Program Notes: Big Band Bash feat. the Jazz @ the Jacobs Orchestra

APRIL 29

A JAZZ @ THE JACOBS SPECIAL CONCERT:

BIG BAND BASH FEAT. THE JAZZ @ THE JACOBS ORCHESTRA SATURDAY April 29, 2017 – 8:00pm

JAZZ @ THE JACOBS SERIES

The Jazz @ The Jacobs Series is sponsored by Doctor Bob and Mao Shillman.

San Diego Symphony Orchestra conductor Thomas Wilkins Jazz @ The Jacobs Orchestra: bandleader and trumpet Gilbert Castellanos alto saxophone (lead) Keith Fiddmont alto saxophone Charlie Arbelaez tenor saxophone (lead) Justo Almario tenor saxophone Robert Dove baritone saxophone Adam Schroeder trumpet (lead) Brad Steinwehe trumpet Derek Cannon trumpet John Reynolds trumpet Curtis Taylor

trombone (lead) Francisco Torres trombone Erick Dewhirst trombone Julianne Gralle trombone Brian O’Donnell piano Joshua White bass Rob Thorsen percussion Ryan Shaw

Special Guest: vocals Barbara Morrison

Performance at the Jacobs Music Center's Copley Symphony Hall This concert is generously underwritten by Kathy Taylor and Terry Atkinson.

PROGRAM EDVARD GRIEG / Various movements arr. by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn

Suite from Peer Gynt

Morning Mood (Morgenstemning)

Ase's Death (Ases død)

Anitra's Dance (Anitras dans)

In the Hall of the Mountain King (I dovregubbens hall) Remainder of program to be announced from the stage.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS 2005. Also he holds the Germeshausen Family and Youth Concert Conductor chair with the Boston Symphony. Past positions have included resident conductor of the Detroit Symphony and Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay) and associate conductor of the Richmond (VA) Symphony. He also has served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

THOMAS WILKINS, CONDUCTOR

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HOMA S WI L K I N S is Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He has held a titled position at the Hollywood Bowl since 2008 when he was named Principal Guest Conductor, and in the spring of 2014 he became Principal Conductor.

Additionally he holds positions as Music Director of the Omaha Symphony, a post he has held since

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Devoted to promoting a life-long enthusiasm for music, Mr. Wilkins brings energy and commitment to audiences of all ages. He is hailed as a master at communicating and connecting with audiences.

Following his highly successful first season with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Globe named him among the “Best People and Ideas of 2011.”

In 2014 Mr. Wilkins received the prestigious “Outstanding Artist” award at the Nebraska Governor’s Arts Awards, for his significant contribution to music in the state.

During his conducting career, Mr. Wilkins has led orchestras throughout the United States, including the Philadelphia Orchestra (where he will return this season), the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Baltimore Symphony, the Utah Symphony, Chicago’s Grant Park Symphony (where he returned this last summer) as well as the National Symphony in Washington, D.C., to name a few.

A native of Norfolk, VA, Thomas Wilkins is a graduate of the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He resides with his wife Sheri-Lee in Omaha. They are the proud parents of twin daughters, Erica and Nicole. n

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

BIG BAND BASH FEAT. THE JAZZ @ THE JACOBS ORCHESTRA - APRIL 29

GILBERT CASTELLANOS, TRUMPET AND SERIES CURATOR (JAZZ @ THE JACOBS)

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ILBERT CASTELLANOS is the leading top-call jazz musician, band leader, composer, producer, and educator on the local and international circuit. Zan Stewart of the Los Angeles Times says: "[Castellanos] plays with élan, evincing a more individual, ever-large sound offering hard swinging, often ear-grabbing solos...[proving] that music with deep roots in jazz's glorious '50s and '60s can sound completely contemporary today."

Recognized as a new American master by Downbeat magazine, Mr. Castellanos is also a strong advocate of promoting and educating various communities about Jazz: “America’s classical music,” as he calls it. Mr. Castellanos takes pride in being a member of the prestigious Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, working with one of his mentors, the great John Clayton. He has recorded and performed with a multitude of world-renowned musicians from Dizzy Gillespie to Michael Bublé to Willie Nelson (to name a few), and even doing a stint on American Idol for millions of listeners. On one memorable occasion, his “Star Spangled Banner” on solo trumpet opened a San Diego Symphony “Star Spangled Pops” concert.

