What makes Jazz Port Townsend one of the country's best weeks of jazz?
The artists.
Artistic Director John Clayton has personally selected each artist because of what they have to share with you.
Whether you are a workshop attendee or a passionate audience member, we are sure you will be amazed by what you see and hear at Fort Worden.
2010 Jazz Port Townsend Artists
Scroll down for full bios and media files.
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CLARENCE ACOXClarence Acox Jr., an instrumental figure in the Seattle music scene, has nurtured young musicians for the past 35 years as director of jazz bands at Garfield High School. He leads the renowned Garfield Jazz Ensemble, winning dozens of awards and making regular appearances at national and international venues.
A native of New Orleans, La., Acox came to Seattle in 1971 straight out of Southern University, where he was recruited by Garfield High School to revive its moribund music program. Garfield's Jazz Ensemble has twice taken first place (in 2003 and 2004) at New York's Essentially Ellington National Jazz Band Competition and Festival at New York City's Lincoln Center - the country's most prestigious high school jazz competition. Under Acox's direction, the jazz ensemble has swept every major competition on the West Coast, including the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, and Oregon's Mt. Hood Jazz Festival.
Acox, who also directs Seattle University's Jazz Ensemble, was named "Educator of the Year" by Down Beat Magazine in 2001. In 2004, the Seattle Music Educator's Association awarded him its "Outstanding Music Educator" award.
An accomplished and in-demand drummer, Acox co-founded the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra in 1995 and performed with the Floyd Standifer Quartet (now Legends Quartet) at the New Orleans Creole Restaurant for more than two decades.
In August, 2007, Clarence Acox was awarded the Mayor's Arts Award by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.
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DAN BALMER
Dan Balmer is regarded as the finest jazz guitarist in Oregon. Inducted into the Jazz Society of Oregon's Hall of Fame, as it's youngest member and first guitarist. As well as leading his own groups, Dan has been in demand as a sideman, recording and playing with almost every Northwest artist of note, including David Friesen, Mel Brown, Ron Steen, Patrick Lamb, John Nilsen, etc. As a result, his guitar sound is represented on more than 70 recordings. He has also performed and recorded with jazz legends Joey Defrancesco, Airto, Red Mitchell, Bill Mays, Steve Smith, Pat Martino, Bud Shank, Joe LaBarbera, among others.
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GEORGE CABLES
When George Cables was going to school in New York City he used to walk the streets at night, taking in the cosmopolitan sights and sounds, mentally recording his encounters with "so many different kinds of people." In his musical career as well, Cables has prowled sidestreets and main thoroughfares in relative anonymity, absorbing countless influences into his personal style.
Born in New York City on November 14, 1944, Cables was classically trained as a youth and when he started at the "Fame" worthy High School of Performing Arts, he admittedly "didn't know anything about jazz." But he was soon smitten with the potential for freedom of expression he heard in jazz.
The young Cables was impressed by such keyboardists as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. But, he points out, "I never really listened to pianists when I was coming up. I would probably say I've been more influenced by Miles or Trane and their whole bands rather than by any single pianist. The concept of the music is more important than listening to somebody's chops, somebody's technique, The Way Miles' band held together, it was just like magic. You were transported to another world."
Cables attended Mannes College of Music for two years and by 1964 he was playing in a band called The Jazz Samaritans which included such rising stars as Billy Cobham, Lenny White. and Clint Houston. Gigs around New York at the Top of the Gate, Slugs, and other clubs attracted attention to Cables' versatility and before long he had recorded with tenor saxophonist Paul Jeffrey, played on Max Roach's "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and earned a brief 1969 tenure at the piano bench with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.
A 1969 tour with tenor titan Sonny Rollins took Cables to the West Coast. By 1971 he became a significant figure in the jazz scenes of Los Angeles, where he first resided, and San Francisco, where he also lived. Collaborations and recordings with tenor saxophonists Joe Henderson and Sonny Rollins ("Next Album:), trumpeters Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw ("Blackstone Legacy"), and vibist Bobby Hutcberson made Cables' wide-ranging keyboard skills, often on electric piano, amply evident. Demand for his sensitive accompaniment increased and by the end of the 1970s, Cables was garnering a reputation as everyone's favorite sideman.
Perhaps the most pivotal turn came when hard-bop legend Dexter Gordon invited Cables into his quartet in 1977. The two years he spent with the tenor giant ignited Cables's passion for the acoustic piano and immersed him in the bebop vocabulary. "I don't feel that one should be stuck in the mud playing the same old stuff all the time, trying to prove that this music is valid," Cables says. "We don't need to prove anything. But I think you really have to be responsive to your heritage and then go on and find your own voice."
The longest standing relationship Cables developed in the late seventies was with alto saxophonist Art Pepper. Cables, who Pepper called "Mr. Beautiful," became Art's favorite pianist, appearing on many quartet dates for Contemporary and Galaxy, and joining Art for the extraordinary duet album, Goin' Home, that would be Pepper's final recording session. "I've been able to play with some of the greatest musicians in the world," Cables says, ..but it's funny, if you're not seen as a bandleader, doing the same thing alot of times, it's easy to wonder, `Well, who are you really? What do you really feel?' And sometimes I have to ask myself that, because every time I play with somebody different I have to put on a different hat."
He has performed and recorded with some of the greatest jazz musicians of our time, including: Joe Henderson, Roy Haynes, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Sarah Vaughn, Tony Williams, Bobby Hutcherson and Dizzy Gillespie.
George Cables has emerged as a major voice in modern jazz. He is currently performing and recording as a soloist, with trio and larger ensembles, and as a clinician in college jazz programs. In addition to composing and arranging for his own albums, George Cables has contributed to recordings by Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Bobby Hutcherson and many others. He is noted for his fresh Interpretations of classic compositions and for his innovative style of writing.
- Listen to "Helen's Song" by George (mp3)
- Purchase George's latest release: "Looking for the Light"
- Visit George's website
DAWN CLEMENT
Dawn Clement is a Northwest favorite on piano who has received high honors at numerous global piano competitions.
Her musical delicacy and vivaciousness has been heard in some of the world's most premier venues including Carnegie Hall, Le Conservatoire Superieur in Paris, and Seattle's Benaroya Hall, as well as numerous clubs (including Sweet Rhythm and Tonic), art museums, and theaters. Dawn has also toured the U.S. with a number of projects including the Sabella Consort (2000-2003), the Rubin/Clement Piano Dialogues (2000-2002), for which she received a King County Arts Commission Grant (2002), and Jane Ira Bloom.
