Ignacio Berroa Trio

Grammy Award Winner and international drum star Ignacio Berroa has been recognized by many as one of the greatest drummers of our times. His numerous contributions to the American music scene have earned him a place among a very selective group of artists known to have set new musical trends for the 20th century.

Jazz Legend Dizzy Gillespie best defined Ignacio as "The only Latin drummer in the world, in the history of American music that intimately knows both worlds; his native Afro-Cuban music as well as Jazz..."

Ignacio has also conducted clinics and master classes all over the world and has recorded and played with musicians of the stature of McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Jackie Mc Lean, Clark Terry, James Moody, Milt Jackson, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Eddie Gomez, Phil Woods, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Jon Faddis, Jack Bruce, Jaco Pastorius, Tito Puente, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Lalo Schifrin, Chico Bouarque, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Lenny Andrade, Ivan Lins, Joao Bosco, Slide Hampton's Jazz Masters Big Band, Carnegie Hall Big Band, Lincoln Center Orchestra, WDR Big Band and BBC Big Band, just to name a few.

The Ignacio Berroa trio consists of pianist Martín Bejerano and bassist Greg Feingold. The Mt. Hood Jazz Festival is grateful for Yamaha’s role in bringing Ignacio to the 2023 festival.

Bill Charlap Trio

Grammy award winning pianist Bill Charlap has performed with many of the leading artists of our time including Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole and Houston Person. In 1997, Charlap formed his trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz. In 2000, he was signed to Blue Note Records and received two Grammy Award nominations, for Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein and The Bill Charlap Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard. He is known for his interpretations of American popular song.. Time magazine wrote, “Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved…no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence.” In 2016, Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap: The Silver Lining, The Songs of Jerome Kern, was awarded a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album. In April, the Bill Charlap Trio released, Notes from New York, their debut recording for the Impulse label. Alan Morrison's five-star review in Down Beat stated that the new recording is "a masterclass in class." He has produced concerts for Jazz at Lincoln Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Chicago Symphony Center and the Hollywood Bowl. Charlap is married to renowned jazz pianist and composer Renee Rosnes, and the two artists often collaborate in a duo piano setting. In 2010 Charlap and Rosnes released Double Portrait (Blue Note). Bill Charlap is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.

Michael Dease

Michael Dease is one of the world's eminent trombonists, lending his versatile sound and signature improvisations to over 200 recordings and artists as diverse as David Sanborn, Christian McBride, Michel Camilo, and Alicia Keys. Born in Augusta, GA, he played the saxophone and trumpet before choosing the trombone at age 17. In 2001, Dease moved to New York City to become part of the historic first class of jazz students at The Juilliard School, earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees, and quickly established a reputation as a brilliant soloist, side musician, and bandleader.

Dease, the winner of the 69th and 70th Annual DownBeat Poll for Trombonist of the Year and multi-Grammy award winner as a member of the Christian McBride Big Band, is also a sought-after lead and ensemble trombonist with today’s leading jazz orchestras. His experiences include bands led by Christian McBride, the late Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Charles Tolliver, Rufus Reid, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Rodney Whitaker, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band. However, it is on the frontline of quintets and sextets led by master musicians like The Heath Brothers, Winard Harper, Renee Rosnes, Bill Charlap, Claudio Roditi, and Lewis Nash, where Dease has revitalized the trombone’s image. Not content to simply improvise, Dease arranges and composes for many different bands, constantly adjusting his tone and timbre to add just the right flavor to the music. Dease’s singular talent has made him an effective and prolific teacher, resulting in invitations, master classes and residencies at institutions such as the University of North Texas, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Brevard Music Center, CSUN Northridge & Fullerton, Temple University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, UNC- Boulder and many schools abroad. He serves as Professor of Jazz Trombone at the renowned Michigan State University jazz program, where he has been awarded the MASU Distinguished Professor of the Year and the MSU Teacher-Scholar Award. He has also been on faculty at Queens College - CUNY, The New School and Northeastern University. Many of Dease’s current and former students have released acclaimed recordings, received international recognition and are enjoying successful careers in the music world with artists like Michael Buble', Bruno Mars, Revive Da Live Big Band, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and the Downbeat award-winning Ulysses Owen's Big Band.

