Jubilee Jazz Trio
Pat O'Leary, Scott Robinson, Larry Ham

Wednesday,
May 16, 2001
at 6 p.m.
Millennium Stage

Bassist Pat O'Leary takes pride in bringing his art form to those who are not exposed to American Jazz. In 1980 he received his bachelor's degree in music from the Crane School of Music, where he teaches the electric bass. Among O'Leary's numerous list of recordings and performances, he has recorded on Lionel Hampton's CD, Sentimental Journey. He currently performs with the Perth Jazz Orchestra big band.

One of today's most wide-ranging instrumentalists, Scott Robinson has been heard on tenor sax with Buck Clayton's band, on trumpet with Lionel Hampton's quintet, on alto clarinet with Paquito D'Rivera's clarinet quartet, and on bass sax with the New York City Opera. Mr. Robinson has performed in over thirty nations, throughout five continents. A respected musicians in all areas of jazz, from traditional to avant-grade, Mr. Robinson has developed a unique musical voice.

Pianist Larry Ham is recognized as a seasoned and creative pianist who is active on the jazz scene performing, tutoring, and recording with many of today's jazz artists. Mr. Ham toured with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and was the featured soloist with the Illinois Jacquet Big Band. He has played in numerous international festivals and throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. He now teaches, performs, and promotes with his own company, West Village Music.

O'Leary/Robinson/Ham Department Of State Tour Dates: May 19-July 7 to Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina, Faso, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal

Doron Johnson Trio
Tedd Baker, Michael Blanco, Doron Johnson

Thursday,
May 24, 2001
at 6 p.m.
Millennium Stage

Tedd Baker, saxophonist, received his bachelor's degree in jazz performance from the New England Conservatory before working towards his master's degree at Queens College. Mr. Baker has played with artist such as Slide Hampton, Ravi Coltrane George Garzone, Artie Shaw, Darren Barrett, Ray Santos, Mike Mossman, John Lockwood, and Ron Savage. In 1996, he received a Boston Jazz Society Performance Award and in 2000, he was a Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship Competition semi-finalist.

Michael Blanco, bassist, received his bachelor's degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas in 1998. As a student he performed with such artists as Doc Cheatham, David Liebman, Bob Dorough, Bobby Shew, Eddie Bert Herb Ellis, Danny Gottlieb, Carl Allen, and Randy Becker. Presently, Mr. Blanco plays with local groups, including the John Chin Trio, the Robert Gomez Trio, the Alan Ferber Sextet, and the Matt Otto Quartet.

Pianist Doron Johnson has been described by Bob Blumenthal of the Boston Globe as "a propulsive player akin to what one expects from a veteran." Mr. Johnson has worked with numerous jazz legends, including John Faddis, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Christian McBride, Aretha Franklin, Roy Hargrove, Donald Harrison, and Vanessa Rubin, among others. At the age of 21 he obtained his master's degree in one year from the Boston Conservatory of Music and began work on his doctorate. Johnson's debut CD is titled Stride Ways.

Baker/Blanco/Johnson Department of State Tour Dates: May 27 - July 14 to Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama

Fine Wine Trio
Rob Bargad, Bobby Kapp, Gene Perla

Wednesday,
May 30, 2001
at 6 p.m.
Millennium Stage

After studying at Rutgers University in Princeton, New Jersey, Rob Bargad, pianist/composer/arranger, moved to New York and joined the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, which toured the United States, Japan and Europe. In 1991, Mr. Bargad joined the Nat Adderley Quintet, where he remained for seven years, touring extensively and recording eight CDs. Rob has recorded two CD's as a leader: "Better Times" (Criss Cross) in 1994 and "The Shadow of Your Smile" (Alfa Jazz) in 1996. During his career he has worked with such renowned artists as Little Jimmy Scott, Dakota Station, Yoichi "Monkey" Kobayashi, Phillip Harper, Mark Gross, Carolyn Leonhart, and Jimmy Cobb, among others.

Bobby Kapp, drummer and vocalist, studied at the Berklee School of Music and has been actively involved in the New York City jazz scene since the early 60s. Mr. Kapp was a Top Ten semi-finalist in the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International vocal competition and was the featured vocalist and drummer in the San Miguel International Jazz Festival from 1994-1999. In 2000, he was co-leader of Back to the Future Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival and has finished his second recording with the Fine Wine Trio.

Gene Perla, bassist, began his study of classical piano at the age of five in Northeastern New Jersey. Mr. Perla enrolled in the Berklee School of Music and became inspired to play bass after hearing the music of Charlie Haden. In 1966, he moved to New York City and landed his first major gig with The Willie Bobo Sextet. During his career he played with such artists as Carlos "Potato" Valdez, Nina Simone, Woody Herman, Chick Korea, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Joni Mitchell, Buddy Rich, Sonny Rollins, Frank Sinatra, and Nancy Wilson. Mr. Perla has developed careers as an educator, theatrical sound designer, New York City recording studio co-owner and internet specialist.

Bargad/Kapp/Perla Department Of State Tour Dates: May 31 - July 7 to Morocco, Egypt, Zambia, Kenya, Jordan.