He was a 2012 San Diego Music Awards “Artist of the Year” honoree.

One of Mr. Castellanos’s newer projects is the curation of The Young Lions series, a program that showcases what young blooming jazz artists (ages 11-18) can do. Other passionate ventures include being artistic director for the International Academy of Jazz, as well as presenting Jazz masterclasses and performances all over the world. Now, a new and exciting role for Gilbert Castellanos presents itself: series curator for the San Diego Symphony’s Jazz @ The Jacobs series.n

moved to Los Angeles in 1991 and began a two year stint with singer Rickie Lee Jones. He has since recorded or performed live with such legends as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Jennifer Holliday, Natalie Cole, Cy Coleman, Dr. John and Little Anthony, as well as gifted artists like Kenny Rankin, Billy Childs, Gary Taylor, Michael Buble’, John Pizzarelli, Diana Krall and Marcus Miller. He is featured on Tom Kennedy’s Basses Loaded, Gary Taylor’s Eclectic Bohemian, Vern Thompson’s Sea of Dreams and Phil Ranelin’s Inspiration.

Keith has been a member of the highly acclaimed Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of John Clayton, for the past nine years.

He has also been a member of The Luckman Jazz Orchestra under James Newton, Frank Capp’s Juggernaut and the cast of Sy Coleman’s Like Jazz.

In addition to live performances, Keith has been a busy studio musician, working on film projects such as The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Dreamgirls as well as television shows like Everyone Loves Raymond and Monday Night Football. In the summer of 2005 he developed and conducted the first in a series of tribute concerts dedicated to the music of Oliver Nelson. He has led clinics or judged festivals for Southern Illinois University, the West Coast Saxophone Conclave, Santa Monica High School, the Henry Mancini Institute and Williams College. He has been a member of the music faculty of Santa Monica College since 1996 where he teaches music history and directs the school’s jazz instrumental and vocal ensembles. n

CHARLIE ARBELAEZ, ALTO SAXOPHONE

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axophonist CHARLIE ARBELAEZ resides in San Diego after honorably serving his country for four years in the United States Marine Corps. Charlie has extensively toured throughout the nation performing with many world class musicians. His performance exudes a high level of dedication to his art as well as an incredible amount of infectious energy. He leads several bands of different styles which appeal to a large spectrum of audiences. n

JUSTO ALMARIO, SAXOPHONE AND FLUTE

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native of Colombia, reedman, clinician, composer and arranger, JUSTO ALMARIO has fused Latin, Afro-Cuban, South American, funk and jazz genres into his own humble offering. Mr. Almario studied at the prestigious Berklee School of Music before a stint with Mongo Santamaria as the band’s musical director. Justo has performed with Patrice Rushen’s Grammy® Awards Orchestra, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Tito Puente, Machito, Dave Grusin, Ndugu Chancler, Alex Acuna, Abraham Laboriel, TOLU, Donald Vega, Harold Land Jr. Al Mckibbon, Master P, Bebe Winans, Queen Latifah, Charles Mingus, Chaka Kahn, Linda Rondstadt, Herb Alpert, Bobby Shew, John Heard, Lorca Hart, Billy Higgins, “Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars," and many others.

A multi-instrumentalist of the highest caliber, Mr. Almario has mastered the soprano and tenor saxophones, clarinet and flute. Justo was the featured soloist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Walt Disney Hall’s recent season opener and also performed at the Christmas concert, “Celebrar,” at the same venue. John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Bach, Bartok and Debussy are among Justo’s primary influences.

Almario also has experience as an educator. He has taught saxophone at Cal State Los Angeles and has taught in clinics throughout the United States, as well as in Sweden, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.; he taught at the Henry Mancini Institute, has mentored youth during workshops at the World Stage in Los Angeles, and has taught students privately for over 20 years. He has performed on multiple Grammy®-nominated albums, including two Grammy winners. Justo’s latest CD, Love Thy Neighbor, features his quartet playing original compositions as well as rare standards. n

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OBERT DOVE'S talent for music was identified early on in elementary school by his music teacher. At his suggestion, Rob began studying jazz technique and form on the saxophone with Mark Donavan at the age of 10.

