Kristin Korb studied at Eastern Montana College and the University of California, San Diego.^[1] She also met and studied with Ray Brown, with whom she made her recording debut, released in 1996.  Since moving to Los Angeles in 2002, she has performed and recorded with jazz artists such as Llew Mathews, Kim Richmond, Steve Barnes, Ray Brown, Jeff Hamilton, Bruce Forman, Jan Lundgren, Alex Riel, Harry Allen, Aaron Serfaty, Otmaro Ruiz, Mary Fettig, and Jacob Fischer.  Kristin tours across the world and has performed with jazz artists such as Llew Matthews, Kim Richmond, Pete Christlieb, Jeff Hamilton, Alex Riel and Jan Lundgren.

As a jazz educator, Kristin taught at Azuza Pacific and University Southern California, where she was coordinator of vocal jazz studies. As President of the International Society of Bassists, she was artistic director for the 2013 ISB Convention in Rochester, NY (Eastman School of Music).

Kristin Korb treasures the jazz tradition. Her collaborations with Ray Brown, Bruce Forman, Jeff Hamilton and more, have showcased her incredible sense of swing. On Kristin’s 2013 release What’s Your Story?, she dug deep into her long-standing relationship with classic jazz material and those musical personalities who influenced her.

Love took the American bassist and singer to Denmark in 2011. After getting married in July 2011 to a Dane, Morten Stove, Co-Founder of DPA Microphones, she moved to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Kristin has been a CalJAS favorite for many years and has performed for us many, many times, includeing a half dozen House Concerts, the Hollywood Magic Castle, the Pasadena Jazz Institute, Hip Kitty and Galli’s jazz clubs, Boatman/Summers Presents, and more. Kristin returns several times a year for short U.S. tours.  We are very pleased and proud to be able to feature her once again.

JOHN PROULX

The jazz scene has been abuzz about singer/pianist/composer John Proulx (pronounced “Prue”) for over decade now. His piano playing is hot and swinging, and his voice recalls the smooth, mellow sounds of a young Chet Baker. John’s debut CD, “Moon and Sand”,on the Maxjazz label, was released on August 1st, 2006,  and featured legendary musicians Chuck Berghofer and Joe LaBarbera, and was produced by Tamir Hendelman.  The CD garnered national and international acclaim. In addition to his own trio, John has performed with the likes of Anita O’Day, Natalie Cole, and Marian McPartland.

John is also a Grammy-winning composer.  Jazz legend, Nancy Wilson, recorded “These Golden Years”, a song that John co-wrote with lyricist D. Channsin Berry, for her 2006 Grammy-winning CD, Turned to Blue.  Jazz singer, Mary Stallings, also recorded “Stuck in a Dream”, a tune John co-wrote with lyricist K. Lawrence Dunham, on her 2005 release, Remember Love.

John began his formal musical education at the age of 3 in Grand Rapids, MI on Suzuki violin, but quickly switched to classical piano lessons. His grandfather, Clyde Proulx, was a jazz guitarist who introduced him to the world of jazz. Hooked on the freedom of improvisation, his education took him to Chicago to study at Roosevelt University’s Chicago School of Performing Arts.  In 2001, John moved to Los Angeles to further his musical pursuits. He has emerged as a young talent on the Los Angeles jazz scene and loves the wide-range of opportunities the city has to offer.

John will soon move back to Michigan to complete his graduate work in music.  He has been a friend to CalJAS since its inception. We wish him luck and hope to have him back soon.

BARRY ZWEIG

“Barry Zweig is one of the most highly respected jazz guitarists on the LA music scene. A skilled accompanist and soloist, Barry’s love of the instrument shines through every aspect of his playing” writes noted acoustician and studio designer Jeff Cooper.

Barry was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 7th, 1942. His love for music came naturally. His mother, Diane, always had music playing on the radio and on the record player. She loved the great songs of the immortal composers of the “Great American Song Book”, especially George Gershwin. She loved to sing harmony parts to the songs that came on the radio. She taught Barry to clap on 2 and 4 when he was a little toddler.

In 1964 Barry was drafted into the Army. He had the incredibly good fortune to be assigned to the NORAD Band in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he got the opportunity to study with the legendary guitarist Johnny Smith. After his discharge from the Army he soon was called to join the Buddy Rich band. He played on two albums with Buddy Rich including one with Sammy Davis Jr. Sammy must have heard something he liked because he asked Barry to be his guitarist. Barry toured with Sammy Davis Jr. for fourteen months.

