Shelley Carrol & Brad Leali – UNITYFest
14 February | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Free & Open to the Public, Tickets Required for Entry
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Saxophonists Shelley Carrol and Brad Leali team up for a powerhouse night of jazz. Both have performed with today’s Duke Ellington and Count Basie Orchestras, bringing the swing tradition into today’s sound. Backed by an outstanding rhythm section, their performance blends soul, groove, and joyful improvisation in a show that celebrates the heart and spirit of American jazz.
Doors open at 6:30 PM.
This event is part of the 2026 UNITYFest music festival.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Shelley Carrol, saxophone
Saxophonist, Shelley Carrol hails from family of gospel singers and musicians in Houston, Texas. It was there that the music bug bit him at an early age and landed him in the famed Boys Choir of Houston. After picking up the saxophone, he was able to study with the legendary Texas Tenor greats Arnett Cobb and Don Wilkerson. At the time he didn’t know how revered these gentlemen were around the globe. Carrol explains “They simply lived in my neighborhood”. Shelley attended the city’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) and was a standout in the city’s Summer Jazz Workshop Program. This is where he developed a true flair for the stage.
Shelley began his college career at Texas Southern University. He later transferred to North Texas State University on a vocal scholarship. While attending the University of North Texas, Shelley earned a spot in the Grammy Nominated One O’clock Lab Band. There he recorded two critically acclaimed CD’s in 1990–91. During the same period, Mr. Carrol was invited to join the Duke Ellington Orchestra by trumpeter Barry Lee Hall. This would prove to be an enormous musical opportunity with worldwide exposure. Since joining the band, he has toured the U.S. and over 30 foreign countries. He has also recorded and or performed with Sheryl Crow, Maureen McGovern, Tony Bennet, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Roger Waters and a host of others. Shelley evolved to record as a leader in 1997. He was able to feature members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra on his debut CD for Leaning House Records. His second CD, A Distant Star was released in the fall of 2001. The disc features pianist Bernard Wright, bassist Curtis Lundy, and drummer Sebastian Whittaker. This sophomore effort easily got get the critics and fans buzzing with excitement. Carrol’s third release was recorded with his Monday Night Band. This group has been featured at The Amsterdam Bar in Dallas for several years. The CD, Gentle Friend is now available. His latest recording is entitled I Heard That and features some iconic guest artists like the late Marchel Ivery, Stefon Karlsson, Roger Boykin, and vocalist Ardina Lockhart. Shelley also feels a need to share his musical gift with today’s youth. He currently teaches privately in the Dallas area and gives clinics whenever he can. He says”…music has to be shared to truly be enjoyed.” Anyone who listens to his Tenor saxophone would have to agree.
Carrol was a 2006 finalist in the Texas Commission for the Arts “State Musician” recognition and was also named the 2007 Sammons Center Jazz Artist of the Year. He was a 2014 Dallas Observer nominee for Best Jazz Act. The same year, Carrol was recognized as JazzDallas.com D’JAM “Artist of the Year”. Shelley has recently toured with multi-platinum artist, Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark, Jr. and Kool and the Gang. This has lead to many endorsements and various national TV appearances.
Brad Leali, saxophone
“His solos are sparkling and Cannonball Adderley-influenced.” – Evening Standard (London, England).
“Saxophonist Brad Leali was among the most soulful and exciting I’ve heard recently.” – New York Times
With a unique style and sound, which echoes the influences of his past, Brad Leali is one of the most notable saxophonists of current times. A native of Denver, Colorado, Brad was raised in the Baptist Church. In addition to gospel music, he spent countless hours listening to the music his parents played (Coltrane, Cannonball, Bird, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and Nancy Wilson). It’s no wonder that at a very young age, he was able to combine gospel, jazz, and R&B into his playing.
As a child, Brad recalls spending time looking through old yearbook photos of his father in the high school jazz band, looking sharp and clean. He was so enamored by these images that he found himself opening the case, time and time again, to see the beautiful horn from the photos. He finally told his father that he just had to play. That very day, his father had the horn repaired and signed Brad up for the Denver Junior Police Concert Band. That began his long love affair with the saxophone.