KEITH FIDDMONT, ALTO SAXOPHONE

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axophonist KEITH FIDDMONT was born in the jazz rich city of St. Louis, Missouri.

He received his first formal training on piano, switching to clarinet and saxophone in high school. After receiving a B.S. in film from Boston University, he went on to attend Berklee College of Music and earn an M.M. in Jazz and Commercial Music from the Manhattan School of Music. His first road experience came with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra with whom he played alto and later tenor on a number of domestic and European tours between 1985 and 1988. He

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Concert Sponsor Spotlight

KATHY TAYLOR AND TERRY ATKINSON Terry Atkinson has been an avid supporter of the arts, both in New York City and San Diego after a career on Wall Street. Upon returning to his home town, he has become actively involved in the San Diego Symphony and theater arts. He joined the Symphony board in 2016 and looks forward to helping the Symphony enrich our local culture.

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

BIG BAND BASH FEAT. THE JAZZ @ THE JACOBS ORCHESTRA - APRIL 29 In middle school, Rob became affiliated with the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus and participated in their Jazz Academy ensemble. He also attended jazz music summer programs at Eastman School of Music in Rochester New York and the Jamey Aebersold jazz program in Louisville, KY. Rob chose to study Jazz Performance, joining the studio of Chad Eby, at the Miles Davis Jazz Studies program at UNC – Greensboro. He has both performed and arranged for UNCG’s Jazz Ensembles, in addition to the Spartan Jazz Collective, and his own quartet, The Jazz Syndicate.

100 Releases for 2010."

Throughout his career, Mr. Schroeder has had the fortunate opportunity to play and record with a growing list of musical greats. Highlights include contributions to many Grammy winning and nominated albums; working on NBC’s The Voice, X-Factor, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Ellen DeGeneres Show; FOX’s American Idol; Disney Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur; playing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Michael Bublé, Diana Krall, Sting, SuperSax, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band amongst others.

Formerly an adjunct faculty member at Golden West College and Cerritos College in California, Mr. Schroeder now serves as an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

ROBERT DOVE, TENOR SAXOPHONE

Rob has played alongside many current musicians including Gilbert Castellanos, John Ellis, Marcus Roberts, Lee Konitz, Wessel “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Jason Marsalis, Donny McCaslin, Peter Bernstein, Jim Rupp, Bobby Floyd, Byron Stripling, Gene Walker, Vaughn Weister’s Famous Jazz Orchestra, The Rick Brunetto Band, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and many more. Rob also played internationally at the Parma Jazz Festival (Parma, Italy) in 2010.

Rob’s performance experiences include jazz bands, musicals, pops concerts and various small combo groups, utilizing his skills on 5 different instruments: soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet and flute. His musical influences include, but are not limited to: Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman and Bill Evans. n

ADAM SCHROEDER, BARITONE SAXOPHONE

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os Angeles based baritone saxophonist ADAM SCHROEDER, the first call for a growing multitude of musical circumstances, has firmly established his influential voice as a major force in the global jazz community. Recognized as a “Rising Star" on the baritone saxophone in Down Beat Magazine’s 59th Annual Critic’s Poll as well as in the 76th, 79th and 80th Annual Reader’s Poll and the JazzEd Magazine 2014 Readers Poll, Mr. Schroeder is known equally for his hard-driving muscular swing, ferocious be-bopping, meticulous musicianship and leadership as well as his exquisite sound.

Continuing to receive rave reviews, Let’s, (CAPRI 2014) Mr. Schroeder’s second release as a leader, was recognized by the JazzWeek National Jazz Radio Chart as one of the “Top 100 Releases for 2014." His debut release, A Handful of Stars, (CAPRI 2010) reached #10 on the JazzWeek Radio Chart and was also recognized as one of the “Top

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Adam Schroeder holds a BM in Jazz Studies from Texas State University, San Marcos and a MM in Jazz Studies from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, California State University, Long Beach. He is a Yamaha Artist, a D’Addario Reeds Artist and a Capri Records Artist. n

DEREK CANNON

include “Free Your Mind” (Walter Beasley, 2009), “Destiny” (Kamau Kenyatta, 2007) and “Face in The Mirror” (Rick Helzer, 2006).