- Visit Dawn's website
- Purchase Dawn's latest recording: "Hush"
JEFF CLAYTON
Jeff Clayton is a talented sax and wind player whose sound evokes Cannonball Adderley. As a jazz musician, Jeff has worked with the Count Basie Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Lena Horne, McCoy Tyner, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and many others.
Jeff is a co-leader in a band with brother John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton called the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. John and Jeff also continue their original childhood group The Clayton Brothers. Both groups tour and showcase original compositions and arrangements by both brothers.
Jeff also recorded important albums with, among others, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Kenny Rodgers, Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Earth, Wind & Fire, and a solo on Madonna's recording “Back in Business.”
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JOHN CLAYTON
Centrum is honored to have John Clayton as our Artistic Director for Jazz. John was Artistic Director of Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl from 1999–2001. He has written, performed, and arranged music for Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Natalie Cole, Milt Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Dr. John, and others.
He co-leads the Clayton Brothers Quintet with his brother, saxophonist Jeff Clayton, and the brothers lead the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with drummer Jeff Hamilton. He is Artistic Director of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the Vail Jazz Workshop and teaches at USC.
- Listen to John's "Wild Man" (mp3)
- Purchase John's latest recording: "Brother to Brother"
- Visit John's website
- Visit John's myspace page
- John's online press kit
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CHUCK DEARDORF
Chuck Deardorf has recorded and toured internationally with such jazz greats as saxophonists Bud Shank and Don Lanphere, pianists George Cables and Kenny Barron, drummer Winard Harper, and guitarist Larry Coryell.
As the first call bassist in Seattle for many years, Chuck has performed with a long list of legendary artists including: Chet Baker, Zoot Sims, Art Farmer, Howard Roberts, Monty Alexander, Kenny Burrell, Marian McPartland, Mel Lewis, Pete Christlieb, Joe Williams, Kenny Werner, Carl Fontana, Joe LaBarbara, and Tal Farlow.
Chuck currently performs with the exciting Brazilian Jazz group the Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto, and the Bill Ramsay Big Band, among others. He is also writer and host of the Warner Publishing bass instructional video, "Bass Tips; Jazz, Funk and Fusion."
- Listen to Chuck's "Rhythm Tune" (mp3)
- Visit Chuck's Origin Records page
- Read an interview with Chuck
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GRAHAM DECHTER
Guitarist and Los Angeles native Graham Dechter is one of the most promising young jazz musicians on the scene today. After completing a year at the Eastman School of Music, at the invitation of Jeff Hamilton, Graham moved back to Los Angeles to accept the guitar seat in the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO). He was 19 at the time and became the youngest member of the acclaimed orchestra.
Now 23, Graham, through his association with CHJO and other playing experience, has performed and recorded with some of the most respected names in music, including: Ernie Andrews, Michael Buble, Regina Carter, Natalie Cole, Bill Charlap, Paquito D'Rivera, Kurt Elling, Roy Hargrove, Stefon Harris, Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Byron Stripling, Nancy Wilson, Phil Woods and Snooky Young.
He has toured throughout the United States and Europe with CHJO and has played at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Hollywood Bowl..
- Visit Graham's website
- Purchase Graham's latest release: "Right On Time"
- Visit Graham's myspace page
BENNY GREEN
Born in New York in 1963, Benny Green grew up in Berkeley, California, and began classical piano studies at the age of seven. Influenced by his father, a tenor saxophonist, his attention soon turned into Jazz: "I began trying to improvise on the piano, imitating the records I'd been hearing from my father's collection, which included a lot of Monk and Bird… it was a gradual process of teaching myself". Benny played in school bands before hooking up with Jazz singer Fay Carroll: "That was good training for me in terms of accompaniment and learning about the blues, and she also gave me a chance to play trio, opening for her every night".
As a teenager he worked with Eddie Henderson, and got some big band experience with a 12-piece group led by Chuck Israels. After his graduation, Benny freelanced around the bay area for a year, and then moved to New York in the spring of 1982. Back in the Big Apple, he met veteran pianist Walter Bishop Jr.: "I began studying with him and he helped point me in the direction of developing my own sound, and he also encouraged me to check out and study the whole scope of Jazz piano history, so I could get a sense of how I was to fit in".
After a short stint with Bobby Watson, Green worked with Betty Carter between 1983 and 1987, the year he joined Art Blakey's band. He remained a Jazz Messenger through late 1989, at which point he began working with Freddie Hubbard's quintet.
In 1993 Oscar Peterson chose Benny as the first recipient of the City of Toronto's Glen Gould International Protégé Prize in Music. That year, Green replaced Gene Harris in Ray Brown's Trio, working with the veteran bass player until 1997. From 1997 on, Benny resumed his freelance career, led his own trios, and concentrated on his solo piano performances.
His recording career, which includes over one hundred sessions, is very impressive: amongst many others, he has recorded as a sideman with: Betty Carter (including Grammy award winner Look What I Got), Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Watson, Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, and he is particularly featured in Ray Brown's trio series of CD's for Telarc.
As a leader of his own groups, Benny's recording career began with two albums for the Dutch label Criss Cross: Prelude (1988) and In This Direction (1989). In 1990 Green started recording for Blue Note: Lineage (1990), Greens (1991), Testifiyin' (1992), That's Right! (1993), The Place To Be (1994), Kaleidoscope (1997) and These Are Soulful Days (1999). He has also recorded for Toshiba- Funky (1997) -and for Telarc with Oscar Peterson- Oscar & Benny (1997).
In 2000, his debut recording on Telarc Jazz entitled Naturally was released, which featured bassist Christian McBride and guitarist Russell Malone, musicians who have both inspired and challenged him to explore new territory. With the 2002 release of Green's Blues, Benny returned to his roots and updated the tradition with an exciting solo collection of jazz standards by Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner and George Gershwin, among others, with his highly personal style.
A perpetual student of the history of Jazz piano, Benny Green mentions Art Tatum, Erroll Garner, Hank Jones, Ahmad Jamal, Phineas Newborn, Bud Powell and Oscar Peterson as some of his main influences. His approach to Jazz can be resumed in his own words: "… for myself and a lot of musicians I admire, the main focus is to just swing and have fun, and share those feelings with the audience … and, if I'm able to convey that, then I feel like I'm doing something positive".
