Faculty – Community Music School (Adult)
Laurie Antonioli (voice)
Studied at Mt. Hood College and Cal State Long Beach. Student of Joe Henderson, Mark Murphy; Professor, Vocal Jazz Studies, Kug U., Graz, Austria; Nabel Records recording artist; international performing and recording artist/ clinician; performed and recorded with George Cables, Bobby McFerrin, Richie Beirach, Joe Bonner; bandleader, Foreign Affair; lyricist of Pauer – Antonioli Songbook.
Jon Arkin (drums)
B.A. in Jazz Performance, U. of Miami. Faculty, Stanford Jazz Workshop. Performance credits include Ira Sullivan, Grady Tate, Taylor Eigsti, Vusi Mahlasela, Dayna Stephens, Julian Lage, Meklit Hadero, Stew & TNP, Gene Perla. Festival/venue highlights include Yoshi’s, Montreal Jazz Festival, IAJE Convention, Healdsburg Jazz Festival, North Beach Jazz Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Sleep Train Pavilion.
Bill Aron (saxophone)
M.M. in Performance, SF State; B.A. in Music, UC Berkeley. Professional musician and music educator for 42 years; specializing in classical saxophone playing with the San Francisco Saxophone Quartet and San Francisco Symphony among others.
Joe Bagale (drums)
Eastman School of Music (1.5 years) currently lead vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist with Mickey Hart Band. Leads Joe Bagale band, performs with Jazz Mafia, Hot Einstein, Disappear Incompletely.
David Belove (bass)
Studied at SF State and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Recorded and/or performed with Pete Escovedo, John Santos and The Machete Ensemble, Danilo Perez, Tito Puente, Francisco Aguabella, Rebeca Mauleon, Ray Obiedo, Marcos Silva, Joe Henderson, Max Roach, Blue Mitchell, Eddie Harris, Mark Levine, Pat Metheny, Larry Coryell and Zakir Hussain.
Kathy Blackburn (voice)
B.Mus. in Jazz Studies (in progress) Jazzschool Institute, M.B.A. St. Mary’s College; B.A. and K-12 Teaching Credential San Jose State U. Principal vocalist with Cooltones big band, Lafayette Studio Big Band, and Four and More jazz combo. Awarded the Jazzschool Institute’s Mark Murphy Vocal Jazz Scholarship.
Theo Bleckmann (voice)
National and international performing and recording artist and educator. Performed with Laurie Anderson, Anthony Braxton, Steve Coleman, Dave Douglas, Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, Michael Tilson Thomas, John Zorn and the Bang On A Can All-Stars. Featured soloist with the Albany Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Estonian Radio Choir, Merce Cunningham Dance Company and Mark Morris Dance Group. Currently on faculty at Manhattan School of Music. Previously on faculty at New York University, The New School and Queens College. Teaches voice privately and in workshops and master classes worldwide.
Lee Bloom (piano)
B.Arch., University of Cincinnati. Jazz studies at Cincinnati Conservatory with Tim Hagans, Phil DeGreg, Pat Harbison and Frank Vincent. Further study with Barry Harris, Jerry Coker, Dan Haerle. Licensed, published Architect interested in overlap between music and visual phenomena. Extensive playing experience in jazz, R&B/funk and pop styles. Pianist with saxophonist Hal Stein 2001-2008. Performances with Mary Stallings, Jamie Davis, Pete Escovedo, Dan Hicks. Recorded with Madeleine Peyroux, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash.
Stephanie Bruce (voice, arranging)
Studies with Joni Metcalf and Don Mock, Jane Sharpe, Cary Sheldon, Allaudin Matthieu, and Mark Levine. Has recorded three albums of original songs and arrangements, and performed extensively in the Bay Area, Europe, and Asia.
Edgardo Cambón (percussion, voice)
Bandleader for 26 years of the renowned salsa band “Edgardo & Candela.” Toured throughout South America, Europe, and Africa since 1986. LP (Latin Percussion Co.) endorser. Performed or recorded with Jesús “Chucho” Valdés (Irakere), Eddie Palmieri, Carlos Santana, José Luis “Changuito” Quintana, Orestes Vilató, Salsa Romántica Stars Jerry Rivera and Eddie Santiago, Keith Terry and “Crosspulse,” Omar Sosa, Jeff Narell, Andy Narell, Sovosó (formerly Bobby McFerrin’s “Voicestra”) Mike Spiro, Karl Perazzo and Rebeca Mauleón.
