Pennsylvania Jazz Collective presents

Three Generations of Alto Sax Masters

Bnai Abraham Synagogue | Easton

June 14, 2012 Thursday 7:00pm

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Program

FIRST SET — DAVE ROPER TRIO

Selections ‘on the fly’ by Dave Roper

INTRODUCING — NELSON HILL

Invitation ................................................. Kaper/Washington

Stars Fell On Alabama ............................ F. Perkins

The Mentor .............................................. Nelson Hill Guest: Alan Gaumer, Trumpet

INTRODUCING — PHIL WOODS

Buzzy ........................................................ Charlie Parker

Body and Soul ......................................... J. Green / E. Heyman Solo Feature: Phil Woods

INTRODUCING — JAY RAT TMAN

Minority ................................................... GiGi Gryce

Der Heyser Bulgar ................................... David Tarras Feature: Jay Rattman

ALTO TRIO

Fried Bananas .......................................... Dexter Gordon

FINALE

Lester Leaps In ......................................... Lester Young Phil Woods, Nelson Hill, Jay Rattman, Patrick McGee

Featuring the Pennsylvania Jazz Collective nominated Artist of the Year

— Ne lson Hil l —

Nelson Hill is a saxophonist, clarinetist and flutist from Mt. Bethel, Pa. He studied with Phil Woods, Hal Galper, Eddie Daniels and James Caruso. Nelson graduated from Bangor High School and attended the prestigious Eastman conservatory graduating in 1981. Upon graduation he toured with the Maynard Ferguson band for 3 years, playing lead alto saxophone. During his tenure he was featured on the recordings Storm and Hollywood.

After he left Ferguson in 1984, Nelson worked at Tamiment Resort, Harrah’s Marina and Mount Airy Lodge where he performed with Tony Bennet, The Spinners, The Temptations, Wayne Newton, Jay Black, Frankie Valli and many others.

In 2002, Nelson released his first solo CD entitled Lethal. He is currently working with his quartet and with pianist Eric Mintel’s EMQ.

He became an Artist Representative and Clinician for the Yamaha Corporation of America. He performs on and endorses the YAS-82Z alto saxophone, the YTS-82Z tenor saxophone and the YSS-62 soprano saxophone.

In addition to his recording with Maynard he has many recording credits. Among them, Phil Woods & the Festival Orchestra and Phil Woods’ This Is How I Feel About Quincy.

Nelson has taught at Lafayette college, Blair Academy and is currently teaching at Bloomsburg College. His students have been accepted at such schools as Eastman Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, Miami U., Ithaca, NYU and the Manhattan School Of Music.

When not on the road with the EMQ Nelson keeps busy in the studio and freelancing. He also works with the quintet “Co-op Bop” featuring Alan Gaumer, Craig Kastelnik, Tom Kozic & Gary Rissmiller.

Nelson is husband to Mary and father of their four daughters Jessica, Danielle, Talis and Kendall and son, Ely.

Three Generations of Alto Sax Masters

Bnai Abraham Synagogue | Easton

June 14, 2012 Thursday 7:00pm

Pennsylvania Jazz Collective is especially glad to

thank all of our sponsors, patrons, and supporters.

We know that we cannot do it without you, and

we are grateful. Please enjoy this program you

made possible.

Special guest: National Endowment Jazz Master

— Phil Wo o ds —

Residing in Monroe County, Pennsylvania since 1974, Phil Woods is a founder and advisory board member of the Delaware Water Gap Celebration Of The Arts (“C.O.T.A.” founded in 1978), Co-Director of COTA CampJazz (with Richard Chamberlain), is a member of the Board of Directors of the Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection (at East Strouds-burg University), the East Stroudsburg University Regional Jazz Coalition, and has participated and/or directed numerous benefits and fund-raisers over the years for the Delaware Water Gap Fire Department in particular and worthy causes in general. He is active as a bandleader, composer, arranger and soloist worldwide, and at his home in Delaware Water Gap where he has lived since 1976.

