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 Wayne Bergeron
The 2007-2008 Season Saturday, October 13, Wayne Bergeron with guest vocalist, Maud Hixson. One of the busiest musicians in LA, trumpeter Wayne Bergeron was a featured member of the Maynard Ferguson Band from 1986 on. Ferguson himself noted, “Wayne is the most musical lead trumpet player I've ever had on my band.” Other sideman duties have included performance and/or recording with a wide range of artists from pop to jazz to blues and beyond, including Beyoncé, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Bette Midler, Ray Charles, Diane Reeves, Celine Dion, Diana Krall, Mel Tormé, Barry Manilow, Arturo Sandoval, Keeley Smith, Ronnie Milsap, Lou Rawls, Bobby Caldwell, Rosemary Clooney, Diane Schuur, Brian Setzer, Joe Cocker, Kenny G., Eric Marienthal, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Warren Hill, Tito Puente, and The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Wayne is also a veteran big band performer, having filled the trumpet chair for such bandleaders as Quincy Jones, Gordon Goodwin, Sammy Nestico, Bob Florence, Kim Richmond, Ray Anthony, Paul Cacia, Buddy Childers, Chris Walden and Bill Waltrous. His own debut big band recording, "You Call This A Living?" earned him a 2004 Grammy nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble.  Maud Hixson©Andrea Canter Guest vocalist for the opening concert will be popular Twin Cities chanteuse Maud Hixson. Often paired on stage with vocalist Arne Fogel, Maud has appeared regularly at the Dakota County Steakhouse, Rossi’s, Times, and Dakota Jazz Club, and will soon release her second recording with the Rick Carlson Quartet. The program for October 13th will include compositions by Bob Brookmeyer, Kurt Weill, Duke Ellington, and Lerner & Lowe, as well as Bergeron’s program of original compositions along with tunes from Gordon Goodwin and Chick Webb. Visit the JazzMN Big Band website (www.jazzmn.org) to play samples of music for this program. January 19, Chris Vadala. Chris Vadala is well respected as a jazz/classical performer and educator who plays a variety of reeds, from clarinet to saxophone, as well as flute. He also keeps busy scoring for jingles, film and television. Guest vocalist Judi Donaghy heads vocal music at McNally Smith College in St. Paul and is one quarter of the singing entertainers, The Girls. March 22, Kevin Mahogany. One of the most acclaimed male voices in modern jazz, Kevin Mahogany sings soulful, bluesy ballads and swinging, upbeat classics. Newsweek dubbed him “the standout jazz vocalist of his generation.” Meet the JazzMN Big Band Each a star in his or her own right, the members of Jazz MN Big Band have diverse credentials and impeccable musicianship, ample evidence that great jazz is indeed “Made in Minnesota”: - Director Dr. Doug Snapp has a doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado, where he led the college jazz ensembles to several Downbeat Awards. In addition to playing trumpet and directing the JazzMN Big Band, Snapp is a Professor of Jazz Studies and Trumpet at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and plays principal trumpet in the Mankato Symphony.
- Terry Burns (bass) is the Director of the Bass Department at Musictech, St. Paul and has been a professional bassist for 30 years. In addition to his first-call status in the Twin Cities, Burns has played with diverse artists including Linda Rondstadt, Jane Monheit, Freddy Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, David “Fathead” Newman, and Billy Higgins.
- Wade Clark (bass trombone), a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, freelanced in San Francisco before coming to Minnesota where he currently keeps busy as a freelance arranger, orchestrator, and copyist. His credits include working in the bands of Buddy Rich and Nelson Riddle, backing Sammy Davis, Jr., the Moody Blues, and San Francisco Ballet.
- Ethan Freier (trombone) graduated from Indiana University with a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies and a Performance Certificate in Trombone. In the Twin Cities, he works as a freelance trombonist performing Latin, jazz, classical, Broadway, rock and pop in pit orchestras, recording sessions, nightclubs, corporate events, weddings and shows that feature touring artists. Many of Freier's arrangements are performed by the groups Synergy and Latin Sounds Orchestra. Ethan is also a teacher at Northfield Middle School and Hamline University.
- Jeff Gottwig (trumpet) is director of bands at Farmington High School, MN, where he conducts the Jazz, Concert and Marching Band groups. A native of the Pacific Northwest, in the Twin Cities Jeff has worked with many of the areas top groups including the Minnesota Orchestra, The Cedar Avenue Big Band, The Wolverines, and The Minnesota State Fair Orchestra. As a sideman he has performed with Harry Connick Jr., Thad Jones, Steve Allen, Jon Faddis, The Manhattan Transfer and Janet Jackson. Jeff attended the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, graduating with honors in music education and is soon to receive his Masters in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas.
