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BRYAN MCCONNELL, BASS
Bryan is one of the most in demand double bass players on the West Coast. Educated in both classical and jazz, he has over
30 years of playing experience. Bryan first started on guitar
at the age of 5 years old. He began studying cello in fifth grade, and by seventh grade was playing violin,
viola, and bass with his Junior High Symphony, as well as the High School Orchestra. Bryan played his
first professional concert of Handel’s Messiah on bass at age 12 in Roanoke, Virginia. Bryan went on to win
full performance scholarships in bass at both Florida Junior College, 1979-1981 and the University of Oklahoma,
1982-1985. Afterwards, Bryan went on to play professionally with the Monterey County Symphony, 1986-1988 and
the Santa Cruz County Symphony, 1986-1988. As well as his symphony
work, Bryan was playing jazz professionally and over the years has had the opportunity to work with the following jazz
greats:
John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Phil Woods, James Moody, Harold Land, Bruce Forman, Buddy Montgomery, Richie
Cole, Ernie Andrews, Ernie Watts, Red Halloway, Kenny Drew, Jr., Bud Shank, Laurindo Almeida, Calvin Keys, John Fadis, Lanny
Morgan, Mose Allison, Martin Headman, and Dottie Dodgion.
Bryan has also toured Japan with John Handy in 1991 and
1992, and again with Dottie Dodgion in 1997.
While working as the house bassist and musical director at Storyville
Classic Jazz Club in San Francisco during 1995-1997, Bryan organized non-profit jazz clinics, volunteering his time and expertise
teaching bass and jazz improvisation in the local community.
In addition, Bryan is the "Artist in Residence"
for the Monterey Mattress Marquee; a position which has entailed coordinating educational forums and performances, as well
as grant programs.
Bryan also served as a clinician for Jazz Masters, a non-profit organization created by Bruce
Forman, dedicated to making music available to needy children. Bryan
has been teaching string instruments since he was 15 years old. At this time Bryan primarily teaches bass, violin, and guitar,
and is currently the string teacher at Paloma Elementary's after school program. You can see Bryan perform all
around the San Diego area (see calendar for details). Bryan is also the bassist for the Jazz 88 All Star Band as
well as The Bryan McConnell Quartet. Among other local musicians of which Bryan performs are Jaime Valle, Mike Wofford,
Charles McPhearson, Peter Sprauge, Shep Meyers, Ruby Blue, Duncan Moore, Bob Boss, and many others. Bryan's latest recording,
"Live at Studio West," is with the Jazz 88 All-Stars, a collection of hard hitting, straight ahead jazz that
is executed by a band who is tight as a fist!
Bryan McConnell's previous recording was "Love Is
Here," performed with Julie McConnell, Sky Ladd, and Kevin Green.
QUOTES...
"Bryan McConnell is a bassist with ageless mastery of his instrument.
He offers beautiful melodic lines and the supporting anchor to the trio."
-Stella Cheung Brandt,
Associate Publisher/Editor for
California Jazz Now Magazine
"Bassist Bryan McConnell is noted for his sensitive, imaginative, hornlike solos and is
always a wise and logical choice in accompaniment!"
-Johnny
Adams,
Program/Music Director for
KRML Jazz Radio, Carmel, CA
"Bryan
McConnell, bassist, takes on the Herculean task of ryhthmic pulse, providing harmonic support and major soloist. He excels
at all three duties, and most imporantly, never seems to struggle with the responsibility or call attention to its difficulty
or overcompensate. Don’t try that at home folks, this guy is a trained professional. He plays with a sure-footed strength
and maturity that belie his relative youth. Bryan’s woody tone, deep and rich, support the vocals in contrapuntal fashion,
like delicate beadwork, woven seamlessly."
-Bruce Forman,
guitarist,
Monterey, CA
"Bassist Bryan McConnell is highly
innovative and a true master of his instrument."
-Lee Prosser,
Critic, JazzReview.com
"The very talented Bryan McConnell
is one of San Diego County's busiest and best bassists...and runs a crack trio..."
-Cam Miller,
Critic, North County Times |
JULIE MCCONNELL, VOCALS
Julie has studied and performed
music extensively since age 10, starting with her church choir in North Carolina. She went on to win numerous awards in piano
and voice throughout Junior High and High School, both at local and state levels. She was awarded a Vocal Scholarship to Appalachian
State University in 1984. After college she moved West and continued to perform with such local groups as San Master Chorale,
The La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, Palomar Chamber Singers, among others.
Julie has a unique approach to the jazz
standard; rooted in the foundation of her Southern upbringing, with the vocal technique of Barbra Streisand, the youthful
sound of Norah Jones, and the soulfulness of Patsy Cline.
