Trio de Paz                                                     

  Romero Lubambo, Nilson Matta, Duduka da Fonseca 

 Karrin Allyson Quartet                                   

 Karrin Allyson Rod Fleeman, Eric Montzka, Larry Kohut

 East -West Trumpet Summit                         

Thomas Marriott, Ray Vega, Travis Shook, Phil Sparks, Matt Jorgensen 

 Bobby Watson Quartet                                   

Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, Orrin Evans & Eric Kennedy  

 Brad Goode Polytonal Dance Party               

• Jeff Jenkins, Ken Walker, Bill Kopper, Anthony Lee      

 Peter Sommer Quartet                                     

• Peter Sommer, Ken Walker, Dave Devine, Paul Romaine 

Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts

• The Jazz Arts Messengers, The Dominant Seven

The University of Colorado Jazz Lab I Combo

* Lineup is subject to change  

JFD 2010 MUSICIAN BIOS

Born on July 27th, in Great Bend, Kansas, Karrin Allyson (pronounced 'CAR-in') has spent the last fifteen years carving out an impressive career as a singer, songwriter, pianist, composer and bandleader.  It's not just critics who love her, it's the rest of the world, too - musicians, concertgoers and connoisseurs of quality music. One thing's for certain, though: The three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist has been winning over fans and critics alike. And she's been doing so just about everywhere jazz can be heard or seen since 1992.  That was the year Allyson assembled her Kansas City-based rhythm section, borrowed funds from her family and headed into the studio. The result? I Didn't Know About You . The reaction was immediate. "Stunning debut! Irresistible twists of melody and inflection," wrote veteran jazz critic Neil Tesser in Playboy Magazine, placing the young singer in the company of legends Ella Fitzgerald and Shirley Horn. Critics and jazz lovers from coast to coast echoed the news. Allyson is a major talent that will drive you wild.  Over the years, Karrin Allyson has recorded a series of eleven CDs for Concord Records, each of which have showcased her astonishing breadth of repertoire, from standards by Gershwin and Porter to Brazilian bossa nova to samba and Thelonious Monk. She has also taken on French and Brazilian music (From Paris to Rio), the genius of John Coltrane (Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane) and the blues (In Blue).  Most recently, the vocalist has released Imagina: Songs of Brasil, a beautiful collection of 14 tracks that features songs sung fully in Portuguese, as well as Brazilian songs with English translations by Susannah McCorkle, Chris Caswell, Gene Lees, Paul Williams and Jon Hendricks. But, "Whatever your native language," she says, "I hope that these songs speak directly to your heart, as they have to mine."  Her many eclectic and steadfast recordings, however, are only the tip of the iceberg. Karrin Allyson spends two days out of three on the road, playing the major jazz festivals and clubs of the U.S. and making repeated tours overseas. In February 2004, she toured Australia for the first time. This summer, she embarks on yet another tour of Europe, South America and the Far East.  What you may not know, is that not only has Karrin performed in traditional jazz venues throughout the world, but she has appeared at Carnegie Hall, at Lincoln Center, and at the 92nd St. Y; performances made all the more special to the artist because those concerts took place in what has been Karrin's adopted home town for the last decade, New York City.  The singer has also been a popular and welcomed guest of Garrison Keillor on National Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion on several occasions, most recently from Tanglewood. And finally, Allyson and her band have performed with symphony orchestras around the country, including the new Carnegie Hall concert series at Zankel Hall.  What has generated this much esteem and success? First of all there is the singer's uniquely distinctive voice. Notable jazz critic and historian Gary Giddins affirms, "Allyson coolly stakes her claim. She brings a timbre that is part ice and part grain...incisive, original, and emotionally convincing." The Houston Press agrees wholeheartedly, "If there's a choir in heaven, someday the exquisite vocalist Karrin Allyson will lead it. She's such an otherworldly talent that the creator probably already has her on heavy rotation."  But there is more. When one listens to Allyson, you hear heart, intelligence, and musical sophistication. Her emotional range, from heartfelt to sassy, is beyond her musical peers. And there is a literate and engaging connection that honors the great traditions of blues, jazz and roots, expands to the Great American Songbook and embraces French and Brazilian rhythms.  The classically trained Karrin Allyson is also a great bandleader - she is a musician's musician. If you listen carefully, you will hear highly developed musical interplay with her band that sounds so effortless and natural that it conceals the deep level of musical sophistication. This is one of Allyson's great achievements, and it is the result of working for more than a decade with an ensemble of fearless and powerfully committed jazz virtuosi. Together, they have developed a powerful and flexible language and style unique among current groups.  You hear this every time you listen. Make no mistake - Karrin Allyson is singing to you. 

