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Formed in 1990, "Diversion" was the vision of Leo J. Polk.  He wanted to form a unit that could be diverse enough to perform any style of music, but whose primary repertoire would consist of Traditional & Contemporary Jazz. And the group has been on that path ever since. Throughout the years, many musicians have work in the group, but it took on it’s visionary goal when Jelando Johnson, bass; Algernon Jones, trombone; the late Charles Rhinehart, III, piano & Samuel Dinkins, III joined "Diversion" in 1994/95.

Leo Polk’s career has spanned some 25 plus years in America and abroad playing trumpet and singing, for which he is known as "The Voice." Some of his many credits include David Ruffin, B.B. King, Calvin Owens, Janet Dubois of the television show "Good Times" and the Lead Vocalist with the Conrad Johnson Big Band for 10 years, in addition to three solo vocal recordings and a host of other entertainment accomplishments. Diversion’s credits include a 6 year relationship with Mingo’s (Houston’s premier Jazz Club) where they were the house band for the Monday night Jazz jam-so popular that music critic Rick Mitchell did a feature article in the August 24, 1995 edition of the Houston Chronicle’s Pop Notes. The group has also appeared at Smooth FM 98.5's Houston "Jazz on the Plaza" series, SHAPE Community Center’s Annual Pan-African Festival, Gala’s for The Ensemble Theatre, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, Baylor College of Medicine and a host of Jazz venues in the Houston metroplex. Diversion currently features the talents of Jelando Johnson, bass; Algernon Jones, trombone; Dave Marcellin, piano and Leader Samuel Dinkins, III, drums & percussion. These talented musicians credits include the whose who in the music business. They have worked with, individually or collectively, artist such as Joe Sample, Melba Moore, Joe Hernandez & La Familia, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and a host of Blues, Gospel, Jazz, R-n-B, and Salsa acts.

Audio Clips

  • Test

  • Introduction

  • Track 1

  • Track 2

  • Track 3

  • Track 4

Genres of Music

New Orleans Jazz - "Sweet Georgia Brown"
Traditionial Jazz - "Autumn Leaves"
Contemporary Jazz - "Groovy People"

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