Trevor Ware & Positive People

 
 
 

Band Biography

A Spirit of Affirmation: The Evolution of Trevor Ware & Positive People

Positive People is a band of dynamic musicians led by Grammy winning composer and bassist Trevor Ware. The band's mission is to simply make audiences feel good by sharing spirit on stage. This is jazz, but it's not just musicians playing notes. We believe music has many purposes, one of which is lifting the countenance of the collective audience.  We are 5 people onstage, but consider the audience & the music as our 6th & 7th performing members, and do our best to use their significant influence to improvise the show.

In the heart of Leimert Park, where the air often hums with the legacy of jazz giants, Trevor Ware found more than just a rhythm—he found a calling. While many know Ware as the foundational bassist for the world-renowned Legendary Count Basie Orchestra or as the dedicated Professor of Acoustic & Electric Bass at California State University, Dominguez Hills, his latest endeavor, Trevor Ware & Positive People, represents a deeply personal pivot from sideman to visionary leader.

A Journey of Rediscovery

Ware’s path to the bandstand wasn’t a straight line. Though he was an award-winning bassist in his youth, he stepped away from music in high school, eventually pursuing electrical engineering at USC. It was a "non-majors" bass class at the university that reignited his passion, a moment Ware describes as a profound sense of "coming home."

This homecoming led him to the vibrant arts community of Leimert Park in South Los Angeles, where he cut his teeth performing with legends like Horace Tapscott and Billy Higgins. These experiences didn’t just hone his technique; they instilled in him a belief that music is a tool for community building and emotional resonance.

The Birth of "Positive People"

Formed in 2024, Positive People was born out of a specific necessity. Observing a world increasingly defined by anxiety and division, Ware sought to create a collective that prioritized positive creativity and spirit in music.

“The goal was to create music that serves as a message of encouragement,” Ware explains. The ensemble—featuring Peter Smith on piano, Scott Gilman on saxophone, and Marcello Carelli on drums—operates with a chemistry that is palpable. Their sound is rooted in the tradition of hard bop and spiritual jazz but is infused with a modern, uplifting, modern energy that is uniquely their own.

The 2026 Monthly Release Project

To kick off 2026, the band launched an ambitious recording project: releasing one new original single every month. This "musical journal" captures the band’s versatility and Ware’s evolving voice as a composer. Listed releases are currently available on all streaming platforms.

  • January: "Degnan Nocturne" – A soulful tribute to the central artery of Leimert Park, featuring the legendary Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums.

  • February: "Pheeling Pharoah" – A vibrant, joyful nod to the spiritual jazz of Pharoah Sanders, featuring percussionist Munyungo Jackson and drummer Joe LaBarbera.

  • March: "Billy’s Breeze" – A drum feature performed by Jeff Hamilton, designed to evoke the spirit of Billy Higgins walking down Degnan Avenue.

  • April: "I Will Sing For You" – A milestone for Ware, marking his first released vocal composition, brought to life by the velvet tones of vocalist Sidney Jacobs.

Looking Ahead: The Dymally International Jazz Festival

The momentum of their monthly releases is leading toward a major showcase on April 25, 2026. Trevor Ware & Positive People are set to take the stage at the Dymally International Jazz and Arts Festival, held at CSUDH. Sharing the bill with icons like Diane Reeves and Arturo Sandoval, the performance serves as a homecoming for Ware on the very campus where he mentors the next generation of musicians.

Dymally International Jazz Festival

Trevor Ware & Positive People featuring Sidney Jacobs performs at 1pm

For Trevor Ware, this band is more than just a project—it is an evolution. By stepping into the spotlight with a message of positivity, he isn't just playing the notes; he’s inviting the audience to find their own rhythm in a complicated world.

To listen to the latest singles from Trevor Ware & Positive People, find them on all major streaming platforms. Catch them live at the Dymally International Jazz Festival on April 25th.

While the band is unmistakably improvisational, Positive People enjoys taking references from and incorporating other musical genres into their works. Yes, you can improvise over pop changes and play jazz grooves other than swing.  Come enjoy it with us.

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View fullsize We had a FANTASTIC time yesterday at Stan's sessions at Stained Glass Studios in Pasadena California. The music, the venue, the audience: wasn't everything just perfect? I told the man I wasn't worried about notes🎵, our job was to share spirit🙏🏾,
View fullsize Really excited to get back to making music with these characters. Personalities become evident in a phrase. We'll be at Stained Glass Studios on Sunday Nov 10 @ 4pm. I'm sure there will be spirit in the room; hopefully yours. Scan the code in the l
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More information is available at:

Band members include:

  • Trevor Ware - Bass/Bandleader

  • Sidney Jacobs - Vocals

  • Peter Smith - Piano

  • Scott Gilman - Tenor Saxophone

  • Marcello Carelli - Drums

Billy’s Breeze

A drum feature performed by Jeff Hamilton, designed to evoke the spirit of Billy Higgins walking down Degnan Avenue..

Degnan Nocturne

A soulful tribute to the central artery of Leimert Park, featuring the legendary Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums.

Pheeling Pharoah

A vibrant, joyful nod to the spiritual jazz of Pharoah Sanders, featuring percussionist Munyungo Jackson and drummer Joe LaBarbera

I Will Sing For You

A milestone for Ware, marking his first released vocal composition, brought to life by the velvet tones of vocalist Sidney Jacobs.