AWARDS

• New Star Award (alto saxophone): 1956 DownBeat magazine

• Playboy Poll: 1972

• DownBeat magazine Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition (clarinet): 1963

• DownBeat magazine Critics’ Poll Winner (alto saxophone): 1975–1979, 1981–1985, 1988–1990, 1992, 1996–2001, 2008

• DownBeat magazine Readers’ Poll Winner (alto saxophone): 1975–1995, 2000–2008, 2011

• DownBeat magazine Critics’ Poll Winners (Phil Woods Quintet): 1988–1991

• DownBeat magazine Readers’ Poll Winners (Phil Woods Quintet): 1985, 1988–1989, 1991

• Leonard Feather’s Golden Feather Award (Phil Woods Quintet): 1985

• Grammy Award for IMAGES with Michel Legrand: 1976

• Grammy Award for The Phil Woods Six, Live from the Showboat: 1977

• Grammy Award for More Live by The Phil Woods Quartet: 1982

• Grammy Award for At The Vanguard by The Phil Woods Quartet: 1983

• Grammy Award Nominations as soloist and/or group: 1971, 1980, 1994 (Big Band)

• National Association of Jazz Educators Poll Winner (alto saxophone): 1987

• National Association of Jazz Educators Poll Winners (Phil Woods Quintet): 1987

• Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters, France: 1989

• Jazz Times Readers’ Poll (Phil Woods Quintet) (tied with the Modern Jazz Quartet and Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers 1990; winners 1991)

• East Stroudsburg University Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree: 1994

• Induction into the American Jazz Hall of Fame: 1994

• Induction into Omicron Kappa Delta: 1997

• Beacons in Jazz Award: 2001

• Jazz Times Readers’ Poll (alto saxophone): 1990–1995, 2004–2006, 2008

• Swing Journal Readers’ Poll (alto saxophone): 2004

• Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards (Alto Saxophonist of the Year) 2005–2006

• National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Fellowship: 2007

• President’s Merit Award from the Grammy Foundation: 2007

• Kennedy Center Living Legends in Jazz Award: 2007

• Governor’s Awards for the Arts — Creative Community Award (with COTA): 2008

• DePaul University Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree: 2009

And Protégé:

— Jay Ratt ma n —

Jay Rattman was raised in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. As a young child, his jazz fan parents brought him along to performances at the Deer Head Inn and East Stroudsburg University (ESU) to hear Bob Dorough, Phil Woods, John Coates Jr., and many other local musicians. He was inspired by Woods to begin playing the clarinet and saxophone in fifth grade at the age of ten.

Soon after, he began lessons with saxophonist Nelson Hill, who taught him theory and explained the mechanics of many standard tunes. He was also exposed to the music of saxophone legend Dave Liebman, another local. Since then, he has studied additionally with Phil Woods and Caris Visentin, who taught him ear training and composition.

Rattman performed five of his compositions on his 2004 CD In Duo with pianist Bobby Avey, and has played others with Bob Dorough, Bill Goodwin, Steve Gilmore, and Dave Liebman to name a few. He has led his own groups at the Deer Head Inn, and has performed with Bill Dobbins, Chris Potter, Ingrid Jensen, Bob Lark, Glenn Davis, and Jim McNeely, among others. For the past five years, he has been a member of the C.O.T.A. Cats, a high school jazz ensemble that performs annually at the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts. The group was founded by Phil Woods and is directed by Kyle Glaser, Tom Fadden, and Lance Rauh.

Jay also received a Merit Award in the 2006 NFAA ARTS awards in the jazz saxophone category and was a 2006 winner in the high school age group of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards.

He has since gone on to graduate with a masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

Cameo appearance: PA Jazz protégé

Patrick McGee, alto and soprano saxophone — Patrick is a 15-year-old student at the Lehigh Valley Performing Arts Charter High School. He resides in Nazareth, PA. Patrick has studied with Neil Wetzel, Ed.D., Dir. of Jazz Studies at Moravian College; Tony Gairo; and Dave Liebman, 2011 National Endowment Jazz Master. He represents a fourth generation.

