Sunday Afternoon
Sunday, October 17, 2010
2:00 pm
Hilltop Auditorium
Click here for map & directions
Tickets: $15
Barbara Blair Quartet
American Songbook jazz ensemble
Barbara Blair, Vocalist
“Stunning interpretations, delivered with panache.” David Hammock, KMUN-NPR
With “a voice like warm cocoa on a winter’s night”, Barbara Blair’s interpretive approach comes from singers Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney. Following a career in classical music, Barbara returned to her first love – the American Songbooks. Two decades of performing and touring add polish and depth to her performances. Barbara divides her time between concert and educational tours throughout western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception in 1992, Barbara’s education concert, The School of Cool – An Introduction to Jazz, has played to more than 50,000 students in primary and secondary schools. She maintains a private vocal studio with a bevy of budding jazz singers of all ages. Barbara’s latest recording, September In The Rain, features Joe Pass protégé guitarist Brian Nova, Sinatra bassist Buddy Catlett and Stan Kenton drummer Greg Williamson. For more information, check Barbara’s web site.
Dan Presley, String Bass, has performed professionally since 1969 throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and South Korea. Dan started on guitar at age 7. He founded the Willamette Valley Folk Festival, now in its 20th year. When not performing with his own Portland Jazz Trio, Dan plays with Tall Jazz, the Clark College vocal jazz program, and vocalist Barbara Blair, among others. As an educator, Dan teaches privately and organizes bass clinics throughout the area. A member of the Portland Community College Music Career Curriculum Advisory Board and adjunct music faculty of Marylhurst University, Dan is currently an instructor for Oregon Episcopal School, West Linn, Lake Oswego, Beaverton Academy for Arts and Music, and Cleveland (OR) high schools. For more about Dan, check the Tall Jazz web site.
Dave Averre, Drummer, graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Music Education. Dave has collaborated with a variety of artists as a freelance drummer and studio musician in New York City. He later received the opportunity to perform steadily in Europe. After returning to America, Dave furthered his education on piano and composition. Upon moving to the Portland/Vancouver metro area, he was employed as a jazz educator for the Vancouver, Washington school district. Dave is currently teaching privately and performing with the Portland Jazz Trio, Tall Jazz, The Bryant Allard Jazz Quartet, as well as freelancing with other local jazz artists. For more about Dave, check the Tall Jazz web site.
George Mitchell, piano, has been pop superstar Diana Ross’ first-call pianist for more than two decades. Mitchell’s keyboard talents were featured in command performances for the Queen of England, and more recently at Super Concerts in Taipei and Japan, with Ms. Ross and renowned opera singers Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo. He has made numerous appearances as an ensemble player on top-rated television and radio shows, including: The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC’s Today Show and Oprah. Closer to home, he lends his musical voice to all jazz styles, and is the keyboardist of choice for virtually every Northwest band leader. For more information, check George’s web site.