Danny Caron (guitar)
B.A. in English and Music, Oberlin College and Conservatory; graduate of Howard Roberts Program, Guitar Institute of Technology, Los Angeles. Best known for being music director and guitarist for the legendary pianist and vocalist Charles Brown until his death in 2000. He has played and recorded with Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Clifton Chenier, Donald Fagan, Hadda Brooks, Red Callender, and many others.
Maye Cavallaro (voice)
Advanced degree in Education, UC Santa Barbara; B.A. in English Lit, UC Santa Barbara. Fellow NY Cabaret Symposium; faculty, Blue Bear School of Music; private coaching, 25 years; producer, 8 recordings; bandleader, recording artist; awarded Best of the Year in Jazz by the San Francisco Chronicle; visiting clinician, St. John’s U.; graphic artist, web designer.
Andrea Claburn (voice)
B.A., high honors, UC Berkeley; vocal jazz/jazz studies at the Jazzschool Institute; classically trained in piano and violin. Studied with Laurie Antonioli, John Santos, Raz Kennedy, Mark Levine, Susan Muscarella, John Gove, Anthony Brown, Mike Zilber. Co-bandleader, Andrea Claburn/Jua Howard Septet; recipient of the JI Mark Murphy Vocal Prize.
Rachel Efron (songwriting)
B.A., Harvard U. (extensive coursework in both writing and music). Studied jazz piano with faculty at Berklee College of Music. Released three albums of original music and toured on both coasts. Bandleader of Rachel Efron Ensemble, which has performed locally at such venues as Yoshi’s, The Plush Room, The Independent, Freight and Salvage, and Cafe Du Nord.
Rob Ewing (trombone)
Jazzschool Community Music School Director. Jazzschool Summer Youth Program Director. B.A., Naropa U.; 2 years, Berklee College of Music. Leader of Disappear Incompletely — The Radiohead Project. Performances with STS9, Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Vinny Golia, Latin Giants of Jazz, Ray Vega, Wayne Wallace, Graham Connah, Joe Bagale, The Barr Brothers, Les Gwan Jupons, John Schott’s Typical Orchestra, Jazz Mafia Symphony, Oakland Active Orchestra, Half of Half, Leslie Helpert, Rebecca Griffin, Naytronix.
Jean Fineberg (saxophone, flute)
M.Ed. in Secondary Education, B.S. in Science; B.A. in Arts & Sciences, Pennsylvania State U. Founder, leader of Deuce and Saxophunk; Assistant Director, composer, arranger, Montclair Women’s Big Band; toured and recorded with Melba Liston, David Bowie, Laura Nyro, Chic, Sister Sledge; consultant, San Francisco Arts Commission; NEA Jazz Fellow; recipient, ASCAP music composition awards, Meet The Composer grants; featured on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz on NPR.
Ben Flint (piano, voice)
B.A., Berklee College of Music; M.A., USC. Student of James Williams, Cary Sheldon. Performed with Isaac Hayes, Ledisi, Mary Stallings, Cheryl Lynn, Nicolas Bearde. Currently serves as director of the Oakland Jazz choir. Teaches jazz history at Berkeley City College and Diablo Valley College. He also plays B3 and piano for church services at Second Baptist in Redwood City.
Mimi Fox (guitar)
Advisor, Guitar Program. Five-time Downbeat Critics Poll Winner. Adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at NYU; guest clinician/artist in residence at Alaska Jazz Workshop, Britt Music Festival, Yale U., CalArts, Cornish College of the Arts, U. of Oregon, USC and Berklee College of Music; featured artist on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz on NPR; featured artist, Kennedy Center. Performed with Charlie Byrd, Kenny Burrell, Branford Marsalis, David Sanchez, Joey DeFrancesco, Houston Person, Jim Hall, and Diana Krall.
Kyra Gordon (voice)
B.Mus. (in progress) Jazzschool Institute. Vocalist/keyboardist with hip-hop collective The Freeze. Performed on the soundtrack for the feature film, Owned.
