of Music; Leon Alexander, United States Navy Band; Jeff Shoregin, Navy Music Program.
DeWayne has also taught several award-winning High School drumlines across the country to include: Kempsville High School, Virginia Beach, VA; Bolton High School, Arlington, TN; Salem High School, Salem, VA.
DeWayne is currently a free-lance musician and percussion educator in the Roanoke Valley. He’s an active member of Brass 5 and the Latin jazz group Jstop Latin Soul. He has performed with numerous exceptional artists including: Three Dog Night, Jon Metzger, Chuck Mangione, John D’earth, Jack Johnson and Lee Greenwood.
