| Chet Baker Foundation Honorary Board |
Harold Danko; pianist/composer is best known for his long-term associations with an
impressive list of jazz legends including Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Thad Jones/Mel
Lewis, Lee Konitz and Woody Herman. He also developed a reputation as a respected
jazz educator and served on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, the New
School/Mannes, and Hartt College. He is currently of the tenured faculty of the Eastman
School of Music in Rochester, NY and is still an active recording artist.
impressive list of jazz legends including Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Thad Jones/Mel
Lewis, Lee Konitz and Woody Herman. He also developed a reputation as a respected
jazz educator and served on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, the New
School/Mannes, and Hartt College. He is currently of the tenured faculty of the Eastman
School of Music in Rochester, NY and is still an active recording artist.
David Liebman’s career has spanned nearly four decades, beginning in the 1970s as the
saxophone/flautist in both the Elvin Jones and Miles Davis groups. He has played on nearly
three hundred recordings with over one hundred under his leadership or co-leadership. He
is the author of several milestone books: Self Portrait Of A Jazz Artist, A Chromatic
Approach To Jazz Harmony And Melody, Developing A Personal Saxophone Sound which
have been translated into other languages. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the
International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) existing since 1989. Awards include two
National Endowment grants; an Honorary Doctorate from the Sibelius Academy (1997);
Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Solo (1998) and Best Big Band Arrangement
(performance-2004); induction into the International Association of Jazz Educators Hall of
Fame (2000); Pennsylvania Council of the Arts grant in 2005; Jazz Journalist’s Award for
soprano sax in 2007. He currently teaches in the Graduate Division at the Manhattan
School of Music. He has consistently placed in the top three for soprano saxophone in the
Downbeat Critic’s Poll since 1973 www.daveliebman.com
saxophone/flautist in both the Elvin Jones and Miles Davis groups. He has played on nearly
three hundred recordings with over one hundred under his leadership or co-leadership. He
is the author of several milestone books: Self Portrait Of A Jazz Artist, A Chromatic
Approach To Jazz Harmony And Melody, Developing A Personal Saxophone Sound which
have been translated into other languages. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the
International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) existing since 1989. Awards include two
National Endowment grants; an Honorary Doctorate from the Sibelius Academy (1997);
Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Solo (1998) and Best Big Band Arrangement
(performance-2004); induction into the International Association of Jazz Educators Hall of
Fame (2000); Pennsylvania Council of the Arts grant in 2005; Jazz Journalist’s Award for
soprano sax in 2007. He currently teaches in the Graduate Division at the Manhattan
School of Music. He has consistently placed in the top three for soprano saxophone in the
Downbeat Critic’s Poll since 1973 www.daveliebman.com
Bob Mover is an alto, tenor and soprano jazz saxophonist and a vocalist. He started
playing the alto saxophone at age 13, studied with Phil Woods at a summer music camp,
and took private lessons with Ira Sullivan. In 1973, at the age of 21, Mover was a sideman
for Charles Mingus for a five-month period at New York City’s 5 Spot Café. By 1975 Mover
was working regularly in New York City jazz clubs with Chet Baker and he made his first
European appearances with Baker at Le Grande Parade du Jazz in (Nice, France), Jazz
Festival Laren (Holland), and the Middleheim Jazz Festival (Antwerp, Belgium).
playing the alto saxophone at age 13, studied with Phil Woods at a summer music camp,
and took private lessons with Ira Sullivan. In 1973, at the age of 21, Mover was a sideman
for Charles Mingus for a five-month period at New York City’s 5 Spot Café. By 1975 Mover
was working regularly in New York City jazz clubs with Chet Baker and he made his first
European appearances with Baker at Le Grande Parade du Jazz in (Nice, France), Jazz
Festival Laren (Holland), and the Middleheim Jazz Festival (Antwerp, Belgium).