- Listen to Benny's "Carls Blues" (mp3)
- Purchase Benny's latest release: "Blue Bird"
- Visit Benny's website
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WYCLIFFE GORDON
Wycliffe Gordon enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. Gordon tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students. Gordon received the Jazz Journalists Association 2008, 2007, 2006, 2002 and 2001 Award for Trombonist of the Year, and the Jazz Journalists Association 2000 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Trombone.
In addition to a thriving solo career, he tours regularly leading the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, headlining at legendary jazz venues throughout the world. Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at the Kennedy Center" Series. Gordon’s extensive performance experience includes work with many of the most renowned jazz performers of the past and present.
Gordon’s musical prowess has been captured on numerous recordings, including thirteen solo CDs and seven co-leader CDs. His latest recordings, “Boss Bones” and “You and I” were released in June 2008. Gordon is featured on numerous recordings with the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and many others as evidenced in his extensive discography.
Wycliffe Gordon is also a gifted composer and arranger. He was commissioned to compose a vibrant new score for the 1925 classic silent film "Body and Soul" (notable as the screen debut of Paul Robeson), which was premiered at the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra’s 2000-01 season opening night performance at Avery Fisher Hall, and was released on DVD in 2008. Gordon's "I Saw the Light," a musical tribute to Muhammad Ali, was commissioned and premiered by the Brass Band of Battle Creek in March 2004, and is scheduled for release on DVD in 2009.
Gordon’s compositions have been performed by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Wynton Marsalis Septet, the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, the Brass Band of Battle Creek and numerous other ensembles, and performed in programs throughout the U.S. and abroad including concert halls in New York, Los Angeles, Aspen, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Germany, London, Finland and Switzerland. Two of Gordon’s arrangements are also featured as a part of the PBS series "Marsalis on Music." Recent concert seasons have included premieres of compositions by Gordon for a variety of ensembles both in the Unites States and internationally. The first in a series of print editions of his big band, small ensemble and choir compositions will be available by spring of 2009.
Gordon’s television appearances have included the Grammy Awards, the PBS special documentary "Swingin’ with the Duke," and two Live from Lincoln Center broadcasts with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra – "Uptown Blues, Ellington at 100" (a collaboration with the New York Philharmonic) and "Big Train." Gordon also appeared in Ken Burns’ documentary "Jazz." Other television appearances include "A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert" and "Live from Lincoln Center: The Juilliard School at 100 Years." Gordon is featured in BET's 13-part series "Journey with Jazz at Lincoln Center" and was guest artist and commentator in NPR affiliate WVIA's special program on Tommy Dorsey (along with the late Skitch Henderson, just days before Henderson's death). Gordon also appeared with the Wynton Marsalis Septet in the feature film "Tune In Tomorrow" starring Peter Falk, Keanu Reeves and Barbara Hershey.
Gordon is rapidly becoming one of America’s most persuasive and committed music educators. His work with young musicians and audiences from elementary schools to universities all over the world is extensive, and includes master classes, clinics, workshops, children’s concerts and lectures — powerful evidence of his unique ability to relate musically to people of all ages. Gordon is currently working on a collection of trombone quartets, trios and duos to be entitled "Trombone Majesty," with expected publication in spring of 2009. In addition, his first method book "Basic Training, Exercises and Suggested Studies by Wycliffe Gordon," a compilation of the materials, exercises and approaches he uses in his teaching and in his own practice regimen, will be released in spring of 2009.
Gordon teamed with trombonist Joseph Alessi of the New York Philharmonic and students in both of their studios at Juilliard in creating and presenting the master class "Two Sides of the Slide" for Jazz at Lincoln Center. The master class is available in its entirety as part of a streaming video series offered by the Education Department of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Gordon is the youngest member of the U.S. Statesmen of Jazz, and in many tour performances has served and continues to serve as a musical ambassador for the U.S. State Department.
Born in Waynesboro, Georgia, Gordon was first introduced to music by his late father, Lucius Gordon, a classical pianist and teacher. His interest in the trombone was sparked at age twelve by his elder brother who played the instrument in his junior high school band. Egged on by sibling rivalry, Gordon’s relentless pleading of his parents led to his first trombone. A year later, an aunt bequeathed the Gordon Family her jazz record collection, and so began his passion for jazz music.
- Listen to Wycliffe's "Cherokee" (mp3)
- Purchase Wycliffe's latest release: "This Rhythm on My Mind"
- Visit Wycliffe's website
- Visit Wycliffe's myspace page
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RANDY HALBERSTADT
Randy Halberstadt has been a major figure on the Pacific Northwest jazz scene for many years. A multi-dimensional pianist, he is equally at home playing be-bop, Latin, down-home blues, straight-ahead swing, free and eclectic jazz.
In addition to leading his own trio and producing his own recordings (Inner Voice, Clockwork, and Parallel Tracks), he has performed with Herb Ellis, Buddy de Franco, Nick Brignola, Terry Gibbs, Slide Hampton, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, Joe LaBarbera, Lanny Morgan, John Stowell, David Friesen, Kim Richmond, Don Lanphere, Jiggs Whigham, Roswell Rudd, Jack Walrath, Gary Smulyan, Julian Priester, Mel Brown, and many others. He is the pianist for the esteemed Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and has performed repeatedly with the Seattle Symphony.
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JOHN HANSEN
John Hansen is regarded as one of the most in-demand jazz pianists in the Northwest. A studied and musical ensemble player with a strong melodic vocabulary, John has always been recognizable for a unique personal voice.
He has graced the stage at many of the great jazz stages, including NYC's Birdland, The Jazz Standard, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, DC's John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, Seattle's Jazz Alley and Tula's.
During his career, John Hansen has performed and recorded with many of the Northwest's premiere, award-winning bands including: the Jay Thomas Quartet, Jim Knapp Orchestra, Kelley Johnson, and The Bill Ramsay-Milt Kleeb Band with Pete Christlieb. He has been invited to perform with The Seattle Symphony, Rick Margitza, Randy Brecker, Ingrid Jensen, Ernestine Anderson, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Bud Shank, Bobby Shew, David 'Fathead' Newman, and more.
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JIMMY HEATH
The middle brother of the Heath jazz family and the leader of the quartet, Jimmy is a NEA Jazz Master and was a professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College for 10 years. Awarded 3 Grammy nominations and 3 honorary doctorates, Jimmy was the first jazz artist to receive a doctorate from the Julliard School of Music.
