Leader John Raymond has been studying trumpet since fifth grade, playing in school jazz ensembles since early junior high. The All-State Jazz Band Camp in Duluth during high school introduced him to UW-EC jazz instructor Robert Baca. Recalls John, “After the camp was the first time I really knew I had to practice to become a musician, and I had to practice a lot… so from that point on I was playing 3-5 hours a day on all sorts of classical, jazz, funk music - pretty much anything I could get my hands on.” At UW-EC, John has played in the top band and top jazz ensemble since his first semester, toured China in late 2006, and also had the opportunity to perform with the Jazz Is Now! Orchestra in Minneapolis and with Maria Schneider at the 2005 UW-EC Jazz Festival. While balancing classes and college bands, Raymond also found time to start his first band with cohorts from Eau Claire, The John Raymond Project, releasing a recording in spring 2006. Currently John plays with the UWEC jazz bands, his own ensemble, the Yohannes Tona Band and the Twin Cities Horns, an ensemble that frequently joins Nachito Herrera.  John has also toured with Darnell Davis and the Minneapolis-based gospel group, Remnant. Now studying with the great Terell Stafford, John placed fourth in the jazz category of the 2008 National Trumpet Competition.  

The John Raymond Project is his top priority: “However tired I get, putting together my own shows and writing arrangements and tunes always is my most favorite thing to do.” New music and arrangements will make up the bulk of this week’s performance. “We're playing mostly original music which is incredibly exciting! I've had a small writing burst in the past few months and we're also doing a few of Aaron's tunes as well as two of Javier's tunes, all of which are stellar.” 

Alto/tenor saxophonist Aaron Hedenstrom, originally from St. Paul, has performed with the UWEC Jazz I ensemble and performs and composes for a wide range of music. Currently he plays with the pop/rock band Underdub. Raymond describes him as “a very eclectic kind of guy” and “a monster player... Aaron has played with me the past few gigs and I get so much inspiration from him in his playing, his writing, and just the way he approaches improvising. He is so naturally gifted and is also such a deep and thoughtful person, and I love having someone that challenges me both musically and personally in my band.” 

Pianist Javier Santiago is a Minneapolis native and product of the fine Minneapolis South High School jazz program. Winner of the Schubert Club/Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education Jazz Piano Scholarship Competition and the pianist for the first edition of the Dakota Combo, Javier was selected as pianist for the prestigious Brubeck Institute Fellowship Program at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, where he has been enrolled for the past two years. He now moves on to the jazz program at the New School in New York. 

Bassist Chris Smith has followed a similar trajectory, graduating from Minneapolis South High School and studying and performing with the Brubeck Institute Fellows for two years. He just completed his first year at the New School. Between classes, Chris has been playing with the Jeff Tain Watts Quartet, and will be in New York with the Watts band for a stint at Jazz Standard at the end of this month. In 2008, Chris received a Downbeat Student Award for composition. 

Drummer Brian Claxton is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he plays drums in the Jazz I Ensemble as well as guitar (Ensemble 3) and codirecting Ensemble 5. He also codirects jazz band at the University of Wisconsin Stout and teaches at Chippewa Falls High School and Menomonie High School, working with their drum lines, and has a large studio of private students. In his spare time he performs around the Eau Claire area. Says John, “He's an incredibly solid drummer - he's one of those guys who just has a groove to his playing, whether he's swingin', playing a Latin feel, funk feel, whatever.”

Anytime the John Raymond Project takes the stage, you can count on a contagious flow of energy and joy in the music. “This time for me has already been so invigorating and exciting, to see myself grow and mature as a musician, that I can't help but be excited to share it with people.” Let John and his pals share it with you on June 18th!

The John Raymond Project performs on Thursday, June 18th, 7-11 pm; $5 cover. The Dakota is located in downtown Minneapolis at 1010 Nicollet Mall; www.dakotacooks.com. More on John Raymond at www.myspace.com/thejohnraymondproject.