Phil Markowitz, 30-year veteran of the NY Jazz scene is dedicated to realizing the full
potential of improvisational music within the jazz idiom. He performs original compositions,
which range from hard-cutting chromaticism to the most lyrical post-romantic ballads. In
1979, he joined Chet Baker’s band. That four-year association took him around the world
and back again, and yielded such recordings as “Broken Wing”, “Live at Nick’s Place”,
“Two A Day”, “Live at Chateauvalion”, and “Live at The Rising Sun”. Phil was one of
Chet's favorite piano players along with Harold Danko, Hod O'Brien and Frenchman
Michael Grallier.
potential of improvisational music within the jazz idiom. He performs original compositions,
which range from hard-cutting chromaticism to the most lyrical post-romantic ballads. In
1979, he joined Chet Baker’s band. That four-year association took him around the world
and back again, and yielded such recordings as “Broken Wing”, “Live at Nick’s Place”,
“Two A Day”, “Live at Chateauvalion”, and “Live at The Rising Sun”. Phil was one of
Chet's favorite piano players along with Harold Danko, Hod O'Brien and Frenchman
Michael Grallier.
Hod O'brien burst upon the scene in the late 50s when he came to New York City from
his hometown in the Berkshire Mountains of Northwest Connecticut near Lenox, Mass.
and Tanglewood. He soon became part of the “loft scene” jamming with other bop-
influenced players like Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Oscar Pettiford and Stan Getz, to
name a few. At his own club, The St. James Infirmary, he led a house band with Cameron
Brown and Beaver Harris and backed up such guest artists as Chet Baker, Roswell
Rudd, Lee Konitz, Zoot Sims, Charlie Rouse and others.
his hometown in the Berkshire Mountains of Northwest Connecticut near Lenox, Mass.
and Tanglewood. He soon became part of the “loft scene” jamming with other bop-
influenced players like Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Oscar Pettiford and Stan Getz, to
name a few. At his own club, The St. James Infirmary, he led a house band with Cameron
Brown and Beaver Harris and backed up such guest artists as Chet Baker, Roswell
Rudd, Lee Konitz, Zoot Sims, Charlie Rouse and others.
Enrico Pieranunzi (born December 5, 1949) is an Italian jazz pianist. He fuses
classical technique with jazz. He has performed with, among others, Frank Rosolino,
Sal Nistico, Kenny Clarke, Johnny Griffin, Chet Baker, Joey Baron, Art Farmer, Jim
Hall, Marc Johnson, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Charlie Haden, Mads Vinding, and Billy
Higgins. He issued his first LP in 1975. He has performed widely with his own group at
European and American jazz festivals. In 2006 he started the trans alpine jazz project.
His work entitled "Nightbird" was one of Chet's favorites
classical technique with jazz. He has performed with, among others, Frank Rosolino,
Sal Nistico, Kenny Clarke, Johnny Griffin, Chet Baker, Joey Baron, Art Farmer, Jim
Hall, Marc Johnson, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Charlie Haden, Mads Vinding, and Billy
Higgins. He issued his first LP in 1975. He has performed widely with his own group at
European and American jazz festivals. In 2006 he started the trans alpine jazz project.
His work entitled "Nightbird" was one of Chet's favorites
Philip Catherine has been on the forefront of the European jazz scene since the sixties. He
has worked with great artists like Lou Bennett, Billy Brooks, Edgar Bateman, John Lee,
Gerry Brown, Jean Luc Ponty, Larry Coryell, Alphonse Mouzon, Charlie Mariano, Niels
Henning Orsted Pedersen, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Toots Thielemans, Stéphane
Grappelli, Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Tom Harrell, the rock group Focus. His unique
approach and sound, his dedication to music and, above all, the highly emotional lyricism of
expression in his playing and in his music, have been important and influential.
has worked with great artists like Lou Bennett, Billy Brooks, Edgar Bateman, John Lee,
Gerry Brown, Jean Luc Ponty, Larry Coryell, Alphonse Mouzon, Charlie Mariano, Niels
Henning Orsted Pedersen, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Toots Thielemans, Stéphane
Grappelli, Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Tom Harrell, the rock group Focus. His unique
approach and sound, his dedication to music and, above all, the highly emotional lyricism of
expression in his playing and in his music, have been important and influential.
