Dan St. Marseille, tenor saxophone
Kevin Richardson, trumpet
Ryan Navales, guitar
Baba Elefante, bass
Tyler Walton, drum set
Program
It's What You Think (1992) Dan St. Marseille
Metamorphosis (1957)
Horace Silver
Along Came Betty (1954) Benny Golson
On a Misty Night (1957) Tadd Dameron
Hipsippy Blues (1959) Hank Mobley
*Additional selections will be announced from the stage*
Dan St. Marseille, saxophone
Dan St. Marseille is a Jazz saxophonist/clarinetist who plays in the tradition of all the jazz legends. Employing a warm tone and melodic approach, he has won praise from jazz critics worldwide and has worked with many major jazz and commercial artists and bands. Dan is the Program Director of the Music Education/Instrumental Performance Division and Director of Jazz Studies at California Baptist University in Riverside, California.
Dan's recordings are heard internationally on jazz radio and have been the subject of articles in such publications as Downbeat, JazzTimes, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Japan's Jazz Critic magazine, and France's International Herald Tribune, among others. St. Marseille's recordings have received four-star ratings in the 3rd edition of the All Music Guide to Jazz, The Experts Guide to the Best Jazz.
Mr. St. Marseille is a sought-after Jazz performer and director, a Yamaha Performing Artist and Master Teacher, and a D'Addario Woodwind Performing Artist. In addition to performances on numerous local and national tours, Dan has performed in Europe, Canada, and many jazz clubs and festivals, including a headline performance at the prestigious Coleman Hawkins Festival in Topeka, Kansas. In addition, in May of 2001, Dan was the music director for an international event entitled Clickin' with Clax at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
In 2019, Dan received an Outstanding Arts Educator Award from the Orange County Department of Education, recognizing his innovative teaching strategies, visionary arts curriculum, and positive impact on student achievement at the Orange County School of the Arts.
Beyond performing, Dan has established himself as a jazz composer of distinction, with his Claxography, written for renowned jazz photographer William Claxton, which was chosen as the title of Claxton's book of photographs in which Dan also appears.
In addition, Dan is the former director of the Instrumental Music Conservatory at the celebrated Orange County School of the Arts, where he created the nationally recognized Garn Family Jazz Studies Program and has held positions as jazz ensemble director at Irvine Valley College and California State University Fullerton (CSUF). For thirty years, he was on the faculty serving as Assistant Director for the Idyllwild Arts Summer Jazz Intensive, where he taught classes in improvisation, music theory, and jazz ensemble. He has been a guest artist and clinician at various schools abroad.
Dan's students are recipients of many notable awards and honors, including Downbeat Student Awards, Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards, Monterey Next Generation Jazz Orchestra and Women in Jazz Combo, Jazz Band of America, Young Arts, and numerous outstanding musicianship awards at major jazz festivals.
Richardson earned his Bachelor's in trumpet performance from California State University, Northridge. He has studied with many fine musicians such as Carmine Caruso, Jimmy Stamp, Bobby Shew, and Jon Faddis.
As a performer, Richardson has played and toured with Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Michael Bolton, Tom Kubis Big Band, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Mel Torme, and Tom Jones. His film and TV credits include Stuart Little, Fantasia 2000, The Today Show, Conan O'Brien, and Jay Leno He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at California Baptist University, where he teaches Brass Technique, Jazz Combo, Chamber Ensembles, and private trumpet
Ryan Navales, a seasoned music educator and accomplished guitarist, holds a Master of Fine Arts in Instrumental Jazz Performance from the California Institute of the Arts and a Bachelor of Music in Commercial/Jazz Performance from California State University Fullerton. With a passion for nurturing musical talent, Ryan Navales has dedicated the past decade to refining his teaching expertise.
As a Guitar Adjunct Professor, Ryan Navales has made an indelible mark at renowned institutions such as Biola University, Cal Baptist University, Chapman University, Fullerton College, and Orange County School of the Arts. adept guidance spans all skill levels, encompassing private applied lessons and cultivating a
However, Ryan Navales's affinity for music transcends pedagogy. Ryan's guitar virtuosity has enriched numerous pit performances, recording projects, and live shows, showcasing his collaborative spirit. Sharing the stage with esteemed artists like Joe LaBarbera, John Clayton, Vinnie Golia, and Alphonso Johnson, Ryan Navales has woven his musical journey with remarkable threads of collaboration and creativity.
Grounded in a deep love for music, Ryan Navales' path is a testament to unwavering dedication and the profound impact of musical expression. His journey continues to inspire, educate, and captivate, reflecting the enduring power of music in all its forms.
Freelance Bassist and composer Baba Elefante was nominated as one of the nation's top bass players in a Bass Player Magazine poll. Baba has released two solo CDs, "Watch For One" and Bassic Christmas (a solo bass Christmas CD), and two CDs with Toxic Jazz featuring Eric Marienthal, Ronnie Ciago, David Jennings, and Dave Murdy.
Baba has been the bassist for The Ron Kobayashi Trio, a trio that has been together for over 26 years. The group members, Ron Kobayashi, Steve Dixon, and Baba Elefante, recorded four CDs. Starting with the self-titled "Ron Kobayashi Trio Exotic Places", "No Preservatives", and "Be Bop and Swing".
His studio work spans television, movies, and recordings, including the 1995 Universal movie "The Hunted". He has recorded and or performed with jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, saxophonists Tom Scott, Pete Christlieb, Justo Almario, Eric Marienthal, and Brandon Fields, "Yes/Moody Blues" keyboardist Patrick Moraz, Eddie Money, Lee Osker of the band "War" and "Kansas" lead vocalist John Elefante, Jazz legend Ron Eschete, Paul Gilbert, Duke Robillard, David Garfield and Actor/Recording artist Frank Stallone.
Tyler Walton, drum set
Tyler Walton is a professional drummer and percussionist with many years of experience teaching, performing, and recording in the studio. Tyler holds an Associate of Arts degree in music from Fullerton College and Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA.
In 2012, Tyler completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Orchestral Percussion Performance at California State University, Fullerton. Tyler's professional credits in the symphonic genre include performances with the Pacific Chorale's John Alexander Singers, the Rio Hondo Symphony, the Nouveau Chamber Ballet, the Long Beach Camerata Singers, the Pacific Brass Ensemble, and a tour of Portugal with the California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) Wind Symphony in 2011.
In 2016, Tyler completed his Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies at CSUF. Tyler has presented Percussion Methods seminars at CSUF and taught Drum Set Methods classes at Fullerton College.
Some of Tyler's more noteworthy performances include gigs with Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe, legendary blues guitarist Kid Ramos, and iconic rockabilly guitarist Paul
Pigat. Tyler studied with world-class drummers such as Peter Erskine, Bernie Dresel, Kenny Aronoff, and Chad Wackerman. Tyler teaches at Cal Baptist University, Norco College, Fullerton College, and Irvine Valley College. Tyler performs regularly with his jazz/fusion band, Redshift –performing all original compositions at venues across Southern California.
Visit the SOPA website for a full list of events at: calbaptist.edu/sopaevents