Noel Jewkes Quintet featuring Steve Heckman

Saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, multi-instrumentalist Noel Jewkes is one of the godfathers of Bay Area jazz, universally respected for his musicality, integrity and versatility. Noel began playing professionally at age 12 with his family's swing band in his home state of Utah, and has been active in the Bay Area for more than 35 years. He has recorded with Jon Hendricks, Wesla Whitfield, Mary Stallings, Paula West, Mike Greensill, Lavay Smith, Bill Bell, Mimi Fox, Graham Bruce, Bobbe Norris, Larry Dunlap, Larry Vuckovich, Pat Yankee, and Jerry Hahn, as well as his own ensembles. He appeared previously at Chez Hanny with his own quartets and with Larry Vuckovich. "I don't know of a better contemporary modern saxman anywhere".--Phil Elwood https://www.noeljewkesmusic.com/

Saxophonist Steve Heckman has performed with Howard McGhee, Roswell Rudd, Slam Stewart, Urbie Green, Cal Collins, Bruce Foreman, Howard Alden, George Cables, Andrew Hill, Jessica Williams, Jimmy Cobb, Eddie Moore, Donald Bailey, Akira Tana, Pete Escovedo, Tom Harrell, and Madeline Eastman, among many others. Steve was a regular member of trumpeter Eddie Henderson's quintet which featured rising piano star Benny Green. He was also privileged to play loft sessions with both guitarist John Abercrombie and the late trumpeter Chet Baker. He has released three CDs as a leader, "With John in Mind", "Live at Yoshi's", and "Born to Be Blue". He performed previously at Chez Hanny with Chuck Metcalf, The Chuck Metcalf Tribute, and with his own quartet. www.SteveHeckman.com

Pianist Grant Levin has performed with Terence Blanchard, Bob Berg, Richard Stoltzman, Bobby Shew, Ingrid Jensen, Ravi Coltrane, Robin Eubanks, Madeline Eastman, Chris Amberger, Bishop Norman Williams, Vince Wallace, and Little Anthony and the Imperials. He is one of the Bay Area's first call pianists. Levin received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. He appeared here previously with Chris Amberger, and Homespun Trio. http://grantlevin.webs.com/

Bassist Adam Gay grew up in Tucson Arizona with a family of musicians. His mother, a professional violist, introduced him to classical violin at the age of two. His father, an organist, exposed Adam to jazz and rock music. Adam studied double bass with Ed Friedland, Patrick Neher, and Scott Black and graduated from the University of Arizona in 2004. Adam came to the Bay area in 2005 and became incorporated in the jazz scene immediately. Since then he has played with many great musicians including: Noel Jewkes, Bob Kenmotsu, Denise Perrier, Ron Marabuto, Grant Levin, Donald "Duck" Bailey, Eddie Duran, Jay Standards, Evan Francis, Smith Dobson V, and Matt Clark. http://www.adamgaybass.com/

Born and raised in Berkeley, CA into a music-loving family, drummer Jake Shandling was surrounded by Klezmer, Classical and American Folk musics from an early age. Exploring the landscape of 60s/70s rock through his early teens, he soon developed an appreciation for and fascination with Jazz and other improvised music. Reflecting his eclectic musical foundations, he now performs with a wide variety of musical projects including Albino! Afrobeat Ensemble, the Noel Jewkes Quartet, Fanfare Zambaleta Balkan Brass Band, and the San Francisco Mime Troupe. At Berkeley High School, he found new music and inspiration with like-minded peers. He went on to pursue formal musical and academic educations at UC Santa Cruz and elsewhere, teaching individual lessons and group workshops and performing at venues such as Yoshi's Oakland, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, and The Jazzschool. http://www.jakeshandling.com Home