He has played and recorded with many of his legendary contemporaries including John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. He is a respected arranger and is credited with 130 compositions and 12 cds as a leader.
Jimmy’s compositions have been played and recorded by Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Ahmad Jamal, Cannonball Adderley, Chet Baker, Clark Terry, Dexter Gordon, Milt Jackson, Yusef Lateef, Blue Mitchell and Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra. He is also leader of the Jimmy Heath Big Band.
- Purchase The Heath Brothers' latest release: "Endurance"
- Visit Jimmy's website
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ALBERT "TOOTIE" HEATH
The youngest of the Heath brothers and drummer for the quartet, Tootie is a recipient of Yale University's Duke Ellington Fellowship Medal. He was the drummer on John Coltrane’s first recording as a leader and the last drummer for the Modern Jazz Quartet. Tootie has played and recorded with Don Cherry, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Frederic Gulda, Tommy Flanagan, Dexter Gordon, Nina Simone, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Timmons, Lester Young, Cedar Walton and Ben Webster.
He was a featured performer in the recent documentary Between a Smile and a Tear, by the filmmaker and pianist Niels Lan Doky, which revisited the glory years of Copenhagen's famed Club Montmartre where Tootie was house drummer.
He is also the leader of the Whole Drum Truth ensemble, which performs innovative all-percussion concerts with a rotating roster of the foremost jazz drummers.
- Purchase The Heath Brothers' latest release: "Endurance"
- Visit Tootie's website
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GARY HOBBS
Drummer Gary Hobbs is a native of the Pacific Northwest and lives in Vancouver, WA. He has played professionaly for over 3 decades and appears on over 50 recordings. Gary played with The Stan Kenton Orchestra from 1975 through 1977.
Gary has performed at Carnegie Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Tivoli Garden, Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap - along with scores of festivals and clubs all over the world.
Through the years Gary has played with Randy Brecker, Ken Peplowski, Pete Christlieb, Greta Matassa, Anita O'Day, Suzanna McKorkle, Dan Siegel, Glen Moore, The New York Voices, Eddie Harris and many more. Recently, Gary has performed with Randy Brecker, Bill Mays, Kurt Elling, Dave Frishberg, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Terry Gibbs, Jaquie Naylor, Jim Widner Big Band, Mike Vax Big Band and Tom Grant.
- Listen to Gary's "Of My Times" (mp3)
- Purchase Gary's latest release: "Of My Times"
- Visit Gary's website
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CHRISTINE JENSEN
Montreal-based musician Christine Jensen has been described as, “an original voice on the international jazz scene... [and] one of Canada’s most compelling composers,” by Mark Miller of the Globe and Mail. According to Greg Buium of Downbeat Magazine, “Jensen writes in three dimensions, with a quiet kind of authority that makes the many elements cohere. Wayne Shorter, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler come to mind.”
As a leader, Jensen has released three small ensemble recordings: Collage (2000), A Shorter Distance (2002), and Look Left (2006), all on the Effendi label. Along with her sister, New York-based trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and close friend and long-time musical cohort, Swedish pianist, Maggi Olin, she co-leads the group, Nordic Connect. They released their first joint effort featuring compositions from all three talents in 2007 entitled Flurry (ArtistShare).
Over the years, she has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians, including Geoffrey Keezer, Lenny Pickett, Brad Turner, Karl Jannuska, François Théberge, Gary Versace, Donny McCaslin, Steve Amirault, Franck Amsallem, in addition to her long-term musical relationships with sister, Ingrid and partner, saxophonist-composer Joel Miller.
Noted for her ability to transfer the intimate sound of a quartet into larger ensembles, Jensen’s music has been performed by ensembles around the globe, including the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Germany; the UMO Big Band, Finland; and the McGill Jazz Orchestra, Montreal. She was honoured with an Opus Award for Jazz Concert of the Year in 2006, from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, for leading the 18-member Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra, with special guest Donny McCaslin.
- Listen to Christine's "Capers Papers" (mp3)
- Purchase Christine's latest: "Treelines"
- Visit Christine's website
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INGRID JENSEN
From her early days playing in the subways of New York, to establishing herself as a leader and soloist in a wide array of musical genres, Nanaimo, BC native Ingrid Jensen has made her mark. Her three CD's for the ENJA label and her latest CD, At Sea, won her nominations from the Canadian Juno Awards, including an award in 1995 for Vernal Fields.
Ingrid's performances as a leader and as a featured soloist have taken her around the world from Canada to Japan, Australia, South America, the Caribbean and to almost every country in Europe and Scandinavia.
A Port Townsend favorite, Ingrid can be heard with the Grammy winning Maria Schneider Orchestra, the IJQ with Geoffrey Keezer, Project O, Nordic Connect (with her sister Christine) and a number of New York-based bands. She has performed with a dizzying array of artists, including with British Soul Star Corrine Bailey Rae on NBC's Saturday Night Live.
- Purchase Ingrid's latest "Nordic Connect" release - "Spirals"
- Visit Ingrid's website
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PAUL KELLER
Paul Keller is one of the busiest bassists in the Detroit area. He has earned the nick-name "The House Bass Player For The State Of Michigan" as each year, he logs so many miles traveling across the state to perform at various music venues. At his home-base, the Firefly Club in Ann Arbor, MI, Paul leads the 15-piece Paul Keller Orchestra, which plays original, obscure and classic big band material from all periods of jazz history.
Paul has been recognized internationally for his association with pianist/singer Diana Krall and guitarist Russell Malone. From 1993 to 1997 he toured the world, first with Malone, then with with Krall and Malone. Together they performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Blue Note Jazz Clubs of Japan, the Algonquin Hotel and the JVC, Newport and Playboy Jazz Festivals, among many others. In 2006, Paul performed with Diana Krall for former US President Bill Clinton. Paul has played with Diana on national TV on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS), The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS), The Tavis Smiley Show (PBS) and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC).Keller appears on Malone's CD Black Butterfly (Columbia) and on Krall's Grammy-nominated recording All For You (GRP/Impulse).
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RENE MARIE
René Marie's story is the story of music's power to sustain and transform. With each album, René launched her career after leaving her husband of 23 years, who gave her an ultimatum to either quit singing or to leave the house.