Julie has flowered into one of the most promising jazz
vocalists of today, and is a seasoned classical and gospel singer. She performs various concerts in and around the San
Diego area, as well as many private party functions, both in classical and jazz.
Julie has performed with many
San Diego artists, such as Shep Meyers, Steve O’Connor, Joe Marillo, Pat Danna, Flip Oakes, Duncan Moore, Russell Bizzett,
Kevin Green, Sky Ladd, Mikole Kaar, Bob Campbell, Tim McMahon, Trip Sprague, Tommy Gannon, John Opferkoch, Nathan Souders
and Bryan McConnell, among others.
Julie released her debut CD, "Love Is Here" in 2004. This CD
features Julie singing standards arranged by Bryan McConnell. It is an eclectic mix of songs performed with an original, smooth,
and lasting sound.
QUOTES...
"Julie McConnell is one of those rare singers who spans a huge musical spectrum. She goes from Cole Porter’s
'I’ve Got You Under My Skin,' to the spiritual serenity of 'Amazing Grace,' and does so in perfrect time, with perfect
intonation. Stylistically, she’s an original, and runs the gamut singing in the fashion of the great cabaret singers,
as well as incorporating her jazz roots, without resorting to any gimmicks or vocal gymnastics. Very refreshing listening,
indeed."
-Shep Meyers, pianist,
San Diego, CA
"If you like a trained and crystal clear voice, interesting approaches
to wonderful standards, and a relaxed approach to recording, you’ll enjoy Julie McConnell’s debut CD."
-Holly Hofmann, flutist,
San Diego, CA
"Julie gives character to every
song, making each distinct from another."
-Dale Gosa, bassist,
Jacksonville,
FL
"Julie
McConnell has it all...beauty, a dazzling personality, AND SHE CAN SING. Her technique is direct, and her intonation is impeccable.
She sings all the songs in the right keys, without the interruptive influence of improvisations. Her voice is very polished.
She directs the movement of the group with her gentle but extremely melodic dynamic style..."
-Ace Hill, pianist,
Monterey, CA
"Julie McConnell has one of those rare jazz voices that makes the listener want
to hear more. Her voice is clear, sensual, and intimate. She can sing a lyric like few others, her voice always on key and
emotionally perfect."
-Lee Prosser,
Critic, JazzReview.com
"The Southern-born singer possesses a supple and pure voice,
and shows a willingness to take chances by going after taxing melodies such as Harold Arlen's moody 'Ill Wind,' Lionel Bart's
wistful 'Where Is Love?' as well as George Gershwin's challenging "Summertime." In addition, her reading of 'The
Shadow of Your Smile' impresses."
-Cam Miller,
Critic, North County
Times
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JOHN OPFERKUCH, PIANO Born
and raised in Massachusetts, John attended Yale University, graduating in 1985 with a degree in Music. While in college he
studied privately with pianists Anthony Davis and Harold Danko. He also attended New England Conservatory where he studied
with Fred Hersch and Jaki Byard among others. Opferkuch has performed with a wide range of jazz and popular artists
including Teddy Charles (vibraphonist with Charles Mingus), Peter Sprague, Jeff Berlin, Kenny Rankin, and Charles MacPherson. John's
solo CD "The Kennedy Files" was released in 2003. It features his original compositions performed with guitarist
Peter Sprague, drummer Duncan Moore, bassist Dave Enos, and percussionist Tommy Aros. |
RUSSELL BIZZETT, DRUMS
Born in
Sioux City Iowa, Russell grew up in a family of musicians and started playing drums on his father's knee at age 5. At 12 he
started playing gigs at his grandfather's nightclub and by the time he was 19 he was touring with Chuck Berry. The following
year Russell toured with Muddy Waters. From 1974 to 1976 he toured and recorded with rock legend, Tommy Bolin. From 1979-1981
Russell toured with jazz legend, Freddy Hubbard and took part in the 1981 Bo Diddly tour. 1982-1990 he toured with Jose Feliciano.
Russell recorded for the Laverne & Shirley Show, under Bennett Salvey, the Merv Griffin Show under Mort Lindsey,
musical director between 1983 and 1985, as well as recorded for Northern Exposure, the TV series. He toured with French pop
icon, Michel Jonasz from 1997 to 1998. Russell also studied with International jazz drummer, Billy Higgins in 1998.
Russell has worked and recorded with a large variety of artists including Jimmy Smith, Billy Preston, Robben Ford, Eric
Marienthal, Tom Scott, Kenny Garrett among many more.
In addition Russell also performed with such world renowned
Pops Symphony Orchestras as the Chicago Pops, Atlanta Pops, Boston Pops, Vienna Pops, Berlin Pops and the East Berlin Pops.
Currently Russell Bizzett resides in San Diego, California. He spends his time recording, freelancing, teaching and
working with the Colorado based record company, Exit Records.
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