In addition to being a member of the studio faculty at SDSU, Derek Cannon is Director of Jazz Studies and Co-Chair of the Music Department at Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA. He previously chaired the Jazz Studies Department at Chicago State University (1995-99). n

CURTIS TAYLOR, TRUMPET

G BRAD STEINWEHE, TRUMPET

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n important trumpeter, bandleader and educator on the West Coast, BRAD STEINWEHE, leads a fine big band.

Steinwehe graduated from San Diego State University, receiving a Bachelor's degree in music in 1992 and a Master’s degree in 1994. As an educator he has taught at the University of Northern Colorado, Paloma College and Miramar College, in addition to San Diego State University.

He is also a clinician and brass coach in the San Diego area. As a lead trumpeter Steinwehe has appeared in many settings, including working with Tony Bennett, Lou Rawls, Donna Summer, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole and Melissa Manchester.

He has performed in Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Costa Rica; his San Diego State University Jazz Ensemble played at the Montreux and North Sea jazz festivals.

In 2004 he formed the Brad Steinwehe Jazz Orchestra, with whom he recorded Nutville for the Sea Breeze label. n

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EREK CANNON received his Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies and a BA in Music Education from San Diego State University. Derek is an accomplished performer and music educator and has maintained an active performing career that includes performances with Natalie Cole, Clark Terry, Hubert Laws, The Four Tops, The Temptations and Jon Faddis, to name a few. Internationally he has performed at The Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, The North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands, The Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and The Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada. Derek’s recent recordings

rammy® Award-winning trumpeter CURTIS TAYLOR’S lyrical and melodic improvisational style displays a level of maturity far beyond his counterparts. His unique blend of soulfulness, harmonic sensibilities and rhythm melt together for an unforgettable sound that directly connects with the soul of the listener. According to Taylor, “When played honestly, music is the ultimate conveyer of truth and beauty."

Taylor grew up in Bedford, Ohio, where his interest in music was piqued. At 10 years old, he took up the trumpet and got involved with the school’s band program. Soon after that experience the accolades began piling up for the budding young musician - no doubt because the talented trumpeter has studied and performed with some of the most renowned jazz musicians and educators. In 2007 Taylor completed his B.A. in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, where he studied with Derrick Gardner, Wess Anderson and Rodney Whitaker. Two years later he went on to attain his Master’s at Rutgers University where he studied with the late William “Prof" Fielder, legendary educator of many jazz notables such as Wynton Marsalis and Terence Blanchard.

Taylor has performed and recorded with Billy Childs, Gary Novak, Bob Sheppard, Winard Harper, Rodney Whitaker, Antonio Hart and great gospel luminaries Karen Clark-Sheard, Kierra Sheard and the Singletons. More extensively Taylor’s stint with jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut included a notable concert performance at Kennedy Center recorded for NPR’s Jazzset, an appearance at the Spoleto Jazz Festival, and a week-long engagement at Dizzy’s Club in NYC. In addition, Taylor had the great opportunity to tour internationally with virtuosic saxophonist James Carter’s Quintet, performing in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Canada and Austria.

In more recent years, Taylor has performed and recorded with rising jazz star Gregory Porter.

Taylor’s trumpet can be heard on Gregory Porter’s

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

BIG BAND BASH FEAT. THE JAZZ @ THE JACOBS ORCHESTRA - APRIL 29 debut album Water and on his junior release (Blue Note records) Liquid Spirit. Both albums were nominated for Grammy Awards. Liquid Spirit won the Grammy in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category for 2013. n

the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops, the San Diego Opera and the San Diego Symphony at the Jacobs Music Center. He has also performed in major venues throughout the world including Kennedy Center, Smetana Hall in Prague, Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Hermitage Theater in St. Petersburg, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York. He has performed with the Purchase Jazz Orchestra, New York Chamber Brass, Camerata Virtuosi of New Jersey and the Westwind Brass Quintet.

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Juliane has performed with artists like the Dutch Metropole Orchestra and Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Sammy Nestico, Johnny Mandel, Kurt Elling, Vince Mendoza, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Andrea Bocelli, the LA Philharmonic, Diana Krall, Bob Brookmeyer's New Art Orchestra, Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra and many others, as well as performing on The Voice in 2016 with Lady Gaga and Nile Rogers, at the Grammys® in 2016 and working in some of the famous LA studios with many of their infamous players...