Additional PA Jazz artists

Tom Kozic, guitar — Tom Graduated from Whitehall High School. He has not only performed with a virtual “who’s who” of jazz personalities but has also toured with such country stars as Eddie Rabbit and Crystal Gayle. He currently teaches at Muhlenberg and Lafayette Colleges.

Tony Marino, accoustic bass — Tony hails from the Scranton area. He has worked with many of the rostered Collective artists for over forty years. He is a regular member of the Dave Liebman Quartet and tours the world in that capacity.

The Dave Roper Trio

Dave Roper, piano — The Morning call writes “one of the Valley’s most well-known and best-loved musicians.” Dave Roper has been delighting area audiences for over 50 years.

Greg Eicher, accoustic bass — Originally from Kansas City, by way of Los Angeles, California, Greg relocated to the Lehigh Valley about ten years ago. He fast became one of the top call bassists. He has played with literally every jazz group in the region. Greg has toured extensively with Simone, daughter of the late great Nina Simone, and many other known personalities.

Gary Rissmiller, drum set — For over 35 years Gary has been performing with the greatest players in the jazz game. Rooted firmly in the experimental foundations of jazz music, Rissmiller began playing in clubs while still in high school. He has performed with many of the masters in the industry: Randy Brecker, Charles Fambrough, Dave Liebman, and many others.

Gary was born and raised in Bethlehem. He has performed at many jazz festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is an adjunct artist/lecturer at both Muhlenberg and Moravian Colleges. Gary also has numerous recording credits.

PA Jazz Fall/Winter Schedule

November 7 | WednesdayTHE PA JAZZ TRUMPET SERIES, HOSTED BY MORAVIAN COLLEGE

Randy BreckerGrammy Award winning trumpeter

Visits Easton & Bethlehem Schools10:00am Outreach Assembly Jazz Program for local school students by Moravian Jazz Faculty (PA Jazz Artists) | Foy Hall, Moravian College4:00pm Master Class with John Swana7:30pm Evening Concert featuring John Swana with guest solo appearance by Randy Brecker | Peter Hall, Moravian College

November 8 | ThursdayTHE PA JAZZ TRUMPET SERIES, HOSTED BY MORAVIAN COLLEGE

Randy Brecker featured Yamaha clinician

Moravian College | Bethlehem9:00am–3:30pm Clinics conducted by PA Jazz Trumpet Artists, Ken Brader and Larry Wright | Hearst Hall | Peter Hall7:30pm Evening Concert with CO-OP BOP with Randy Brecker | Foy HallSponsored by Yamaha Corp. and Nazareth Music Center

November 9 | Friday 7:30pmTHE PA JAZZ TRUMPET SERIES, HOSTED BY MORAVIAN COLLEGE

Moravian College | BethlehemAct l Randy Brecker, guest solo artist, with the Moravian College Student Fusion Ensemble, director, Alan Gaumer | Foy HallAct 2 The Moravian College Big Band, director, Dr. Neil Wetzel | Foy Hall

November 10 | Saturday 7:00 and 9:00pmRandy Brecker and PA Jazz Collective Artists Deer Head Inn | Delaware Water GapTwo shows.

December 13 | ThursdayAnnual Christmas Fundraiser PartyVenue TBA

December 15 | SaturdayConcert featuring PA Jazz Collective VocalistsVenue TBA

December 16 | Sunday 6:00pmJazz Vesper ServiceChurch of the Manger | Bethlehem

PENNSYLVANIA JAZZ COLLECTIVE EDUCATION INITIATIVE ANNOUNCES:

PA Jazz Youth ShowcaseSponsor: Lee Butz, Alvin H. Butz, Inc.

June 27 | Wednesday 6:00–9:00pm

PA JAZZ YOUTH SHOWCASE

The High School All-State Quartet Sangria Restaurant | 840 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610-432-3280FEATURINGLeader, alto saxophonist, Patrick McGee — piano, Mitchell Cheng; acoustic bass, Connor Koch; drums, William Zahn.

August 8 | Wednesday 6:00–9:00pmPA JAZZ YOUTH SHOWCASE

The College ‘Home for the Summer’ Quartet Sangria Restaurant | 840 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610-432-3280FEATURINGLeader, tenor saxophonist, Dan Wilkins.

