Clipper Anderson, Bass
Clipper has spent the last several years building his reputation as one of the finest jazz bass players in the Pacific Northwest. He was described in Seattle's premier jazz magazine Earshot as being "...a player for the connoisseur to savor." The list of recordings on which Clipper appears is both long and impressive, including several with award winning Seattle jazz vocalist, Greta Matassa. He has recently performed with jazz artists, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Terry Gibbs, James Moody, Peter Erskine, Bob Berg, Jack Jones, and Buddy DeFranco.
As a seasoned educator, Clipper has taught privately at Spokane Falls Community College, Eastern Washington University in Cheney, and numerous clinics and festivals at schools and colleges. For the past nine years, Anderson has been involved in various groups participating in a program called "Music For Youth."
Nicholas Biello, Saxophone
Nicholas Biello is a saxophonist, keyboardist, composer, and educator based
in New York City. A graduate from the Manhattan School of Music, Nick was
featured at the famed Blue Note jazz club in 2010 along with his Fourthought
quartet, trading sets with Gary Burton. In addition, Fourthought recently
released their self-titled debut album, which has been met with great
acclaim. Jazz critic Scott Yanow states that "Biello's passionate and
advanced alto hints in spots at both Cannonball Adderly and Eric Dolphy
while being quite original," and ultimately concludes that "Fourthought is a
highly recommended set of 21st century jazz that points the way towards the
future of the music." Drummer John Riley (Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra)
proclaims Fourthought to be "a fresh, swinging new jazz quartet. Their
songs, performances and recorded sound are first class. No doubt, check
Fourthought out." www.fourthought.net
While saxophone is Nick's main instrument and first love, he is also an
accomplished pianist and organist. Along with vocalist Christine Tambakis
(John Oatts), Nick performs regularly in The Big Salad, a unique duo
covering genres ranging from jazz to soul, R&B, and rock. www.bigsaladmusic.com
In his role as an educator, Nick is a faculty member at Naugatuck Valley
Community College in Waterbury, Connecticut, directing jazz ensembles.
Darin Clendenin, Piano
Darin Clendenin grew up in Portland Or. He played w/Local greats Leroy Vinneger, Nancy King and Ron Steen. He has recorded w/Dave Weckl, Paul Mazzio, Jake Kot and Eric Marienthal. He moved to Seattle 7 years ago and became a favorite of vocalists like Edmonia Jarrett, Ernestine Anderson and Greta Matassa.
Theodore DeCorso, Artistic Director, Clarinet, Saxophone
Theodore DeCorso has performed extensively as clarinetist and saxophonist. He has appeared in solo and chamber recitals throughout the US and Europe including recitals at the International Clarinet Congress in London and Seattle and in Carnegie Recital Hall in New York. He was clarinet concerto soloist with the Arctic Chamber Orchestra on tour in the People's Republic of China and was the soprano saxophonist for the sound track of "Make Prayers to the Raven," a PBS TV documentary which was broadcast worldwide. He received a Master's Degree in Clarinet Performance from the Julliard School and a Ph.D. in Music from the University of Connecticut. He is currently Music Director of the Sun Coast Symphony Orchestra in Clearwater, Florida.
Mike Dahl, Trumpet, Piano, Site Coordinator
Mike Dahl has been teaching math at Blaine High School for 5 years. Prior to that, he taught band, choir, and general music at the American School of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mike is a very talented musician who plays the piano, trumpet, and accordion. As a Blaine guy, he went through Blaine's jazz program while in high school, so jazz is close to his heart. In addition to sharing his musical abilities with us, Mike is also acting as our School Host this year and helping to keep things running smoothly for our Jazz Camp.
Ed Donohue, Trumpet
Ed Donohue, an active Seattle area free-lance jazz trumpet player, directs jazz bands and wind ensemble at Port Angeles Junior High School. Prior to his work at Blaine Jazz, Ed for 20 years was the featured guest trumpet, jazz and improvisation faculty at the University of Alaska Summer Arts Camp.