BOBBY WATSON Quartet  (s)Featuring Curtis Lundy (b), Orrin Evans (p), Eric Kennedy (d)

Saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator Bobby Watson grew up in Kansas City, KS. As a consequence, his playing is steeped in the roadhouse blues tradition of his native city. He got his formal education at the University of Miami, where his fellow students included Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorious, and Bruce Hornsby. The college has a distinguished, long-running, and well-respected jazz performance program. After he was graduated in 1975, he moved to New York City, the jazz capitol of the world, and soon found employment as musical director for Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Watson stuck with Blakey's group from 1977 to 1981, and then pursued session and tour work with more vigor, working with drummers Louis Hayes and Max Roach, saxophonists George Coleman and Branford Marsalis, multi-instrumentalist Sam Rivers, guitarist Carlos Santana and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. He's also worked with a who's-who in the jazz vocal world, including Joe Williams, Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls, Betty Carter, and Carmen Lundy.  Finally he launched his own group, Bobby Watson & Horizon with bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Victor Lewis, and they recorded for Blue Note and Columbia Records. Watson and Horizon were in demand and on the road from the mid-'80s to the late '90s, and he still performs with the group, with differing sidemen. Watson has amassed nearly 30 recordings as a bandleader and he's a veteran sessionman, having recorded on more than 100 other recordings. As a composer, he has recorded more than 100 of his original compositions, and his arrangements for big bands have circulated internationally.

Watson, basing himself alternately in New York City and Kansas City, has been a first-call musician for more than three decades now, and he also served as a member of the adjunct faculty at William Paterson University in the mid-'80s and at the Manhattan School of Music from 1996-1999.   In 2000, he was selected as the first William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Distinguished Professor of Jazz Studies, and he's been working at the University of Missouri/Kansas City, balancing live concerts around the world with his teaching responsibilities. Since 2000, Watson's recordings under his own name include three excellent releases for the Palmetto Records label, based in New York City. They include Live & Learn (2002), Horizon Reassembled (2004), and From the Heart (2008). ~ Richard Skelly, All Music Guide.

CURTIS LUNDY

Curtis Lundy originally from Miami, has been part of the New York jazz scene dating back to 1978.  Curtis worked in Betty Carter's band with fellow rhythm section partners drummer Kenny Washington and pianist John Hicks.  The Audience with Betty Carter-BetCar 1979) brought him instant recognition as a player with "something special to say".  Curther further went on to work with Art Blakey, Johnny Griffin, Freddy Hubbard, Pharoah Sanders, John Hicks, Wynton Marsalis, the George Coleman Octet, Charlie Persip's big band, Louis Hayes, Clark Terry, Same Rivers, Dameronia, the 29th Stree Saxophone Quartet adn the Savoy Sultans.   His unique ability to make the music "swing" so effortlessly in the tradition of the great bassists of th past along with his beautiful tone and lyrical soloing has made him a much sought after sideman.  With 2 successful solo releases (Against All Adds, Purpose-Justin Time) Curtis Lundy remains one of hte most spiritually uplifing bassists on the jazz scene today.  He is featured on the G-THREE recording "SWIFT" with Billy Robinson on sax, Stacie, McGregor on piano and Billy Hart on drums.   Curtis has also been a part of the Bobby Watson and Horizon Group with Victor Lewis Curtis appears with the Bobby Watson Quartet at JazzFest Denver 2010.

Featuring three of Brazil's most in-demand musicians, Trio da Paz updates the infectious spirit of jazz-oriented Brazilian music. Formed in 1990 by Romero Lubambo, Nilson Matta and Duduka da Fonseca, the Trio redefines Brazilian Jazz with their harmonically adventurous interactions, daring improvisations and dazzling rhythms.  All three are seasoned masters of both jazz and Brazilian music with impressive resumes. 

The list of legendary musicians the members of Trio da Paz have recorded and performed with is extensive. A sampling would include:   Guitarist Romero Lubambo's work with Dianne Reeves, Michael Brecker, Grover Washington, Jr. and Kathleen Battle;  Bassist Nilson Matta's work with Joe Henderson, Don Pullen, Yo-Yo Ma and Paul Winter.  Grammy nominee drummer Duduka da Fonseca's work with Astrud Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, John Scofield and Tom Harrell. Trio da Paz as a group has recorded and performed with Charlie Byrd, Herbie Mann, Lee Konitz, Kenny Barron and Nana Vasconcelos, among others.

