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About the 2008 Festival Artists

Jazz Festival Weekend

Friday May 30 Performance 7 PM
Opening: Pinot Noir Jazztet featuring Sherry Alves and Adam Bates
Featuring: The Midnight Serenaders

About the Pinot Noir Jazztet: Pinot Noir Jazztet will perform standards and originals in the tradition of Ella Fitagerald, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, and Nancy Wilson.

About the Midnight Serenaders: The Midnight Serenaders perform an infectious blend of old-time jazz and early swing, offering up a sweet collection of songs and tunes from the early 20th century. Fronted by guitar slinger/crooner Doug Sammons and ukulele-plinking chanteuse Dee Settlemier, this Portland, Oregon-based sextet energizes audiences, and transports them on a melodic, swing-crazy journey to the dance-happy era known as “the Jazz Age,” where a catchy melody was queen and rhythm ruled the land.

The Midnight Serenaders draw their repertoire from the rich heritage of early Americana: from out of the Harlem Renaissance they bring “A Porter’s Love Song To A Chambermaid,” written by James P. Johnson and Andy Razaf, and Clarence Williams’ very saucy “You Got To Give Me Some.” In addition they do passionate renditions of Bessie Smith’s “Squeeze Me” and Ethel Waters’ “My Handyman.” The Serenaders unearth and reinterpret many long forgotten songs from the 1920s and ’30s with inimitable panache. Mr. Sammons’ buttery baritone crooning on Johnny Marvin’s “Magnolia” will make any modern flapper swoon, and Miss Settlemier’s down-around-the-ankles contralto on such numbers as Annette Hanshaw’s “Six Feet of Papa” is sweeter than the crease on a southern peach. This versatile ensemble also features Hawaiian instrumentals, like Andy Iona’s dreamy “Sand,” and even songs from old-time country legend Jimmie Rodgers with “My Carolina Sunshine Girl” and “Nobody Knows But Me.”

The Serenaders rhythm section pounces and swings, held down by the steady and dependable standup bass work of veteran bassist Pete Lampe. But the key instrument that some critics say makes the Serenaders’ sound is the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, played with artful finesse by Mr. Henry Bogdan, who adds sweet melodic layers to the crooning songs and a taunting boost to the up-tempo numbers. Or perhaps the secret ingredient is Garner Pruitt’s chomping-at-the-bit trumpet playing interlaced with the melodic and sweet playing of clarinetist David Evans. Nevertheless, it is the sum of these parts that succeeds in creating a totally delightful and effervescent music.

Saturday May 31 Performance 7 PM
Whirled News

About Whirled News: WHIRLED NEWS plays a groove-oriented blend of original compositions influenced by rhythmic traditions from around the globe. The group is led by saxophonist Tom Bergeron and trombonist Keller Coker, who do much of the writing for the band. Its most recent recording features the compositions of the band’s vibraphonist, Adam Bates, whose music is influenced by Pat Metheny, Weather Report, and Frank Zappa. Other recordings include “Clovis,” “Mukilteo,” and “Leopard’s Tale.” Samples of the band’s music can be heard at TealCreekMusic.com.

Tom Bergeron – saxophone
With a doctoral degree in saxophone, Tom Bergeron is a musician with a broad musical palette. He has performed throughout the United States, and in Europe and Central America; and has appeared with internationally-renowned artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Anthony Braxton, Robert Cray, Natalie Cole, Glen Moore, Bobby Shew, Mason Williams, Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadiens, The Temptations, and Marin Alsop’s String Fever. In addition, he has played saxophone with the Eugene (OR) Symphony, Newport (OR) Symphony, Grande Ronde Symphony, Eugene (OR) Bach Festival, Oregon Festival of American Music, Oregon Coast Music Festival, Cascade Festival of Music, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and Third Angle New Music Ensemble; and has premiered dozens of new concert works for the saxophone. A professor of music at Western Oregon University, Tom lives on Teal Creek in the foothills of Oregon's Coast Range.

Keller Coker – trombone
Native Oregonian Keller Coker is an accomplished performer, producer and musical scholar, as well as a commissioned composer for stage, television, and film. He began playing trombone at the age of fourteen, and immediately took to performing as a jazz and classical trombone player. He has performed with such notable musicians and ensembles as Bobby Bradford, The Clayton/Hamilton Big Band, The Jack Sheldon Big Band, The Fabulous Dorsey Orchestra, Freddie Hubbard, Milcho Leviev, Vince Mendoza, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, The Coasters, The Four Tops, Glenn Moore, Bill Watrous, Mel Brown, and Snooky Young. He is currently active in the Art Abrams Swing Machine, Whirled Jazz, Soundmoves, and has played recently with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Little Anthony and the Imperials.
ADAM BATES – vibes
Adam's writing is deeply rooted in the Fusion revolution of the late 1960s and '70s, especially Miles Davis' albums In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. What mostly interests Bates about these works is the importance of groove, and the idea that "swing" is just one of many ways to play eighth notes. Adam attributes his penchant for somewhat abstract melodies to his love for the music of Frank Zappa. He points out that "I have always tried to mimic Zappa's way of writing a seemingly disjunct melody with just the right amount of repetition to make it hum-able."

