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Live Performing Arts Academy
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT APRIL 25 - 7:30PM
featuring
Ian Carey
Quintet
Maps
Direction to Palladio
Map of Stages
Judges & Clinicins Bio
2025 Judges To Be Announced
2024 Judges
Paul Lucckesi
Paul Lucckesi is the Director of Jazz Studies and Applied Saxophone at Fresno City College and the "City Jazz" Festival director (Hosted by Fresno City College). He holds an undergraduate degree in music education from CSU, Fresno, and a Master of Music in Education from Central Washington University. Paul is an active jazz adjudicator/clinician throughout the Western United States and was the 2013 recipient of California’s Jazz Educator of the Year (now called the Paul Shaghoian Jazz Educator Award). Paul was the director of the first California All-State Junior High Jazz Ensemble and the first (and hopefully only) virtual Junior High Jazz Ensemble.
Meryl Wamhoff
M. J. Wamhoff is the Director of Bands at Delta College and is in his 39 th year of teaching. Prior to his tenure at Delta College Mr. Wamhoff was the director of Bands, Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz at Santa Rosa Junior College, Director of Bands and Orchestra at Clovis West High School and Madera High School. Bands and Choirs under
his direction have performed at the Next Generation Jazz Festival, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Monterey Jazz Festival at Sea, CMEA State Convention (1993, 1999, 2001), CBDA State Conference (1999, 2001), CASMEC State Conference (2022), and the National Concert Band Festival in Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis Indiana (1996, 1998). His honors include the Madera County Arts Council Education Award (1993), UMI-ASBDA State and Regional Distinguished Band Director Award (1997), National Band Association Citation of Excellence (1996, 1998, 2000), CBDA Distinguished Service Award (2002) and member of the National Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi. Mr. Wamhoff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education (1984) and a Master of Arts degree in Music Performance with distinction (1997) from California State University, Fresno. He has studied conducting from Dr. Lawrence Sutherland (CSU, Fresno), Dr. Robert Halseth (CSU, Sacramento), Eugene Corporon (UNT), Frederick Fennell, Jack Stamp and Michael Haithcock (University of Michigan). Mr. Wamhoff has served on the boards of the California Band Directors Association as President, Past President, Convention Host, Exhibit Host, Bulletin Editor, and CMEA as Honor Band Host, CMEA Central Section as Second Vice President, FMCMEA as both Vice President and President. His professional associations include: California Band Directors Association (CBDA), California Music Educators Association (CMEA), and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), Mr. Wamhoff is active as a clinician for Concert, Jazz, and Marching Bands. He is also active as a guest conductor in the Symphonic and Jazz idioms. Mr. Wamhoff has served as conductor of the California All-State High School Concert Band, California All-State Junio High School Symphonic Band, Singapore Festival Winds, San Joaquin County High School Honor Band, CMEA Capitol Section High School Honor Band, CMEA Central Coast Section Honor Band and the County Honor Bands from: Sonoma, Stanislaus, Solano, Tulare-Kings, Fresno-Madera Tracy Honor Band, and the Bakersfield City Schools Honor Band. M.J Wamhoff is also a composer, is self-published, and has published works with GPG Publications.
his direction have performed at the Next Generation Jazz Festival, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Monterey Jazz Festival at Sea, CMEA State Convention (1993, 1999, 2001), CBDA State Conference (1999, 2001), CASMEC State Conference (2022), and the National Concert Band Festival in Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis Indiana (1996, 1998). His honors include the Madera County Arts Council Education Award (1993), UMI-ASBDA State and Regional Distinguished Band Director Award (1997), National Band Association Citation of Excellence (1996, 1998, 2000), CBDA Distinguished Service Award (2002) and member of the National Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi. Mr. Wamhoff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education (1984) and a Master of Arts degree in Music Performance with distinction (1997) from California State University, Fresno. He has studied conducting from Dr. Lawrence Sutherland (CSU, Fresno), Dr. Robert Halseth (CSU, Sacramento), Eugene Corporon (UNT), Frederick Fennell, Jack Stamp and Michael Haithcock (University of Michigan). Mr. Wamhoff has served on the boards of the California Band Directors Association as President, Past President, Convention Host, Exhibit Host, Bulletin Editor, and CMEA as Honor Band Host, CMEA Central Section as Second Vice President, FMCMEA as both Vice President and President. His professional associations include: California Band Directors Association (CBDA), California Music Educators Association (CMEA), and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), Mr. Wamhoff is active as a clinician for Concert, Jazz, and Marching Bands. He is also active as a guest conductor in the Symphonic and Jazz idioms. Mr. Wamhoff has served as conductor of the California All-State High School Concert Band, California All-State Junio High School Symphonic Band, Singapore Festival Winds, San Joaquin County High School Honor Band, CMEA Capitol Section High School Honor Band, CMEA Central Coast Section Honor Band and the County Honor Bands from: Sonoma, Stanislaus, Solano, Tulare-Kings, Fresno-Madera Tracy Honor Band, and the Bakersfield City Schools Honor Band. M.J Wamhoff is also a composer, is self-published, and has published works with GPG Publications.
