Chicago Yestet Musician Biographies

Saxophonist Pat Mallinger has spent time performing in Los Angeles, Dallas , Boston , and Japan , before establishing Chicago as his home in 1990. He is a co-leader of Sabertooth which has been the mainstay band at the Green Mill Lounge each Saturday night for 16 years. He is also heard around town performing with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and Bobby Lewis Quintet. Pat has performed with Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick, Aretha Franklin, Cedar Walton, Marcus Roberts, Kurt Elling, Jack McDuff, Clark Terry, Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, Jimmy Heath, Johnny Griffin, James Moody, Paquito D'Rivera, Von Freeman, Roy Hargrove, Lester Bowie, Terell Stafford, Charles Earland Band, and Woody Herman Orchestra.

Saxophonist Scott Burns' performance credits include Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell, Kenny Werner, Louis Bellson and Nicholas Payton, and received an outstanding soloist award from Down Beat magazine in 1999. As an established member of the local jazz scene, Scott frequently shares the stage with veteran Chicago jazz musicians including Jodie Christian, Bobby Broom, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra. Scott has toured nationally, playing select dates with legendary singer Harry Connick Jr., as well as with the Mighty Blue Kings.

Saxophonist John Wojciechowski has performed or recorded with The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony Orchesta, Clark Terry, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Charlie Haden, Kurt Elling, and Kenny Burrell. John was also a finalist in the 1996 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition.

Trombonist Tom Garling has played with such greats as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Randy Brecker. He joined Maynard Fergusons Big Bop Nouveau Band, and toured with Maynard as Musical Director and Trombonist for six years. Tom currently resides in the Chicago area, and is highly sought after around the world as a recording artist, composer and arranger, teacher, clinician and professional musician.

Trombonist Joel Adams won the International Trombone Association Frank Rosolino Memorial Scholarship in 1986. He toured with the Woody Herman Orchestra performing with Clark Terry, Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, and Diane Schuur. He has also played with Rich Perry and the Gary Morgan Latin Big Band while living in New York City . Locally, he has performed with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble with Jon Faddis, Doug Lawrence, Jimmy Heath, Arturo Sandoval and Clyde Stubblefield as well as his own groups.

Lead trumpet player Roger Ingram plaed with the Quincy Jones Big Band, Tom Jones, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. He played and recorded with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and continues to perform with Harry Connick, Jr.

Victor Garcia has had the opportunity to play trumpet with many well-known artists in various genres such as The Temptations, Tito Puente Jr., Hamiett Bluiett, Brian Lynch, Jimmy Bosch, Richie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Steve Turre, Bobby Valentin, Howard Levy, and many others. He currently co-leads the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble with piano phenom Darwin Noguera.

Pianist Dan Trudell has been voted "a rising star" by Downbeat Magazine and has recently toured with Matt Wilson's "Arts and Crafts" quartet featuring Terrell Stafford and Dennis Irwin in Italy. Dan holds the piano chair in the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and has performed as a sideman with Aretha Franklin, Kenny Burrell, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Roy Hargrove, Jeff Hamilton, Kurt Elling, Joe Williams, Jimmy Heath, and Doug Lawrence. Dan resides and performs in the Chicago area and has toured and performed throughout the world.

Bassist Clark Sommers is featured on the Grammy Award winning album "Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman." Clark has toured and performed extensively throughout the world with Cedar Walton, Kurt Elling, Kevin Mahogany, Peter Bernstein, Von Freeman, Bobby Broom, Michael Weiss, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Charlie Haden Liberation Orchestra, and the Joe La Barbara Sextet. From 1997 to 1999 Clark performed and toured with Sony Recording Artists The Mighty Blue Kings. He has also performed at international jazz festivals in the US, Ireland, France and Canada, sharing bills with Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, B.B. King, Dr. John, The Staples Singers, Koko Taylor and Buddy Guy.

Guitarist Dave Miller has been a three time consecutive winner in the Union and Civic Arts League of Chicago Jazz Improvisation Competition and is a member of Ted Sirota's Rebel Soul as well as the band Algernon.