Dave Gregoric (trombone)
Recorded with Pete Escovedo, Andy Narrel, Buddy Montgomery, Cab Calloway, Della Reese, and Ray Brown, among many others. An instructor for 16 years at Valley Christian Schools in San Jose, CA, Mr. Gregoric’s groups have received acclaim in many jazz competitions, including Reno, Monterey’s Next Generation, Folsom, San Jose, and Campana jazz festivals. Studied at Cal State Long Beach, the L.A. jazz workshop and graduated from William Jessup University with a B.S. in Theology with a minor in Jazz Performance.
David Gutierrez (guitar)
Private study with masters of the traditional flamenco style (Mario Escudero, Pedro Bacán and the nephews of Diego del Gastor) as well as the leading players of modern style flamenco (Manolo Sanlucar, Carlos Heredia and Jose Valle “Chuscales”). Began performing professionally with Los Flamencos de la Bodega and went on to perform with numerous Bay Area Spanish dance companies (including El Cuadro Flamenco, Teatro flamenco, Rosa Montoya’s Bailes Flamencos and Arte y Compás) and co-founded the group Flamenco Vivo.
Alan Hall (drums)
Advisor, Drum Program. Former assistant professor at Berklee College of Music; adjunct faculty at UC Berkeley; clinician; author; performed with Ernie Watts, Paul McCandless, Eddie Harris, Bruce Wilamson, Art Lande, Tom Coster, Kit Walker, Rebecca Parris, Kai Eckhardt, Stuart Hamm; artist endorsement with Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Aquarian Accessories.
Peter Horvath (piano)
M.A., Berklee College of Music; Bèla Bartôk Conservatory of Music, Budapest, Hungary; Vienna Conservatory of Music. Performed, toured, recorded with Victor Bailey Group, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson, Lalah Hathaway, Oakland Symphony, Bob Sheppard, Bennie Maupin, Richie Cole, Ray Obiedo, Lenny White, Randy Brecker, Marcus Miller, Bob Mintzer, Pee Wee Ellis, Arturo Sandoval, arranged and recorded for Aretha Franklin.
Erik Jekabson (trumpet)
M.A. in Composition, SF Conservatory of Music; B. Mus. in Trumpet, Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Toured with John Mayer, Illinois Jacquet and Galactic, and has composed for film and dance projects. Released several albums as a leader. Currently teaches at Berkeley City College and Los Medanos College.
Ellen Johnson (voice)
M.M. in Vocal Performance, SDSU. B.Mus. in Vocal Performance, American Conservatory of Music, Ph.D studies/Expressive Arts, UHS, UCLA Extension/music business, acting Northwestern University. Chicago Actors Center. Performed, recorded or studied with Sheila Jordan, Bobby McFerrin, Charles McPherson, Louie Bellson, Pete Christlieb, Roy McCurdy, Billy Drummond, Larry Koonse, John Stowell, Cameron Brown, Hugh Martin. Willie Pickens, John Clayton, Jay Clayton, Gene Aiken, Marni Nixon and Rick Helzer. Faculty at USD, CalPoly University Pomona, Old Globe Theatre’s MFA.
Keith Johnson (trumpet)
M.M. in Music Education, CSU East Bay, B.A. in Trumpet and Music Education, San Jose State U. Founder and Director of the award-winning Jazzschool Studio Bands; Director of Bands at El Cerrito High School; Groups under his direction have won multiple awards including Downbeat Magazine’s Outstanding Large Ensemble Award and first place at the Next Generation Festival. His groups have performed at multiple jazz venues and festivals around the world.
Jennifer Jolly (keyboards)
Performer, educator, session musician, composer/arranger, choral/musical theater accompanist. Specialist in American roots styles (blues, boogie-woogie, New Orleans, R&B, soul, funk, country, improvisational rock), Caribbean, and African music. Current member of Baba Ken & the Afro-Groove Connexion and Big B & His Snakeoil Saviours; frequent performer with Tom Rigney & Flambeau. Previous performance credits include Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Zulu Spear, Barbara Dane, Hot Links, The Jolly Gibsons. Faculty instructor at Cazadero Family Camp.
Bob Karty (piano)
B.A., Biology, Reed College. Pianist, composer, recording engineer, producer. Performs with Ray Obiedo, Pete Escovedo, world-jazz sextet Tanaóra, Conjunto Karabalí (led by Michael Spiro & Santana percussionist Karl Perazzo). Founding member of Orquesta La Moderna Tradición, one of the few authentic charanga orchestras outside of Cuba, with whom he performed for over 15 years and recorded three albums.
