Multi-Grammy nominated saxophonist, Pete Christlieb, one of the world’s best sax players, leads his talented quintet with his musical partner and wife, trombonist Linda Small, along with guitarist Ron Hershewe, bassist Jeff Takiguchi, and drummer George Green. Together Pete Christlieb and Linda Small established the “Tall and Small Band”. Christlieb’s 5 decade long musical career includes playing with most of the best Jazz bands in L.A. Pete started on the violin at the age of 7, and switched to the saxophone at the age of 13. Music was in Pete’s family, with his father being an accomplished musician. Christlieb studied with saxophonist Bob Cooper, and by the age of 16/17 was playing with the Lighthouse All-Stars. Pete was influenced by the sounds of Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and especially Cannonball Adderley. Christlieb is well known for his big, beefy sound, and aggressive solos on the saxophone. Pete was an integral part of the horn section for over 20 years with Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band. Christlieb lists of credits include recording 19 albums as a leader/co-leader, and playing on over 120 albums as a sideman. Pete’s well known sax solos can be heard on Steely Dan’s “Aja”, “The Family Guy” T.V. Show, and the song and movie “FM”. Christlieb has played/recorded with Sy Zentner, Chet Baker, Bobby Bryant, Herman Riley, Hadley Caliman, Woody Herman, Louie Bellson, Bob Florence, Carmen McRae, Gene Ammons, Don Lamphere, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Quincy Jones, Sarah Vaughn, Freddie Hubbard, Tom Waits, Frank Mantooth, Gary Urwin, Charles Harris, Jim Hughart, Ferdinand Povol, Chris Walden, Jack Sheldon, Carl Saunders, Jim DeJulio, Andy Martin, Sonny Criss, Tony Rizzi, Phil Kelly, Bill Holman, Wayne Bergeron, Bobby Caldwell, Rosemary Clooney, Seth McFarlane, The Manhattan Transfer, Diane Schuur, Tom Scott, Keely Smith, Anthony Wilson and numerous others. Pete is also a professional drag car racer, with his team winning 2 National Championships for The “Blown Alcohol Dragsters” Class.
Trombonist Linda Small has played with Big Bands to Symphonic Work. Linda has played with The Boston Pops, The Boston Ballet, The Detroit Symphony, Jazz vibist Emil Richards, Supersax, Don Menza, Buddy Childers, Lennie Stack, Scott Whitfield, The Seth McFarlane/Ron Jones Influence Band, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Stevie Wonder, The Dramatics, The Stylistics, Leslie Uggams, The Geezer Strikes W/Mikersoter and Slidewerke Band, and on The “Family Guy” T.V. Show. Small has appeared on 7 recordings, and received her Bachelors degree at The New England Conservatory, and studied at The Berklee School of Music and at Dartmouth College.
Guitarist Ron Hershewe has played with many great musicians that include Buddy Collette, The Mills Brothers, The Ink Spots, Johnny Mathis, Freddie Hubbard, Rich Little, Johnny Vana’s Big Band, on Movies and T.V., and with various Jazz, Latin, Brazilian, and Jazz/Fusion groups. Ron founded LACER, an after school education program in L.A., and teaches with “Jazz America” and other music education programs.
Drummer George Green is a longtime Jazz, Pop, Rock, and Country musician who has appeared on over 50 recordings.
Bassist Jeff Takiguchi is an accompanist, arranger, producer, and educator who has worked with Ray Charles, Ron Townson of the Fifth Dimension, Carmen McRae, Frank Strazzeri, Chick Flores, Pat Longo, various Symphonies, Taylor Swift, and leads his own quintet. Jeff has studied with L.A. Opera and L.A. Philharmonic teachers,
Vibist Charlie Shoemake, Studied Film Scoring at UCLA, and been a contractor. Takiguchi completed his studies at USC, and currently teaches at College of The Canyons.