Drummer Dana Hall has been an important musician on the international music scene since 1992. The list of exceptional artists that Mr. Hall has performed, toured, and/or recorded with includes Branford Marsalis, Ray Charles, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Horace Silver, Michael Brecker, Nicolas Payton, Wycliffe Gordon, George Coleman, Wallace Roney, Diana Krall, Sonny Fortune, Joe Williams, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Von Freeman, Kenny Barron, Jackie McLean, Mulgrew Miller, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Joe Henderson, Curtis Fuller, and Steve Wilson, among others. Additionally, Mr. Hall is both a member of the Terell Stafford Quintet and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and formerly a regular member of the prestigious Grammy-nominated Carnegie Hall Jazz Band under the musical and artistic direction of trumpeter Jon Faddis.

Vocalist/Poet Rob Dz combines elements of jazz, R&B, funk and gospel and has rocked with Nas, Talib Kweli, Blackalicious, Black Eyed Peas, The Dave Matthews Band, Naughty By Nature, Bone Thugs and Harmony, Afroman, and others. He was a national semi-finalist on MTV's Ultimate Hip Hop Talent Search.

As a freelance musician, Chicago native Dave Schumacher has been active on the New York scene for more than the 25 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 (19 years), from its beginnings in 1990 to it's recent break-up in 2009. He has thrilled audiences touring with Harry in North America, Europe, Asia (Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea) and Australia. His baritone sax can be heard on each of these Harry Connick, Jr., Columbia recordings: Oh My NOLA, Chanson du Vieux Carre, Only You, When My Heart Finds Christmas, Come By Me, Blue Light Red Light, Songs I Heard, Thou Shalt Not, What A Night and others.

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. the groups of Jack McDuff, Eddie Gladden, Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Chico O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Big Band, Lin Halliday and many others.

Dave has recorded as a sideman with Lionel Hampton, Harry Connick, Jr., Tom Harrell, Scott Whitfield, Jason Lindner, Mel Torme, Ben Wolfe and salsero Billy Carrion among others.

At Rutgers (Livingston College), Dave met Paul Jeffrey , who was to become a major mentor in his life. Dave studied saxophone, arranging and music copying with Paul. Shortly after Dave's graduation from Rutgers, Mr. Jeffrey recommended him to the legendary Lionel Hampton. As a result of this meeting, Dave was hired to become a member of Mr. Hampton's Orchestra - Dave's first gig with a major jazz artist. Also while at Rutgers Dave studied with jazz greats Kenny Barron (Keyboard and Harmony), Ted Dunbar (Improvisation) and Larry Ridley.

At NJCU as a Jazz Performance MM student Dave also focused on woodwind doubling and the art of the adjustment and refinement of single woodwind reeds with Dr. Edward Joffee. Joffee also supervisd Dave's Masters Thesis -"Gene Ammons, The Quintessential Chicago Tenor Player". Dave's longtime in-depth self study of jazz history was also extended in his research projects (jazz history, style and analysis) on saxophonists Don Byas, Arnett Cobb, Sonny Stitt and John Gilmore under the supervision of noted jazz artist and historian Bill Kirchner.

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. David's original music and arrange-ments were also played by the Lionel Hampton Big Band on tour around the world.

Dave's arrangements of six compositions (including Sidney Bechet's "Si Tu Vois Ma Mere", Danny Barker's "Tootie Ma" and classic standards "Stumbling" and "Home") are featured on New Orleans master trombonist Lucien Barbarin's 2007 CD - It's Good To Be Home. Many of Dave's compositions are published by Second Floor Music, BMI, New York including a beautiful ballad entitled "On Every Corner" with lyrics penned by vocalist Nnenna Freelon.

As an educator David has maintained a private saxophone studio for more than 20 years teaching saxophone, jazz improvisation, ear training and jazz theory to many young musicians.

As a music copyist (music calligrapher) and engraver (using Score, Sibelius and Finale software), David has had among his clients: Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Abbey Lincoln, Tom Harrell, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band (copying for Jim McNeely, Frank Foster, Slide Hampton), Cedar Walton, Sonny Rollins, Second Floor Music, Boosey and Hawkes and Subito

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 newest release Endangered Species, Summit Records DCD 438.

Dave is currently active in the Chicago area as well as his continued performances on the New York freelance scene, working on his new album, and touring with Tenor Saxophonist Jerry Weldon.

