FivePlay
FivePlay is a new San Francisco Bay Area jazz quintet that plays
original, ear-pleasing melodic jazz. The music is fresh, rooted in the
best jazz traditions while drawing on modern harmonies, engaging
rhythms, and a rich palette of tone colors.
Like its predecessor, the group "Triceratops", the repertoire is created
by the composing team of Tony Corman, Laura Klein and
Dave Tidball, about which Jazz Times says "this
modern-sounding, West Coast crew…(write) better-than-Messenger-like
originals, providing captivating moments for listeners".
These musicians have played together for many years and, consequently,
there is a high level of musical intuition and interplay. FivePlay
delights and entrances the listener with unusual tunes and
lively, inspired improvisation.
Dave Tidball, saxophones, composer.
Born and raised in Wales, Dave began playing saxophone and clarinet as a teenager in his father's dance band. Moved to London in 1972 and became active on the jazz scene
there during the 70's including working with British jazz fusion pioneers "Turning Point" and with John Dankworth. Came to US in 1979 and settled in Boston before moving to Oakland in 1985.
Worked with Tony Corman, Laura Klein and Alan Hall in the sextet "Triceratops", also with Tony and others in "Three Tenors No Opera". Formed trio "Threedom" with
Robert Kaufman and Bill Douglass. Five years as Paula West's saxophonist. Currently playing in the Joe Henderson Memorial Big Band under the direction of Warren Gale.
Laura Klein, piano, composer.
Laura has been making music in the Bay Area since 1984. Laura was composer and co-leader of the jazz sextet "Triceratops", which has appeared at Yoshi's,
the Cotati Jazz Festival, KSCM's Jazz on the Hill, Kumbwaa Jazz Center, and on KCSM-FM for Sunday Night Suites.
Laura has also played with many other jazz groups, and has performed at the San Francisco Jazz Festival and with the San Francisco Symphony Pops.
Laura has appeared previously at Chez Hanny with vocalist Jenny Ferris and with her own trio.
Tony Corman, guitar, composer.
Tony graduated Berklee College of Music in 1977, with a degree in saxophone performance, and had an active career playing sax and flute from then until 2002.
Highlights include years of playing lead alto with the "Full Faith and Credit" big band, culminating in the recording of the FF&C III album, and
perormances with the "Contemporary Jazz Orchestra".
He was part of the jazz sextet "Triceratops", and founded and led the band "Three Tenors No Opera", and recorded with both bands.
In 2002 he switched to guitar, studying jazz with Duncan James and Steve Erquiaga, and classical with Ron Galen and Pat O'Brien.
Subsequently, he arranged, played on, and coproduced Jenny Ferris' Johnny Mercer CD.
He is also a big band arranger for groups including the "Contemporary Jazz Orchestra" and the "College of San Mateo Night Band".
http://tonycorman.com/
Paul Smith, bass.
Paul is currently touring with Dan Hicks, and has played with Willie Bobo and Moacir Santos, recorded with Sheila Smith and others.
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; trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and 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.
Alan was heard previously at Chez Hanny with the Michael O'Neill Quintet, the Charlie McCarthy Quartet, and the Sheldon Brown Group.
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