Randy Halberstadt, Piano
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, mainstream, free and eclectic jazz.
He has performed with Herb Ellis, Terry Gibbs, Buddy de Franco, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, Joe LaBarbera, and many others.
On the strength of his large repertoire, great sense of swing, and acute listening skills, Randy has established himself as a first-call accompanist for jazz vocalists. He has performed with Sheila Jordan, Kevin Mahogany, Marlena Shaw, and Ernestine Anderson.
In 1997 Randy performed with the innovative Jay Clayton at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He is featured on Jay's 1997 recording Circle Dancing.
While Halberstadt's own recordings showcase his formidable pianistic skills, they also establish him as a first-rate composer. Inner Voice features Randy's compositions in the jazz trio format, which range from blues to Latin to polymetric. Clockwork presents Randy's beautiful songs with lyrics (also written by Randy) and features five of the Northwest's best vocalists. Jay Clayton's remarkable gift for conveying the true emotion of a ballad is in evidence here, as well as her stunning prowess as a scat singer.
More recently, Randy has begun to demonstrate his talents as an arranger. He arranged most of the music for Seattle vocalist Janis Mann's recordings, "A Little Moonlight," "Lost In His Arms," and "So Many Stars" and for Greta Matassa's recording "Live at Bake's Place."
A full professor at the prestigious Cornish College of the Arts (in Seattle), Randy teaches jazz theory, piano, and ear training. He also teaches privately.
For further info on Halberstadt, visit his website.
Larry Holloway, Bass
Larry Holloway is a monster talent of the biggest of upright basses. His sound is generous and irrepressible. A regular on the Northwest and national jazz scene, Larry was recently heard performing with "STARDUST" in Blaine.
Several years ago, Larry began tuning his bass in fifths, an ambitious technique pioneered by his mentor, the great jazz bassist Red Mitchell. This gives him a much expanded range on the instrument, allowing him to grind the low notes even lower, and sing on the high notes with amazing drive and clarity.
Larry is definitely at the top of his field (or bottom, if you're a bass player), and much in demand. He is a Pony Boy Records recording artist and can be heard on his latest release with master guitarist Christopher Woitach. Other recordings are with the The Big Bad Groove Society , a popular contemporary sextet of big band road alumni and Lance Buller and the Monarchs, a "good times" swing band.
Greg Hopkins, Trumpet
Internationally recognized as an arranger, composer, and performer, Professor Hopkins is a beloved member of the Berklee Jazz Composition Department. For a detailed bio see berklee.edu
"I think you have to bring yourself into the music and not just replicate other people's music. That's my whole philosophy. I'll assimilate all I can about Duke Ellington's music, for instance. And I'll try to write some things in his style. Not steal, but borrow. Then I'll let that sit in my system and figure out how I want to use it. I want to create my own language. Some of his sounds, textures, or vocabulary might come out in my music. But my ideas will come out, too."
Mark Ivester is a consummate drummer, widely respected for his
sensitive musicianship and sincere dedication to his craft. He is
experienced in many different idioms from pop-rock to big band to
jazz, latin jazz and orchestral settings. Mark's live performance
credits are extensive, having worked with such jazz luminaries as
John Patitucci, Larry Coryell, Freddy Hubbard, Mal Waldron, Diane
Schuur, Eliane Elias, Bud Shank, Howard Roberts, Jack Sheldon,
Michael Brecker, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessel, Frank Foster, Bob
Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Tierney Sutton, Ann Hampton-Calloway,
Karyn Allison and Mose Allison. His versatility is demonstrated on a
wide range of recordings such as jingles, film scores and album
projects including those of R&B artist Philip Bailey of Earth Wind
and Fire, Grammy award winning new-age duo Tingstad and Rumbel,
Brazilian keyboardist Jovino Santos Neto and vocalist Greta
Matassa. Mark is currently on the faculty of Cornish College of the
Arts in Seattle, WA, and Olympic College in Bremerton, WA.
David Keim was born and raised in Bellingham (a true "Bellinghamster").
