The Free Agents

Jazz with Attitude

High-energy jazz. Serious musicians. Unforgettable sets.

About the Band

Serious Musicians. Serious Fun.

The Free Agents bring something rare to the bandstand: the kind of chemistry that only comes from serious musicians who play together because they love it.

Drawing from the deep well of contemporary jazz artists, alongside time-honored standards and their own high-energy takes on classic rock and pop, The Free Agents deliver sets that surprise, swing, and stay with you.

Band members have performed and recorded with Manhattan Transfer, The Rippingtons, Barry Manilow, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich, and many others.

“Renick, who was a genial, informative and sometimes humorous emcee, drove and uplifted the band with his drumming.”
— Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene

the Band

Meet the Musicians

Dave Renick

Drums / Band Leader

Dave’s drumming is the engine at the heart of the Free Agents. A veteran of contemporary jazz, Dave has performed with the Rippingtons, the Chris Ho Band, and Kilauea, as well as several big bands in the Los Angeles area. He founded The Free Agents to do exactly what the name suggests: play great music, on their own terms.

Mike Schnoebelen

Bass

Mike brings a deep ensemble pedigree to every gig. He has performed with The Manhattan Transfer, Boyd Cannon Big Band, Swing Shift Big Band, L.A. Symphonic Winds, and numerous jazz groups throughout Los Angeles and beyond.

Ken Berry

Guitar

Ken served as guitarist, arranger, and producer on multiple Barry Manilow albums for Arista Records and has won numerous BMI Awards for television work including themes for Big Brother and Jerry Seinfeld’s The Marriage Ref.

Sam Morgan

Saxophone

Sam grew up in one of Los Angeles’s most musically accomplished families — the son of acclaimed session singer Alicia McCracken Morgan and keyboardist David Morgan, whose collective credits include Bobby Womack, Leonard Cohen, Kenny Rogers, Little Richard, and many more. That upbringing is audible every time Sam steps up to play.

Lana Drincic

Keyboards

A Los Angeles-based pianist, vocalist, and composer, Lana brings serious formal training and a distinctive creative voice to everything she plays. An original member of The Free Agents, her busy career means she can’t always make every date — but when she’s at the keys, you know it.

James Morgan

Keyboards

Like his brother Sam, James Morgan came up surrounded by music at the highest professional level — a family tradition built on versatility, feel, and deep musical roots. Dave brings both that heritage and his own evolving voice to The Free Agents.

Connie Nassios

Vocals

A seasoned performer with years of touring and recording experience, Connie brings warmth and versatility to The Free Agents on select dates as guest vocalist. She also performs with her family band alongside husband Ken Berry and daughter Abbi Berry.

David Edelstein

Keyboards

David has performed with the Buddy Rich Big Band, Peggy Lee, Harry James’ Orchestra, George Duke, Dionne Warwick, and Natalie Cole. As a producer and arranger he has worked with Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, and Tom Jones. His TV credits include Knight Rider, Webster, and Solid Gold.

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