While studying the saxophone, Brad spent his youthful years listening to live jazz at many Denver music venues. One in particular was named “El Chapultapec,” owned by Jerry Krantz. Krantz loved jazz and would allow young musicians, such as Brad, to listen, learn, and sit in. It was here that Brad first heard many of his early mentors and local legends (Billy Tolles, Billy Wallace, Homer Brown, Nat Yarborough, etc.) He also got to hear and study with other jazz greats, such as trumpeter Clark Terry and saxophonists Eddie “Cleanhead” Vincent.
Leali received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from North Texas University in 1989, where he played with the world-renowned One O’clock Lab Band. Upon graduating, the Harry Connick, Jr. Orchestra immediately recruited him. In his tenure with the orchestra (1989-1994), Brad was the lead alto saxophonist and the musical director. During this time, they toured the world and the orchestra recorded two highly acclaimed CDs (e.g., Christmas CD & Redlight, Blue light). By invitation of Frank Foster, Brad then joined the Count Basie Orchestra in 1995. (later under Grover Mitchell 2003). During his years with the group, the Basie band was a two-time Grammy award- winning orchestra. It was one of the greatest musical learning experiences he’d ever had. Working with older musicians only deepened his appreciation of the importance of this music. Spending time one-on-one with the likes of Joe Williams was unforgettable in these formative years.
During his time as one of the top jazz musicians in New York City, Leali was a staple in legendary jazz venues like the Village Vanguard, Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Iridium, and Birdland. He has also performed in Lincoln Center in the orchestras of jazz legends Nancy Wilson and Benny Golson. Brad’s desire to pay it forward and help keep jazz alive led to him earning a Master’s degree from Rutgers University in 2005. He was quickly appointed as Director of Jazz Studies at Texas Tech University. While there, several scholarships were established in his name, including the “Brad Leali Endowed Jazz Scholarship”. In 2008, Brad joined the esteemed University of North Texas (UNT) faculty as Professor of Jazz Saxophone, where he directs small group ensembles, jazz performance fundamentals, and jazz saxophone. As the recipient of the UNT “Creative Impact Award” in 2014, Brad was recognized as a distinguished faculty member for his outstanding contributions as an educator who perpetuates the value of creative development and performance.
Brad Leali has also had a prolific recording career. His first solo recording was Priority Soul! in 1998 on the New Jazz Renaisssance Recordings label. In 1999, the Count Basie Orchestra won a Grammy award for Count Plays Duke with Leali receiving his own nomination for his solo work on the classic Billy Strayhorn composition, “The Star-Crossed Lovers.” His discography also includes Live in Europe (Brad Leali Quartet, 2004); Brooklyn Soul Organization (also produced by Leali, 2004); the critically acclaimed Maria Juanez (2006), which features his own compositions and eighteenpiece jazz orchestra; and DA’s Time (Brad Leali-Claus Raible Quartet, 2008) on the TCB label. Leali’s numerous television appearances include local news programs, the Today Show, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall, BET, and the Harry Connick, Jr., Christmas Special. He performed annually for many years as part of the Kennedy Center Honors program. Leali also performed at President Obama’s inaugural celebration “We Are One.”
While Brad continues teaching at UNT, he frequently performs, tours, and records. He also enjoys working as a guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator at other educational institutions. Brad has had a long-time endorsement with Keilwerth Saxophones and D’Addario Reeds. He currently tours with Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (2013-present).
EVENT SPONSORS
Drs. Bradley Kayser & Gemma Kennedy, Chuck & Anne Parrish, and James E. Sanders
EVENT Partners
General FAQs
Tickets
Tickets are required to enter the concert, but they are free! Seating is first-come-first-served. Tickets are available through each event on our event calendar or on Eventbrite. Any questions regarding ticketing should be sent to the organizer Musical Bridges Around the World, not the venue.
Check-in
To help our staff and volunteers, please have your ticket ready when you get there. Staff and volunteers will be ready to scan the QR code located on your ticket (print, email, or app).