Early mentors were Nick Bussard (Fairhaven Jr. High School, and later Whatcom Symphony Orchestra) and Ralph Pauley (Bellingham High). Attended the highly regarded US Navy School of Music B. A. from Western WA University. Also attended North Texas State University which has long been considered the top big band (or lab band) jazz school. 1974-1976 Stan Kenton Orchestra. From the late '70s thru the mid '90s he freelanced in Seattle, playing numerous shows, e.g., Tony Bennett, Bob Hope, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Rosemary Clooney, etc. David also plays with the Count Basie Orchestra.
Kevin Krentz, Cello
Kevin Krentz, cello, is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. Although he began his musical life as a cellist at 12, he soon dropped the cello to sing for the rest of his youth. He only decided to devote his energies to the cello at the age of 20 after finally deciding on a career in music after such a late start.
He then studied with Gary Hardie at Baylor University where he was three quarters of the way through a pre-med program. Kevin made quick progress and thereafter studied with Florian Kitt of the Hochschule in Vienna, was assistant to Owen Carman, at Michigan State University and The Meadowmount School for Strings, and was assistant to Toby Saks at the University of Washington. Kevin has performed in Masterclass for Janos Starker, Matt Haimovitz, Paul Katz, and Timothy Eddy. From his late start, Kevin has gone on to perform throughout the U.S. as well as Austria, Italy, Canada and Great Britain as recitalist and soloist.
In 2000 Kevin was a winner at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, with his clarinet, piano, and cello trio, "In Flight 3". With Finisterra, Kevin was a winner in the 2005 Greenlake National Chamber Music Competition where they also won the Audience Prize. In 2004 Finisterra won the Silver Medal at the Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition in Verona, Italy against ensembles from every continent and 20 countries. In 2006, Finisterra was invited by the famed Florestan Trio to perform in London. In addition to his chamber music credits, Kevin has also won several concerto competitions and the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle Award/Tour Competition. He has been featured on NPR in multiple broadcasts of live performances as well as KING FM's Live! By George program and has performed throughout the U.S. to critical acclaim.
Since 2007, Kevin has been Artistic Director of the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival. The Festival draws musicians from all over the nation to perform for sold out crowds in a fabulous barn perched a thousand feet above the glorious Methow Valley.
Peter Krysa, Violin
Peter Krysa resides in Vancouver, Canada and is a member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and regularly performs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Violinist Peter Krysa began his music studies in Moscow with his father, Oleh Krysa, a distinguished soloist and student of David Oistrakh. In 1989 Peter moved to North America where he attended the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, University of Toronto and the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
As a professional violinist, Mr. Krysa has given many solo, chamber, and contemporary music recitals in Canada, the United States and Europe. As a soloist, he has performed with Yuri Bashmet's Moscow Soloists, National Orchestra of Ukraine, Kiev Chamber Orchestra, Lviv Philharmonic, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Bachanalia Chamber Orchestra, and the St. Thomas Orchestra. His other credits include performances at Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Wigmore Hall and the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory.
Peter was a member of the Leontovych String Quartet 1999-2003 and Geister Trio 1996-1999. Chamber music collaborations have involved pianists Sergei Babayan, Cullan Bryant, Bella Davidovich, Scott Dunn, Vladimir Feltsman, Elizaveta Kopelman, Dmitri Rachmanov, Barry Snyder, and Tatiana Tchekina. Additionally he has performed with the Ying Quartet and members of Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, and Montreal Symphony Orchestras, New York Philharmonic as well as the St. Paul and Orpheus Chamber Orchestras. Other artistic appearances include Mr. Krysa's participation at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Grand Teton Music Festival, Music Mountain Music Festival and the Park City International Chamber Music Festival among others.
Mr. Krysa was co-founder and Artistic Director of the Lake Winnipesaukee Music Festival and Winnipesaukee Chamber Players in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Over its eight year tenure (1995-2002), the Festival presented over one hundred concerts with more than 50 world-class performers. Additionally, Peter founded the Rosewood Caribbean Chamber Music Festival in the British Virgin Islands and more recently (2008), he established the Amanyara Chamber Series at the Amanyara Resort on the Turks and Caicos Islands. Peter Krysa has also been featured on ABC News and Boston's classical radio stations WGBH and WCRB.
