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Jenny Hill is a saxophonist, composer, and arranger. She has a diverse musical resume, which includes
jazz, reggae, and funk artists. She has performed with pop and world beat artists such as the Easy Star All-Stars, Maxi Priest,
Burning Spear, Bernie Worrell, DJ Logic, Eumir Deodato, Daniel Ponce, Toots and the Maytals, MC Solaar, Govt. Mule, and Corey
Glover. While a member of the DIVA big band, she performed with jazz artists Nancy Wilson, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, Joe
Williams, Cab Calloway, and Dianne Schuur. Jenny has been the recipient of several honors including a National Endowment of
the Arts Jazz Studies grant with Joe Lovano, winner in the JAZZIZ Woodwinds On Fire competition, and the Lennie Johnson Outstanding
Musician scholarship from Berklee College. Her latest jazz CD, the Chill Factor, was featured in the JAZZIZ Sept. 2007 issue
and subscriber CD.
Multi-instrumentalist Alden Banta can be found performing in numerous venues around New
York City. He is a versatile performer who currently plays woodwinds in the Broadway show Spamalot and can be heard playing
the music of composer Sean Hickey on the recent release, Left at the Fork in the Road, on the Naxos label. Alden grew up in
New Orleans and was immersed in a diverse music scene. He performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baton Rouge
Symphony as well as many nightclubs and jazz venues. He performs on saxophone, flute, clarinet and bassoon. As a bassoonist
he has performed with many of New Yorks finest ensembles including the Brooklyn Philharmonic, American Symphony, and the Orchestra
of the SEM Ensemble. As a low woodwind specialist he has performed in over 25 Broadway shows and some of the cities best Big
Bands including Darcy James Argues’ Secret Society and Mike Longo’s State of the Art Big Band.
Charley Gerard (right center) is the director of the BRSQ. He
is a composer, saxophonist, author of books on Latin music and jazz and editor. Reviews of Charley Gerard's music: Gerard's
playing displayed...chops and range...His lived-in feeling for this material was matched by pianist Carl Banner's stylish,
rhythmically scrupulous keyboard work. Two compositions by Gerard...revealed humor and crossover composing skill." Washington
Post (9/12/2007)
"With a muted, yet powerful
tone and special attention toward phrasing and accent structure, Charley Gerard and Carl Banner opened these ears to a concert
repertoire of jazz and dance influenced works with roots in the early twentieth century." hurdaudio.blogspot.com/2007/10/viva-gerard.html
“(1976).
Tom Olin (right) performed with
the Illinois Jacquet Big Band from 1988 until Jacquet's recent death. He has also performed with Lionel Hampton, Gladys Knight,
Eartha Kitt, Frank Foster, Jaki Byard and Leonard Gaskin, and has performed on Broadway. In 2008 he toured with John Scofield
and the Sco-Horns.
(Picture below) Chris Bacas has played with the Glen Miller Band, the Tommy Dorsey band
and the Artie Shaw band. In 1986 he joined legendary drummer Buddy Rich and remained with him until Rich’s passing in
1987. Chris has performed in many jazz festivals: including Nice, Moers, Northsea, Cork, Santiago, Montreal, Texaco, Annapolis,
JVC New York and Central PA Jazz Festivals; the Hollywood Bowl; LA’s Comedy Store; New York’s Blue Note and Birdland;
Chicago’s Jazz Showcase; and Washington DC’s Blues Alley and One Step Down. Chris was a member of the Smithsonian’s
Jazz Masterworks Orchestra under conductors David Baker and Gunther Schuller. In 1999 Chris was soloist on both flute and
saxophone in Mary Lou Williams’ “Mass” which was performed and recorded in the National Cathedral. “He
is a sensitive, lyrical saxophonist and flutist who plays with stunning authority.” Dr. Billy Taylor, pianist
Baritone saxophonist Michel
Göhler is on sick leave.
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