From her debut release in 2001 onward, René has proven herself to be one of the most daring vocalists around. She is fearless in singing about difficult situations or tackling a diverse songbook. Her releases have earned glowing reviews for Marie’s strong vocals and innovative material. She attracted much notice for her powerful rendition of “Strange Fruit,” which was paired with the unlikely “Dixie.” This combination was featured on her 2001 release “Vertigo.” On her 2003 album, “Live at Jazz Standard,” she delivered a soaring a cappella version of Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero” to open Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne.”
Most recently, René produced a one-woman show entitled "Slut Energy Theory," which was awarded the Denver Post's Reader’s Choice for Best Solo Performance of 2009.
- Listen to "Nothin' But Love" (mp3)
- Purchase René's latest: "Slut Energy Theory"
- Visit René's website
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BUTCH MILES
The accomplishments of drummer Butch Miles continue to attract worldwide attention. Playing with such luminaries as Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dave Brubeck, Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, Clark Terry, Gerry Mulligan, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Zubin Mehta, Itzak Pearlman, Dick Hyman and others, Butch displays the maturity of his experience with youthful imagination and unending energy.
As the drummer for the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra (1975-1979 and 1997-2007), Butch quickly became renowned for his swinging big band style and techniques. Butch has performed at the Newport Jazz Festival (now the "JVC Jazz Festival") in New York since 1975 and the Grande Parade Du Jazz in Nice, France nine times. He has performed at every major jazz festival in the world including: the Montreal Jazz Festival; North Sea Jazz Festival at the Hague, the Netherlands; the Montreux and Bern Jazz Festivals in Switzerland; the Berlin, Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart Jazz Festivals in Germany along with many tours throughout Europe, Australia, the Far East, the Americas and the Caribbean.
He has recorded over 100 albums and has been on four Grammy winning albums, along with being nominated numerous times for the European equivalent of the Grammy.
- Listen to Butch's "Hangover Blues" (mp3)
- Purchase Butch's latest release "Straight On Till Morning"
- Visit Butch's website
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DOUG MILLER
In a town that boasts an unusually large number of top-tier jazz musicians, Doug Miller has long ranked as one of Seattle’s most respected bass players.
A mainstay of the regional jazz scene for two decades, Doug has appeared in concerts, clubs, clinics and on recordings with many of the world’s leading jazz musicians including James Moody, Ken Peplowski, George Cables, Ray Vega, and Dick Hyman, and he has toured with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Ellington Orchestra, and Ernestine Anderson.
He’s a founding member of the
critically-acclaimed trio New Stories, and of Big Neighborhood, a
quartet that is redefining twenty-first century jazz by merging unusual
elements in collage-like compositions that combine unusual energy with
edgy improvisation. Doug is also a composer whose compositions are
widely recorded, and an educator and former member of the faculty of
the University of Washington, where he taught for eight years.
- Listen to Doug's "Seven More" (mp3)
- Purchase Doug's latest release: "Regeneration"
- Visit Doug's website
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JEB PATTON
Described as both a "young phenom…on piano" and an "absolute great," Jeb Patton has earned a well-regarded reputation in the international jazz community. The multi-talented Patton is known as a "player of great expression" and "not one to tread the predictable," as well as a "simpatico accompanist" for The Heath Brothers, an "innovative" arranger, and one who "cuts…[an] impressive swath on his composition, 'Hanna's Mood,'" a tribute to his late teacher, Sir Roland Hanna.
Since graduating summa cum laude from the Aaron Copland School of music, Jeb has toured throughout the United States and abroad with the Heath Brothers and with Jimmy Heath's Generations Quintet, performing in theaters, festivals, concert halls, colleges, and clubs. Since moving to New York in 1996, Jeb has also played with Etta Jones, the Faddis/Hampton/Heath Sextet, Winard Harper's group, and Antonio Hart's Quintet, Paul West, Rufus Reid, Peter Washington, Lewis Nash, Steve Nelson, Ralph Peterson, John Ore, Jimmy Cobb, Lonnie Plaxico, Carl Allen, Kyoshi Kitigawa, Jackie Mclean, Willie Jones III, Steve Davis, Keter Betts, Eddie Locke, Marlene Verplank, among others.
Major national and international festival appearances with the Heath Brothers include Savannah Music Festival (2005), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage (2005), Tri C Festival (2005), Newport (Rhode Island, 2004), Mt. Hood (Oregon, 2004), Charlie Parker Festival (NYC 2004, 2002), Atlanta (Georgia, 2004), Baden-Baden Festival (Germany, 2003), Salzburg Jazz Autumn Festival (Austria, 2003), Monterey Jazz Festival (California, 2002), Healdsburg Jazz Festival (California, 2001), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland, 2000), Äarhus Jazz Festival (Denmark, 2000), the Pori Festival (Finland, 1999), Graz "Jazz-Sommer" (Switzerland, 1999), and Wiggin Jazz Festival (England, 1999).
- Purchase Jeb's latest release: "New Strides"
- Visit Jeb's website
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ELLEN ROWE
Ellen Rowe has been described as “that rare ‘triple threat’ of pianist, composer-arranger, and teacher” (Arizona Daily Star), a title that until recently kept her too busy to actually record an album under her own name. That situation has been thankfully rectified with the recent debut release of “Sylvan Way,” a dynamic work that combines standards and intriguing original compositions that soar with emotion and expression.
She has had the honor of appearing on Marian McPartland’s acclaimed NPR show "Piano Jazz" twice. In addition to leading her own trio and quartet, she is in great demand as a sideman, performing with a variety of artists including Kenny Wheeler, Ingrid Jensen, John Clayton, Tom Harrell and Jiggs Whigham.
Her compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by a wide variety of jazz ensembles and orchestras around the world, including the legendary Village Vanguard Orchestra, the BBC Jazz Orchestra, the U.S. Navy Commodores, the Berlin Radio Jazz Orchestra and the big band DIVA.
- Purchase Ellen's latest realase: "Wishing Well"
- Visit Ellen's website
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ADAM SCHROEDER
Los Angeles based baritone saxophonist Adam Schroeder is rapidly becoming a major force throughout the global jazz scene. Schroeder is known equally for his studious leadership as well as his musicality in Anthony Wilson's Nonet (Los Angeles), Bennie Wallace's Nonet (New York), the Clark Terry Big Band (New York), & the Adam Schroeder Quartet/Quintet.