Gary Pratt
Gary Pratt has led a distinguished career as a music educator, performer, conductor, adjudicator, and arranger. He is Emeritus Professor of Music at California State University, Northridge, where he served as chairman of the Wind Area, Director of Orchestras, and Director of Jazz Studies. He has guest conducted internationally and is a highly sought-after clinician and guest conductor. Throughout his career as a professional bassist, he has performed and recorded with such legendary artists as Louie Bellson, Lionel Hampton, Blue Mitchell, and many others. In 2018, Mr. Pratt was inducted into the California Alliance for Jazz Hall of Fame, and in 2015 he was awarded the California Music Educators Association Jazz Educator Award.
Roger Emerson
Roger Emerson is a professional composer and arranger with over 900 choral titles in print and over 30 million copies in circulation. He is the most widely performed composer/arranger of popular choral music and vocal jazz in the world today. His works include the choral arrangements of Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up, Season's of Love, from RENT, Defying Gravity from WICKED, Joyful, Joyful from SISTER ACT, Don't Stop Believin' from GLEE, and most recently, My Shot from HAMILTON. In addition, his vocal jazz arrangements of Over The Rainbow, Vincent, Blue Skies and I Wish are some of the most performed of all-time. Mr. Emerson has been the recipient of ASCAP's Standard Award for 30 years running and his works have been performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. He is in constant demand as a lecturer on pop music, vocal jazz and the changing voice and has appeared at numerous MENC, ACDA and JEN conferences.
Chris Miller
Christopher Miller, clinician, composer and songwriter, captivates audiences with his expressive Jazz vocals and arrangements. Miller is known for his soulful performances on B3 organ with blues-adjacent NorCal band Muddy Notes and each song tells a different short story, reminiscent of Randy Newman or Billy Joel. Miller's unique approach to songwriting and arranging sees him crafting tunes wherever inspiration strikes, whether walking his dogs, stuck in traffic, or standing in line at the post office, showcasing his dedication to finding musical magic in everyday moments.
Dr. Joe Gilman
Dr. Joe Gilman is a full-time professor of music at American River College in Sacramento, an adjunct professor of jazz studies at CSU Sacramento, and a longtime associate of the Brubeck Institute and the Stanford Jazz Workshop. Joe was the music director of Capital Jazz Project from 1997 to 2011. He has received bachelor's degrees in classical piano and jazz studies at Indiana University, a master's degree in jazz and the contemporary media from the Eastman School of Music, and a doctoral degree in education from the University of Sarasota.
Joe was the primary pianist with jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson from 2006-2016, and the Sacramento Jazz Orchestra since 2010. He has also performed professionally with Eddie Harris, Joe Locke, Chris Botti, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPherson, Wycliffe Gordon, David "Fathead" Newman, and Slide Hampton, and has recorded with Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Jeff Watts, and Tootie Heath.
Dr. Gilman has twice been an International Jazz Ambassador through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and USIA, traveling to West Africa in 1999 and East and Southern Africa in 2000. His restaurant Twin Lotus Thai features top jazz talent in Sacramento three nights each week (www.twinlotusthai.com)
Joe was the primary pianist with jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson from 2006-2016, and the Sacramento Jazz Orchestra since 2010. He has also performed professionally with Eddie Harris, Joe Locke, Chris Botti, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPherson, Wycliffe Gordon, David "Fathead" Newman, and Slide Hampton, and has recorded with Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Jeff Watts, and Tootie Heath.
