Jerry Weldon © Andrea Canter

As a freelance musician, Chicago native Dave Schumacher has been active on the New York scene for the past 23 years. As member of Lionel Hampton's Orchestra from 1983 to 1987 he toured the Americas and Europe. He again toured with Hamp in 1988 and 1989. A highlight in Dave's career was traveling with the Art Blakey Big Band to Japan in 1987 to perform at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival.

Dave is an original member of Harry Connick, Jr's Orchestra, from its beginnings in 1990 to the present. He has thrilled audiences touring with Harry in North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. His baritone sax can be heard on each of these Harry Connick, Jr., Columbia recordings: Forever for Now, When My Heart Finds Christmas, France I Wish You Love, Blue Light Red Light, Songs I Heard, and Thou Shalt Not

As a freelance artist Dave was a touring member of the T.S. Monk On Monk Ensemble from 1999 to 2000 touring the U.S. and Europe, as well as touring Europe with the Tom Harrell Octet in 2000. Dave has also done freelance work with Nicholas Payton's Louis Armstrong Tribute Big Band, Joe Lovano's 52nd Street Themes Nonet and the groups of Jack McDuff, Eddie Gladden, Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, and Lin Halliday.

DaveSchumacher Adam Wissing

As a composer, Dave's, "Al's Rose", was recorded by trombonist Al Grey on his album, The New Al Grey Quintet on Chiaroscuro Records. Dave was a recipient in 1989 and 1995 of Jazz Performance Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Mr. Schumacher has three albums as a leader to his credit: Every Corner, Amosaya Records AM-2525-CD; From Another Life, Amosaya Records AM-2528-CD; and his February 2006 release, Endangered Species, Summit Records SU-438-CD;

Mr. Schumacher recieved a B.A. in Music from Rutgers University where he studied under the tutelage of Paul Jeffrey, Kenny Barron and Ted Dunbar.

Jerry Weldon © Andrea Canter

After graduating from the Rutgers University Jazz Program under the direction of Paul Jeffrey in 1981, Jerry joined the legendary Lionel Hampton Orchestra, touring extensively in the U.S., Europe, South America, and Japan. Jerry continued his association as one of Hamp's favorite tenor soloists through the '90s and into the new millennium. Next came a long and rewarding tour of duty as a member of master organist Jack McDuff & his "Heatin' System," resulting in many fine recordings on the Concord label

In 1990, Jerry became a charter member and featured soloist with Harry Connick Jr.'s newly formed Big Band. Jerry has toured the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia and has also performed on many television shows worldwide with the Connick Orchestra. In 2001, Jerry was also part of Connick's Broadway musical production, "Thou Shalt Not" where he appeared on stage as well as in the orchestra

The '90s also found Jerry in another long and fruitful musical cooperative- the New York Hard Bop Quintet, along with trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, pianist Keith Saunders, bassist Bim Strasberg and drummer Clifford Barbaro, the unit toured throughout the U.S. & Europe while recording four stellar albums for the Swiss TCB label

Jer has worked and recorded with organists Jimmy McGriff, Joey DeFrancesco, Bobby Forrester, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Mel Rhyne, trombone great Al Grey, piano giants George Cables and Cedar Walton, drum legends Roy Haynes and Jimmy Cobb as well as guitarist/singer George Benson, guitarist Earl Klugh, bassist Keter Betts and singer Mel Tormé

Dan Trudell

B3 Organist Dan Trudell has numerous professional credits including stints accompanying singers Joe Williams and Aretha Franklin. He has also performed with prominent jazzmen Nick Brignola, Alan Dawson, Jim Rotondi, and James Clay, and Matt Wilson. He currently performs in Chicago with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and the Mike Allemana Organ Trio, and his group the the B3 Bombers. Dan can be heard on the Mike Allemana Organ Trio CD, Pat Mallinger's CD, Monday Prayer to Tunkashila, and on his own CD, Song of Happiness. He is the organist with Sabertooth, which continues an extended residency at the Green Mill Jazz Club. The band has been performing to capacity audiences every Saturday evening for fourteen years.

Paul Samuels

In the mid 80's Samuels recorded three albums with Greg Osby and his compositions, "Excuse Not" and "Eyewitness" appear on Osby's Mind Games and Season of Renewal recordings (JMT). Samuels said Osby encouraged him to, "move forward with the music, think out of the box." and that while there is structure in the music, "you must keep an open mind." Also, in 1988 Samuels penned the film score for "Lion", a short by Mark Shaefer that was produced and underwritten by a grant from the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts

Samuels has since recorded, performed or toured internationally with a variety of musicians. To name a few, James Moody, David "Fathead" Newman, Lonnie Plaxico, Hank Crawford, Pat "The Kid" Martino, Jack McDuff, and popular rhythm and blues artist Gerald Levert. Young and emerging artist, Neal Smith says, "Samuels served as my mentor and was instrumental in my introduction and further education of jazz music." Respected by his peers, and performing for more than three decades, Paul says he is "still a work in progress." The man's journey continues through music. Expressive in his touch, with sensitivity to sound, Samuels's sophisticated drum style is a testament to his love for the art of music.

DAVE SCHUMACHER/JERRY WELDON ORGAN QUARTET

Catch this great swinging band at the Green Mill Jazz Club on Friday, November 23; 9pm-1am and Saturday, November 24; 8pm-midnight. $12 cover

Green Mill Jazz Club

4802 N. Broadway Ave

773.878.5552

greenmilljazz.com