Born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa in 1978, Adam began his musical studies on alto saxophone while in grade school. After Mr. Schroeder's introduction to Charlie Parker in 1992, his musical interest became fixed solely within the Jazz Idiom. Between his junior and senior year is when Mr. Schroeder finally discovered his saxophonistic voice, switching from the Alto over to the Baritone Saxophone. Later that same year, Adam was asked to fill the baritone sax role in the student big band at Clark Terry's International Institute of Jazz Studies. (Westmar University in LeMars, IA) This decision sparked a relationship with the famed Clark Terry, thus leading to a multitude of musical opportunities for the two players.
Clark asked Adam if he would consider his jazz institute as a place of residency during his college years, which Adam accepted with great honor. Unfortunately during Adam's freshman year at the CTI, Westmar University cut the Jazz Institute's funding. Upon Clark's recommendation, Adam, along with most of the students, transfered to Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) where he would graduate in 2000 with a BM in Jazz Studies. Mr. Schroeder regularly performed in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, & Houston. In 1998, at the Corpus Christi Jazz Festival, he was featured with the late Nick Brignola during the Festival's "Saturday Night Sax."
In June of 2000, Downbeat Magazine named Mr. Schroeder Co-Winner of the Jazz Instrumental Soloist Award (23rd Annual Student Music Awards), the first ever Baritone Saxophonist given this prestigious honor. Later that year, Mr. Schroeder's career took off. Columbia Artists called with "Maureen McGovern & John Pizzarelli in Concert tour", Clark Terry called with "The 17th Annual Floating Jazz Festival aboard the QE2", & Ray Charles called which started a four-year relationship up until the singer’s untimely passing.
Throughout his career, Adam has had the fortunate opportunity to play and record with a host of jazz greats. Among them are the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Clark Terry, Anthony Wilson, Ray Charles, Diana Krall, John Pizzarelli, Bill Cosby, Bennie Wallace, Michael Buble, Sting, Chris Botti, & the late Nick Brignola.
Adam's presence in the jazz community, from Los Angeles to New York, is felt not only in his muscular swing, but in his outreach to the community as well. When asked about his career, Adam replied "Clark Terry has not once stopped reaching out to others, always taking the time out of his life to give, be it musically or as a mentor. He instilled that in me from the moment we first met; that's a lesson I'll never forget and a lesson I strive to live up to each & every day of my musical life."
- Visit Adam's website
TERELL STAFFORD/p>
Terell Stafford has been hailed as "one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player" by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Known for being a gifted and versatile player with a voice all his own, Stafford combines lyricism and a deep love of melody with a spirited, adventurous edge. This uniquely expressive, well-defined musical talent allows Stafford the ability to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads.
Stafford picked up his first trumpet at the age of thirteen, and even though he was drawn to jazz, initially studied classical music. While pursuing a music education degree at the University of Maryland, Stafford played with the school's jazz band. It was during this time that he began to immerse himself in jazz, listening to everything that he could get his hands on. He cites as one of his most profound musical influences Clifford Brown's rendition of Cherokee.
In 1988, Stafford had the good fortune to meet and receive advice from Wynton Marsalis who suggested that Stafford study with Dr. William Fielder at Rutgers University. During his time at Rutgers, Stafford was invited to join Bobby Watson's group, Horizon. Over the next five years, Stafford was able to balance his offstage education with the incredible knowledge and experience he gained from performing alongside Watson, co-leader Victor Lewis, and Shirley Scott. Stafford credits this time with teaching him to be an effective arranger, a composer, and a bandleader, all things that Bobby Watson himself learned from his time with the late Art Blakey while performing with the Jazz Messengers. Stafford's time with Horizon led to his joining McCoy Tyner's Latin All-Star Band which featured some of the best Latin jazz players, including trombonist Steve Turre, flutist Dave Valentin and percussionist Jerry Gonzalez.
Since the mid-1990's Stafford has performed with groups such as Benny Golson's Sextet, McCoy Tyner's Sextet, the Kenny Barron Sextet, the Frank Wess Quintet, the Jimmy Heath Big Band, and the Jon Faddis Orchestra. Currently he is a member of the Grammy-nominated Vanguard Jazz Orchestra which was established by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis and has been playing at the Village Vanguard for over 33 years. Between 2006 and 2007 Stafford played an integral part on several albums including Diana Krall's Grammy nominated From this Moment On (2006) for which Stafford joined with the Hamilton-Clayton Jazz Orchestra. In celebration of Jimmy Heath's 80th birthday, Stafford recorded with the Jimmy Heath Big Band for the album Turn Up the Heath (2006). A regular member of drummer Matt Wilson's group "Arts and Crafts," Stafford is featured on the album Scenic Route (2007). As a member of drummer Alvin Queen's band, "Alvin Queen and the Organics," Stafford is heard on the album I Ain't Lookin' at You (2006).
He has also been an integral part of bands led by such venerable artists as Cedar Walton, Sadao Watanabe, the Clayton Brothers, Herbie Mann, and Matt Wilson. He has appeared on television (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and You Bet Your Life with Bill Cosby) and can be heard on the soundtrack for the feature film, A Bronx Tale. He has also performed as a guest artist with the Billy Taylor Trio on National Public Radio's Billy Taylor's Jazz at the Kennedy Center.
Stafford has recorded four albums as a leader with his debut album in 1995 entitled Time to Let Go (Candid). In 1997, he followed this album with the critically acclaimed Centripedal Force (Candid). His third album as a leader was the popular Fields of Gold (Nagel-Heyer) featuring the talents of Bill Cunliffe, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Antonio Hart, and Rodney Green. His latest release is the enthusiastically received New Beginnings (MaxJazz 2003) and features Mulgrew Miller, Derrick Hodge, Dana Hall, Steve Wilson, Dick Oatts, Harry Allen, and Jesse Davis. Stafford's latest release which features his working band is entitled Taking Chances (MaxJazz 2007) and has been called his best album yet. As a sideman Stafford has been heard on over 40 albums.
An educator as well as a performer, Stafford currently holds the positions of Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia and is a clinician for the prestigious Vail Foundation in Colorado and Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Program. He has also served as a member of the faculty for the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies in New York.
Stafford was born in Miami and raised in Chicago and Silver Spring, Maryland. He received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Maryland in 1988 and a Masters of Music from Rutgers University in 1993.
