SONGWRITING & RECORDING WORKSHOPS

PRODUCER / DRUMS

Currently wrapping a three year tour as the drummer for country music artist Shania Twain, Tif Lamson is the Louisiana born co-creater of the music group known as GIVERS. The band self-produced and released an EP which led to their signing a deal with the international record company, Glassnote Records. After the release of their debut LP, IN LIGHT, the group became a staple on the national festival circuit and performed on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! TV Show. Tif went on to record on or be featured on artists' records such as Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Anders Osbourne, Rickie Lee Jones, Mike Dillon, Jabberwocky, and Grammy-nominated Valcour records' Rediscovering Lomax in the Evangeline Country-Lomax Tribute Compilation, alongside many others. She has worked as music director and performer in residency at The Music Box Village in New Orleans. 

TROMBONE

Trombonist Haruka Kikuchi, known as the “Queen of Tailgate,” carries on the rich New Orleans tradition of tailgate-style trombone playing. Born in Japan, Haruka’s lifelong love of music began with the piano and violin before she discovered her true calling upon hearing an old recording of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. That moment inspired her to take up the trombone and eventually move to New Orleans in 2014. Since then, she has performed with renowned groups such as the Shotgun Jazz Band, Shake ’Em Up Jazz Band, Preservation Hall All-Stars, Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, and Kermit Ruffins, appearing at major festivals including the North Sea, Umbria, and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals. Her work has also earned her a Grammy nomination as a contributing member of Cha Wa’s Spyboy album for Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.

SAXOPHONE

James Beaumont is a New Orleans-based saxophonist originally from Britain. He's known for his tenor playing, but is equally proficient on soprano and baritone sax and playing piano on occasion. James has played extensively in the U.S. and Asia, and has arranged, recorded and performed with bands such as Sally Baby's Silver Dollars, The Subdudes, The Quickening, The Psycodelics and many more. James is highly in demand as a sideman because of his versatility, and his sound which is deeply rooted in blues and soul and also leads projects under his own name playing and singing. 

TRUMPET

Christopher Cotton Sr. is a New Orleans–based trumpet player, vocalist, producer, and cultural practitioner known for his work across the city’s brass, jazz, and contemporary music scenes. He has performed with groups including Hot 8 Brass Band, New Breed Brass Band, Stooges Brass Band, and Big Six Brass Band, contributing both as a performer and composer.

Christopher has appeared on international stages such as WOMAD Festival, the Brit Awards, and the Rose Parade, and has collaborated with artists including Jon Batiste, George Ezra, Tank, and Trombone Shorty. His work has contributed to Grammy-recognized projects, including Jon Batiste’s album We Are and New Breed Brass Band performances.

Beyond performance, Christopher leads iROCC Production, a creative platform focused on music production, cultural programming, and community engagement rooted in New Orleans traditionsi. He has also worked in music education, serving as a band assistant and mentor for youth music programs in the city.

Grounded in the spirit of New Orleans culture, Christopher’s work blends brass tradition, neo-soul, jazz, and contemporary production while continuing to support the cultural communities that shaped him.

PRODUCER

Dr. Liz Kimbrough is a journalist with Mongabay who has produced videos on her international reporting projects as well as for Art Camp 504. Liz has worked professionally as a percussionist in New Orleans, tour manager for Anna Moss, and co-wrote last year's Art Camp 504 theme song. She played with Katarina Boudreaux, No Scruples, DiAnimal, Human Brass Band, Hanoun Band and a puppet punk band Taxidermy Time Machine.