6:00 – 7:15 pm – Quick Trio – Toledo Jazz
Quick Trio – Toledo Jazz
Youtube Channel
Fritz Byers the host of WGTE’s Jazz Spectrum 91: “You were gracious to bring your trio to perform for my show. I felt privileged to have such an intimate seat from which to observe your trio and listen to your music. I like your CD, but even more, do I like the experience of hearing you play in person. Your compositions are exceptional, as is the rapport you have with your group.”
“I’ve been doing my show for nearly 27 years. Today was a real highlight for me. I am looking forward to hearing you again soon.” – Fritz Byers host of WGTE’s Jazz Spectrum 91
This is the first version of Quick Trio since 2004 to play primarily original material in their sets. The tunes performed are each unique in their Forms and Rhythm Structures. The musical challenge for the group is to make each tune, for the listening audience, a cohesion of melody, harmony, spirit, groove and plain good fun. Each song has its own groove, different from the last. People who listen are surprised and delighted by Quick Trio’s versatile, musical coherence.
Quick Trio plays every month at Downtown Toledo Venues Ye Olde Durty Bird, NINE in Hensville, The Pub at Paula Brown Shop. Q.T. is also actively booked into Cliff Bell’s in Detroit, Degage Jazz Cafe in Maumee, Ohio, Gathered Glass, as well as private parties and special events at such venues as Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavillion, Toledo Country Club, Toledo Botanical Gardens, out and about.
Our last performance at Detroit’s Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club was packed with people who stayed on to listen to our dinner-hour, prime time and late sets.
Zac Kreuz on Drums
http://zacharyjkreuz.weebly.com/
Zachary J. Kreuz was born in Columbus, Ohio and moved to Toledo, Ohio at the age of eight. Here he studied snare drum and went on to play percussion in the junior high school symphonic wind ensemble. He then started studying drum-set from a private instructor at a local music store. At the age of fifteen he moved with his uncle and attended The Broad Ripple High School for the Performing Arts. Here he participated in the jazz and marching band as well as the symphonic wind ensemble and the orchestra. His private lesson teacher was timpanist Thomas Akins of the Indianapolis Symphony. Through this student/teacher relationship, Zac was starting to get good recommendations for jobs playing in local theater productions. He also was getting work with a local top-forty band and with a jazz group that he and his peers formed consisting of all high school musicians.
After graduation, Zachary then attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. for two years. From there he decided to pursue a career in music performance. Moving back to Toledo, he gained invaluable experience working with both pianist Larry Fuller and Johnny O’Neil.
Philadelphia was the next stop and Zac found work with-in two weeks of being in the city of brotherly love. For two years he worked with an organ trio and went on to play with prominent players such as Shirley Scott, Johnny Coles, Tim Warfield, Terrell Stafford, Al Grey, Jimmy Bruno and Joey Defrancesco. He credits drummer Mickey Roker with being a big influence on his career during this time period as well as now. ” I tried to see and hear him play as often as I could. We would finish a gig and go straight to were he was playing. I knew that I was hearing something special. He can be so smooth and yet explosive when he wants to be. He has always been generous to other drummers, in letting them sit in and play. I not only learned a lot about music but I learned about being a gentleman as well. He’s such a class act.”
From Philadelphia, Zac went to Cincinnati where he played and taught for several years. From that point he decided to go back to Boston and complete his degree. There was no time to celebrate going straight to Chicago, Zac completed his master’s degree in Jazz studies from De Paul University. While in Chicago he also recorded an album with organist Hal Tulchida from Japan.
Currently Zac resides in the Old West End in Toledo, Ohio. He has recently recorded a c.d. in Ann Arbor, Michigan with Toledo guitarist Jason Quick and assisted on the arrangements. When he is not performing Zac has been utilizing his spare time performing locally, and composing.
He has just recorded a new Jazz album with guitarist Jason Quick which is available at the Toledo Public Library and Allied Record Exchange. At this moment he is working on a recording project with singer Michelle Shelton. Zac also has a new site to download his original compositions. The site is: http://cdbaby.com/Artist/ZacKreuz
main influences: God, Kenny Clarke, Max Roach, Chick Webb
Ralph Peterson, Mikey Roker, Miles Davis,Pa Pa Jo Jones, Philly Jo Jones, Stewert Copeland, Steely Dan, Ice-T, T.L.C.
