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Tall Jazz
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Tall Jazz was formed in 1989 with the goal of establishing a unique sounding jazz trio with an emphasis on arrangements of 'standard' repertoire as well as original material. To date, Tall Jazz has performed over 1600 engagements and recorded 6 CDs. The newest CD,'Ode To A Vibes Generation', was released in September 2001 as a tribute to vibists Milt Jackson, Red Norvo, Cal Tjader and Lionel Hampton. Tall Jazz has been involved in a wide variety of musical endeavors, from club dates, concerts and festivals, to workshops, clinics and school assemblies, as well as private parties and corporate events.
Dan Presley - String Bass
Dan has been performing professionally since 1969 throughout the United States. He has appeared with national artists Rebecca Kilgore, Bud Shank, Bobby Shew, Scott Hamilton (Concord Records), Bill Berry (Duke Ellington alumnus), Lew Tabakin, Dave McKenna, Mark Murphy and most recently, pianist George Cables (pianist for Dexter Gordon, and solo career). He studied guitar from age 7, attended University of Oregon 1969-74, and founded Willamette Valley Folk Festival (now 20+ years still active). His early career includes bluegrass/folk with Muddy Bottom Boys 1972-76, Everything's Jake (swing jazz) 1976-78, Wholly Cats (jazz/swing) 1978-86, which released two recordings and toured throughout western US & Canada. He has also performed in the Rebecca Kilgore quartet 1986-88, the Art Abrams Swing Machine Big band 1988-90, and the Ranch Dressing Western Swing Big Band. In 1989 Dan co-founded Tall Jazz. When not performing with with Tall Jazz, Dan performs with the Mazeltov klezmer group, Lilly Wilde, David Cooley, the Dennis Costi (DC big band), Larry Natwick, Ellen Vanderslice, Larry Nobori, Gordon Lee, George Mitchell, Larry Adair, the Pacific Jazz Big Band and the "Radio Revue Orchestra" led by Marv & Rindy Ross (Oregon Trail Band & Quarterflash). As an educator, Dan teaches privately, organizes bass clinics throughout the area, was jazz band instructor for Wilson High School (Portland, OR) 1995-97. He is a member of the Portland Community College Music Career Curriculum Advisory Board, and an adjunct faculty member for Marylhurst University. Currently, Dan is the special project coordinator for the M.U.S.E. band program headquartered in Portland. He also produces CDís and demo tapes for local artists.
Mike Horsfall - Piano, Vibes
Mike Horsfall has enjoyed a successful and diverse musical career for over 25 years, serving as an educator, composer, arranger, recording artist and concert soloist. He was educated at Central Washington University and the University of Washington, earning a Bachelors in Piano degree from Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon. In the early 70's Mike studied the vibraphone with jazz great Gary Burton, developing a rich 4-mallet style. The next decade found Mike playing piano and vibes in various venues across the country. Upon settling down with his wife and two daughters in Portland, Oregon, he began performing in a number of different settings ranging from classical to rock and roll and country western. In 1989 he co-founded Tall Jazz, playing vibes and piano and serving as musical director. The trio started a record company, PHD Music, which represents jazz artists in the Portland area, and currently has 15 titles on the market, including a piano solo CD that Mike recorded in 1998 ("I Thought About You" PHD-1008). His acclaimed composition and arranging skills can by heard on any of the six recordings that Tall Jazz has on the PHD label. He was recently awarded First Place (Jazz) in the 2002 USA Songwriting Contest for his work on the tune, "Moonshadow Dance" ("Once In A Blue Moon" PHD-1013). Mike is in demand as a concert soloist, both on piano and vibes. He is also an avid music educator, with private students studying piano, vibes and jazz harmony. He is an adjunct faculty member at Mt. Hood Community College. In 1994 Mike designed a program giving piano students a chance to perform in a professional setting, and earned wide acclaim from the National Music Teachers Association. An accomplished, well-rounded musician, he has recorded and/or performed with a large number of world class musicians, including Bud Shank, Bobby Shew, Leroy Vinegar, Rebecca Kilgore, Marilyn Keller, Darrell Grant, Pete Rugolo, and Norman Leyden, among others.
David Averre - Drums
Drummer/composer David Averre was born in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Trenton State college with a degree in Music Education. His formal music studies began at age 15 in New York City with such noted drummers as Joe LaBarbera, Charli Persip, Michael Carvin and Joe Cusatis. While living in Manhattan, David collaborated with a variety of artists as a freelance drummer and studio musician. He later received the opportunity to perform steadily in Europe. David resided in Scandanavia for two years, and performed with musicians such as John Surman, Armen Donelian, Tony Coe, Arild Anderson, and the Danish trombonist Eje Theilin. He performed at the internationally acclaimed Molde Jazz Festival, and Voss Jazz Festival every year. This led to further engagements with both European and American jazz artists. After returning to America, David furthered his education on piano and composition, and was performing with artists Mose Allison and tap dancer Brenda Buffalino. Upon moving to the Portland/Vancouver, Washington metro area, he was employed as a jazz educator for the Vancouver,Wa school district. He has been performing with local (Portland) artists Dave Captein, Randy Porter, Steve Christofferson, Rob Davis, George Mitchell, Jerry Hahn and John Stowell, and many others. He recently completed the music for an original theater production,"Havok's Burden", which premiered in Portland in 2002. David is currently teaching privately as well as performing with Tall Jazz.
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