- Dave Graf (trombone) has worked in Dixieland, straight ahead jazz, salsa, big bands, and pit orchestras, and has backed legends such as Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., Harry Connick, Julie Andrews and Rosemary Clooney. Her performs with Percy Hughes’ Ellington Echoes in addition to the JazzMN Big Band.
- Bob Hallgrimson (trumpet) performs regularly with the Cedar Avenue Big Band and various Latin bands in the Twin Cities. His credits include work with Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Woody Herman, the Temptations, and Rosemary Clooney.
- Dave Jensen (trumpet) is best know for his work with the Hornheads, the Twin Cities ensemble that recorded with Prince and the New Power Generation, and has toured all over the world. His previous work included a stint with the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Also a Berklee grad, he performs with local pit orchestras and teaches at Musictech.
- Kathy Jensen (baritone saxophone), married to Dave, is also a member of the Hornheads. She has performed with Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, and Moore By Four, and with a variety of musical and theatrical productions around the Twin Cities.
- Dave Karr (tenor saxophone) has been composing and producing music for radio and TV since 1970. He has performed with numerous bands, symphony orchestras, Broadway shows, and recording sessions. Around town Dave performs frequently with his own quartet and backing other musicians at the Dakota, Artists Quarter and other venues.
- Mary Louise Knutson (piano) has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Von Freeman, and top local vocalists and instrumental ensembles, as well as leading her own groups. An acclaimed composer, Knutson has won two Billboard magazine awards for her compositions. Her 2001 debut CD (Call Me When You Get There) hit the Top 50 Charts in the US and Canada.
- Dale Mendenhall (tenor saxophone) has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie, and other local theaters. His credits include Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Ben Sidran, David Letterman, and Jay Leno. With over 30 years of music experience, he currently works with such diverse ensembles as the Hornheads, Stud Brothers, and the Minnesota Klezmer Band. .
- Michael B. Nelson (trombone) is the leader, arranger, and trombonist for the Hornheads. His career includes a McKnight Composers Fellowship, touring, composing and arranging for Prince, and performances with Doc Severinsen, Chaka Khan, Lenny Kravitz, Ben Sidran, Sammy Davis, Jr., and many others. He is also a member of the local trombone ensemble, Locally Damaging Winds.
- Joe Pulice (drums) toured with Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd during Woody's 50th Anniversary Tour, and has won two Minnesota Jazz Music Awards -- for Best Jazz Vibist and as a member of world-renowned drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt's group, "Kamanari." He has also worked with Stan Getz, Slide Hampton, David Liebman, Jack McDuff, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Harry Connick, Jr.
- Adam Rossmiller (trumpet). A doctoral (DMA) candidate at the University of Minnesota, Adam Rossmiller has played with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Air Force Notables, JazzMN, Pete Whitman's X-Tet, The Summit Hill Brass Quintet, The Bach Society of MN, and has shared the stage with John Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi, Rob McConnell, Bill Holman, Michael Mossmann, Dennis Diblasio, Phil Smith, Vince DiMartino, Tom Peterson, Phil Hey, and Manny Laureano. Interim director of Jazz Band at St. Cloud State University during the ’04-’05 school year, he has been a teaching assistant in trumpet and jazz theory at the University of Minnesota and continues to maintain a private studio.
- Dave Singley (guitar). Dave Singley holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Composition/Arranging from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and a Master of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University. His resume includes appearances with Tal Farlow, George Shearing, Butch Thompson, Larry Elgart, Jim Snidero, Perry Como, Jimmie Rodgers, Debbie Reynolds, Rich Little, and more. He also has recorded on nearly a dozen CDs by local artists, including his own debut "How My Heart Sings."
- Michael Walk (alto saxophone) is an Instrumental Music Instructor for Stillwater (MN) Area Schools. He holds a BME degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and a MSE/Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and teaches teaches saxophone, improvisation, and directs jazz ensembles at the Shell Lake Arts Center. An active composer, Walk is a member of the saxophone quartet Jazz Ax.
- Pete Whitman (alto saxophone) has performed with Randy Brecker, Jack McDuff, and the Woody Herman Orchestra, and currently leads his own groups, Departure Point and the Tentet. An accomplished tenor and flute player, composer, and arranger, Whitman heads the Woodwind and Brass Department at MusicTech.
For information on the JazzMN Big Band and season calendar, see www.jazzmn.org. All concerts this season will be presented at 7:30 pm at the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Hopkins, off Highway 169, one half-mile west on Cedar Lake Road, with free adjacent parking. Tickets are $25 and $23 in advance; $27 and $25 at the door; students $16.00 reserved in advance, $10.00 “Rush” at the door. Series tickets: $75 main floor & $69 balcony. For questions: 612-242-4791. Reservations at Ticket Works at 651-209-6689 or visit www.ticketworks.com
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Twin Cities, MN 
Thursday, 08 January 2009
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