Oregon Coast Jazz Party

The late Mel Tormé said, “Since the advent of Benny Goodman, there have been too few clarinetists to fill the void that Goodman left. Ken Peplowski is most certainly one of those few. The man is magic.” He’s been delighting audiences – most certainly OCJP ones – for over 30 years with his warmth, wit, and virtuosic musicianship in all styles of jazz. Ken’s newest CD, released in May, is a duo record with Brazilian guitarist Diego Figuereido entitled “Amizade.” “I love all kinds of music, andI’d like to find more opportunities to bridge the gaps between different musical styles,” says Ken. “Basically, I like a challenge, I’m a sucker for a good melody, and I love playing for audiences, big or small.” He is currently the artistic director of the Sarasota Jazz Festival and the Newport Beach Jazz Party – and OCJP warmly welcomes him as co-music director this year. More about Ken

Holly Hofmann’s first memories as a musician are some of her fondest. At age 5 she would spend evenings playing a child’s flutophone, accompanying her father, a jazz guitarist, on standards from the Great American Songbook. It was an auspicious beginning for the woman who, after years of studying her instrument and performing in classical ensembles, would find equally satisfying partnerships with such renowned jazzmen as Ray Brown, Frank Wess, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron and many of other top names in the music. Today, she’s taken the flute from its middle-of-the-orchestra origins and made it a front-line instrument in jazz – known for her bluesy, bebop-based improvisations and technical prowess on an instrument that many once regarded as definitely not a jazz horn. More about Holly

Musician, composer, bandleader, recording artist, educator and activist Roxy Coss has become one of the most unique and innovative saxophonists on the scene. Originally from Seattle, and a fixture on the New York scene for over ten years, she has headlined extensively around the world, including major festivals and venues like the Newport Jazz Festival, Melbourne Big Band Festival, Earshot Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Summerfest, Ballard Jazz Festival, The Jazz Standard, and Jazz Showcase, among others. Her band, the Roxy Coss Quintet, has held residencies at New York City clubs including SMOKE Jazz Club and Club Bonafide, appears frequently around NYC, and tours nationally. She is also the founder of Women In Jazz Organization (WIJO), and serves on the board of of the Jazz Education Network (JEN). More about Roxy

A pianist, composer and arranger, Porter has a refined understanding of improvisation and the spontaneous communication between musicians. A teacher and recording artist living in Portland, Randy is a revered talent in the Northwest, and has toured extensively in the US, Europe and China. Currently, Porter performs with Charles McPherson, Madeline Eastman, the New York Voices, Rebecca Kilgore and Nancy King; he also teaches jazz piano and jazz theory at Lewis and Clark College in Portland. More about Randy

Hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner, Stafford is known for being a gifted and versatile player with a voice all his own, combining lyricism and a deep love of melody with a spirited, adventurous edge. Renowned in the jazz world as an educator, performer and leader, Terell has countless award nominations, accolades and associated acts, including the Clayton Brothers, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie All Stars, and the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, among many others. He’s also the director of jazz studies and chair of instrumental studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. More about Terell

“Rhythm Is My Business” is the title of his debut recording as a leader, and rhythm is a booming business as far as Lewis Nash is concerned. He is the drummer of choice for an incredible array of artists – from the masters of the music to the hottest young players of today – and is equally in demand as a clinician and educator. A longtime OCJP favorite, and one of the busiest drummers in the world, Nash appears on hundreds of recordings with the very best in jazz. Also a leader of his own band, he is known for his deep understanding of the music and for all the energy (and humor) he brings to each performance. More about Lewis

Jazz vocalist Karla Harris, known for dynamic delivery, diverse arrangements and musical nuance, has captivated audiences from Portland to Provence, including at events such as the Sarasota Jazz Festival, Portland Jazz Festival, Oregon Coast Jazz Party, Nantucket Arts Festival, Atlanta Jazz Party, Atlanta Jazz Festival, and a TED Talk.

Critics acclaimed Harris’ 2015 album, “Karla Harris Sings the Dave and Iola Brubeck Songbook,” calling it “a work of sheer elegance.” The project is the first full studio recording of vocal versions of several Brubeck compositions with lyrics by his wife, Iola. The album features world-renowned jazz artists Dave Weckl, Tom Kennedy, Bob Sheppard and Ted Howe. Harris’ contemporary rendition of Brubeck’s hit, “Take Five,” receives airplay across the globe.