The Trio's critically acclaimed, multi-faceted debut recording Brazil from the Inside , with special guests Herbie Mann, Claudio Roditi, Joanne Brackeen and Maucha Adnet, received the "Indie" award for best album of the year. Trio da Paz followed that success with a daring and ambitious concept album, an exploration of the well-known themes from Black Orpheus, the soundtrack that set Brazilian music on a new course.  Their third release, Partido Out, is a riveting mix of spirited original compositions embracing the full spectrum of rhythms, fusing jazz and Brazilian music in a most fresh and exciting way. This CD won the Jazz Jornalists Association award of "The best brasilian jazz album of the year" in 2002.  The Trio's latest release, CAFÉ, includes special performances by Cesar Camargo Mariano and Grammy Award winners Dianne Reeves and Joe Lovano. 

Trio da Paz received this accolade from critic Howard Mandel:  "If North Americans hadn't invented jazz, then surely Brazilians such as the three talented young men (in Trio da Paz) would have invented something like it."

EAST WEST TRUMPET SUMMIT

featuring THOMAS MARRIOTT  & RAY VEGA, Travis Shook (k), Phil Sparks (b), Matt Jorgensen (d) 

Trumpeters Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott make up the front line of this power-packed quintet. Both veterans of their respective scenes, the two trumpeters bring their formidable abilities and influences to bear on arrangements of jazz classics and original material. Representing the sensibilities and styles of both coasts of the United States, this band covers a good deal of stylistic territory while remaining both lyrical and exciting.

       THOMAS MARRIOTT       

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott is one of the most exciting musicians to emerge on the national jazz scene in more than a decade. The six-time Golden Ear award winner is a skilled instrumentalist, composer and producer, and is always seeking to expand the boundaries of jazz music in all its forms.  After winning the prestigious Carmine Caruso Jazz Trumpet Competition in 1999, Marriott headed east from Seattle to New York where he gained initial acclaim through his work with Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau band. Marriott completed 3 world tours with Ferguson (who called Marriott “a truly great jazz trumpet player”), and then continued to work in New York and on the road with the likes of Rosemary Clooney, Joe Locke, The Tito Puente Orchestra, Brian Lynch, The Chico O’Farrill Orchestra, Eddie Palmieri, Eric Reed, Bebo Valdez, Les Brown and the Band of Renown, Kenny Kirkland, Charlie Hunter, Ritchie “Alto Madness” Cole, and many others.  Marriott’s diverse interests and skills are reflected in the range and success of his albums. His 2005 release on Origin Records, “Individuation,” was named among the top 10 jazz records of 2005 by WBEZ radio, Chicago. 2007’s “Both Sides of the Fence” received over 3300 spins nationally, pushing his album into the top ten on jazz radio. The album  “Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson,” was released in early 2008 to wide critical acclaim. Jazz Times Magazine declared Marriott a “first-tier trumpet player” with “serious chops and a luxuriant trumpet sound….This album is a kick in the pants.”  Known for his innovative spirit and broad musical scope, Thomas continues to perform on the stages of the world’s greatest jazz clubs and concert halls, as a leader and alongside the top names in jazz. The Seattle native is featured on more than 50 recordings with musicians of all genres and styles. Thomas has produced albums for a number of artists including saxophonist Hadley Caliman and serves on the Board of Governors of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.  His fourth album on Origin Records, "Flexicon," was released in April of 2009 and made it to number 10 on the national jazz radio airplay charts in it's first few weeks of release. 

 RAY VEGA

A native of the South Bronx, RAY VEGA is a veteran of the bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Mario Bauza, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Hector LaVoe, Johnny Pacheco, Larry Harlow, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez and Louie Ramirez to name a few. Ray has performed and/or recorded with Joe Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Israel Lopez "Cachao", Las Leyendas De La Fania, Pete Escovedo, The Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, The Lincoln Center Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Paul Simon, John Santos and The Machete Ensemble, Jose Jose, Sheila E., Yomo Toro, Michel Camilo, Kirk Franklin, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Eddie Palmieri, La Orquesta Sinfonica De Simon Bolivar, Sandro De Las Americas, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bebo Valdez, and Celia Cruz, among numerous others. Ray currently works with the renowned Comtemporary Classical composer Osvaldo Golijov, performing first and solo trumpet in the critically acclaimed work; "La Pasion Segun San Marco".  Ray has now established himself as one of the innovators of the international Jazz and Latin music scenes. A multi-talented trumpeter, percussionist, composer, and arranger, he presents Jazz from a refreshingly original and contemporary perspective. His two recordings on the Concord Picante label, his self-titled debut "Ray Vega", and "Boperation", along with his 1st release on the Palmetto label "Pa'lante"have been well received by critics, audiences and musicians alike. Vega's 2nd Palmetto CD "Squeeze, Squeeze" has also received critical acclaim including Four Stars in Down Beat Magazine.