Door Opening
Door opening time for this event to listed above but typically UNITYFest events have door times 1 hour before the stated concert time.
Health & Safety Statement
Musical Bridges Around the World will follow the most up-to-date safety guidelines for fine arts performance halls per the State of Texas, as well as any other measures necessary for the ensured safety of its attendees. It is within MBAW and the venue’s right and discretion as private entities to enact these safety protocols for its attendees.
Lost Ticket/Refund Policy
An attendant at the door can help you register and get in quickly and easily. If you have registered but have forgotten the ticket, an attendant can pull up your name and check you in manually.
If you cannot attend, we ask that you cancel your free ticket order. This helps our ticket management process and eases the check-in process for staff/volunteers and guests on the day of.
Photography & Video
No flash photography or full-frame cameras unless given a press pass. We love for you to capture and share your experience, but we do ask that you be conscientious of others and the artists during the performance so as not to disrupt the event.
Seating
Seating is first-come-first-served, apart from any clearly marked reserved or VIP seating.
Silence Your Phone
Please silence phones/devices during the performance.
Will Call
Paper tickets are not available unless otherwise arranged, as all tickets run through the Eventbrite system. If you wish to print out your Eventbrite tickets for check-in, you may do so, but do not expect to be able to pick up physical tickets at a box office.
Any other questions? Contact us.
Venue-Related FAQs
Accessibility
Stable Hall recognizes the needs of guests with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Stable Hall will make every effort to comply with state and federal accessibility regulations and accommodate guests with disabilities. Stable Hall is accessible to the disabled community through various structural features and operational services. We welcome all disabled guests to attend all events. For additional information related to accessibility, please reach out to boxoffice@stablehall.com.
Alcohol Serving and Consumption
Stable Hall has adopted an alcohol policy that is designed to protect guests and the community from alcohol-related incidents. Guests are expected to obey all state and local laws governing the purchase, possession, and consumption of alcohol. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcoholic beverages. Stable Hall reserves the right to deny entry to anyone who appears to be impaired. Guests must discard alcoholic beverages prior to exiting the building and are not allowed to bring any outside beverages into the building.
All Guests who appear to be younger than the age of thirty-five (35) will be asked to show positive identification before being served alcoholic beverages. Acceptable forms of valid identification are: Driver’s License, Passport, United States Passport Card, and State-Issued ID. Card w/ Photo, Military I.D. w/ Photo, and Mexican Consular Card. All other forms of Photo Identification are not accepted. Stable Hall reserves the right to eject anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) who is observed to be in possession of, or consuming alcohol on the premises.
Animals
Animals or pets of any kind are prohibited in Stable Hall with the exception of trained and credentialed service animals for guests with disabilities. Service animals are welcome inside the venue but must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. Service animals will rest in the seating area of the individual with a disability, rather than in the aisle. A guest whose service animal poses a threat to the safety of other Stable Hall guests and employees may be asked to escort the animal off the premises.
Backstage
Only Guests with proper credentials and authorization will be allowed backstage. Guests who are found to be in these locations without proper credentials will be subject to ejection and/or arrest.
Bag Policy
All guests and all bags are subject to a security screening. Guests are permitted to bring personal items such as purses, clutches or fanny packs. Bags not allowed into Stable Hall include: Backpacks, Oversized bags and tote bags. Please note that some events may enforce a modified bag policy. Please see the specific event page for further information.
Coat Check
Stable Hall does not provide an area to check coats or personal belongings. Stable Hall is not responsible for any property that is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Code of Conduct
Stable Hall is committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable entertainment experience. We ask all guests to be respectful of those around them. Any guest who interferes with the enjoyment of another individual during an event is subject to immediate ejection from the building. If you are asked to leave the building and do not comply, we reserve the right to involve the San Antonio Police.
Guests are expected to follow the guidelines below and should expect an environment where:
- Guests will be treated in a consistent, professional, and courteous manner by all venue personnel.
- Guests will consume alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner. Intervention with an impaired, intoxicated, or underage guest will be handled in a prompt and safe manner. Management reserves the right to deny entry into the venue and/or refuse service to guests displaying visible signs of impairment/intoxication.