The PA Jazz vision

Making the Lehigh Valley a nationally recognized center of jazz excellence

The Pennsylvania Jazz Collective (Lehigh Valley based) is a Pennsylvania non-profit, non-stock company organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, more specifically to foster growth in jazz apprecia-tion through a regular series of public performances, special projects and education initiatives. The Collective features a roster of world class, industry recognized, regional artists of virtuosic caliber.

It is our MISSION: to provide to ALL ages, a community-wide exposure to the diversity of American Jazz through various small group combinations. We will present all styles of jazz developed through the past one-hundred years of our unique American historical musical (JAZZ) heritage.

The PA Jazz will focus on the improvisational musical communication that is at the core of this language. This particular aspect being the most elusive and least understood with an almost non-existent presence, with the exception of the ‘normal’ jazz ensemble playing experience, in public schools today.

It is our GOAL to develop a jazz organization to be administered in the same manner as any great symphony orchestra while continuing to explore traditional, contemporary and new compositions for every American to be proud.

The PA Jazz strives to make jazz accessible to everyone.

To learn more or to make a contribution, please contact:

PENNSYLVANIA JAZZ COLLECTIVE 352 Anchorage Rd., Saylorsburg, Pa. 18353

570-656-5631

www.pajazzcollective.org

Pennsylvania Jazz Collective

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PresidentThe Honorable Wayne Maura

Magisterial District JudgeVice President, UNICO Bethlehem ChapterMember, Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Clubs of Bethlehem Member, Executive Board, Goodfellows

Vice PresidentNeil Wetzel, BM, MAT, Ed.D.

Associate Professor Music and Director of Jazz Studies, Moravian College

Secretary Thomas Sugalski, Ph.D.

Clinical NeuropsychologyPsychology Associates of Bethlehem,Affiliated Staff of St. Luke’s University & Health Care Network

TreasurerRobin Bryan, AM, AS

Recording Engineer/Producer Jim McGee

Executive/Artistic DirectorAlan Gaumer, BA

Graduate U.S. Navy School of Music,Artist/Lecturer, Moravian College

Venues

Alba VineyardBnai Abraham SynagogueChurch of the Manger UCCDeer Head InnGodfrey DanielsHotel BethlehemMezza Luna Bar & GrillMoravian CollegeMuhlenberg CollegeSangria Restaurant

Businesses

Braun & Turko Ins. Inc., Russ Braun Commercial Color, Paul Weis Minuteman Press, David PikeNazareth Music Center, Ltd.The Refill Station, Jason ZiedmanSayre Design, Michael SayreSCORE of the Lehigh Valley, Glen CheneyWells Fargo Bank, Shayla Dowell and Cheryl GreenawaltWorking Dog Press, Fred FenselauYamaha Corp., Chris Manners

Contributors

Brian Hunter, Web ConsultScott A. Levin, DevelopmentLouis Liebhaber, Finance Steven Liu, ConsultSean Mason, Computer Mgt. & ConsultCary Newell, Brochure DesignSharon Norris, EditGene Perla, Website LaunchJoan Stangl-McGaugheyRob Stoneback, EditJason Zeidman, Computer Repair

Patrons

Angelo T. AlmontiLee A. ButzDaniel DanishScott GerhartJay JohnstonDr. Diane ScottPeter SmyserGabe TothGeraldine M. Ward

JaZZzz at The Café21 W. Broad Street

Bethlehem, PA 18018

610-866-1686

250 Cetronia Road | Allentown | 610-973-6200

Media Sponsor of Pennsylvania Jazz Collective

Many thanks from Pennsylvania Jazz Collective to our host, Bnai Abraham

1545 Bushkill Street, Easton, PA 18042 610-258-5343 | Rabbi Daniel Stein

Allentown

622 Union Blvd. Allentown, PA

610-820-5600

Flemington

149 State Route 31 Flemington, NJ

908-782-2824

Phillipsburg

377 Irwin St. Phillipsburg, NJ

908-454-3313

The Pennsylvania Jazz Collective Gratefully Acknowledges the Support of

Richard & Susan Master