Always an informed, but forward-thinking musician, Dease learned the craft from trombone legends Wycliffe Gordon and Joseph Alessi. His associations have run the entire spectrum of musical experience: Alicia Keys, Paul Simon, Paul Schaffer and the CBS Orchestra, Elton John, Neal Diamond, Illinois Jacquet, Slide Hampton & The World Of Trombones, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, WDR Big Band, George Gruntz, Billy Harper, Andy James and numerous others. Dease channels this experience into his love for Jazz Education, serving as Artistic Director of the Jazz Institute of Brevard Music Center (North Carolina) and Faculty Leader at the Seiko Summer Jazz Camp (Tokyo). Michael Dease also teaches at the Skidmore Jazz Institute and the JALC Summer Jazz Academy.

Dease enjoys spending time with his extraordinary wife and Professor of Percussion at MSU, Gwendolyn Dease, and their daughters Brooklyn & Charly. Michael Dease is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays Yamaha trombones exclusively. Dease also plays Vandoren Reeds and Mouthpieces, Pickett Brass Mouthpieces, and uses Gard Bags for his many instruments. Learn more at www.michaeldease.com

Mark Zaleski

Internationally touring musician, Mark Zaleski, has distinguished himself as a uniquely dynamic soloist, mulit-instrumentalist, and band leader. He has performed with a diverse group of notable artists including Dave Brubeck, Christian McBride, Ian Anderson, Lake Street Dive, the grammy-winning 8-Bit Big Band, Louis Cole, Connie Francis, Mahmoud Ahmed, Rakalam Bob Moses, the Either/Orchestra, and Jason Palmer. He has been a featured soloist with the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra and the Chrysalis Rock Orchestra.

Additionally, Zaleski is active in many musical projects including work with Mehmet Sanlikol, Matt Savage, Omar Thomas Large Ensemble, The Brighton Beat, John Allmark Jazz Orchestra and the Either/Orchestra. He also is on faculty at the Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory of Music. In addition, he is the founder of Boston-based soul band “Planet Radio,” and plays electric bass in the band. Learn more at http://www.markzaleski.com.

John Raymond

John Raymond is one of the most promising, genre-bending musicians in jazz today. He is “steering jazz in the right direction” (Downbeat Magazine) by pushing its boundaries, seamlessly incorporating indie-rock, folk and electronic influences into his music. “This is jazz, yes, but jazz with an open mind." (Something Else). Raymond has released eight albums under his own name, and has received praise from Stereogum, the New York Times, Downbeat, JazzTimes and more. He has been associated with four Grammy-nominated albums and has recorded with a diverse array of artists including Sara Bareilles, S. Carey, Darnell Davis, and Sandra McCracken. John is a sought-after educator, both as Professor of Jazz Trumpet at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and as a guest clinician and soloist at schools around the world. He is the author of “The Jazz Trumpet Routine: Fundamentals for the Creative Improviser,” and is the creator and host of the podcast “The Trumpet Summit.”

John will be performing with Darrell Grant (piano), Ryan Meagher (guitar), Ross Garlow (bass), and Ken Mastrogiovanni (drums). John is a Conn-Selmer artist and we are grateful for their help in bringing him to this year’s festival! Learn more at www.john-raymond.com

Soul Vaccination

Soul Vaccination remains at the top of the Portland charts, and is one of the tightest Funk & Soul Bands in the PNW. As the Rose City's favorite, Soul Vax infuses the stage with the greatest soul standards, and has been a fixture in the Northwest music scene for over 20 years.