Raz Kennedy (voice)
Founding member of Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra; vocal coach for many Bay Area and internationally known artists including Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, Narada Michael Walden (producer for Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey), Los Tigres Del Norte, Hilary Duff, Lynn Asher, Spencer Day, Jasmine Guy, members of Metallica, Lavay Smith, James Nash of the Waybacks, Pollyanna Bush and many others.
Kasey Knudsen (saxophone)
B.A. Berklee, faculty member at Sonoma State U., Stanford Jazz Workshop, Lafayette Summer Music Jazz Workshop. Performs with her own sextet, The Holly Martins, The Knudsen-Arkin-Coleman Trio, has toured the world with Tune-Yards and can be seen performing with such bay area luminaries as Ben Goldberg, Fred Frith, Graham Connah, Adam Shulman, Ian Carey and more.
Omar Ledezma Jr. (percussion, voice)
Diploma, Performance, Berklee College of Music 2003. B.S., Law School, Santa Maria University, Caracas, Venezuela 1995. Active local performer, teacher, GRAMMY nominee and world class musician. Toured with renowned artists in USA, Europe, the Caribbean and South America. Has participated in more than 35 recordings, DVDs and books. PEARL PERCUSSION Artist.
Dave Lefevbre (saxophone)
Recipient of an NEA Grant for Jazz Education. Dave has recorded 6 albums as a bandleader and has performed at many Bay Area Jazz Festivals and in Europe. Musicians who have recorded or performed in Dave’s group include Billy Childs, John Patitucci, Clay Jenkins, Dave Crigger, Eddie Marshall, Seward McCain and many others. Dave’s big band compositions have been performed by Freddie Hubbard, Richie Cole, and the BBC Big Band.
Mark Levine (piano)
B.A. in music, Boston U.; study in Cuba with Hilario Duran; Grammy nominee 2004; Latin Jazz Grammy nominee 2010; author, The Jazz Piano Book, The Jazz Theory Book, The Drop 2 Book (Sher Publications); producer of Jazzschool’s Bay Area Jazz Archives recordings. Performances with Woody Shaw, Mongo Santamaria, Joe Henderson, Willie Bobo, Bobby Hutcherson, Moacir Santos, Freddie Hubbard, Cal Tjader, Wallace Roney, Tito Puente, Milt Jackson, Francisco Aguabella, Harold Land, David Liebman.
Maria Marquez (voice)
Studied voice, composition and arranging for 5 years at Berklee College of Music. Performed and/or recorded with Omar Sosa, Joyce Cooling, John Santos, Orestes Vilato, David Pinto, Edward Simon, Otmaro Ruiz, Frank Harris, Marcos Silva, Ricardo Peixoto, Brazilian Beat, Wild Mango. Taught at the Community Music Center in SF, UNO, Los Cenzontles Music Center & Jazz Camp. Produced her radio show at KRCB Santa Rosa, and continues to produce her world music radio show nationally in Venezuela.
Frank Martin (piano, keyboards)
Music Director for Narada Michael Walden, Patti Austin, Angela Bofill; Carnegie Hall appearances with Sting, James Taylor, Elton John; Record producer/arranger for Al Jarreau, Turtle Island String Quartet, Joey DeFrancesco, Mimi Fox, Mary Jenson, Molly Holm, Deuce, Tuck & Patti, Karen Blixt; performed/recorded with John McLaughlin, Buddy Montgomery, Joe Farrell, Dizzy Gillespie, Larry Coryell, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Jordan, Stevie Wonder, Airto, Dori Caymmi, Dianne Reeves, Patrice Rushen, Trilok Gurtu, Richard Bona; Faculty, UC Berkeley Jazz Ensembles.
www.frankmartinproductions.com
Seward McCain (bass)
Toured with Vince Guaraldi, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Mark Murphy, Diane Schuur, Jackie Cain and Roy Kral. Performed with Ernie Watts, Bobby Hutcherson, Kenny Barron, Herb Ellis, Jack Sheldon, Richie Cole, Tom Harrell, and Marshall Otwell. Currently with the Dick Hindman Trio with Colin Bailey on drums. Also on faculty of Stanford University.