- Listen to Terell's "Pegasus" (mp3)
- Purchase Terell's latest release: "Taking Chances: Live at the Dakota"
- Visit Terell's website
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BYRON STRIPLING
A spectacular trumpeter with a very wide range, a beautiful tone, and the ability to blend together many influences into his own style, Byron Stripling is also the artistic director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, leader of his own quartet, and constantly in demand to play with pops orchestras around the world. Byron is an extroverted performer who brings the audience into his music. The happiness that he exudes through his trumpet, his vocals and his words is reminiscent of Louis Armstrong yet very much his own.
Byron got his start with the Clark Terry Big Band while still a student at the Eastman School of Music. That led to a featured role in the Lionel Hampton band. Next was a stint with the Woody Herman Orchestra and then he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, playing with the band on and off for four years during the periods when it was led by Thad Jones and Frank Foster. During a few months Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstine toured with the band. He also had opportunities to play with orchestras led by Gillespie and Buck Clayton.
In 2002, Byron Stripling became the artistic director and conductor of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. In that role, he has presented such guest artists as Branford Marsalis, Chuck Mangione, Patti Austin, John Pizzarelli, Mavis Staples, Melba Moore and Wycliffe Gordon but remains the orchestra's biggest draw.
- Purchase Byron's latest release on iTunes: "Byron, Get One Free"
- Visit Byron's website
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BYRON VANNOY
Drummer Byron Vannoy has performed and recorded with many internationally known musicians such as Julian Priester, Herbie Hancock, Randy Brecker, Tom Scott, Ray Vega, Greg Adams, Ernestine Anderson, Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith, Vinnie Golia, Jim Knapp, and Hadley Caliman.
Currently an Associate Professor at North Seattle Community College, and faculty instructor at The Seattle Drum School, Byron also conducts workshops in the Seattle and Los Angeles areas.
In addition, Byron has recorded for nationally broadcast television programs as well as radio spots for the BBC. He has studied privately with Ian Froman, Mark Ivester, Bob Moses, and Joe LaBarbera. He holds an Associate Certificate in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music, a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance from Cornish College of the Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Jazz and African American Music Performance from California Institute of the Arts.
He was the 2002 Earshot Award winner for "Record of the Year" and "Jazz Group of the Year" for his contribution on Julian Priester's "In Deep End Dance."
- Visit Byron's myspace page
- Purchase Byron's latest release: "Meridian"
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SACHAL VASANDANI
New York-based vocalist-songwriter-bandleader Sachal Vasandani, made his Mack Avenue Records debut with the CD, Eyes Wide Open. Vasandani is in the company of his established trio (performing together since 2001) comprised of pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong and drummer Quincy Davis. Guests on the CD include vibraphonist Stefon Harris, trumpeter Marcus Printup and guitarist Doug Wamble. The album is produced by esteemed bassist-bandleader John Clayton and veteran staff producer Al Pryor, engineered by Joe Ferla and mastered by Bob Ludwig.
In an era where young male singers believe that trying to channel Frank Sinatra is the play-it-safe road to success, Vasandani instead strikes a chord as an original that evokes integrity as a songwriter and song stylist. As a result, there’s a rare depth of emotion to the lyrics in many of these songs. “With the tunes I wrote and the songs I cover, I wanted to share feelings of both hope and loss,” says Vasandani, who was a semi-finalist in the 2004 Thelonious Monk Institute Competition. “Songs often express sentiments in black-and-white; I wanted to get to a ‘gray’ area of mixed emotions. Overall, I believe the album has a positive outlook, but acknowledges the struggle you go through to stay positive. That’s the binding glue.”
Vasandani was born in Chicago and grew up in a household where all kinds of music was appreciated, from western and Indian classical to the pop of the day including Michael Jackson and the Beatles. His parents also listened to jazz—from Ellington to Keith Jarrett—which piqued Vasandani’s curiosity about the music. At the University of Michigan, in addition to majoring in economics, he earned degrees in jazz and classical music. He was named Collegiate Jazz Vocalist of the year by DownBeat in 1999, after which he moved to New York to pursue a career as a singer.
While he first took a job as an investment banker on Wall Street, essentially subsidizing his passion, Vasandani later quit to devote himself to music full time, hustling gigs at such venues as Cleopatra’s Needle and later the Zinc Bar. One of his big breaks came when he had the opportunity to display his talent at the Monk Competition; another break was being enlisted by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in 2005 to perform trombonist Ron Westray’s “Chivalrous Misdemeanors,” which was jazz inspired by the fictional character Don Quixote, at Rose Theater.
“There wasn’t any one turning point,” says Vasandani, who was signed to Mack Avenue Records in 2006. “It was a process with a lot more refining than defining moments.”
As for his home base in New York, Vasandani says it’s the perfect place for him to be. “I’m connected to a bit of the jazz scene, but there’s also such a cross-pollination of different kinds of music here. I’m looking forward to expanding my reach—to establish myself and my voice as well as explore all the different scenes here. There are so many fantastic elements of New York that I want to put through my own filter.”
Vasandani contributes three originals to Eyes Wide Open. His tune of sweet escapism, “Storybook Fiction” (for which Clayton “hammered out a bridge in the studio”), is, he says, “a song about a fictitious love that was borne out of living in crowded New York. You can almost see into a neighboring apartment, and the story begins there. It’s a song that imagines and hopes for a perfect love.” Originally conceived as a weighty ballad, for the album Vasandani re-imagined it in an uplifting light. “I wanted to give it an additional positive energy.”
Written with a driving rhythm and featuring a brilliant vibes solo by Harris, “Send ‘Em Up to Heaven” was partially inspired by the events of September 11. “It’s a song about struggling to forgive,” says Vasandani. “I thought Stefon’s voice on it would really solidify the vibe.” “Please Mr. Ogilvy” is a straight-talking number about an artist’s desire to be supported, or as Vasandani sings, the need “just to be endorsed by you.” He explains: “It’s based on my realization that people with vision still need advocates to help them realize their goals. I’ve found that this song resonates with so many artists and people trying to do their own thing. We all need that advocacy, that endorsement.”
In addition to his own songs, Vasandani covers tunes performed by neo-soul songstress Sade (the quiet, lilting “It’s Only Love That Gets You Through”), alt-folk band Iron & Wine (the gently swinging “Naked As We Came”), pop-blues great Percy Mayfield (a rarely covered gem, “Strange Things Happen,” which Vasandani says is “a fun way to say, ‘watch out’”), Brazil’s iconic songwriter Antonio Carlos Jobim (the upbeat bossa-driven “I Was Just One More For You” with Wamble tearing up the proceedings with his guitar prowess), and Duke Ellington’s composer Billy Strayhorn (an unabashed swinging take on “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing”). Several of the songs on the album pair darker lyrics with sunnier musical dispositions. “Ella Fitzgerald taught me how effective a song can be when a serious issue is presented in a bright setting. In that way, you can layer your emotions. On one layer it could be an upbeat tempo; on another, it’s about one’s heart being broken.”
