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!