Susan Muscarella (piano)
B.A. in Music Composition, UC Berkeley. Ph.D. candidate in Musicology, University of Évora, Portugal. Founder and Executive Director, Jazzschool Inc.; President and Dean of Instruction, Jazzschool Institute. Director, UC Jazz Ensembles program 1984 – 89; composer, arranger and recording artist; performances at major clubs and festivals including Yoshi’s, Keystone Korner, Great American Music Hall and the Lighthouse, and Monterey, Berkeley and Concord Jazz Festivals; featured on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz on NPR; recipient of a 2008 “A Team” Award from the Jazz Journalists Association; member of the Board of Directors, Chamber Music America.
Carl Oser (voice)
Magna cum laude graduate of the USC Thornton School of Music (B.A. in Jazz Voice). Studies with Russell Ferrante, John Daversa, and Peter Horvath. Former visiting professor, U. San Francisco de Quito (Quito, Ecuador).
Danilo Paiz (drums, percussion)
Played with internationally known musicians such as Ray Baretto, Ruben Blades, Benny Velarde and his Super Combo, Andy Narell, Ray Obiedo, Dave Valentin, Dizzy Gillespie, and Cal Tjader. In addition to having released two albums of his own original salsa music, he has recently performed with Mary Wilson of the Supremes and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. Danilo and his band Orquesta Universal perform extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
Anthony Paule (guitar)
A.A. Degree from CCSF. Has toured and/or recorded with Maria Muldaur, Boz Skaggs, Charlie Musselwhite, Barbara Lynn, Earl King, Big Jay McNeely, Johnny Adams and many others. Released three solo albums, “Big Guitar” and “Hiding In Plain Sight” and “You Don’t Know Nothing” the latter with soul singer Frank Bey. Has performed at festivals including Monterey Jazz, Umbria Jazz, San Francisco Blues, Mississippi Valley Blues, Du Maurier Jazz, Waterfront Blues, S.F. Jazz, Atlanta Olympic Games.
Ricardo Peixoto (guitar)
Native of Rio de Janeiro, graduated from Berklee College of Music, studied with Pat Metheny. Also studied classical guitar with George Sakellariou at SF Conservatory. Adventure Music recording artist, composer, arranger, has performed nationally and internationally with Claudia Villela, Terra Sul, Carlos Oliveira, Airto, Flora Purim, Guinga, Dori Caymmi, Bud Shank, Dom Um Romão, Claudio Roditi.
David Pinto (bass)
Music Director for Afro-Peruvian diva Susana Baca (Grammy Award 2002). Has also performed with: Alex Acuña, Justo Almario, John Medeski, Marc Ribot, David Byrne, Arturo Sandoval, Armando Manzanero, Olga Guillot, Jeff Pocaro, Mike Stern, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Gilberto Gil, and Wayne Wallace. Member of Azesu, with master Latin percussionist Orestes Vilato and also leads David Pinto & Syncopated Colors.
Debbie Poryes (piano)
National and international performing artist including Yoshi’s, Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Bim House and Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, New Morning in Paris, Quasimodo in Berlin, released several albums as a leader, studied at UC Berkeley and Hilversum Conservatory in the Netherlands: has a teaching credential in Jazz Studies, Netherlands; was a tenured faculty member for 7 years in 2 Dutch music conservatories, Hilversum and Arnhem; toured with John Clayton Big Band; 30 years private instruction in jazz piano and jazz/classical theory.
Joyce Pricco (voice)
M.M. in Music Education, Boston University; B.M. in Music Education, San Francisco State University; Certificate of Completion in Multimedia Studies, Diablo Valley College. Classroom and private instructor since 1978. Performed professionally in the Bay Area since 1980 ranging from classical to popular singing styles – opera, oratorio and musical theater to jazz, gospel, and pop. Professor at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA, faculty at Bradley School of Music in Lafayette, CA, music director at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Concord, CA, private voice and piano instruction at Pricco Studios.
Jackie Rago (percussion)
B.A. music and arts institute of SF, artistic and musical director of the Venezuelan Music Project and a founding member of the VNote Ensemble (formerly The Snake Trio) bands which she travels and performs with in an ongoing basis. She was also a founding member of Altazor (Nueva Canción ensemble), Wild Mango (world beat music), Keith Terry & Crosspulse (world percussion) and Trio Altamira (contemporary Latin American music).