One of Vasandani’s major influences, Shirley Horn, figures prominently on two songs. The first, “I Could Have Told You,” is a song that Vasandani “really connected with the lyrics. It’s about the pride that follows heartbreak. Marcus expresses this so well through the trumpet.” The other is “You Won’t Forget Me” where Vasandani pays tribute to Horn. “I try to emulate the way Shirley sang it,” he says. “John, Stefon and the band added some special touches, but the vibe is all Shirley: slow, haunting and eerie with the pulse stripped down to the ride cymbal.”
- Visit Sachal's website
- Purchase Sachal's latest release: "Eyes Wide Open"
- Visit Sachal's myspace page
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TOM WAKELING
Tom Wakeling has put his bass to work in a 35-plus year career that's seen him perform in major concert halls, leading jazz nightclubs, and recording studios throughout Europe and North America.
Tom’s bass versatility has supported a wide range of artists including Arturo Sandoval, Lee Konitz, Mel Torme, James Moody, Herb Ellis, Mose Allison, Charlie Rouse, Houston Person, Ernie Watts, Carl Fontana, Herb Geller, Della Reese, Red Skelton, Rich Little, Mickey Rooney, the Fifth Dimension, and many others in jazz and pop music alike.
Tom has been featured nationwide on CBC Radio’s "Jazzbeat" and on NPR. He continues to be a popular guest artist at a wide variety of jazz and educational jazz festivals and workshops.
Tom’s work in “show biz” includes playing in the orchestras of national touring shows such as "Cats", "A Chorus Line", the Joffrey Ballet, “Grease”, and "Damn Yankees" (with Jerry Lewis).
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JON WIKAN
Currently based in New York, 39 year-old Jon Wikan is a jazz drummer rapidly garnering praise on the international music scene. He has accompanied a cross-section of leaders, ranging from singers Ernestine Anderson, Mark Murphy and Freddy Cole to established horn players such as Bud Shank, Ingrid Jensen, and Pete Cristlieb.
In 1996 Jon immersed himself in the Seattle jazz scene and was taken under the wings of multi-horn man Jay Thomas, Bill Ramsay, and composer James Knapp. During this period he became one of the busiest sidemen in the northwest area backing international artists including Pat Labarbra, Herb Ellis, John Fedchock, Rick Margitza, Buddy Collette, Roswell Rudd, Mark Murphy, Kurt Elling, Bobby Shew, Brad Turner, Jessica Williams and Dan Faehnle.
Jon's recent move to New York City immediately landed him a record date with pianist Geoff Keezer, a tour of Japan with Downbeat Vocalist of the Year, Mark Murphy and a week at the Blue Note with Grammy award winners, the New York Voices. As well, he performed with the Ingrid Jensen Quartet at the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival, the Savannah Jazz Festival and a live CBC radio concert in Montreal. Other artists Jon has played with include; Karrin Allyson, Sam Yahel, Ron Affif, Seamus Blake, Marcus Strickland, Jay Collins, David Budway, Mark Elf, David Berkman, Jeffery Smith, Antonia Bennett, and Aaron Parks.
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BEN WOLFE
Early on in bassist-composer Ben Wolfe's career, he formed a duo with Harry Connick Jr. and went on to record over a dozen albums and soundtracks. During his five years with Connick, he performed on numerous world tours as musical director. He then joined the Wynton Marsalis Septet and remained until it disbanded. Ben also became an integral part of Diana Krall's touring band and played on many of her recordings, including the Grammy Award winning CD, "When I Look In Your Eyes."
As a member of The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO), Ben has performed with Joe Henderson, Doc Cheatham, Jon Hendricks, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Billy Higgins. Other artists he has also recorded with include Branford Marsalis, James Moody, Eric Reed, Carl Allen, and Benny Green.
He has recently released his new CD, "No Strangers Here" (MAXJAZZ). As Wynton Marsalis said, "Ben Wolfe swings with authority." And as can be heard from Bens original compositions on this, his fifth and newest CD, Ben also innovates and "scores" with authority. Ben's work is a true ensemble expressed in the group sound, rather than dominated by extended solo compositions. Chamber Music America awarded Ben the 2004 New Works: Creation and Presentation Program Grant, which allowed him to compose his extended composition "Contradiction: Music for Sextet."
He also recently made his mark as a film composer, working with Matthew Modine on the film short, "I Think I Thought". At the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, The New York Sun reviewed Bens work on this film as, "a standout music score."
Ben is currently on the jazz teaching faculty at The Julliard School.
- Purchase Ben's latest release: "No Strangers Here"
- Visit Ben's website
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DAVID WONG
David Wong was born and raised in New York City. He is a graduate of the LaGuardia High School for Music and Art and the Performing Arts, where he developed his passion for music under the tutelage of tuba master Bob Stewart. In 2004, he graduated from the Juilliard School in classical music. He has studied with Orin O’Brien (New York Philharmonic), Ron Carter, Ben Wolfe, and John Clayton. From 2003 to 2004, as part of the Eric Reed Trio, David performed in Switzerland, Scotland, the Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles), the Algonquin Hotel (New York City), and with Jazz at Lincoln Center and many other venues worldwide.
He is currently a member of Roy Haynes’ “Fountain of Youth” band which has toured throughout the United States, Europe and Japan, as well as bassist with the “Heath Brothers” quartet, led by jazz legends, Jimmy and Albert "Tootie" Heath.
David can also be seen performing with the exciting new singer, Sachal Vasandani, and the amazing pianist, Jeb Patton. He has recorded with Benny Green, Dan Nimmer, Jeb Patton, Albert “Tootie” Heath, and is featured on a brand new release from Sachal Vasandani, “Eyes Wide Open”. He has performed with Clark Terry, Illinois Jacquet, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Walter Blanding, Marcus Printup, Leroy Jenkins, David Hazeltine, Jim Rotondi, Carla Cook, Paula West, and Mark Gould (Metropolitan Opera) to name just a few.