WILL AMEND – bass
Will Amend began playing the upright bass at age nine and went on to earn a degree in bass at Porland State University. He studied classical under Ken Baldwin of the Oregon Symphony and jazz with Genn Moore of "Oregon". Also during this time Will spent three months in the tiny town of Montbeliard in eastern France and studied bass at the local conservatory with Giovanni Rubino. Will currently plays around the Northwest and beyond with Echo Helstrom, the Echo Jazz Trio, Garett Brennan, Whirled News, Stephanie Schneiderman, and Buoy LaRue and has played in the pit for a number of productions at Portland Center Stage, Artists Repertory Theater, Broadway Rose, Lakewood, Pixie Dust Productions and Profile Theater.

JASON PALMER — drums
Jason Palmer is about as versatile a drummer as you'll find on the planet. He's been in more bands than even he can remember, playing soul, funk, disco, blues, jazz, rock, reggae, second-line and gospel. He holds degrees in Jazz Studies and Percussion Performance from the University of Oregon.

Sunday June 1 Performance 7 PM
The Steve Cannon Blow Hard Big Band

About The Steve Cannon Blow Hard Big Band: Trumpet playing Band leader and recording artist Steve Cannon has assembled a group of the finest jazz musicians in the Pacific Northwest United States and takes you on an emotional journey through the many personalities of the modern day Big Band. Beautiful ballads, invigorating sambas, contemporary favorites, and screaming straight ahead jazz. This "Full Blown" big band will take you to new heights and leave you with a warm, fuzzy afterglow.

With a noticeable emphasis on upper brass and arrangements by nationally acclaimed arranger/composer Tom Kubis, Steve along with his multi talented line up of screamers and soloists will give you a new found love and renewed interest in Big Band Jazz. This is not your grandpa's Wednesday night rehearsal band. It's serious, balls to the wall energy. Sit down, buckle up, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.

Tunes include Teach Me Tonight, Willow Weep for Me, Killer Joe, Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me, and more!

Classical Festival Weekend

Thursday June 12 Performance 7 PM

DeRosa Ensemble: Dunja Jennings, artistic director and clarinet, Susan Dewitt Smith, piano; and Justin Mackewich, violin. Joined by lyric soprano Misook Yun Boyd

About DeRose Ensemble: De Rosa Ensemble was formed in 1999 under the artistic direction of Dunja Jennings. The ensemble of violin, clarinet and piano is able to provide varied programs to suit many audiences; from classical era to 21st century. De Rosa Ensemble adds outside players to complement and expand it's programming. De Rosa has recently regrouped with new members Susan Dewitt Smith, piano; and Justin Mackewich, violin. For the Cascade Head Festival De Rosa Ensemble will be joined by lyric soprano Misook Yun Boyd, currently on faculty at the Dana Music School in Youngstown Ohio. De Rosa is working with Portland composer Gavin Duffy for a set of traditional Tangos arranged for soprano, clarinet, violin and piano.  This performance program will include music by Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and Mozart.

Friday June 13 Performance 7 PM

Florestan Trio: Janet Guggenheim, piano; Carol Sindell, violin; Hamilton Cheifetz, cello

About Florestan Trio: The Florestan Trio has been described as "One of Oregon's musical treasures" by the Oregonian.  The Trio was founded in 1977 as ensemble in residence at Portland State University.  Currently in its 31st season, the Florestan Trio has begun a new era with Janet Guggenheim as pianist for the ensemble. Internationally acclaimed for their brilliant and dynamic playing, the members of the trio have concertized throughout the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe, and received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. 