Dr. Gilman has twice been an International Jazz Ambassador through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and USIA, traveling to West Africa in 1999 and East and Southern Africa in 2000. His restaurant Twin Lotus Thai features top jazz talent in Sacramento three nights each week (www.twinlotusthai.com)
Hank Allen-Barfield
Hank Allen-Barfield
Hank Allen-Barfield is a young, up and coming jazz drummer in New York City. Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Hank picked up the drums at age 10 after being influenced by his father, John Allen, who was a successful professional musician in the nineties.
Hank finished his undergraduate studies in 2021 at the prestigious William Paterson University where he had the opportunity to study with Joe Farnsworth, Bill Goodwin, Bill Charlap, Mike LeDonne, Harold Mabern and many others. Since moving to New York City, Hank’s reputation of being a hard hitting and swinging drummer spread quickly, and has since been a regular performer at clubs such as Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Mezzrow Jazz Club, Cafe Bohemia, The Jazz Forum, and The Django among others. Hank regularly leads his own band at Cafe Bohemia, Smalls Jazz Club and the Django, and recently has been a part of groups led by 2 time Grammy Award Winner Samara Joy, Vincent Herring, Jerry Weldon, Bruce Harris, Erena Terakubo, Mike LeDonne, Julius Rodriguez, Jeb Patton, Ray Gallon, James Morrison and a multitude of others. On top of being a full-time musician, Hank is currently pursuing his Master’s degree and graduate studies at The Juilliard School. Hank endorses Paiste Cymbals and was welcomed into the Paiste artist family with an endorsement in February of 2023.
Hank Allen-Barfield is a young, up and coming jazz drummer in New York City. Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Hank picked up the drums at age 10 after being influenced by his father, John Allen, who was a successful professional musician in the nineties.
Hank finished his undergraduate studies in 2021 at the prestigious William Paterson University where he had the opportunity to study with Joe Farnsworth, Bill Goodwin, Bill Charlap, Mike LeDonne, Harold Mabern and many others. Since moving to New York City, Hank’s reputation of being a hard hitting and swinging drummer spread quickly, and has since been a regular performer at clubs such as Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Mezzrow Jazz Club, Cafe Bohemia, The Jazz Forum, and The Django among others. Hank regularly leads his own band at Cafe Bohemia, Smalls Jazz Club and the Django, and recently has been a part of groups led by 2 time Grammy Award Winner Samara Joy, Vincent Herring, Jerry Weldon, Bruce Harris, Erena Terakubo, Mike LeDonne, Julius Rodriguez, Jeb Patton, Ray Gallon, James Morrison and a multitude of others. On top of being a full-time musician, Hank is currently pursuing his Master’s degree and graduate studies at The Juilliard School. Hank endorses Paiste Cymbals and was welcomed into the Paiste artist family with an endorsement in February of 2023.
John Zimny
John Zimny, a native of Chicago, Illinois, began his professional music career as a trumpet player at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Following his enlistment he became the chief music arranger for the Academy Cadets serving in that capacity for 15 years. His interest in arranging and composing led him to write for marching bands, drum corps, jazz choirs, and jazz bands throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with degrees in Music Education and Psychology. He went on to teach music at Sacramento City College for several years and conducted classes in electronic composition, jazz improvisation, wind ensemble, jazz, and brass ensemble before joining the outstanding Folsom music department. During his 25-year tenure in Folsom, his bands were the recipients of many honors including numerous Downbeat awards for both his concert and jazz ensembles. In 2020 Mr. Zimny had the honor of conducting the California All-State Jazz Honor Band for Middle School. He is an adjudicator for CMEA, and NCBA, and has been a clinician and mentor for many years. Additionally, he has twice been nominated for a Grammy in Education. Mr. Zimny served as Staff and Program Coordinator, as well as music arranger for the Sacramento Freelancers. He was recently inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in New York for his contributions to the activity.