Glenn Richman (bass)
Mannes School of Music (1 yr); Berklee College of Music (2 yrs). Advisor, Jazzschool Bass Program; student of Buster Williams, George Mraz and Mike Longo; performed with Bobby Hutcherson, Jon Hendricks, Dave Liebman, Chet Baker, Benny Green, Dakota Staton, Chris Connor, Tom Harrell, Eddie Henderson, John Hicks, Mike Clark, Jack Wilkins, Billy Hart, Larry Willis, George Coleman and Mickey Roker; faculty, Brubeck Institute, UC Berkeley and Chabot College.
Ellen Robinson (voice)
Singer, composer, arranger, recording artist, educator. B.Mus. (voice/piano) Ithaca College, NY; graduate studies at Bank Street College of Education, SUNY-Stony Brook, Hofstra University and C.W. Post; director of the Anything Goes Chorus; private vocal coach; musical theater director at Stagebridge; member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing; Jefferson Award Winner; international performing artist, performed and recorded with Harvey Wainapel, Paul Nagel, David Rokeach, Bud Spangler; bandleader of Don’t Wait Too Long, Mercy! Ellen Robinson Live, On My Way To You.
Pamela Rose (voice)
B.A., UC Berkeley. Jazz and blues vocalist, songwriter, recording artist. Recent performances include Monterey Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ, Grammy Foundation, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Cal Performances. Featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Her latest project “Wild Women of Song” (highlighting the work of women jazz and blues songwriters) has Rose touring, speaking and performing at universities and performing arts centers nation-wide, and resulted in the publication of a book on the topic.
Stephen Saxon (voice)
Performed and/or recorded with American Conservatory Theater, Chet Baker, the Berkeley Symphony, Michael Brecker, Shlomo Carlebach, Clockwork, Chanticleer, Richie Cole, Jose Feliciano (Grammy winning album), The Klezmorim, KlezX, the Klezmer Conservatory Band, Abby Lincoln (Amenata Moseka), Phil Mattson, Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Gunther Schuller, the San Francisco Symphony (soloist), Kirby Shaw, the Spokane Symphony (soloist), Spokane Opera, Euterpe Opera Company, Buddy Tate, Jerry Watts, Where’s Gesualdo, Andy Williams, John Williams, and Frank Zappa, among others.
Dave Scott (trumpet)
M.A. in Trumpet Performance, U. of Northern Colorado; B.A. in Instrumental Music, U. of Michigan. National performing and recording artist, jazz, classical idioms. Performs with: Glide Memorial Church Change Band; Brass Monkey Brass Band; TRUMPETSUPERGROUP (founder); Dave Scott Jazz Quartet. Currently adjunct faculty at: Sonoma State University (Instructor of Trumpet); Berkeley City College (Humanities Dept Jazz History); and San Francisco State University (Brass Methods, Jazz Arranging).
Ellen Seeling (trumpet)
B.Mus. in Jazz Studies, Indiana U. Composer, arranger and recording artist. Founder and Director, Montclair Women’s Big Band; featured on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz on NPR and Grammy Foundation; performed with Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, Joe Cocker, Ray Barretto, Patti LaBelle; consultant, San Francisco Arts Commission.
Rumen Shopov (percussion)
A Turkish Rom (“Gypsy”) from Bulgaria, Rumen Shopov is a multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, singer, dancer, and recording artist specializing in traditional and contemporary Balkan and Romani music. Rumen has performed and taught Balkan and Romani music throughout Eastern and Western Europe and North and South America. He has performed alongside Balkan music legends Yuri Yunakov, Teodossi Spassov, Ismail Lumanovski, and many others.
Adam Shulman (piano)
B.A. in Music from UC Santa Cruz. Studied privately with Smith Dobson. Performed/recorded with Willie Jones III, Larry Coryell, Paula West, Mark Murphy, Stefon Harris, Miguel Zenon, Luciana Souza, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Marshall, Dayna Stephens, Andrew Speight, Marcus Shelby and the Glen Miller Orchestra.
Marcos Silva (piano)
Adviser, Brazilian Program. National and international performing and recording artist, composer, arranger, producer, educator; performed with Leny Andrade, Emilio Santiago, Marcio Montarroyos, Jon Lucien, Claudio Roditi; Music Director, arranger, keyboards for Flora Purim, Airto, Toninho Horta, Paquito D’Rivera, Bud Shank, Ricardo Silveira, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Danilo Caymmi, Edu Lobo, Joyce; leader, Marcos Silva and Intersection.
