Pianist/composer Alan Pasqua has a long and diverse resume dating back to his jazz studies with Jaki Byard, Thad Jones, George Russell, and Gunther Schuller at the New England Conservatory of Music. After a stint with "The New Tony Williams Lifetime" ensemble, Pasqua relocated to the west coast and began a new career direction, working with rock and pop stars through the 1980s, movie soundtracks, and many jazz projects with such talents as Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton, and James Moody. Currently he performs and records with drummer Peter Erskine and also is an Associate Professor in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California in LA. Pasqua provided a relaxed, loose-wrist touch to every note at the Dakota, whether comping or leading the trio. On the second night's instrumental starter, "All the Things You Are," the pianist opened up space and time, giving just enough of the melody to get heads nodding before launching into a lyrical but twisting improvisation that swung far and wide of the original. Wrote Glenn Astarita of All About Jazz, Pasqua is "a painter or sculptor of dreams" with "finely etched lines, touching melodies and polished professionalism..."

Born and raised in Poland, Darek "Oles" Oleszkiewicz played guitar and electric bass before switching to acoustic bass at 18. In 1983 he won a number of awards at the Jazz Juniors in Cracow, and was soon touring Europe with some of Poland's most talented musicians. By the late 1980s, Oles had begun studies with bassist Charlie Haden at the California Institute for the Arts in Los Angeles. Following his graduation, he became one of the busiest bassists on the West Coast, playing and recording with Brad Mehldau, Billy Higgins, Pat Metheny, Joe Lovano, Charles Lloyd and many others. He and Alan Pasqua have played and recorded with Ravi Coltrane and Peter Erskine. In additiona to several Grammyh nominations, in 2003, Oles was nominated for the Fryderyk's Awards in Poland as "Jazz Musician Of The Year." Backing Siegel, Oles' provided both steady dark rhythms and several lyrical solos. His deep muted tone was particularly engaging on "My Ship" and on the Vernon Duke/Odgen Nash ballad, "Born Too Late," where his interplay with drummer Hass gave the arrangement a soft Brazilian tinge.

The son of Greek immigrants, New York-based drummer Steve Hass explored global music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, leading him from jazz to hip-hop to world to rock, and to projects with such diverse artists as Art Garfunkel, Billy Joel, George Benson, Ravi Coltrane, and the Manhattan Transfer. Says Hass, "Music is like electricity that flows through me. I envision myself as a dancer when I am playing the drums. The groove begins inside of me and releases itself through my limbs...." This philosophy is readily apparent in Hass' playing with the trio and behind Siegel's vocals. He's an acrobat with his arsenal of sticks, mallets and brushes, which he often switches back and forth like a circus juggler. On "Jackie" he offered a driving clickety-clack with his hands on the hi-hat, and in a very different mode, used his hands to beat a deep pulse on "Born Too Late." Hass was always on the edge of an explosion that popped just often enough to maintain intensity, yet his restraint was equally effective on such aching tunes as "Born Too Late" and "It Never Was You."

In sum, Janis Siegel brought a double dip of pleasures to the Dakota, not only the warmth and charm of her vocal presentations but also the dynamic and inventive collaborations of all four musicians. With Steve Haas in support, she will return to Minneapolis for a rare appearance by the Manhattan Transfer on November 20^th.

Following an October tour of Japan, the Manhattan Transfer return to the U.S., including a November 20^th performance at Minnesota Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis (www.minnesotaorchestra.org), holiday concerts on December 14^th at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA (www.keswicktheater.com), and December 16-19 at the Blue Note in New York City (http://bluenote.net). Fellow Transfer vocalist Cheryl Bentyne plays at the Dakota on November 21^st, two evening shows. More information about Janis Siegel is available at: www.tmtfanclub.com/janis.html. For information on Alan Pasqua, visit www.alanpasqua.com; Darek Oles information is available at http://www.cryptogramophone.com/module-Crypto-artist-id-55.htm; Steve Hass' website is www.stevehass.net