Trumpeter Carl Saunders is a highly regarded master instrumentalist who has been playing professionally since the early 1960’s, performing with several major pop and jazz artists, and popular jazz big bands. A highly accomplished player, Saunders trumpet playing expresses the beauty and nitty gritty of the blues. His impressive, improvising solos are full of breathtaking melodies as he plays with continuity, flow and a never ending supply of creative ideas. Saunders is a stunning performer who brilliantly and delicately swings, playing long lines of perfectly placed notes in logical fashion. Saunders influences include Stan Kenton, Billy May, The Hi-Los,
The Four Freshman, Charlie Mariano, Harry James, Maynard Ferguson, Carl Fontana, Bobby Sherwood, Dave Pell, Don Fagerquist, Kenny Dorham, Freddie Hubbard, and Buddy Childers. Saunders describes Jazz as “Intellectual Funk with a Hypnotic Beat” that always swings. Saunders describes himself as a Jazz musician that breathes like a republican and plays like a democrat. Saunders has written over 125 compositions, recorded 10 albums as a leader, and appeared on 120 recordings as a sideman. Saunders has helped countless young musicians as an educator to further their careers in Jazz music.
Saxophonist Danny Jankolow is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, producer, and composer who performs with a highly energetic, soulful, sound that is emotionally charged with vibrant celebration. Jankolow has toured Japan, Holland, and Mexico, and cites Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, and John Coltrane as major influences. He has won numerous competition awards, and graduated on scholarship from Temple University, mentored by Saxophonist Dick Oatts, and Trumpeter Terrell Stafford. Jankolow has played with big bands at prestigious jazz clubs and with numerous major jazz, pop, and soul artists. Jankolow has taught at Stanford University , Cal State University, Northridge, The T. Monk Institute, and plays in The John Beasley Monksestra, and leads his own Elevation Band.
Saxophonist Bruce Babad won The Louis Armstrong Award in High School and has played with jazz greats, blues legends, and rock and roll hall of fame artists. Babad received his Masters degree at Long Beach State University, has played on the Grammy nominated Bill Holman Band album, is a member of Luther Hughes Cannonball-Coltrane Project, leads his own quintet, and is Director of Jazz studies at Fullerton College. Babad has played on over 75 commercial recordings, jingles, T.V. and Movie soundtracks. Inspired by saxophonists Paul Desmond, Phil Woods, and Cannonball Adderley, Babad swings with rhythmic drive that is articulate, passionate and spirited.
Saxophonist Jerry Pinter has played with 10 Jazz Big Bands, and on over 60 recordings. A graduate of North Texas State University, Pinter was a member of The Woody Herman Big Band. Pinter has taught at U.C. Irvine, Saddleback College, and Cal State University, San Marcos. Saxophonist Doug Webb attended Berklee School of Music and has appeared on over 150 Jazz recordings with 100’s of Jazz and Pop artists. Webb was a 15 year
member of Doc Severinsen’s Tonight Show Band, and has appeared on 100’s of T.V. and Movie programs. Webb plays over 40 different woodwind instruments, has recorded 20 albums as a leader, and cites John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, and Stanley Clarke as major influences.
Saxophonist Brian Williams has appeared on over 40 recordings, and has played with the big bands of Bud Shank, Jack Sheldon, Charles Rutherford, Tom Kubis, and Mike Barone.
Trombonist Scott Whitfeld is a composer, arranger, vocalist, conductor, producer, and educator. Whitfeld has been a member of several of the best jazz big bands, has recorded 10 albums as a leader, and has played/recorded with over 50 major artists. Whitfeld received his Masters degree at North Texas State University and has taught at Rutgers University. Whitfeld has played Broadway shows and at the Hollywood Bowl. Whitfeld cites Carl Fontana, Frank Rosolino, Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Mel Torme, and Jack Jones as major influences.
Trombonist Eric Hughes has played/recorded with over 30 major jazz and pop artists. Hughes studied with Trombone great Bill Watrous at U.S.C. and has played on over a dozen T.V./Movie soundtracks, commercial recordings and live performances of all music genres.
Trombonist Craig Gosnell has been associated with The University of Northern Colorado, The University of Miami, and Opera Pacific. Gosnell has played with numerous Jazz Big Bands, classical orchestras, on major award shows, T.V.shows, Motion Picture soundtracks, with over 80 Jazz and Pop artists, and on over 60 recordings.
Trumpeter Jeff Bunnell has been performing in L.A. over 35 years, as a studio musician, arranger, orchestrator, and conductor for over 100 T.V. and Film soundtracks. Bunnell has played with over 2 dozen Jazz and Pop artists that includes some of L.A.’s best Jazz Big Bands, over 40 musicals, and most major Southern California Symphony Orchestras.
Trumpeter Tony Bonsera has played with The Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Band, and the Big Bands of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Henry Mancini, Cab Calloway, Mike Barone, Steve Huffstetter, and Alan Chan. Trumpeter Ron Stout is an educator at Long Beach State University, and has played with over 60 major Jazz and Pop groups. Stout has played with numerous Jazz combos, and 20 Big Bands. Stout leads his own quintet, and has won numerous best soloist awards. Trumpeter Bob Summers studied at Berklee School of Music with top instructors, and has played with most of L.A’s best Jazz Big Bands. Summers plays emotional, understated solos, and with over 50 years of performing, has appeared on over 200 recordings. Summers cites Clark Terry, Chet Baker, and Clifford Brown as major influences.
Pianist Christian Jacob is a composer, arranger, conductor, and Broadway musical director with over 60 recordings to his name. A native of France, Jacob studied and played the Classical music of Debussy and Ravel, but switched to Jazz after hearing the playing of Oscar Peterson and Dave Brubeck. Jacob leads his own trio, performs solo piano, and has played in Big Bands and Symphonies around the world. Jacob studied at The Berklee School of Music and has won numerous competition awards. Jacob has been a 20+ year member of the 5-time Grammy nominated Tierney Sutton Band, recording 8 albums. Influenced by the melodies and harmonies of piano greats, Bill Evans, and Keith Jarrett, Jacob has performed with many Jazz greats, and has played on the Movie soundtracks of Clint Eastwood’s films, “Sully”, and “15:17 To Paris”.
Bassist Kevin Axt attended U.S.C. and has performed with over 30 Jazz and Pop artists. Axt has appeared on over 175 albums, and on dozens of Theatre, Film, and T.V. productions. Axt has been part of 12 Grammy nominations with The Tierney Sutton Band, The L.A. Jazz Trio, and the bands of Carl Saunders,Steve Huffstetter, and Tom Kubis.
Drummer Bernie Dresel has been a member of Brian Setzer’s Band for 15 years, and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat band for 20 years. Dresel has been an active session player, performing with dozens of Jazz and Pop artists, and appeared on over 80 T.V. and Movie music scores. A graduate of Eastman School of Music, Dresel teaches at U.N.L.V., and leads his own 16 piece band. For over 35 years Dresel has performed and appeared on 150 recordings, and played on nearly every major Movie, T.V., Music, and Comedy awards shows.