In 1968 Barry decided to settle down and break into the Los Angeles music scene. Since then Barry has played for, and/or recorded with Peggy Lee, Natalie Cole, Willie Bobo, Herb Alpert, Doc Severinson, Ray Conniff, Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, Bill Holman, Don Ellis, Gene Estes, Abe Most, Dave Pell, Keely Smith, Al McKibbon, Jackie Ryan and many others. He was the guitarist for Dinah Shore on her television show from 1976 until 1981.Barry has taught at UCLA, USC, and the University of Texas at El Paso. He enjoys teaching private students at his North Hollywood studio.

A multiple event performer for CalJAS audiences, we are pleased to welcome him back again!

_{Becky Hughes and Dale Boatman will be featured on selected vocals.}

Our very first CalJAS performer, Ron Eschete has been with us since 2004.

 Shortly after leaving Loyola University, Ron was tapped to tour with Buddy Greco. While on tour with Greco, Escheté set his sites on the Los Angeles music scene. In 1970 Escheté relocated to California, working and recording with vibist Dave Pike. In 1975 he joined forces with pianist Gene Harris and quickly establish his reputation as a premier accompanist. Over the decades Escheté has worked with the greatest artists in jazz including: Ella Fitzgerald; Sarah Vaughn; Diana Krall; Dizzy Gillespie; Milt Jackson; Ray Brown and many more.

Escheté has appeared on the Tonight Show with Diana Krall, the Merv Griffin Show with the Mort Lindsey Orchestra, and the Mike Douglas Show with Buddy Greco. He has played nearly every notable jazz venue in the southern California including the Catalina Bar and Grill, The Jazz Bakery, Steamers, Donté’s, Carmelo’s, The Parisian Room and The Lighthouse to name only a few. He has toured extensively playing clubs from New York to San Francisco

Guest vocalist and host, Becky Hughes along with CalJAS President Dale Boatman, will be featured on selected vocals.

Jeff Colella is one of LA’s busiest jazz pianists. Besides performing in concert as a solo artist and with his trio, he maintains a very active schedule as an accompanist, recording artist, arranger, clinician and teacher. Jeff’s most recent recording is a collaboration with the veteran bassist Putter Smith that will be released in early 2013. He has two other releases as leader, “Alone Together” and “Letting Go,” both trio recordings and both on Sea Breeze Records. His music has been recorded by several artists, most recently by the noted saxophonist Bob Sheppard, who recorded two of Jeff’s compositions on his latest CD “Close Your Eyes”, released on BFM Records. Jeff’s work as arranger/pianist can be heard on the Summit Records CD “Lost In The Stars” by vocalist Deborah Shulman and trombonist Larry Zalkind, released in April 2012. Jeff toured with the late, legendary Lou Rawls as his pianist and conductor for nearly sixteen years until his untimely passing in 2006. He appeared with Rawls at jazz festivals, clubs, and with orchestras throughout the U.S. and abroad. In addition to his work with Lou Rawls, the list of artists that Jeff has performed and recorded with over the years is extensive. Jeff toured worldwide for seven years with the Jazz Tap Ensemble, and also served as Musical Director for another of our legendary singers, Jack Jones. He has worked with Diane Schurr, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Morgana King, Dolly Parton, Shiela Jordan, Kenny Washington, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Peter Gallagher, the Bill Holman Big Band, Stacey Rowles, Larry Koonse, Bobby Shew, Bob Sheppard, Judy Wexler, Denise Donatelli, Julie Kelly, Catte Adams, the Mike Barrone Big Band, Janice Mann, Anita O’Day, John Vance, Lorenzo Lamas, Frank Potenza, Greg Poree, John Pagano, Paulette McWilliams and Miki Howard to name just a few. In addition to his professional schedule,In addition to his professional schedule, Jeff is currently on the faculty at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.

Jennifer Leitham is a career Jazz musician, and has been a professional musician for over 40 years. She is known for playing for many famous dead people, among them Mel Torme’, Peggy Lee, George Shearing, Woody Herman, Benny Carter, Louis Bellson, and a horde of others you wouldn’t have heard of. She’s also played for some who are still alive, Doc Severinsen, and k.d. lang just to name two.

Her basslines have graced many movies and TV shows, and recently she was the subject of an award winning documentary, I Stand Corrected.

She is a bassist, vocalist, composer, arranger, lyricist, and producer.
She is an active educator, and has taught at every level, from beginners to grad students and working professionals across the country. Jennifer is currently teaching private students  globally in cyberspace via SKYPE.

She is most proud of her career as a recording artist. As of now she has played on over 125 albums, including 10 albums of her own, (including her huge hit The Real Me), and is currently working on another.

The Jennifer Leitham Trio is an active, working, creative force. Come on out and catch them sometime!