Vega grew up immersed in the heart of two vibrant New York City music scenes: Jazz and Salsa. In addition to learning about these two musical styles with some of the great legends, he received his formal training studying trumpet with Sydney Baker, Henry Nowak, Mike Lawrence, Stan Shafran, Laurie Frink, Richard Brezowski and Jerry Gonzalez. He studied Jazz harmony and improvisation with Susan Winder, Bobby Rogovin and Lonnie Hillyer. Vega studied Afro-Caribbean percussion with Luis Bauzo. Vega attended The Long Island University Brooklyn Center is a graduate of the legendary High School of Music and Art.  The Ray Vega Latin Jazz Quintet presents fiery Latin Jazz from a Nuyorican perspective, while his quartet focuses on straight ahead swinging Jazz.  A much in-demand musician, he has performed with Mongo Santamaria with whom he recorded numerous CD's, Mario Bauza's Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, including their first-ever European tour, and Ray Barretto and the New World Spirit. Vega was privileged to record three projects with this landmark group including the Grammy nominated "Taboo" and "Contact". It w as during his time with Barretto that Vega was called upon to join the Tito Puente Latin Jazz Orchestra as lead trumpeter. Vega recorded with Puente's Orchestra many times over including the Grammy winning "Mambo Birdland", "Dancemania '99" and "Obra Maestra".   Renowned Bassist and Jazz Educator Todd Coolman says- "(Ray Vega's) creating a very, very valuable bridge from the classroom to the bandstand........That's the magic that Ray brings. He transcends academia and makes it real" www.toddcoolman.com Trumpet Teacher/ Jazz Educator : Ray is currently a senior lecturer at the University of Vermont. Along with coaching 4 Jazz combos, Ray teaches trumpet and Jazz history.  As an educator, Ray Vega has been invited to conduct master classes in trumpet performance, jazz improvisation, brass performance techniques and afro-caribbean jazz at many schools and organizations including: -The Elder Conservatorium of The University of Adelaide,Australia -Victoria Conservatory of the Arts, Melboure,Australia - Manhattan School of Music (NY)- The Kennedy Center (Washington, DC)- Music Advancement Program-The Julliard School (NY) - The New School (NY)  -City College (CUNY)-Lehman College(CUNY)  Leader:   In addition to his busy sideman and teaching schedule, Vega has also been developing his own bands. The Ray Vega Quartet (bebop and beyond), The Ray Vega Latin Jazz Quintet (following in the footsteps of Mongo, Barretto and Fort Apache).  Vega has performed at the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art (both in NYC), the Indianapolis Museum of Art (five years in a row), the San Jose Jazz Festival (1999, 2000, 2004, 2005), The Blue Note, Birdland, The Jazz Standard, Tula's in Seattle, Jazz at The Bistro in St. Louis, Mo, The Blue Wisp in Cincinnati, Churchill Grounds in Atlanta, Jazz en Carolina-Puerto Rico, Artsplosure in Raleigh, NC, the Battery Park Salsa Series and the South Street Seaport/Heineken Latin Jazz Series, The Duncan Theatre in West Palm Beach Fla., the 2002 U.S. Open, the Berne International Jazz Festival and Marian's Jazz Room in Switzerland, and the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival. Vega has brought his bands on two recent tours of Europe, and the Blue Note Cafe in Beirut, Lebanon. While in Lebanon, Vega participated in three concerts that were sponsored by The American Embassy in Beirut.  A recent high point in Vega's career has been his August '08 trip to Australia where he performed and recorded the Australian premier of the classic Miles Davis/Gil Evans work, Sketches of Spain.

