Jill Minyé Duo
Jill Minyé was born and raised in Syracuse, N.Y., began studying classical piano at age 8, and continued studying through undergraduate school at Grinnell College. She moved to Northern California after college, where she had a rewarding career teaching Yoga and Mindfulness for over 25 years.
After decades of teaching Yoga, she felt a pull back to music, Jazz in particular, and enrolled in classes at her local Junior College at age 52. She studied Jazz theory and improvisation, began playing piano in Jazz combos, and much to her surprise, developed a passion for singing.
Jill leaned into that desire and started private voice lessons, took classes at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, and studied voice at The Stanford Jazz Workshop with pianist-vocalist, Dena DeRose, who is her mentor. She’s been working diligently on her craft for ten years now.
Jill recently moved back to Syracuse, where she is focusing on music full time and is thrilled to be playing with some of the most talented musicians in the area.
Bassist Michael Kujawski, was born in Rochester New York in 1985. A graduate of the esteemed Eastman School of Music (BM, Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media ’07), Michael studied double bass in the studio of Jeffery Campbell and was classically trained by James VanDemark.
Upon graduation, Michael packed his bags and moved to New York City in order to pursue a Masters degree (MM, Jazz Studies’09) at Purchase Collage under the guidance of renowned bassist and educator Todd Coolman where he was also mentored by trumpet legend John Faddis, completing his Master’s Thesis entitled, “Jazz and Hip-Hop: Making The Connection”, a socio-historical and musical exploration of jazz and hip-hop musical culture and content. Michael’s early recording career began with instrumental funk ensemble “Dubblestuff” and Purchase College Studio Composition Professor Ted Piltzecker for the album “Steppe Forward”
An active freelance musicians since performing with “Nik and The Nice Guys” at age 15, Michael became an on-demand freelance bassist in NYC and Upstate NY before being offered an opportunity as a bassist in the house band for Princess Cruises, performing shows every night in an 800 seat theater with acts from around the globe.
Michael became one of the youngest Music Managers in the fleet in 2011 and completed contracts in China, Japan, and Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Caribbean, South America, French Polynesia, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and many, many more itineraries.
In 2018, Michael earned a promotion to Entertainment Director, and shortly afterwards moved to California. As an executive hotel officer, Michael was responsible for the Music Department, Youth Center, Stage Staff, Production Cast, Cruise Director and Cruise Staff, as well as Guest Entertainers, Lecturers, daily event schedule and onboard television show, as well as NPS and financial targets for various vessels such as The Ruby, Star, Golden, Caribbean, Grand, Sea, Sun, Sapphire, Diamond, Pacific, Majestic and Coral Princess.
Later relocating to Utah and eventually Colorado, Michael worked in distribution as an Operations Manager for m7 Business Systems before returning to his former role as Entertainment Director- completing the 2024 World Cruise, a 110-day journey clear around the world!
In 2025, Michael moved back to New York, and began work as a Production Manager and Talent Buyer for Turning Stone Resort & Casino where he has resumed his freelance musical career in New York.
His electric bass playing is heard on major network television like ‘Chicago Fire’, ‘Entertainment Tonight’ and more with singer/songwriter Aaron Celentano, and he is a regular house band member at the weekly Jazz Jam in downtown Syracuse NY.