This high energy12 piece band features Brian Harris on Hammond B-3 and keyboards, along with the precision guitar playing of Mike Doolin. On bass, is Grammy nominated producer John Linn, and on drums is Ron Tuttle, always bringin' the funk and groovin' hard. Portland's own Regina K, Mark Wyatt, and Porsch Anthony share their soulful vocals styles. Lewis Livermore and Dave Mills carry the backbone sound of the Soul Vax horns on trumpets, with Ron Regan, Gary Harris, & Timothy Bryson on saxophones. Learn more at http://www.soulvax.com/.

Esthesis Quartet

Esthesis Quartet plays original music with a reckless abandon that shakes the preconceptions of traditional instrumentation roles. The group approaches collaboration with understanding, respect, and a brave commitment to spontaneity and sonic exploration.

Esthesis, by definition, means elementary sensations of touch. This is in reference to the missed human contact collectively experienced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It was inspired by Elvin Jones' synesthesia as a lens into how many different ways we can experience the same thing. The band consists of Elsa Nilsson (Flutes and FX and Composition), Dawn Clement (Piano and Vocals and Composition), Emma Dayhuff (Bass and Composition), and Tina Raymond (Drums and Composition). Learn more at https://www.esthesisquartet.com/.

Dan Balmer Group

From coffee house gigs at fifteen to chart-topping success with the Tom Grant Band in the 90s, world tours with two-time Grammy Award winner Diane Schuur and contemporary jam-bands, Dan Balmer brings fire and heart every time he plays the guitar. His playing spans nearly one hundred CDs including twelve as a leader from which his original works have appeared internationally in television, film and radio.

An in-demand educator, Dan maintains a busy schedule of private lessons, group clinics and master classes throughout the US and abroad. He adjudicates student jazz band competitions at events such as the Monterey Next Generation Festival and Reno Jazz Festival along with being a long-term teacher at the Centrum Jazz Workshop. He is the director of jazz combos at Lewis And Clark College while also on faculty at virtually every other college in the greater Portland, Oregon area.

Dan has performed or toured with Joey DeFrancesco, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Les McCann, Javon Jackson and Karrin Allyson, Benny Golson, Jeff Hamilton, Gerald Clayton, John Clayton, Terell Stafford, Ingrid Jensen, Duduka da Fonseca, Kendrick Scott, Taylor Eigsti, Buddy De Franco, Bruce Forman and countless others.

Dan’s love of guitar and making music combined with discipline, technique and restless curiosity provide an ever-deepening experience for himself and his listeners. In every performance he finds himself in the middle of the path, amidst a continuous and compelling process of discovery.

Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble

Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create original jazz music that engages and supports our community’s diverse artists, cultures, and place. In operation since 2008, PJCE is the only organization dedicated to commissioning and performing original music by Portland musicians, building a broad audience through unique, collaborative and community-oriented programming that builds bridges between communities in this vibrant city.

Mt. Hood Jazz Collective

The Mt. Hood Jazz Collective is comprised of the Jazz Faculty from Mt. Hood Community College. Dan Davey (piano), Ryan Meagher (guitar), Tim Gilson (bass), and Tim Rap (drums). Each member of the MHCC Jazz Faculty is in-demand as performers and educators around the country. They have performed and recorded under their own names and as side performers to some of the best musicians on the scene today. They bring their experience and expertise to the students in the classroom.

MHCC Jazz Combo

The MHCC music program is one of the most legendary in the Portland area. Their curriculum offers a vibrant, creative and rigorous environment that prepares students to be better musicians and have the option to transfer to four-year institutions as music majors or minors. The faculty provides students with a highly personalized and comprehensive education, including courses in classical and contemporary music studies, instrumental and vocal labs, music production, performance studies and master classes with world-renowned visiting artists. MHCC music alumni have continued on in their education at the Manhattan School of Music, the Berklee College of Music, University of Southern California, and at universities across Oregon and Washington. They have become internationally known soloists and hold faculty positions at world-renown conservatories. Many have also established successful careers touring and performing with Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Buddy Rich, Mel Torme, Harry Connick Jr., Stan Kenton, and Woody Herman, just to name a few. Visit www.mhcc.edu/PerformingArts for more information.