Sheila Jordan is one of the most consistently creative of all jazz singers. She is one of the few
vocalists who can improvise logical lyrics (which often rhyme), she is a superb scat singer, and
is also an emotional interpreter of ballads. She recorded as a leader (in addition to the Blue
Note session) for East Wind, Grapevine, SteepleChase, Palo Alto, Blackhawk, and Muse,
resurfacing in 1999 with Jazz Child.
vocalists who can improvise logical lyrics (which often rhyme), she is a superb scat singer, and
is also an emotional interpreter of ballads. She recorded as a leader (in addition to the Blue
Note session) for East Wind, Grapevine, SteepleChase, Palo Alto, Blackhawk, and Muse,
resurfacing in 1999 with Jazz Child.
Joe Lovano is an "A" class jazz artist on the international level. His live work, specifically
Quarterts at the Village Vanguard, garnered a Down Beat "Jazz Album of the Year" award.
Other releases include Trio Fascination and 52nd Street Themes. In 2006 Lovano released
Streams Of Expression, a tribute to two different genres of jazz, cool and free. He did this with
the help of Gunther Schuller who contributed his Birth Of The Cool Suite. His duet "Kids" with
Hank Jones is nominated for a grammy this year. Joe Lovano leads his new explosive quintet,
"Us 5" featuring James Weidman piano, Esperonza Spalding bass, Fransisco Mela & Otis
Brown drums; and is currently touring with The San Francisco Collective and McCoy Tyner...."I
knew and played with Chet a bit when I first came to NY in the mid 70's, I loved him and
learned alot ! "...Joe Lovano www.joelovano.com
Quarterts at the Village Vanguard, garnered a Down Beat "Jazz Album of the Year" award.
Other releases include Trio Fascination and 52nd Street Themes. In 2006 Lovano released
Streams Of Expression, a tribute to two different genres of jazz, cool and free. He did this with
the help of Gunther Schuller who contributed his Birth Of The Cool Suite. His duet "Kids" with
Hank Jones is nominated for a grammy this year. Joe Lovano leads his new explosive quintet,
"Us 5" featuring James Weidman piano, Esperonza Spalding bass, Fransisco Mela & Otis
Brown drums; and is currently touring with The San Francisco Collective and McCoy Tyner...."I
knew and played with Chet a bit when I first came to NY in the mid 70's, I loved him and
learned alot ! "...Joe Lovano www.joelovano.com
McCoy Tyner began as a part of the fertile jazz and R&B scene of the early ‘50s. At 17 he
began a career-changing relationship with Miles Davis’ sideman saxophonist John Coltrane.
Tyner joined Coltrane for the classic album My Favorite Things (1960), and remained at the
core of what became one of the most seminal groups in jazz history. His blues-based piano
style, replete with sophisticated chords and an explosively percussive left hand has
transcended conventional styles to become one of the most identifiable sounds in improvised
music. Tyner has released nearly 80 albums under his name, earned four Grammys and was
awarded Jazz Master from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2002. He continues to leave
his mark on generations of improvisers, and yet remains a disarmingly modest and spiritually
directed man. It is not an overstatement to say that modern jazz has been shaped by the
music of McCoy Tyner.
began a career-changing relationship with Miles Davis’ sideman saxophonist John Coltrane.
Tyner joined Coltrane for the classic album My Favorite Things (1960), and remained at the
core of what became one of the most seminal groups in jazz history. His blues-based piano
style, replete with sophisticated chords and an explosively percussive left hand has
transcended conventional styles to become one of the most identifiable sounds in improvised
music. Tyner has released nearly 80 albums under his name, earned four Grammys and was
awarded Jazz Master from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2002. He continues to leave
his mark on generations of improvisers, and yet remains a disarmingly modest and spiritually
directed man. It is not an overstatement to say that modern jazz has been shaped by the
music of McCoy Tyner.