Juliane is fortunate, though – with a thorough education and Master of Music Degree from the Conservatory of Amsterdam, music lessons for as long as she can remember, strong values from her upbringing, a thick skin yet an open as well as quick mind and now a work environment that is nothing short of ever inspiring... she feels she is in the right place.

And whenever she feels like doing something else for a moment she spends time doing Jeet Kune Do, going running, reading or tasting wine and cooking. n

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rombonist BRIAN O’DONNELL, a native of San Diego California, completed his Master of Music Degree at SUNY Purchase and earned his undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University. Mr. O’Donnell is a multi-faceted musician, at home in both jazz and classical genres. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2004 as soloist with the Carlsbad High School Wind Symphony.

Recent seasons have seen Mr. O’Donnell performing with Joe Garrison and Night People, The Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra, Renga SD,

His film credits include Dance with Me, Confessions of a Shopaholic, The Informant!, Charlie St. Cloud and Penguins of Madagascar. Television appearances include Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with Craig Ferguson (Spoon), The Tonight show (Aretha Franklin), American Music Awards (Jennifer Lopez), Latin Grammys (Celia Cruz), NBA All Star Game (Rihanna and Kanye West), as well as American Idol and America’s Got Talent.

As an educator, Francisco is an in-demand clinician and guest artist. In 2013, he was selected as director of the 2013 SCSBOA All-Star band which featured some of the finest high school jazz musicians in Southern California. n

JULIANE GRALLE, TROMBONE

orn and raised in Germany, JULIANE GRALLE moved to The Netherlands to receive her degrees at the Conservatory of Amsterdam and eventually made her way to Los Angeles in the summer of 2012. There she can be found playing trombones (bass, tenor and contrabass) and tuba, playing concerts on open air stages and in tucked-away places: jazz clubs, theatres, beautiful halls, live music establishments and exclusive studios are her home. In a huge and diverse city like Los Angeles it's difficult and maybe redundant to choose which genre to belong to, so why not do it all and try to make music and connect with musicians crossing all stylistic borders? It is certainly rewarding trying to make it in a city that creates and buries dreams as regularly as the sun disappears behind Mulholland Drive.

The Manhattan Transfer, Sheila E. and Harry Connick Jr.

BRIAN O’DONNELL, TROMBONE

Brian O’Donnell is currently on faculty at Palomar College as well as Point Loma Nazarene University, and he spends his summers teaching at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. He also coordinates and hosts the annual San Diego Trombone Day. When not making music he enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, practicing pottery and brewing beer. n

FRANCISCO TORRES, TROMBONE

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RANCISCO TORRES is a trombonist, arranger, composer and educator who hails from the state of Sonora, Mexico. He is the musical director for the legendary Poncho Sanchez and a member of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, John Beasley’s MONK’estra and the Clare Fischer Big Band. He has been a part of several Grammy®-winning records including Latin Soul (Poncho Sanchez), ¡Ritmo! (Clare Fischer), That’s How We Roll and Life in the Bubble (Gordon Goodwin). For the past several years, he has produced several Poncho Sanchez albums, earning five Grammy® and Latin Grammy® nominations for Best Latin Jazz Album.

As a sideman Francisco’s album credits include Pitbull, Frank Ocean, Michael Bublé, Ray Charles, The All-American Rejects, Jennifer Lopez, David Bowie, Robbie Williams, Brian Setzer, Ricky Martin, Los Lobos, Spoon, Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Eminem, Jackie Greene, Ry Cooder, Angélique Kidjo, Alejandro Fernández, Juan Gabriel, Jenni Rivera, Rocío Dúrcal, Sammy Nestico, John Beasley, Joey DeFrancesco, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Terence Blanchard, Pete Escovedo, Bill Cunliffe, Giovanni Hidalgo, Rebeca Mauleon, Francisco Aguabella and the legendary Bob Dylan. He has performed with Santana, Cachao, Arturo Sandoval, Joey DeFrancesco, Stanley Clarke, Bill Holman, James Moody, Roy Hargrove, Nathan East, Alex Acuña, Natalie Cole,

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JOSHUA WHITE, PIANO

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ianist JOSHUA WHITE had parallel musical training in both classical and gospel music traditions before encountering the music most commonly referred to as "jazz" at the University of California, San Diego summer camp in 2003. He began formal piano training at the age of seven with a private instructor, and was subsequently immersed into the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and others. After competing in several classical piano music competitions and also becoming the organist/pianist at his local church, Mr. White (at the age of 18) chose to focus his musical studies on "jazz" and improvised music traditions, drawing inspiration from its many innovators. He dove into the music head first with the help of worldrenowned musicians like composer Anthony Davis, saxophonist David Borgo, flutist Holly Hofmann and piano master Mike Wofford.