Harris’ 2018 release, “Certain Elements,” joins together the singer’s influences of contemporary jazz, Latin, swing and blues in a suite of original music and thoughtfully delivered covers. Jazz Weekly writes that Certain Elements, “glows with wonderment.” The album reached #44 on the prestigious Jazz Week chart and can be heard internationally, including on SiriusXM’s Real Jazz. “Cherish,” the album’s hit single, was featured on the legendary Dave Koz’s syndicated radio program. In 2020, two of Harris’ original compositions featured on the album garnered semi-finalist status in the International Songwriting Competition.

An artist-in-residence with Kennesaw State University, Harris teaches Applied Vocal Jazz to aspiring singers passionate about this uniquely American art form. She lives in the Atlanta area with her family and one sassy poodle.

www.karlaharris.com

Bassist, Composer, Arranger and Producer, John Clayton, is a busy man. With a Grammy on his shelf and nine additional nominations, artists such as Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, and Charles Aznavour have had spots on his crowded calendar.

In 1985 John, co-founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and rekindled The Clayton Brothers Quintet. In addition to individual clinics, workshops, and private students as schedule permits, John also directs the educational components associated with the Centrum Jazz Festival and Workshop, and Vail Jazz Workshop.

Career highlights include arranging the ‘Star Spangled Banner” for Whitney Houston’s performance at Super Bowl 1990 (the recording went platinum), playing bass on Paul McCartney’s CD “Kisses On The Bottom,” arranging and playing bass with Yo-Yo Ma and Friends on “Songs of Joy and Peace,” and arranging playing and conducting the CD “Charles Aznavour With the Clayton- Hamilton Jazz Orchestra,” and numerous recordings with the Clayton Brothers, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Milt Jackson, Monty Alexander and many others.

www.johnclaytonjazz.com

John Bringetto, trumpet, flugelhorn.
With a B.A. and M.A. in music, John has been a professional musician most of his life. He played the jazz chair in the Stan Kenton Neophonic, and has backed such singers as John Davidson, Bill Medley, Frankie Avalon, and B B King.   He was Band Director at Newport High School from 2009-2015.  John is the bandleader of the Lincoln Pops Big Band.

Matt White, saxophones.
Matt White left a twenty year career teaching and performing music in the Denver, Colorado area to open Beachcrest Brewing Company on the Oregon Coast.  He received his degree from DU’s Lamont School of Music in Jazz Studies in 2001 and is versed in most any style from classical to jazz, latin to reggae, rock to funk and everything in between.  Despite being the brewmaster of a craft brewery, Matt still gets a chance to play jazz on the Central Oregon Coast with the Central Coast Jazz Alliance, the Lincoln Pops Big Band and various other ensembles in the area as well as host regular jazz and jazz jam sessions at his venue.

Bill Hartsell, guitar.
Although not a professional musician, Bill Hartsell has played and studied jazz guitar since picking up the instrument in 3rd grade.  Since moving to Oregon in 1999, he has played regularly with local jazz combos and been involved with the Oregon Coast Jazz Party.  He has had the honor of taking the stage with Mike Horsfall, Tom Wakeling, Todd Strait, Dave Captein, Karla Harris, Holly Hofmann, and is just completing a recording featuring Mike, Todd, Dave, as well as Randy Porter, Nicki Parrott, and Chuck Redd.  Bill has served as the musical director and primary composer/arranger for Perpetua and is currently the musical director/composer for the Central Coast Jazz Alliance as well as playing with the Lincoln Pops Big Band and the Pacific Standard Time jazz ensemble.

Greg Berton, bass.
Gregory Berton is a bassist and native Oregonian.  A skilled musician in all styles, he spent his working years with the Symphonisches Orchester Berlin, the Oregon Symphony and 34 years with the San Diego Symphony, where he was active in recording and touring with artists such as Linda Ronstadt and Andrea Bocelli.

