Michael O’Neill - saxophone, composer.

Moss Beach resident, Michael O'Neill, studied saxophone with Joe Henderson and clarinet with Edward Fisher (principal - San Diego Symphony). He has composed and performed music for film (feature and documentary), television and radio. He has also written music for jazz performance. Michael works regularly with the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at Jazz at Pearl’s.

For the last several years, he has been leading his own groups or working as a side-man in Bay Area clubs such as Yoshi’s, Jazz at Pearls, The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, Bruno’s, Brio, The Agenda, Cafe Fino and many others. He has most recently been engaged regularly at Cetrella in Half Moon Bay and with his trio at the new Ritz Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay.
 

Steve Campos - trumpet and fluglehorn.

Worked in Stan Kenton's band for 3 1/2 years, Woody Hermans Band, Dr. John, Joe Henderson Big Band, and Benny Carter's Band. He currently teaches jazz at U.C. Berkeley.


Jeff Pittson - pianist, composer.

Jeff Pittson has performed with such important figures as Joe Henderson, Tony Williams, Eddie Henderson, John Handy, Jack Walrath, Mike Clark, Maynard Ferguson, Larry Coryell, Kenny Garrett, and many more.

As a composer, Mr. Pittson recently wrote music for the documentary Ann Calvello: Demon of the Derby, and his classical piano work, The Dietrich Variations, recently made its debut under the auspices of the Redding Ballet.

He was Professor of Jazz Piano at Sonoma State University from 1984 to 2001 and is now on the Faculty of the Jazz School in Berkeley CA.

"A superb pianist"--Philip Elwood,San Francisco Chronicle


Peter Barshay - bass.

A veteran bassist who has established a strong reputation over the years from his sideman work on both the New York City and Bay Area jazz scenes, Peter Barshay has performed with such jazz luminaries as Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Woody Shaw, Pharoah Sanders, Blue Mitchell, Tony Williams, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Johnny Griffin, Bobby McFerrin, Jimmy Rowles, Tommy Flanagan, the Mingus Big Band, Victor Lewis, Lou Donaldson, Lew Tabackin and Joe Chambers.

Born in Washington D.C. on January 8, 1950, Barshay began cello lessons at age nine. During his year at the San Francisco Conservatory Peter was able to add one particularly impressive name to his resume. &quotI actually got to play under Igor Stravinksy,&quot he explains. &quotIt was for the official opening of Zellerbach Auditorium in 1968 and they commissioned Stravinsky to come here and conduct four concerts.”

http://peterbarshay.com/


Alan Hall - drums.

Alan has played and/or recorded with: bassists Stuart Hamm, Brian Torff and Kai Eckhardt; guitarists Larry Coryell, Mick Goodrick and Joyce Cooling; saxophonists Ernie Watts, Paul McCandless, Bob Mintzer, John Handy, Jerry Bergonzi and Eddie Harris; trumpeter Bobby Shew; pianists Art Lande, Billy Childs, Tom Coster, Kit Walker and Smith Dobson; and vocalists Mark Murphy and Rebecca Parris.

Alan's work has been heard on jazz radio stations nationally and his original compositions have been recorded and released on the “Blue Crescent” and “Polymorph” record labels. His performances have been aired on B. E. T.’ s Jazz Discovery Series and KRON TV’s Daybreak.

He is currently a member of several groups including Ray Brown's Great Big Band, Dave Eshelman's Jazz Garden Big Band, and Michael Smolens' quintet, Kriya.

He is a faculty member of The Jazzschool in Berkeley, CA. and a participating faculty member of The Brubeck Institute, University of the Pacific, Stockton. CA. He was previously a member of the percussion faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1986-1993, and the University of California at Berkeley from 1998-2000.


Home