Born in Detroit, Jeff Ponders II honed his skills under the tutelage of jazz masters Donald Walden, Marcus Belgrave, and Wendell Harrison. His work includes performances and recordings with James Carter, Robert Glasper, Mike Phillips, Keyshia Cole, Bebe Winans, @EricRoberson, and more. Jeff toured as a member of the Marvin Gaye Orchestra for the hit musical "My Brother Marvin,” is a founding member of the electrifying band HotSauceMusic, and works throughout the US as an artist and keynote speaker. 
 Jeff's debut solo release, Spark, takes listeners on a journey through musical idioms from funk to fusion, swing to soul, and church pews to the Caribbean.  The project features a talented group of musicians, including Grammy-nominated artists Brandon Williams and Demetrius "Krayon" Nabors, rising jazz drummer Nate Winn, and Gerard Gibbs of the James Carter Organ Trio.