BRAD GOODE Quartet

Multi-Instrumentalist Brad Goode was born in Chicago in 1963 and classically trained on violin from age 4. Brad switched to guitar and cornet at age 11. He took an early interest in the music of Louis Armstrong, learning many of his classic solos by age 13. He has studied trumpet with Cat Anderson, Byron Baxter and Vincent DiMartino, and studied string bass with Larry Gray and Donald Garrett. Brad earned his Bachelor degree in Trumpet at the University of Kentucky, and his Masters degree in Bass at DePaul University. He has been featured with the bands of Eddie Harris, Ira Sullivan, Von Freeman, Curtis Fuller, Jack DeJohnette and Red Rodney. He led his own combo from 1986 until 1998, appearing at major festivals and night clubs around the world, including a twelve year weekly stint at the famous Green Mill jazz club in Chicago. Mr. Goode has served on the faculties of the American Conservatory of Music, New Trier H.S., Cuyahoga Community College, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the University of Colorado, where he is currently Associate Professor of Jazz Studies. He makes frequent appearances as a soloist and clinician at colleges and high schools throughout the country. He has recorded for the Delmark, Sunlight and SteepleChase labels. Brad also performs as a jazz bassist.

PETER SOMMER Quartet

Peter Sommer, saxophonist and composer, is in demand as a performer, clinician and recording artist throughout the state of Colorado and across the nation. Since establishing himself among the Denver area’s elite jazz musicians, Peter has contributed his muscular tenor playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to avant garde and beyond.
Peter has released two albums as a leader – Sioux County (2006) on Tapestry Records, featuring his original compositions in duo with jazz piano legend Art lande, and Crossroads (2008) on Capri Records, featuring a two-tenor frontline with the great NYC saxophonist Rich Perry. From a May 2009 Saxophone Journal review of Crossroads, “(Sommer) is the possessor of a dark, gritty sound, clean, fast technique, melodic ideas and a true understanding of the post-bebop style. In addition, he is fearless, thus the inclusion of one of the most original voices of the tenor saxophone in jazz as a guest artist, Rich Perry. . . . Together the two tenor players compliment each other perfectly. . . . After hearing this CD, the name Peter Sommer will certainly jump out at you in a big way; this guy delivers.” Peter is also featured on "Terra Firma" (Synergy Music) by the Ken Walker Sextet, "Unfailing Kindness" (Capri Records) by Chie Imaizumi, and the debut release from Ninth and Lincoln (Dazzle Records).  He is also a soloist on the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s recording of "Too Hot to Handel" with Marin Alsop conducting.

Peter is a regular member of the Ken Walker Sextet, Ninth and Lincoln (modern big band under the direction of Tyler Gilmore), the Wil Swindler Elevenet, the Fred Hess Big Band, the Colorado Jazz Orchestra, the New Third Stream Saxophone Quartet and is an honorary member of the Russian Dragon Band. He also performs often as a soloist, in duo with Art Lande, and as a leader of his own quartet – Tremolo Canteen.  The Peter Sommer/Art Lande Duo has recently given concerts and clinics at Middle Tennessee State University, Portland State University, Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University, Baylor University, the University of Colorado, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and at the Jazz School in Berkeley, California.  Peter has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, and has appeared at many jazz festivals throughout the state including the Telluride Jazz Celebration, Jazz in the Sangres and the Vail Jazz Festival. Peter has been a featured jazz soloist at North American Saxophone Alliance Regional and Biennial Conferences and has also performed at IAJE International Conferences in Anaheim and Toronto, Canada, and has performed at World Saxophone Congresses in Valencia, Spain and Bangkok, Thailand. Peter has performed in concert with Greg Gisbert, Ron Miles, Brad Goode, Bobby Shew, John McNeil, Clay Jenkins, Cuong Vu, Bobby Watson, Dave Pietro, Don Aliquo, Gary Smulyan, Paul McKee, Nguyen Le, Dale Bruning, Jim McNeely, Joanne Brackeen, Chip Stephens, John Riley, Matt Wilson, Roseanna Vitro and Ernie Andrews. He has also played for Tony Bennett and John Pizzarelli with the Colorado Symphony.  Peter Sommer is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies and Saxophone at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. At CSU, Mr. Sommer directs Jazz Ensemble I and the CSU Jazz Combo program, in addition to teaching courses in Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Pedagogy.  Peter received both his Bachelors’ degree in Music and his Masters in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. During his time at CU, Peter was awarded first place in the Jazz Improvisation Competition at the North American Saxophone Alliance National Conference, was the recipient of a Downbeat Student Music Award for Outstanding Performance by a Soloist in both the Jazz and Blues/Pop/Rock categories, was a member of three jazz combos that received Downbeat Student Music Awards for Outstanding Performance by a small jazz group, and was featured with University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I which also received an Outstanding Performance award.