Sly and the Family Stone, Snoop Dog
George Gershwin, Art Tatum, Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy
Satchel Page, Malcom X, Jackie Robinson and Dr. King
Josh Bartolomeo on Upright Bass
As a Louis Armstrong Jazz Award recipient I attended Wayne State University where I studied jazz performance with emphasis on arranging and composing, while also exploring the potential of technology in improvisation. As a bassist I perform and record alongside musicians who have created, and continue to shape Detroit’s rich musical legacy.
7:30 – 8:45 pm – Atla & Matt DeChamplain
Vocalist, Atla DeChamplain & Pianist Matt DeChamplain use the bandstand to share the amazing American tradition of live jazz music. It was their love for jazz that originally brought Atla & Matt together, and now their passion is to share this classic music with a modern jazz audience. Together they present new arrangements of Jazz Standards and the Great American Songbook as well as original compositions. It’s easy to hear influences such as Jon Hendricks, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Phineas Newborn and more… For more info please visit their website: https://atlaandmatt.com
“With Atla’s cool, consummate command of scat and the complete art of the bebop vocal and Matt’s mastery of the piano tradition from ragtime, stride, and blues through modern and contemporary styles, the DeChamplains have much to celebrate with the release of their first recording together, a beautifully crafted, briskly executed, and triumphant disc called Pause.” – Owen McNally
9:00 – 10:15 pm – Blair Clark
Blair Clark Website
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Take a little pop, throw in some R&B, mix it with some soul and add a touch of jazz and the result is the electrifying sounds of Blair Clark. Clark has captivated audiences through Europe, Canada and all over the U.S. Appearing at numerous concerts, festivals, private events, and clubs.
Clark has had the privilege of working with Grammy award-winner/producer Narada Michael Walden, BMI ® award-winner Preston Glass and New Orleans jazz legend Henry Butler, to name a few. He’s enjoyed collaborating and recording with Evelyn “Champagne” King and Ron Tyson of The Temptations.
As a songwriter, Clark has written for various artists including co-writing with Narada Michael Walden and Preston Glass, as well as his own projects. A producer, Clark has created and worked in studios in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Indianapolis.
Clark recently released “Blair Clark Sings the Great American Song Book, Live at the Jazz Kitchen. Blair Clark’s latest release is the title track from upcoming album “In a Perfect World.” His latest work was produced with the legendary Preston Glass, who has worked with such artists as Kenny G., Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin and Earth, Wind & Fire, to name a few.
Clark’s passion for music is only surpassed by his passion for community service. In memory of his late sister, LaNiece Clark, he started a non-profit organization, Friends Helping Friends, Inc., serving individuals and organizations in need, and is committed to providing top pay to quality musicians while allowing organizations to keep their profit to best serve those in need.
Clark is president and founder of Coach Blair’s Voice & Performance Studio, coaching and mentoring performers. The studio focuses on vocal training and performance technique.
Last but not least, Clark is president and owner Of ADC (Artist Development Company). Developing and refining artist talent while building brand awareness, creating social media buzz, and connecting artists to industry opportunities
Host Performer – All That Jazz: Ned Clark and Larry Livolsi
Guest vocalist: Mark Schnitkey
All That Jazz is keyboard/drum duo Ned Clark and Larry Livolsi of Defiance. They will be joined by guest vocalist Mark Schnitkey, also of Defiance. They’ll perform a mix of jazz standards and jazz arrangements of familiar tunes.
Larry Livolsi
Grew up in New York City, percussion performance degree from Queens College in 1975, played drums on Broadway for Grease in 1974 and The Wiz in 1975. Defiance resident since 2004.Ned Clark
Grew up in Minot, North Dakota, finance degree from Indiana University in 1990, has played jazz since taking high school summer course at Berklee School of Music. Defiance resident since 1997.