"Joshua was the most devoted student I've ever worked with by far," says Wofford. "Absolutely focused and with a great intuitive grasp of the music, even at that early stage." In the years following, Mr. White made incredible strides through the Southern California jazz community, playing with virtuoso trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, alto saxophone legend Charles McPherson, bassist Marshall Hawkins, tenor saxophonist Daniel Jackson and former Anthony Braxton sideman, Mark Dresser.

In 2011 Mr. White entered the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition in Washington D.C., ultimately placing second out of 160 competitors from around the world.

Herbie Hancock was one the judges. "Joshua has immense talent," Hancock told music critic George Varga of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"I was impressed by his daring and courageous approach to improvisation on the cutting edge of innovation. He is his own man. I believe that Thelonious Monk would have been proud of the performance of this great young artist..."

New York Times jazz critic Ben Ratliff was at the competition. "He pressed hard against the rhythm

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BIG BAND BASH FEAT. THE JAZZ @ THE JACOBS ORCHESTRA - APRIL 29 section and improvised with form, telling the bassist Rodney Whitaker and the drummer Carl Allen what to do and when, accelerating and decelerating, suddenly going free. (Nobody else did that.)…Mr. White used a lot of dissonance and clutter, but it was provocative, chord-related clutter, not the brilliant-soloist kind made mostly with the right hand. It was a sound worth returning to…”

For the last several years, Joshua White has been in demand as one of Southern California’s most creative and technically accomplished pianists.

He performs regularly at Dizzy’s (San Diego), Blue Whale (Los Angeles), The Loft (La Jolla), the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library (La Jolla), and numerous other venues on the West Coast.

Formed in January 2014, his Joshua White Quartet is a bi-coastal group focused on interpreting original compositions, as well as exploring the boundaries of collective improvisation. n

ROB THORSEN, BASS

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coustic bassist ROB THORSEN began playing classical guitar at the age of 7. He later went on to play flute, saxophone, tuba and electric bass before getting his first upright bass. It was a turning point in his life and he became very involved in music and learning as much as he could about the bass. “When I began playing upright bass, the fact that I felt the sound as much as heard it had a profound effect on me. I was hooked for life.”

He auditioned and got hired to perform on a cruise ship, the Royal Viking Star, for 8 months traveling around the world. Afterwards he settled in San Francisco and was soon working in many of the Bay Area’s top clubs including Kimball’s, Yoshi’s, the Great American Music Hall, Pearls and the Concord Jazz Festival.

In 1990 Rob moved to San Diego where he quickly became one of the area’s most in-demand bassists.

In addition to leading his own trio/quartet he has worked with many notable artists, including Louie Bellson, Russell Malone, Charles McPherson, Curtis Fuller, Mundell Lowe, Hubert Laws, Jackie Ryan and many others.

In 2009 he released his fourth CD as a leader, Lasting Impression, on the Pacific Coast Jazz label; it features pianists Geoffrey Keezer and Josh Nelson, trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, saxophonist Ben Wendel, drummer Duncan Moore and others. In addition to four of Rob’s original compositions it features many classic jazz songs, including the Gershwin’s “The Man I Love,” Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” and others. The album received national airplay and was on the “Top 40” jazz listings for over six months.

