Connections
Being in Band at Grant High School means you get to make connections with some great musicians. Over the past few years we've met quite a few. We'll keep a list on this page, with links to those musicians' websites and other information.
Robert Frelly
Director of Music Education, Chapman University. Dr. Frelly led clinics with the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble during the 2011 band trip to Los Angeles, California.
Dan Barrett
"Sweet Sound of Jazz" Feb. 11, 2011
Trombonist, cornetist and arranger. A frequent guest artist at Eddie Condon's Jazz Club in Manhattan, where Mr. Barrett was heard by Benny Goodman and later asked to join what would become the last Benny Goodman Orchestra. Dan has played both valve and slide trombones for many motion pictures, including The Cotton Club and Brighton Beach Memoirs, as well as Woody Allen� 's Mighty Aphrodite, Everyone Says I Love You, and Bullets Over Broadway. Mr. Barrett gave us the opportunity to perform an arrangement he had written and had been perform at Benny Goodman's final concert. Thanks for letting us share in that real piece of history.
Stan Bock
Currently among the most recognized jazz trombone players in Portland. Stan Bock performs with numerous groups including the Mel Brown Septet. The Jazz Ensemble performed with Mr. Bock at the "World Beats for Grant Fields" event on Tuesday, Oct. 26th 2010.
Rebecca Kilgore
Guest artist with the Jazz Lab and Jazz Ensemble at Grant's annual "Sweet Sound of Jazz" February 2010 and 2011. With over 30 recordings in her discography, some of her most notable are with Dave Frishberg on piano, and she has teamed with him on long standing engagements in Portland, Oregon, where they both reside. Michael Feinstein said, "Rebecca is simply one of the best interpreters of The Great American Songbook. She has a gorgeous voice and has a deep connection with every song she touches. In a world of pretenders, she's absolutely the real thing. I love what she does!"
Marilyn Keller
Guest artist with the Jazz Lab and Jazz Ensemble at Grant's annual "Sweet Sound of Jazz". February 2009
Robert Frear
Dr. Frear gave a very informative and workshop to the Wind Ensemble during our trip in April of 2009. Formerly Solo Trumpet of the Israel Philharmonic with Zubin Mehta, Rob has received critical acclaim throughout Europe, North and South America, Australia, and the former Soviet Union. In a concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he played the Haydn Trumpet Concerto to an open-air crowd of over 300,000. He is currently director of Brass Studies at California State University, Long Beach.
Sal Lozano
Sal Lozano worked with the Jazz Ensemble during the April, 2009 trip as a part of the Soundtrack recording session backstage at Disneyland. Sal is Professor of Saxophone at California State University, Long Beach and has served as director of Jazz Studies at Cal State, Fullerton. He has played with many of the worlds top ensembles and is a founding member of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band.
Valerie Day
Guest Artist with the Jazz Lab and Jazz Ensemble at Grant's annual "Sweet Sound of Jazz". February 2008
Chuck Redd
The Jazz Lab and Jazz Ensemble had the pleasure to work with this internationally known vibraphonist in 2008.
Mr. Redd gave each group some incredible insight. We enjoyed and appreciate his visit.
David Spear
Wind and Jazz Ensemble master class. Beverly Hills, California. March 2007
Mr. Spear is a composer, arranger and USC professor. He conducted a master class for Wind and Jazz Ensembles featuring a film he scored in the 1980s called "Rainbow War."Mr. Spear has also orchestrated music for many more famous movies.
Bob Feller
Wind Ensemble studio recording clinic. Anaheim, California. March 2007 and April 2009
Mr. Feller is a performer, educator and conductor with an impressive and varried biography. His evening with Wind Ensemble will not soon be forgotten.
Lorrie Crochet
Wind Ensemble Clinic. Newburg, Oregon. April 2006
Ms. Crochet is a nationally recognized wind band clinician and conductor.
Jimmy Heath
Jazz Ensemble performed with Mr. Heath at the Willamette University Jazz Festival in February 2006. Mr. Heath is a legend in the Jazz world, having played with the likes of John Coltrane and Miles Davis (and MANY more).
Javon Jackson
Jazz clinic in November 2005. Mr. Jackson is a nationally acclaimed tenor sax performer.
Gabriel Alegria
Jazz groups had a clinic and performed with Mr. Alegria in February 2005. Mr. Alegria is a internationally reknowned clinician, performer, and leader of the Afro-Peruvian Jazz music movement. Mr. Alegria continues his work in his home country and is now leading his group as the resident ensemble of the Tutuma Social Club in Manhattan. If you are in New York, don't miss it.
Ingrid Jensen
Jazz groups from Grant as well as Beaumont and Fernwood had a clinic and performed with Ms. Jensen in January of 2005. Ms. Jensen is an internationally known clinician and performer.