Native Los Angeleno Azar Lawrence grew up during an era of Jazz history that will forever transcend time. Whether Coltranesque or Milestone, having composed, produced, and playing with Jazz legends, such as McCoy Tyner for over 5 years, and Elvin Jones for several years; Azar went to Jazz Master's School at an early age. Azar was honored in his late teens to be thrust upon the jazz scene in a major way, producing and performing for decades with musicians on the cusp of the vanguard, whether it was the late great Frank Zappa or wailing on the sax in a rap video with Busta Rhymes. His performance with Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall where Dark Magus was recorded live is hailed to this day and noted in Mile's autobiography.

Azar Lawrence led a musical childhood and began playing drums at the age of three and moved on to violin and piano at the age of five, under the direction of his mother Ima Lawrence. Ima, a gifted musician and teacher from whom Azar received his acute flair for all things music has shaped many successful musicians. Azar began playing with the USC JR Orchestra at the age of five. He played violin until the age of eight, and performed vocals accompanied by his mother during elementary school where she taught sixth grade and music. At age eleven he began hearing a different musical voice. He was an accomplished pianist, violinist and vocalist in his own right at the time. He wanted to take up Viola, but something happened, Lonnie a long time friend of the Lawrence family, who often brought his flute when he visited, came by for a swim, and brought his alto sax Azar was not poolside but he had to see who was playing that cool sound. His father his biggest supporter and fan who had bought all of Azar's instruments purchased him an alto sax, and Azar began taking instruction from Mr. Schumaker once a week.

In high school Azar played with the Dorsey High Jazz Band, and played a jazz workshop with Herbert Baker, one of the greatest pianist that ever lived and I feel blessed to have been in his presence Azar played everyday with Herbert Baker until a tragic car accident took his teacher and s life, during his senior year in high school. That event made me reach deeper and I knew I had to carry on what I had learned. Drummer, Reggie Golson, introduced Azar to the music, and that's when he began to get into the creation. Nightly he went to Reggie's house. Reggie had a room full of records, and he would play them all, over time. Coltrane, Miles, Monk, Shorter. Reggie prepared me.

After high school at the age of 19, Azar played with Candy Finch, Larry Gales, and Woody Shaw at a regular gig at a club on 54th St. in Los Angeles. Soon he would perform with Ike & Tina Turner, Watts 103rd St. Band, and War. He then joined Elvin Jones for two years and after leaving Elvin, he joined McCoy Tyner's group for five years and then back to Elvin for a year, and in the meantime recorded with Roberta Flack. Miles Davis used to come and hear me when I played with McCoy Tyner in New York, as well as when I was with Elvin.
Miles approached Azar about joining his group, and he wasn't ready to commit.

Azar's first performance with Miles was in DC and then they performed in New York at Carnegie Hall where Dark Magus was recorded.

Azar Lawrence's history has been impressive since the age of five, throughout his musical sojourn he's played sax alongside names like Woody Shaw, Horace Tapscott, Ron Carter, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Henry Butler and Buddy Collette.

When Azar is in Los Angeles he is an resident artist at The World Stage, also known as the house of Billy Higgins who he recorded and performed many times with the great until his death. He is a member of The World Stage Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, which was under the direction of the great Horace Tapscott until his death in the late nineties. Being successful at such a young age can have drawbacks. His musical career was meteoric to say the least. He had performed on six continents before the age of 21. You could say my life was fast and furious I had forgotten what I was taught, by my great teachers, my mother being the first. Music is your voice, keep it pure, share your gift not for the fame or fortune, but for the creator, it was given to you by him at no cost. If you make a living from your gift, it's just gravy. If hadn't run out of it, (manna) I would have died.

Playing for his mind, body and soul, and for healing of the self, as well as that of others, Azar is taking his sound into new directions, to a celestial plane these days. To lift one's self, explains Azar, all aspects of his being, his spirit, has to be clear and focused. While Azar was discovering himself, his journey led him to seriously study Coltrane. He needed a mystical connection to the saxophone. Coltrane takes one to another realm and he needed healing. He had been out of balance and in a musical wilderness, commercially successful, bus spiritually and physically killing himself in the process. I'm humbled and blessed, to be alive to carry out what I've learned from my contemporaries, but mostly my elders. Greats like Higgins, and Tapscott, and Ima who did not do it for the fame and fortune, but because of the music voice that summons us.

Donald Vega's style and virtuosity on piano, along with his composing and arranging, mark this young artist as a unique and exciting presence in the world of jazz. His sound has been said to resonate with a touch of Oscar Peterson's versatility and Bill Evans' elegant lyricism.