Angie Doctor
Angie is a jazz singer and arranger, has brought her extensive experience in solo and small group harmony singing to workshops and festivals as a judge and clinician for over 35 years, and has been an additional singer for groups such as The Manhattans, Heatwave, Gene Chandler, Barbara Lewis, Billy Paul, and many others. She is a studio singer and voice-over talent, is the soprano in the jazz vocal quartet Clockwork and was the Girl Bob in the wackiest of all a cappella groups in the last 6 years of their 36-year run, The Bobs. Additionally, she has been singer and soloist for music projects with Bobby McFerrin, Sufjan Stevens, Sweet Honey in the Rock, John Zorn, Meredith Monk, performing at venues that include Zellerbach in Berkeley, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Philharmonie Berlin. Her vocal work is on many recording projects, including as a featured soloist on the Grammy-nominated recording of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” (Harmonia Mundi), conducted by Kent Nagano. Angie has recorded two albums of a cappella jazz duets with Dan Schumacher of “The Bobs”, arranged, recorded and produced by Richard Bob Greene. He Said, She Said, “Duets For Two Voices” and “Two: Vol. 2”. A member of the San Francisco Bay Area vocal music community since 1995, her current project is as Music Supervisor/Vocal Director/Arranger for a new musical about the life of Betty Reid Soskin, at Z Space in San Francisco March/April 2024. Angie was the vocal jazz ensemble instructor for all voice majors at the California Jazz Conservatory from 2014 through Spring 2020 and has been teaching a vocal jazz ensemble for community singers at the JazzSchool in Berkeley, California since 2014. More info and music can be found at angiedoctor.com.
Bob Farrington
Robert Farrington- received his BA from UCLA in 1974 along with a teaching credential in 1975, and MA from Cal State East Bay in 1981. He was Director of Bands and Orchestra from 1975-80 at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale where many of his students were selected to the State Honor Band, Jazz Ensemble, County Honor Band, and all performing groups received superior ratings at festivals and marching competitions.
After directing bands at Pasadena City College 1980-81, Robert became Director of Bands at De Anza College in 1981-2014, and was Northern California President of IAJE. During the 1980's, the De Anza Jazz Ensemble received three unanimous superior ratings at the Pacific Coast Jazz Festival and performed at an IAJE convention in Los Angeles. The 38th Annual Herb Patnoe Jazz Festival was successfully completed at De Anza and Robert has been inducted into the CAJ Hall of Fame for Jazz Educators. He directed the Jazz Band at St. Mary's College 2019-2022. Robert has performed as a woodwind musician playing and recording five CD's with Dave Eshelman's Jazz Garden Big Band and performed with Louie Bellson, the Count Basie Orchestra, Manhattan Transfer, George Shearing, Mel Torme, Natalie Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, The Temptations, Four Tops, Frankie Valli, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra JR.. He has also performed with Symphony Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Marin, Oakland, Modesto, Monterey, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa Symphonies. His extensive Broadway show experience includes performing with American Music Theater of San Jose (1976-2008), New York touring shows of "Camelot", "My Fair Lady", "Sugar Babies, "Annie", "A Chorus Line", "Peter Pan", "Westside Story", "Beautiful", "Aladdin", and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". In San Francisco on "The Producers", "Phantom of the Opera", and "Porgy and Bess".
After directing bands at Pasadena City College 1980-81, Robert became Director of Bands at De Anza College in 1981-2014, and was Northern California President of IAJE. During the 1980's, the De Anza Jazz Ensemble received three unanimous superior ratings at the Pacific Coast Jazz Festival and performed at an IAJE convention in Los Angeles. The 38th Annual Herb Patnoe Jazz Festival was successfully completed at De Anza and Robert has been inducted into the CAJ Hall of Fame for Jazz Educators. He directed the Jazz Band at St. Mary's College 2019-2022. Robert has performed as a woodwind musician playing and recording five CD's with Dave Eshelman's Jazz Garden Big Band and performed with Louie Bellson, the Count Basie Orchestra, Manhattan Transfer, George Shearing, Mel Torme, Natalie Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, The Temptations, Four Tops, Frankie Valli, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra JR.. He has also performed with Symphony Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Marin, Oakland, Modesto, Monterey, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa Symphonies. His extensive Broadway show experience includes performing with American Music Theater of San Jose (1976-2008), New York touring shows of "Camelot", "My Fair Lady", "Sugar Babies, "Annie", "A Chorus Line", "Peter Pan", "Westside Story", "Beautiful", "Aladdin", and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". In San Francisco on "The Producers", "Phantom of the Opera", and "Porgy and Bess".