Martin Kuuskmann, Bassoon Soloist
Estonian-born bassoon virtuoso Martin Kuuskmann is dedicated to redefine the bassoon as a top caliber solo instrument. His commitment to contemporary music has led to the premieres of several bassoon concerti written especially for him. He has appeared worldwide as soloist with numerous leading orchestras and festivals, including the New York Philharmonic and the Macao Orchestra. He has collaborated with jazz luminaries such as Joe Zawinul, John Patitucci, Gerry Mulligan. The New York Times recently praised Kuuskmann's playing as "Kuuskmann offered virtuoso technique and superhuman breath control..." Kuuskmann is a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music. For more info, please visit martinkuuskmann.com
Andy Marshall, Jazz Choir
Andy Marshall has been the Director of Vocal Music at Squalicum High School in Bellingham since 2008, and Music Director of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship since 2006. He holds a Masters in Teaching and a Bachelors of Arts in Music from WWU. From 1998-2006 Andy was a founding member of the contemporary A cappella group, Kickshaw, that recorded 3 award wining albums and toured extensively over the west coast. From 1994-1997, he sang in the acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble Soundsation. Currently Andy is an active performer and clinician with the group Male Ensemble Northwest and is very proud to share his experiences and love for singing jazz with the students at the Blaine Jazz Festival.
Greta Matassa, Vocalist
In the Pacific Northwest, where she built her career, Greta Matassa wins wide acclaim. Four times, the readers of "Earshot," the Seattle jazz magazine, have voted her the best jazz vocalist in the the Northwest and she is currently nominated for the award this year.
Jon Mutchler, Piano
Jon Mutchler is one of the festival's long term instructors, teaching jazz piano, combo, and theory.
He has taught piano for over 25 years and is the house pianist at Semiahmoo Resort where he can be heard on Saturday nights. He has also produced 7 CDs of solo piano music, all available on Amazon.
He has a BMus degree in jazz studies and classical piano performance from Western Washington University and earned his MDiv from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada.
He is proud to be the son of jazz education legend, the late Dr. Ralph D. Mutchler ("RDM") and is raising a family of 7 children (several have attended the Blaine Jazz Festival) with his wife Diane. He is also the founding pastor of the Ferndale Alliance Church where he has served over 20 years and is an elected member of the Ferndale City Council.
In his free time (?!?!?) he trains for and participates in triathlons.
Composer and pianist Jack Perla creates new musical works for stage and recording, using a palette that includes symphonic, operatic, choral and chamber music, as well as multiple jazz idioms.
He was recently commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera (HGO) to create a one-act opera with San Francisco playwright Eugenie Chan, for the multi-year "Song of Houston" project, funded by the Mellon foundation.
In 1997 Jack received the Thelonious Monk Institute's Jazz Composers Award, designated by Terrance Blanchard, Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker. Subsequently Jack performed at the Texaco New York Jazz Festival, The Knitting Factory (NY), the Tampere Jazz Festival (Finland), the Big Sur, Monterey and Pacifica Jazz Festivals, throughout California, and at the Millennium Festival (England).
Jack Perla earned his DMA in composition in 1999 from the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Jacob Druckman, Martin Bresnick and Lukas Foss, and earned his BM from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with John Corigliano and Ludmila Ulehla. He joined the Music Department faculty of Santa Clara University in the fall of 2007, where he teaches Composition, Jazz Piano, and courses in Orchestration, Music Technology and Jazz History.
Christopher Woitach, Jazz Guitarist
Christopher is a jazz guitarist and composer, currently residing in Portland, OR. Mr. Woitach studied composition with David Borden and Bob Keefe in Ithaca, NY, and jazz guitar with Jim Hall in New York, NY. He has had a twenty four year career of composition, performance and teaching, working with many innovative players, including a year with cellist Hank Roberts.