Nicola Stilo is a jazz and pop instrumentalist, specialising in flute, guitar and piano. He
worked extensively with Chet Baker during the 1980s. He has also worked with Luca
Flores and Roland Kirk. His musical career started in 1974 with the Dodi Moscati's folk
group and in the 1975 he joined the "Folk Magic Band", a Jazz group with whom he
gained recognition as a flutist on the Italian Jazz scene. Up until the end of 1979 he
worked as a soloist with various groups and was a member of Lilian Terry's "Jazz Samba
Workshop". In 1980 he met Chet Baker and from 1980 to 1985 they performed together
worldwide and recorded a number of albums.
worked extensively with Chet Baker during the 1980s. He has also worked with Luca
Flores and Roland Kirk. His musical career started in 1974 with the Dodi Moscati's folk
group and in the 1975 he joined the "Folk Magic Band", a Jazz group with whom he
gained recognition as a flutist on the Italian Jazz scene. Up until the end of 1979 he
worked as a soloist with various groups and was a member of Lilian Terry's "Jazz Samba
Workshop". In 1980 he met Chet Baker and from 1980 to 1985 they performed together
worldwide and recorded a number of albums.
Cameron Brown; Jazz bassist, composer and educator began his career in the mid-sixties,
recording in Europe with George Russell and Don Cherry. Mr. Brown anchored some of
the most important groups of the seventies, eighties and nineties, beginning in 1975. He
has enjoyed special relationships with master drummers: Art Blakey, Dannie Richmond,
Philly Joe Jones, Edward Blackwell, Idris Muhammad and Joe Chambers, as well as Mr.
Harris. Brown toured Europe with Chet and was part of the potent rythm section at
Strykers Pub in NYC with Harold Danko on piano; Artt Frank on drums and Bob Mover on
alto sax.
recording in Europe with George Russell and Don Cherry. Mr. Brown anchored some of
the most important groups of the seventies, eighties and nineties, beginning in 1975. He
has enjoyed special relationships with master drummers: Art Blakey, Dannie Richmond,
Philly Joe Jones, Edward Blackwell, Idris Muhammad and Joe Chambers, as well as Mr.
Harris. Brown toured Europe with Chet and was part of the potent rythm section at
Strykers Pub in NYC with Harold Danko on piano; Artt Frank on drums and Bob Mover on
alto sax.
Hubert Laws is one of the few classical artists who has also mastered jazz, pop, and
rhythm-and-blues genres; moving effortlessly from one repertory to another. He has
appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta, with the orchestras
of Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Cleveland, Amsterdam, Japan, Detroit and with the Stanford
String Quartet. He has given annual performances at Carnegie Hall, and has performed sold
out performances in the Hollywood Bowl with fellow flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal and was a
member of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestras. In addition, he
has appeared at the Montreux, Playboy, and Kool Jazz festivals; he performed with the
Modern Jazz Quartet at the Hollywood Bowl in 1982 and with the Detroit Symphony in 1994.
He performed and recorded with Chet Baker. His recordings have won three Grammy
nominations. www.hubertlaws.com
rhythm-and-blues genres; moving effortlessly from one repertory to another. He has
appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta, with the orchestras
of Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Cleveland, Amsterdam, Japan, Detroit and with the Stanford
String Quartet. He has given annual performances at Carnegie Hall, and has performed sold
out performances in the Hollywood Bowl with fellow flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal and was a
member of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestras. In addition, he
has appeared at the Montreux, Playboy, and Kool Jazz festivals; he performed with the
Modern Jazz Quartet at the Hollywood Bowl in 1982 and with the Detroit Symphony in 1994.
He performed and recorded with Chet Baker. His recordings have won three Grammy
nominations. www.hubertlaws.com
Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Throughout his explorations, he has
transcended limitations and genres while still maintaining his unique, unmistakable voice.
Herbie's success at expanding the possibilities of musical thought has placed him in the
annals of this century's visionaries. With an illustrious career spanning five decades, he
continues to amaze audiences and never ceases to expand the public's vision of what music,
particularly jazz, is all about today. There are few artists in the music industry who have
gained more respect and cast more influence than Herbie Hancock. As the immortal Miles
Davis said in his autobiography, "Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk,
and I haven't heard anybody yet who has come after." Herbie Hancock was awarded
Grammy "Album Of The Year" in 2008 for his "River: The Joni Letters" work.
transcended limitations and genres while still maintaining his unique, unmistakable voice.