Ben Stolorow (piano)
B.A. in Music, UC Berkeley; Recipient, Hertz Traveling Fellowship from Berkeley to study jazz piano privately and at the Manhattan School of Music; studied in New York with Fred Hersch, Stanley Cowell, James Williams, and David Hazeltine; performed with Akira Tana, Craig Handy, Lorca Hart, Nasheet Waits, Danya Stephens, Andrew Speight, Vince Lateano, Bob Kenmotsu, Noel Jewkes, Michael O’Neill, and vocalist Kenny Washington; Also studied classical piano and the Taubman Technique.
Marc Van Wageningen (bass)
Electric bassist and recording artist specializing in funk, Latin and jazz. Performed with Diane Reeves, Tower of Power, Pee Wee Ellis/Maceo Parker, Steve Smith, Stan Getz, George Duke, Francisco Aquabella, Pete Escovedo, Eddie Marshall, Sheila E. and the E. Train and Andy Narell among others. Recorded with Steve Winwood, Sheila E., Tom Grant, David Garibaldi, Pete Escovedo, Ray Obiedo, Linda Tillery, Cornelius Bumpus and Teresa Trull and Barbara Higby. Served as house band member for The Wayne Brady Show, But Can They Sing and The One. Marc has a debut recording out under the VW Brothers name titled “Muziek” on Patois Records.
Wayne Wallace (trombone)
National and international performing artist, composer, arranger, educator; faculty, San Francisco State U., Stanford Jazz Workshop, San Jose State U., UC Berkeley, Jazz Camp West; grants, N.E.A., Zellerbach Foundation, San Francisco Arts Commission, Creative Work Fund; recording artist, producer, arranger for Angela Bofill, Celine Dion, Con Funk Shun, Pete Escovedo, Chris Isaak, Santana, Sister Sledge; performed with George Duke, Joe Henderson Big Band, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Bobby Hutcherson, Irakere, Dr. John, Eartha Kitt, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Tito Puente, John Santos and the Machete Ensemble, Sonny Rollins, The Temptations, James Taylor, McCoy Tyner Big Band, Los Van Van, Tony Williams, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Winwood and Stevie Wonder.
Jeanne Walpole (piano)
M.A. in Music Theory, San Francisco State U.; M.A. Studies in Piano Manhattan School of Music; B.A., Smith College: studied with Dick Hindman 1990–2003; Pianist, Nordstrom.
Katherine Westine (piano)
Post-graduate studies in Early Music, Norddeutsche Orgelakademie, Bremen, Germany; M.A. in Organ Performance, Lone Mountain College, San Francisco; B.A. in Music History, U. of Washington, Seattle. Co-producer, Florio Street Concerts.
Howard Wiley (saxophone, drums)
has released several albums as a leader, performs with Lavay Smith, the Marcus Shelby Orchestra, San Francisco Bourbon Kings, Faye Carol and many others. Cited in Downbeat critics poll.
Faith Winthrop (voice)
Singer, songwriter, recording artist and educator; student of Clara Shear, Boston Conservatory. Performed as house singer at SF’s hungry i, NY’s Village Vanguard; international appearances include Paris, Sydney and Rio; Founding Director, Glide Memorial’s Soulful Glide Ensemble; students include Al Jarreau, Ben Vereen, Holly Near, Madeline Eastman, Lavay Smith, Jacqui Naylor and Paula West; faculty member, Mills College and San Francisco of Conservatory of Music.
Winslow Yerxa (harmonica)
Author of Harmonica for Dummies, advice columnist at Bluesharmonica.com, and president of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica. Over 30 years experience in a wide variety of styles. Performs with SF Harmonica Ensemble and Tuula Tossavainen.
Mike Zilber (saxophone)
Ph.D. in Composition, NYU; M.M. in Composition, Tufts U.; B.Mus. in Composition, New England Conservatory. Currently co-leads a quartet with guitar great John Stowell, and is completing a recording project in New York with Mike Clark, James Genus and Rachel Z. Co-led a group with drumming legend Steve Smith for 8 years. Has performed, toured or recorded with everyone from Dave Liebman to Dizzy Gillespie, including Miroslav Vitous, Bob Berg, Eddie Henderson, Fareed Haque, Geoffrey Keezer, Donald Harrison, John Handy, Dave Douglas, Barry Finnerty, Bruce Barth, and Clarence Penn.