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
Tenor saxophonist Jason Hainsworth studied at the University of
New Orleans with legendary jazz educator Ellis Marsalis and saxophonist
Victor Goines. He continued his musical studies at William Paterson
University while performing along the east coast. After receiving his
bachelor’s degree in music, Jason matriculated at Florida State
University for graduate work where he earned his Masters degree in Jazz
Studies.
Mr. Hainsworth has led his own quartet throughout the world to critical
acclaim, most recently headlining the Suriname Jazz Festival. He has
also performed and recorded with Michael Dease, Johnathan Blake, Renee
Rosnes, Randy Brecker, Lewis Nash, Glenn Zaleski, Tim Warfield, Martin
Bejerano, Ed Calle’s Mamblue (2016 Latin Grammy Winner), Tito Puente
Jr’s. Latin Jazz All Stars, and Melton Mustafa Jazz Orchestra.
Mr. Hainsworth serves as Assistant Director of the Roots, Jazz, and
American Music (RJAM) program at the San Francisco Conservatory of
Music.
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, and Anne
Sajdera.
Electric bassist Scott Thompson has performed, led workshops,
and recorded with many world-class musicians including:
Chico Pinheiro, Marcos Silva, Quarteto Jacaré, Dick Hindman, Helio
Alves, Tiago Costa, Rafael Vernet, Toninho Horta, Dani and Deborah
Gurgel, Jovino Santos Neto, Thiago Rabello, Kiko Freitas, Rafael
Barata, Leny Andrade, Vitor Gonçalves, Marcio Bahia, Edu Ribeiro, Celso
Alberti, and Terence Kelly.
Scott has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Belgium,
Finland, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Brazil.
Scott holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the California
Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, CA. He is currently a faculty member at
the California Jazz Conservatory and the Jazzschool community music
school.
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, Johnnie Valentino/Kenneth
Burgomaster/Elissa Lala, and Anne Sajdera.