As a pianist, composer, bandleader, and accompanist,
Anne Sajdera is a creative force whose music encompasses an
unusually far-flung array of traditions. With musical roots spanning
the globe, she melds American and Brazilian jazz to her training in
European classical music, creating an utterly personal sound that’s
melodically verdant, harmonically sophisticated and rhythmically
compelling.
A regular Bay Area presence since 2001, her quintet performs original
compositions, driving arrangements of traditional Roma melodies, as
well as music of modern jazz masters like Herbie Hancock & Kenny
Kirkland.
Her latest release, New Year (Bijuri Records 2018), features two young
composer/instrumentalists from Prague, a special guest appearance by
the renowned sax player Bob Mintzer, as well as some of the finest
musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area. Produced by Ray Obiedo, it
was chosen by Down Beat Magazine for the December 2018 Editor’s Picks
list, and can be heard on jazz radio stations throughout the US.
“…compelling, melodious compositions” - Bobby Reed, DownBeat Magazine
Saxophonist and flautist Lyle Link has played with jazz artists
Patti Austin, Christian McBride, Larry
Willis, George Duke, Curtis Lundy, Ralph Peterson, and the Smithsonian
Masterworks Jazz Orchestra, and pop icons Patti Labelle, James Ingram,
Isaac Hayes, Aretha Franklin, and Prince. He has also performed with
the Richmond Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
He has shared his musical gifts in festivals and concerts in Asia, the
Middle East, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, and throughout North
America.
He performed at Chez Hanny previously with Grant Levin, and Negative
Press Project.
Mike Olmos (trumpet) was raised in Merced, CA. He
moved to the Bay Area
in 1997 to attend California State University, Hayward, to pursue a
degree in music.
He has performed with Etta James, Rosemary Clooney, The Stan Kenton
Alumni Big Band, Michael Feinstein, Jon Hendricks, Michael Brecker,
Maria Schneider, Madeline Eastman, Lavay Smith, the Contemorary Jazz
Orchestra, and the Fil Lorenz Nonet/Big Band.
He has recorded with Matt Catingub, Rosemary Clooney, Mike Vax,
Cannonball, Madeline Eastman, and The Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra.
He performed at Chez Hanny previously with Adam Shulman.
Bassist Aaron Germain has performed with Yusef
Lateef,
Stanley Jordon,
Andy Narell,
Michael Wolff, Bonnie Raitt,
Francisco Aquabella,
Nguyen Le,
Paul McCandless,
Scott Hamilton,
Jason Marsalis,
Tommy Igoe,
Melba Moore, Mary Wilson,
Paula West,
Gary Meek,
Gene Jackson,
Kendra Shank,
Gary Versace,
John Stowell,
Jacqui Naylor,
Barry Finnerty,
Calvin Keyes,
Jeff Massanari,
Michael Zilber,
Dwight Trible,
Eddie Marshal,
Art Khu,
Dave Ellis,
Babatunde Lea, Kenny Washington,
Josh Jones,
Akira Tana,
Jamie Davis,
and
John Handy.
He has performed at venues such as Blue Note (NYC),
Scullers,
Blues Alley, Yoshis SF,
Yoshis Oakland,
The Flllmore,
Dakotas,
Herbst Theatre,
Kuumbwa,
House of Blues,
The San Francisco Jazz Festival,
The North Beach Jazz Festival,
The Fillmore Jazz Festival,
The San Jose Jazz Festival,
Drumming in the New Millenium Festival at the Great Pyramids
of Egypt (December of 1999).
He appeared previously at Chez Hanny with Dave Haskell, Babatunde Lea,
and the Aaron Germain / Dan Zemelman Quartet.
Drummer Deszon X. Claiborne is one of the busiest
musicians in the Bay Area. His very diverse credits include Don Cherry,
Ornette Coleman, Bo Diddley, Phyllis Hyman, Jay McShann, Michael White,
Andy Narell, Alex Acuna, Ray Obiedo, Alphabet Soup, Charles Brown, Dave
Ellis, Rodney Franklin, and Peter Apfelbaum.
He studied with Ralph Humphrey, James Levi, Billy Cobham, Richard
Peterson, Barry Jekowsky, and Kenneth Nash, and has taught at the
Stanford Jazzz Workshop and Berkeley's Jazzschool.
He appeared previously at Chez Hanny with Larry Schneider, Glen
Pearson, Charles McNeal, and Johnnie Valentino/Kenneth
Burgomaster/Elissa Lala.