Janet Goodman Guggenheim began her piano studies with her father when she was five years old and, in her hometown, Spokane, also worked with Margaret Saunders Ott.  At the age of ten she was the youngest student to have been accepted for summer master classes by the legendary piano teacher Rosina Lhevinne who was her mentor for many years. She made her orchestral debut with the San Francisco Symphony at the age of sixteen. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where she was awarded an Alfred Hertz Fellowship, she received her master's degree at Juilliard, where she was the recipient of the Josef Lhevinne scholarship. She had further study in England under the tutelage of Ilona Kabos and Dame Myra Hess, and she performed concerts throughout Europe. She was a recipient of a Martha Baird Rockefeller Foundation grant.  Prior to moving to Portland in 1995 she was on the music faculty at the University of California.  She has participated in numerous music festivals in the United States and Europe.For thirty years she has collaborated with the celebrated violinist Itzhak Perlman, including concerts in Hong Kong, Taipei, Istanbul and Russia, and most recently in Portland in 2005.  The Moscow concert encores are included in the DVD, “Perlman Live in Russia”.   She has been pianist numerous times on the Johnny Carson Show for Mr. Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, and Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg. Additionally she has collaborated with violinists Young Uck Kim, Ivry Gitlis, Uto Ughi, Miriam Fried, Pinchas Zukerman,  hornist Barry Tuckwell, and cellists Pierre Fournier and Matt Haimovitz.  In Portland she has performed with the Oregon Symphony under the batons of James DePreist and Murry Sidlin, and has collaborated with Oregon Symphony Concertmaster Emeritus, Michael Foxman. For recreation she enjoys hiking, bike riding  and skiing, and she loves to play with her three grandsons.

Carol Sindell, born in 1948, began studying the violin with Josef Gingold at the age of seven. A year later she gave her first solo performance with orchestra playing a Mozart Concerto. At the age of eleven she was the youngest soloist ever to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra, playing the Mendelssohn Concerto under the direction of Robert Shaw.  Her debut with the Cleveland Orchestra was followed by  orchestral and recital engagements.  In 1962, Ms.Sindell had the honor of being accepted as a student of Jascha Heifetz, and the following year performed on an international broadcast as an outstanding representative of the Heifetz Master Class. While a student at the Juilliard School, she was influenced by mentors such as Ivan Galamian and Erica Morini. Ms. Sindell was the winner of the Friday Morning Music Club Competition in Washington D.C. and the International Advisory Council Competition in Chicago. In 1972 she was awarded the Martha Baird Rockefeller Grant for performance. After her Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1974, she played throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe both as a soloist and ensemble player. She was a featured artist on a national tour with Music from Marlboro, playing at the Metropolitan Museum, Tully Hall, and the Smithsonian Institute. Ms. Sindell has participated in numerous festivals, including Chamber Music Northwest, Park City International Music Festival, and Rencontres Musicales in Arc-et-Senans, France. As a member of the Florestan Trio, she has toured internationally and recorded a CD. Other CDs include Duos for Violin and Cello, as well as numerous collaborations with other esteemed colleagues. In addition to a busy concert schedule, Sindell is a Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at PSU. She has made an outstanding career as a teacher and coach, and enjoys the accolades received by her many gifted students.

Hamilton Cheifetz has been described in Fanfare Magazine as “unquestionably a magnificent player" for his solo recordings, and he has performed throughout  North America and in Europe, Asia, and Australia.   A native of Chicago,  Cheifetz began playing cello when he was seven and first appeared as soloist with orchestra at the age of eleven. He studied with Janos Starker at Indiana University and later became the teaching assistant to Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi at the University of Western Ontario. The winner of the Piatigorsky Prize at Tanglewood, he toured the United States and Canada on the Music from Marlboro concert series and performed at the White House for President Carter and the members of Congress.  Cheifetz has appeared as guest artist with the symphony orchestras of Toronto, Oregon, and Milwaukee, and he toured nationally with the Paul Winter Consort. He presented a solo recital in the Sydney Opera House and has often been featured on National Public Radio's “Performance Today.” His playing was highlighted, together with jazz great Dave Frishberg and vocalist Rebecca Kilgore, on the CBS television special “Gary Larson's Tales From the Far Side.” Recently, he performed duos in concert with Janos Starker which were broadcast nationally on NPR, and he appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York.  He is a featured artist at Chamber Music Northwest and other festivals including BargeMusic in New York and the Oregon Bach Festival.  Cheifetz is also Principal Cellist of the Oregon Ballet Orchestra. Cheifetz was recently invited to teach as Guest Lecturer at Indiana University and has taught in Korea. He is also a member of the Third Angle New Music Ensemble, the leading contemporary music group in the Pacific Northwest, and he has recorded for Koch, Delos, and Gagliano Recordings. His newest CD "Lizard Music and Other Arias", was released last year.  On that CD he is joined by guitarist/composer Bryan Johanson in music for cello and guitar. Hamilton Cheifetz is a member of the Subud International Cultural Association, a group of creative people working together to promote original culture and world peace.

Sunday June 15 Performance 3 PM

TonePoem: Diane Baxter, piano; Donna Henderson, spoken word; Jackie Morelli, piano.

Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at 2008 Festival Events! The Cascade Head Music Festival Board

Festival Tickets are available on-line, by writing to us at:
Cascade Head Music Festival, PO Box 605, Lincoln City, OR 97367,
Or you can call and leave a message for us on our answering machine at 541-994-5333.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door.