Dr. Arthur LaPierre
Dr. Arthur LaPierre, recently retired, taught and directed vocal jazz ensembles, choirs, studio voice and orchestra at American River College; the Berklee College of Music; Cal-State Long Beach; Cal-State Los Angeles; Rancho Santiago College; Long Beach Polytechnic; and, Lakewood Village Community Church. Dr. LaPierre's vocal jazz ensembles have produced 14 recordings and have been recognized with 30 DownBeat Student Achievement Awards. Dr. LaPierre's ensembles have travelled extensively throughout the United States and Canada to perform before the International Association of Jazz Educators, the Jazz Education Network, the International Society of Music Educators, MusicFest Canada, and for both the Western Regional and the National Conferences of the American Choral Directors Association. It was a particular honor for the American River College Vocal Jazz Ensemble to share the stage with The Manhattan Transfer. Dr. LaPierre currently serves as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator and producer and teaches piano, guitar, and voice in his private studio.
Steve Roach
Steve Roach has been the Director of Jazz Studies at California State University, Sacramento, since 2001. He has also served as Director of Jazz Studies at Baylor University and has held teaching positions at the University of Northern Colorado and Northern Illinois University. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in trumpet performance from Indiana University, a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from Northern Illinois University, and a Doctor of Arts degree in trumpet and jazz pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado.
Professional appearances as an assisting artist include studio and live sessions with such jazz & pop musicians as Tito Puente, Dave Pietro, Brian Landrus, Louis Bellson, Billy Drummond, Alan Ferber, Conrad Herwig, Lou Rawls, Jon Tchicai, Ben Vereen, Melissa Manchester, Toni Tennille, Roberta Flack, Rosemary Clooney, Jeffrey Osbourne, Carl Fontana, Paquito D’Rivera, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, The Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras, and others.
Steve also works as a clinician and adjudicator for jazz festivals and various workshops nationwide and has directed several California high school honor jazz ensembles. In addition to maintaining an active schedule as a freelance artist, he is also the author of a popular collegiate Jazz Appreciation course available through the Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
Professional appearances as an assisting artist include studio and live sessions with such jazz & pop musicians as Tito Puente, Dave Pietro, Brian Landrus, Louis Bellson, Billy Drummond, Alan Ferber, Conrad Herwig, Lou Rawls, Jon Tchicai, Ben Vereen, Melissa Manchester, Toni Tennille, Roberta Flack, Rosemary Clooney, Jeffrey Osbourne, Carl Fontana, Paquito D’Rivera, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, The Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras, and others.
Steve also works as a clinician and adjudicator for jazz festivals and various workshops nationwide and has directed several California high school honor jazz ensembles. In addition to maintaining an active schedule as a freelance artist, he is also the author of a popular collegiate Jazz Appreciation course available through the Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson Bio as of January 2024
Matt Robinson has been an active freelance upright and electric bassist in the Sacramento Metro
Area since 2001, where he plays with many of the area's top artists. He holds music degrees from
Humboldt State University (Bachelor of Arts, Double Bass Performance Emphasis, class of 1998) and Sacramento State University (Master of Music, Double Bass Performance Emphasis,
class of 2003). He is also member of Capital Jazz Project, a Sacramento-Based non-profit
organization. Matt has served as an adjunct faculty member at Sacramento State University, Sacramento City College, and American River College, teaching courses in music theory, jazz improvisation,
music appreciation, rock and roll history, jazz combos, and applied music. Additionally, Matt
has taught numerous private bass students both in his home studio and for American River
College and Sacramento State University. In addition to performing, recording, and teaching as a freelance bassist, Matt is currently working as a full-time instructional assistant in the music department at American River College.
Matt Robinson has been an active freelance upright and electric bassist in the Sacramento Metro
Area since 2001, where he plays with many of the area's top artists. He holds music degrees from
Humboldt State University (Bachelor of Arts, Double Bass Performance Emphasis, class of 1998) and Sacramento State University (Master of Music, Double Bass Performance Emphasis,
class of 2003). He is also member of Capital Jazz Project, a Sacramento-Based non-profit
organization. Matt has served as an adjunct faculty member at Sacramento State University, Sacramento City College, and American River College, teaching courses in music theory, jazz improvisation,
music appreciation, rock and roll history, jazz combos, and applied music. Additionally, Matt
has taught numerous private bass students both in his home studio and for American River
College and Sacramento State University. In addition to performing, recording, and teaching as a freelance bassist, Matt is currently working as a full-time instructional assistant in the music department at American River College.
Schedule
Link to the Performance Schedule
Coming soon...
Food & Dinning
Food & Dinning
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