John Klopotowski began playing the
guitar at eleven. He graduated from William Paterson College
in New Jersey in 1978, where he studied with Thad Jones, and privately
with guitar teacher Bob DeVos. He earned a Master of Arts in
composition at State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1983, and
then entered the Ph. D. program.
He began studying improvisation with Warne Marsh in New York in 1982,
continued studying with him until 1984, and also performed with him
sporadically in 1983. Their friendship and association lasted until his
death in 1987.
He relocated to San Francisco in 1988, where he continue to practice, teach
privately, and perform. He wrote a book "A Jazz Life" which combines a
memoir of Warne Marsh with a description of Warne's teaching techniques and methods.
He also released two CDs, "Project 59" and "Dedicated", both featuring Rave Tesar.
www.johnklopotowski.com
Seattle-based saxophonist and clarinetist Jacob Zimmerman
studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and
Mills
College in Oakland. His teachers have included Roscoe Mitchell, Jerry
Bergonzi, Joe Morris, and Anthony Coleman. Jacob was recognized as the
“2013 Emerging Artist of Year” by Earshot Jazz.
As a bandleader the Jacob Zimmerman Quintet can be seen performing
classic bebop music from the 40s and 50s on the 1st Thursday of every
month at Egan’s Ballard Jam House. Zimmerman also leads a trio every
Tuesday at IL Bistro, and plays every Wednesday at The Pink Door.
Zimmerman can frequently be seen playing traditional jazz for swing
dancers in a variety of bands all over the world.
His playing channels the spontaneous melodic spirit of his heroes: Bix
Beiderbecke, Lester Young and Lee Konitz above all.
http://jacobrexzimmerman.com/
One of the most in demand bassists in the Bay Area, John
Wiitala
has played with Jessica Williams, James Moody, Benny Golson, Pete
Jolly, Joe Henderson, Akira Tana, Vince Lateano, Scott Hamilton, Bruce
Forman, Rebecca Parris, Wesla Whitfield, Madeline Eastman, and Jackie
Ryan, among many others.
John was heard previously at Chez Hanny with Faith Winthrop, Michele
Rosewoman, Patrick Wolff, Mark Levine, Peck Allmond, Scott
Barnhill, Harvey Wainapel, Erik Jekabson, and Tim Armacost/David
Berkman.
Drummer Akira Tana has worked with Sonny Rollins,
Sonny Stitt, Zoot Sims, Hubert
Laws, Milt Jackson, Jim Hall, Art Farmer, Tete Montoliu, Paul Winter,
Paquito D'Rivera, James Moody, J.J. Johnson, Lena Horne, the Heath
Brothers, and Manhattan Transfer. He has appeared on over 150
recordings.
Tana co-led a quintet with bassist Rufus Reid, called TanaReid, which
released five CDs. A further five CDs followed with his own bands,
Otonowa, and The Secret Agent Men Band.
Akira appeared here previously with Larry Vuckovich, Jerome Sabbagh,
Jon Mayer, Knucklebean, Rob Schneiderman, and the Tim Armacost/David
Berkman Quartet.