24K is proud to be composed of seasoned professionals from diverse backgrounds. A love of music and bringing people joy unites us.
Jill Parsons
Jill Parsons is the leader and music director of 24k Event Band. She has been performing in the music industry since her teenage years, as a vocalist, bassist, pianist, and songwriter. She was the Musical Director on the Regal Empress cruise ship, from 1998 until 2003, where she worked alongside Michael McDonald, Ike Turner, The Shirelles, Delbert McClinton, Jerry Butler, The Drifters, The Platters, and many more. She also performed with Little Anthony, Chuck Berry, The Coasters, and The Marvelettes, as a member of 'The Cutters', a 1960's tribute band, that also had the honor of opening for 'The Four Tops'. Jill's father is Dorsey Ray Parsons, who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of 'Bill Haley's Comets'. Jill is also a professional DJ, when not leading 24k Event Band, @DJPianoYourEvent on Instagram.
As leader of 24k Event Band and a long time musician in the entertainment industry, she has worked with many award winning artists and entertainers, but is most proud of making music with every outstanding performer in this group. She is passionate about sustaining and supporting live entertainment and the community it creates.
Matt Schoenfeld
24K’s bassist Matt Schoenfeld keeps the band rhythmically in line, underpinning everything we do with his supreme sense of groove. He earned his music degree from Berklee College of Music and has been working with event bands in the DC area for over 20 years, including Highway Star and Doctors Orders. You can also find him as the house bassist for the Cabaret series organization “Outstanding Voices of DC!”
Miriamm Wright McKinney
24K’s powerhouse lead vocalist bares her soul with every note she shares! Miriamm has had the privilege of sharing her voice in places around the world in roles portraying the late, great Mahalia Jackson in the stage play “Sing Mahalia Sing”, to sharing the stage with Aretha Franklin and other musical icons. She also toured as Peaches, one half of the classic R&B duo Peaches & Herb, appearing most notably in several pledge drives for PBS Broadcasting. Miriamm hit the big screen in the feature film “Cadillac Records” (Sony Music Films), portraying the role of background singer for Etta James (Beyonce’ Knowles). Miriamm has released 3 full length CDs including a live release recorded at DC’s own Blues Alley. Miriamm is passionate about her Breast Cancer Awareness advocacy and serves as a Chair of the Board for the non-profit organization the Edith P. Wright Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. raising funds for breast cancer awareness and education with her yearly benefit concert series.
Sarah Nichols
Sarah Nichols is a performer and a voice and speech specialist from Orlando, FL. Since receiving a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2014, she has performed on tour in the US with TheatreworksUSA and for Royal Caribbean International on the Majesty of the Seas. In 2020, she moved to Washington, DC after completing an MFA in Voice Studies at The Royal Central School of Speech in Drama in London. In addition to singing with 24K Event Band, Sarah works regularly as a voiceover actor and a voice, accent, and communication coach, offering classes to actors and executives in breathing, vocal production, accent modification, and public speaking skills.
Korey Thomas
Korey Thomas, 24K’s lead male vocalist, was born in Baltimore MD, has been a part of the DMV music scene for the last five years. Raised in the Church, Gospel music was his first love, but after learning of jazz and soul he was mesmerized. Citing Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Jeffery Osborne as his biggest influences, Korey takes a Soulful approach to every song, having started with vocal producing and background vocals for his college choir. Now as a Vocalist in 24K he sings all genres for weddings and events. Korey believes music is the key to healing and understanding each other. When he’s not working with 24K he enjoys hosting his own popular karaoke events in Baltimore!
Brian Waitzman
24K’s lead guitarist Brian Waitzman is a guitar instructor and composer residing in Gaithersburg, Maryland. When not performing with 24K, Brian leads his own original music band. Brian’s musical talents have led him to explore every genre under the sun, from pop and soul to jazz and indie, making him perfect to provide authentic sounds with 24K for everything from ACDC and Journey to Ed Sheeran and Rihanna. A graduate of Goddard College and Omega Studios School of Recording Arts and Sciences, Brian has decades of performance experience in the DMV, and has been nominated at the Wammies in 2015 as a member of Fishermen Band.
Paul Jung
Paul Jung, 24K’s drummer, is the backbone of our rhythm section. Paul is a scholarship recipient and graduate of Berklee School of Music He is currently working on earning his Master’s degree from Vanderbilt in Baltimore as well as teaching and performing as a full-time musician in the greater DMV with various jazz ensembles, performing nightly when he’s not working with 24K. He has had the honor of learning from some of the most respected and legendary drummers in the world, including Ralph Peterson and Terri Lynn Carrington. Paul is a serious minded and dedicated musician that comes from a musical family, and is looking forward to continuing his profession and education in all styles of music.
Brendan Schnabel
Leader of 24K’s horn section, Brendan Schnabel is a saxophonist, composer, arranger, and music educator. Based in the Washington, D.C. metro region, he has become one of the area’s most sought-after instrumentalists, with a versatile performance style rooted in jazz improvisation. Brendan’s performance credentials include tours throughout the United States, as well as engagements in South Africa, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Notable venues include Blues Alley, 9:30 Club, The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Howard Theater, and Brooklyn Bowl. Brendan earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from George Mason University in 2022.