Rob Thorsen also performs regularly with the Mike Wofford/Holly Hofmann Quartet, guitarist Mundell Lowe, saxophonist Charles McPherson and the Gilbert Castellanos Quintet. Rob is also founder and leader of “Jazz: an American Art

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Form”, a hugely successful jazz education program that was presented to over 6,000 elementaryaged school children in 2011. He also teaches at. the annual UCSD Jazz camp. He has performed at various jazz festivals, including Telluride Jazz fest, Idyllwild Jazz Festival, Chiapas Jazz Festival, Ensenada Jazz Festival, Temecula Jazz festival, Glenwood Spring Jazz Festival and others. Rob was also recently featured as the subject of a San Diego Union-Tribune “Into View” artist profile by George Varga. n

RYAN SHAW, PERCUSSION

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YAN SHAW began his musical pursuits at the age of five on piano. By age eight, he began studying with Steve Noyd on percussion. After getting his first drum set at the age of ten, he began playing at his church regularly while participating in his school's concert band and jazz band. Ryan then moved with his family to San Diego, California, where he began attending Poway High School and participating in their marching and jazz bands. He was also selected as the drummer for the SCSBOA Honor Jazz Band in 2013. Ryan is now pursuing his Jazz Studies degree at the University of Southern California, studying under Peter Erskine.

Outside of school, Ryan performs regularly with Gilbert Castellanos and Joshua White, and has had the opportunity to perform with Bob Sheppard, Bob McChesney, Graham Dechter, Rob Lockhart, Joshua White, Holly Hofmann, Mike Wofford and more. Ryan has also had the opportunity to study with Jeff Hamilton, Peter Erskine, Roy McCurdy, Kevin Kanner, Dan Schnelle, Duncan Moore, Mike Holguin, Bryan Taylor, Lance Beckford, Paul Casey and Steve Noyd. n

BARBARA MORRISON, VOCALS

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orn in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and raised in Romulus, Michigan, BARBARA MORRISON recorded her first appearance for radio in Detroit at the age of 10. She moved to Los Angeles in 1973, at the age of 23. Her melodic voice, with its three-and-a-half-octave range, is known worldwide, as are her rich, unique, soulful and highly spirited interpretations of both, familiar Jazz and Blues classics and original contemporary tunes. Well known in the Los Angeles area for her duo and trio dates, Ms. Morrison also tours extensively, blazing a trail as a Jazz and Blues legend in her own right across the United States, Western Europe, the Far East and Australia, wowing audiences with her band.

In 1986, touring with the Philip Morris Superband (a 14-city one month tour of Canada, Australia,

Japan and the Philippines), Ms. Morrison did vocal honors with jazz organist Jimmy Smith, backed by saxophonist James Moody, guitaris, Kenny Burrell, trumpeter Jon Faddis and drummer Grady Tate.

Ms. Morrison completed a 33-city tour in the United States, co-headlining an all-star tribute to composer Harold Arlen. Over the years she has performed with a virtual "who's who" of the Jazz and the Blues worlds, including such legends such as Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, James Moody, Ron Carter, Etta James, Esther Phillips, David T. Walker, Jimmy Smith, Johnny Otis, Dr. John, Kenny Burrell, Terence Blanchard, Joe Sample, Cedar Walton, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett and Keb' Mo. Ms. Morrison has also guest-starred with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and Doc Severinsen's Big Band.

Her festival appearances include Montreux, Nice, Pori, Carnegie Hall, North Sea, Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House, Australia, Monterey and Long Beach. In 1995 Ms. Morrison was on a televised tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, which also starred Mel Tormé, Diane Reeves, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick and Lou Rawls. More recently beginning in 2011, Barbara Morrison has been performing with Jack Hale, a popular Southern California master guitarist/arranger/band leader of cool and hot vintage Jazz and Swing styles from the 1920s through 1950s. n

JOHN REYNOLDS, TRUMPET

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R. JOHN REYNOLDS is a highly sought trumpeter in Southern California, adept in performing many styles of music.

John holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California as well as degrees from San Diego State University and Point Loma Nazarene University.

John performs frequently with his own groups, the John Reynolds Jazz Quintet and the Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra. He is often contracted as a freelance trumpeter throughout Southern California. John has performed with jazz legends including John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Gerald Clayton, Rickey Woodard, Graham Dechter, Jackie Ryan, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Bobby Shew, Frank Mantooth, Gilbert Castellanos, Marshall Hawkins and many others. Other groups with which he has performed include Westwind Brass, Millennia Consort, the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. As an active part of the San Diego music community, he can be seen performing frequently in both Jazz and Classical venues.

John Reynolds is the music department chair and director of Jazz Studies at San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and currently serves as adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at Grossmont College. The SoCal Jazz Society recently recognized Dr. Reynolds as the “Jazz Educator of the Year.” n

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