Herbie's success at expanding the possibilities of musical thought has placed him in the
annals of this century's visionaries. With an illustrious career spanning five decades, he
continues to amaze audiences and never ceases to expand the public's vision of what music,
particularly jazz, is all about today. There are few artists in the music industry who have
gained more respect and cast more influence than Herbie Hancock. As the immortal Miles
Davis said in his autobiography, "Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk,
and I haven't heard anybody yet who has come after." Herbie Hancock was awarded
Grammy "Album Of The Year" in 2008 for his "River: The Joni Letters" work.
Jose Feliciano has been acclaimed by critics throughout the world as "The greatest
living guitarist". Referred to as “The Picasso of his Realm,” Jose Feliciano’s accolades
are repeatedly celebrated. Guitar Player Magazine awarded him "Best Pop Guitarist,"
placing him in their "Gallery of the Greats," and he's been voted both Best Jazz and Best
Rock Guitarist in the Playboy Magazine reader's poll, as well. He's been awarded over
forty-five Gold and Platinum records; has won sixteen Grammy nominations, earning him
six Grammy Awards and is in receipt of countless prestigious awards the world over.
living guitarist". Referred to as “The Picasso of his Realm,” Jose Feliciano’s accolades
are repeatedly celebrated. Guitar Player Magazine awarded him "Best Pop Guitarist,"
placing him in their "Gallery of the Greats," and he's been voted both Best Jazz and Best
Rock Guitarist in the Playboy Magazine reader's poll, as well. He's been awarded over
forty-five Gold and Platinum records; has won sixteen Grammy nominations, earning him
six Grammy Awards and is in receipt of countless prestigious awards the world over.
Quincy's Jone's creative magic has spanned over six decades, beginning with the music of the
post-swing era and continuing through today's high-technology, international multi-media
hybrids. In the mid-50's, he was the first popular conductor-arranger to record with a Fender
bass. His theme from the hit TV series Ironside was the first synthesizer-based pop theme
song. As the first black composer to be embraced by the Hollywood establishment in the 60's,
he helped refresh movie music with badly needed infusions of jazz and soul. His landmark
1989 album, Back On The Block--named "Album Of The Year" at the 1990 Grammy Awards--
brought such legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Miles Davis
together with Ice T, Big Daddy Kane and Melle Mel to create the first fusion of the be bop and
hip hop musical traditions; while his 1993 recording of the critically acclaimed Miles and Quincy
Live At Montreux, featured Quincy conducting Miles Davis' live performance of the historic Gil
Evans arrangements from the Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess and Sketches of Spain sessions,
garnered a Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance. As producer and
conductor of the historic "We Are The World" recording (the best-selling single of all time) and
Michael Jackson's multi-platinum solo albums, Off The Wall, Bad and Thriller (the best selling
album of all time, with over 50 million copies sold), Quincy Jones stands as one of the most
successful and admired creative artist/executives in the entertainment world.
post-swing era and continuing through today's high-technology, international multi-media
hybrids. In the mid-50's, he was the first popular conductor-arranger to record with a Fender
bass. His theme from the hit TV series Ironside was the first synthesizer-based pop theme
song. As the first black composer to be embraced by the Hollywood establishment in the 60's,
he helped refresh movie music with badly needed infusions of jazz and soul. His landmark
1989 album, Back On The Block--named "Album Of The Year" at the 1990 Grammy Awards--
brought such legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Miles Davis
together with Ice T, Big Daddy Kane and Melle Mel to create the first fusion of the be bop and
hip hop musical traditions; while his 1993 recording of the critically acclaimed Miles and Quincy
Live At Montreux, featured Quincy conducting Miles Davis' live performance of the historic Gil
Evans arrangements from the Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess and Sketches of Spain sessions,
garnered a Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance. As producer and
conductor of the historic "We Are The World" recording (the best-selling single of all time) and
Michael Jackson's multi-platinum solo albums, Off The Wall, Bad and Thriller (the best selling
album of all time, with over 50 million copies sold), Quincy Jones stands as one of the most
successful and admired creative artist/executives in the entertainment world.