In 2015 Greg and his wife Rosanne retired to their vacation home in Lincoln City where Greg continues his jazz work and raises pork and beef on a small farm. Greg has also served on the board of the Siletz Bay Music Festival and the Lincoln City Cultural Center where he spent two years as Board Chairman and spearheaded the capital campaign for the creation of the Lincoln City Cultural Plaza.

Sandy Schaefer, drums.
Dr. G. W. Sandy Schaefer was the Director of Music Business and Percussion Studies at Chadron State College and formerly on the faculties of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, California State University, and Arizona State University. He has a doctorate in Solo Performance from Arizona State University, a Masters in Percussion Performance from the University of Colorado, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Indiana State University (then home of the Percussive Arts Society). Additional, he performed 300 concerts a year with the NORAD Band USAF.

Dr. Schaefer has performed as a classical percussionist and a jazz musician on both drum set and vibes. He was Principal Percussionist of the Fresno Philharmonic, the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, the Green Lake Festival Orchestra, and a member of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra. As a jazz musician he has performed in all styles, Dixieland, swing, bop, cool, and hard bop. As a show percussionist/drummer Dr. Schaefer has performed with Henry Mancini, Milton Berle, the Temptations, Suzanne Somers, Ben Vereen, the Drifters, the Coasters, Cleo Laine, the Lennon Sisters, Melissa Manchester, Roger Williams, Charro, and Bobby Vinton.

Dr. Schaefer has recorded for Summit Records, Canyon Records, and has a compilation of percussion ensembles, where he recorded all the parts using the overdubbing process, released by the Wisconsin School Music Association. He recently contributed jazz vibe transcriptions for Milt Jackson: Transcribed Solos of the Master published by Mallet works music. His drum set method book was published by Iron Man Percussion Publications and received a positive review in Percussive Notes, the journal of the Percussive Arts Society. In 2008, the Dorset Group released the 3rd edition of his history of rock and roll, Here To Stay: Rock and Roll Through the 1970s. He has also published many transcriptions for the marimba ensemble with Permus Publications and Really Great Music Publications.

Dr Schaefer has served as President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and the Nebraska Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators.

Luke Sellick is a bassist, composer, teacher and recording artist. Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, Luke is now a mainstay on the NYC music scene, and bassist-of-choice of many preeminent jazz artists including Monty Alexander, Russell Malone, Benny Golson, and others. Luke’s musical education began in Canada, where he was home-schooled, and then attended the University of Manitoba’s jazz program. In 2012 he moved to New York to pursue his Master’s degree at The Juilliard School, where he was mentored by legendary bassist Ron Carter. Luke received his ‘on-the-job’ training as a member of the Johnny O’Neal trio, with whom he performed weekly at NYC jazz clubs Smoke, Smalls and Mezzrow for several years.

In 2017 Luke released his debut album ALCHEMIST, followed by his CHRISTMAS EP. His latest project SMALL VACATION is a duo with guitarist Andrew Renfroe, featuring music by Neil Young, Tom Petty, Dolly Parton and others. He is currently based in Harlem, and has performed worldwide with artists including George Coleman, Houston Person, Kenny Barron, Jimmy Greene, Renee Rosnes, Ron Blake, Lewis Nash, Alina Engibaryan, Carl Allen, Peter Bernstein, Donald Vega, Mike LeDonne and a great many others. In addition to his busy performance schedule, Luke is active as a teacher and clinician, and has worked with various colleges, private and public schools. He can also often be heard at his church in NYC, CityLight. His non-musical passions include hockey, aerial photography, canoeing and fishing. Luke’s musical philosophy is epitomized in the words of J.S. Bach, that “the end of all music is none other than glory of God and the refreshment of the spirit”.

www.lukesellick.com

A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Ohio, Brown has been a driving force behind major artists since the early days of his career. He learned his trade under the tutelage of Billy Hart. He toured and recorded with Grammy nominated vocalist and composer Carmen Lundy for seven years as well as Joey DeFrancesco, Liz Wright, Cedar Walton, Harry Connick Jr.’s big band, and appeared with Pat Martino at major festivals worldwide.

As a leader, Brown has been a featured artist with Steve Grossman and the Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra of St. Petersburg. He has also led his own bands at various venues throughout the U.S.A.