- Guests will sit only in their ticketed seats. Guests must always possess a valid ticket and/or credential and provide it when requested.
- Guests are permitted to sit or stand during an event if they are only occupying the area in front of their ticketed seat. Standing in aisles, and/or on chairs, is strictly prohibited.
- Guests who engage in disruptive behavior (including foul/abusive language or obscene gestures), fighting, throwing objects, or attempting to enter the court/stage will be immediately ejected from the venue without refund or reimbursement.
- Any obscene or indecent messages on signs or clothing will not be permitted.
- Guests will not smoke in the venue, but in designated smoking areas.
- Guests will comply with all requests from venue staff regarding facility operations and emergency response procedures.
- Guests are responsible for their own good time and are expected to report any incident, concern, or inappropriate behavior to venue personnel as soon as possible.
Stable Hall staff have been trained to intervene where necessary to help ensure that the above expectations are met, and guests are encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest Usher, Security or SAPD officer. Guests who choose not to adhere to these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund, membership holders may also be subject to having their membership revoked and may also be in violation of city ordinances resulting in possible arrest and prosecution. If you feel that our staff does not address any issues to your satisfaction, please request to speak with a Supervisor or Manager immediately. Venue Management reserves the right to approve, adjust, or enforce any policy at their discretion. Thank you for understanding and adhering to all venue policies and our Guest Code of Conduct.
Dress Code
All guests are required to wear a shirt, pants/shorts/skirt and shoes for their own safety. Stable Hall management reserves the right to deny entry to guests wearing clothing items displaying offensive text and/or images.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Stable Hall continually works with the local Fire Department, Police Department, and other agencies in the development of specific Emergency Procedures Plans for each event. Stable Hall’s goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere by using installed automated security systems and appropriate security operating plans. Trained Guest Services and Security personnel will ensure the security and safety of all guests, performers, and employees at Stable Hall. In the case of an emergency, guests must comply with requests from venue staff regarding arena operations and emergency response procedures.
Entry Inspections
All guests entering the facility are subject to a metal-detector screening, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by Stable Hall Security personnel. The purpose of the inspection is to detect prohibited items. This inspection is for the safety of all our guests attending any event where this security inspection is required. Anyone who refuses to adhere to these inspections will not be allowed access into the facility. No refunds and or exceptions will be given for refusal to adhere to the security inspection.
Flyers/Handouts/Product Samples
The distribution of promotional items, flyers, or printed materials is not permitted without written permission of Stable Hall. The sampling and distribution of products is prohibited.
Lost & Found
If you realize you’ve lost an item while still in the building, please inquire with Pearl Security at 210.889.5287. MBAW and Stable Hall assume no responsibility for lost items.
Parking
There are many parking options located around the venue. See the Pearl parking options here.
The Oxbow Garage is utilized for office parkers until 6 pm. You are welcome to park at the Oxbow Garage before 6 pm on a first-come come first-served basis at your cost.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited items include: all weapons including pocket knives and pepper spray, oversized bags, backpacks, outside food and beverage, cans, bottles, outside alcohol, drugs, laser pens, utility tools, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, video cameras, monopods, tripods, audio recording devices (unless special permission is granted and/or “taper” tickets are offered to the ticket buyer), selfie sticks and cameras with telephoto or zoom lenses. Texas state law prohibits smoking at Stable Hall.
Ride Share Drop Off Zones/Designated Pick-up Areas
For guests arriving or leaving Stable Hall by vehicle, ride share is strongly encouraged. The designated ride share pick-up & drop-off location closest to Stable Hall is located at 300 E. Grayson St, San Antonio, Texas 78215 at the southeast corner of Grayson and Avenue A near the Trek store.
Smoking
By law, smoking in all areas of Stable Hall is prohibited. You may smoke outside the building in designated smoking areas. Lighting of matches, lighters, or any other flammable devices is not permitted within the building, and use of these devices may result in ejection from the building. All smoking and similar paraphernalia (including E-cigarettes and similar devices) is strictly prohibited.
Any other questions? Contact us.