Vega's first album as a leader, Tomorrows, was released July 2008 with rave reviews, featuring Lewis Nash on drums and David J. Grossman on bass.Tomorrows includes six original tunes, showing us that Vega has evolved into both a creative composer and arranger. Tomorrows adds to a growing discography with Vega's piano playing including Anthony Wilson's "The Power of Nine", Bennie Wallace's" Disorder at the Border", Jose Rizo's band "Jazz on the Latin Side's The Last Bull Fighter", and Al McKibbon's "Black Orchid", to name just a few.

Vega's recent competitive winnings include Down Beat's 2007 Jazz Student Soloist award and 1st place at the 2008 Philips Jazz Piano Competition at the University of West Florida. His composition, "Wailing Jane" was featured in JAZZIZ's October 2008 Education edition.

Donald currently resides in New York where he recently completed his studies at the Juilliard School with piano great, Kenny Barron. He frequently performs throughout Europe and Latin America. Recent NYC performances have been at venues such as Birdland, The Blue Note, Smalls, and The Jazz Standard.

Pat Mallinger was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he began playing the saxophone at the age of 11. He received his Jazz Studies degree in 1986 from North Texas State University where he was awarded the One O'clock Lab Band Scholarship. He performed while residing in Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, and Japan, before establishing Chicago as his home in 1990. He is a co-leader of Sabertooth which has been the mainstay band at the Green Mill Lounge each Saturday night for 17 years.

He is also heard around town performing with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Bobby Lewis Quintet, and the Pat Mallinger Quartet to name a few. Pat performs concerts and festivals nationally and internationally both as a band leader and side man. His resume includes performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick, Ramsey Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Rosemary Clooney, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Patti Austin, Manhattan Transfer, Gerald Wilson, Muhal Richard Abrams, Lalo Schifrin, Cab Calloway, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Reunion Band, Eddie Higgins, Junior Mance, Cedar Walton, Dave Brubeck, Marcus Roberts, Weldon Irving, Renee Rosness, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, Jack McDuff, Joey DeFrancesco, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, Eric Alexander, Billy Harper, Jimmy Heath, Johnny Griffin, James Moody, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Paquito D'Rivera, Nick Brignola, Franz Jackson, Von Freeman, Roscoe Mitchell, Buddy Defranco, Alvin Batiste, Slide Hampton, Curtis Fuller, Steve Turre, Clark Terry, Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, Doc Severinsen, Roy Hargrove, Lester Bowie, Jon Faddis, Lou Soloff, Terell Stafford, Jim Rotondi, Marcus Belgrave, Lonnie Brooks, Big Time Sarah, Melvin Seals, Vince Welnick, Umphrey's McGee, and Dark Star Orchestra. Pat has toured with the Charles Earland Band, Artie Shaw Orchestra, and Woody Herman Orchestra. As an original member of the Ravinia Jazz Mentor program, founded by Ramsey Lewis, Pat has mentored the underserved inner city youth through jazz performance and clinics in Chicago Public High Schools for fifteen years.

He also teaches for Columbia College in a similar capacity as a Jazz Mentor at Burley Elementary in a program created by Jon Faddis entitled Louis Armstrong Legacy Project and Celebration. Pat also teaches privately to students enrolled at the American Conservatory of Music. Additionally, he is the director of the Concert Jazz Band at Merit School of Music iｎChicago.

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パット・マリンガーは生まれ育ったミネソータ州セントポール市で、サクソフォンを１１歳で始めた。1986年にはジャズスタディーズ専攻でノーステキサス大学をOne O'clock Lab Band奨学金を使用して卒業。ロスアンゼルス、ダラス、ボストン、日本を経て、1990年にはパフォーマンスの拠点をシカゴに置いた。１７年間グリーンミルラウンジの土曜日のメインステージを勤めるSabertoothの共同リーダーである。シカゴジャズアンサンブル、ボビールイスクインテット、パット・マリンガーカルテットを始めとしたグループへの参加をシカゴで行っている。マリンガーはコンサートやフェスティバルでバンドリーダーとサイドマン両方として活躍している。

また、ラムシー・ルイスが設立したラヴィニアジャズメンタープログラムの初代メンバーとして、ジャズパフォーマンスやクリニックを通して、シカゴの市立高校の低所得の生徒を指導を１５年に渡ってしている。