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", featuring
Rave Tesar, and a third CD, “The John Klopotowski Quartet – Live in San
Francisco,” recorded at Jazz Chez Hanny.
He appeared here previously with the John Klopotowski Quartet.
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.
He appeared here previously with John Klopotowski.
Bay Area bassist Tom Elliott studied with Ray Brown, John Clayton, and
Chuck Israels.
He has performed with Kenny Barron,
Donald Bailey,
Bill Bell,
George Cables,
Richie Cole,
Tommy Flanagan,
Mary Fettig,
Barry Finnerty,
Jim Grantham,
Benny Green,
Mike Greensill,
Jeff Hamilton,
Barry Harris,
Tootie Heath,
Billy Higgins,
Ed Kelly,
Calvin Keys,
Vince Lateano,
Charlie McCarthy,
Bob Mintzer,
Buddy Montgomery,
James Moody,
Pharoah Sanders,
Marlena Shaw,
Larry Vuckovich,
Vince Wallace,
Kenny Washington (vocalist), James Williams, and Diane Witherspoon.
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 200
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, Tim Armacost/David
Berkman, John Klopotowski, Mark Lewis, Peter Barshay Trio, Karen &
Norbert Stachel & LehCats, Akira Tana
and Friends from
Osaka, and Akira Tana Organ Trio.