Dick Oatts is a highly acclaimed, versatile musician. His instrument of choice is the saxophone, which he plays with soaring intensity. He has also been featured with the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, Danish Radio Big Band, Norboton Jazz Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, and the UMO Big Band in Helsinki. Oatts has accompanied such vocalists as Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Neene Freelon, Mel Torme, and Milton Nascimento. He has recorded solos for pop artists Luther Vandross, James Taylor, and Everything But the Girl.
A prolific musician and performer, Randy Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist whose versatility in musical tastes has made him a sought-after player, equally accomplished in playing jazz, rock, and R&B. He was a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Brecker Brothers and Mingus Big Band, and has performed or recorded with numerous acclaimed musicians. Brecker’s achievements include six Grammy Awards. While the quintet’s expert sidemen are all gifted soloists in their own right, Brecker’s “secret weapon” is saxophonist, and wife, Ada Rovatti. Her tenor sound is often dark and mysterious, but can be soulful and bluesy, or cutting and edgy. The two know how to accompany each other and their interplay is truly conversational.
Playing his first professional gig in elementary school, Ken Peplowski has spent his life – along with many a wedding and high school Polka band engagement – mastering the clarinet. With just a year of college under his belt, he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow. In 1980, he moved to New York City and, shortly thereafter, was hired by Benny Goodman to play tenor saxophone in his new band. Considering himself an interpreter of material who thrives on putting his own spin on music of various genres, Ken was inducted into The Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame in 2013 and returns for an encore performance on The Jazz Cruise 2016. With a diverse repertoire of Italian folk songs, avant-garde jazz, pop and classical music, the jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist has recorded approximately 50 CDs as a soloist and nearly 400 as a sideman. He’s collaborated with the likes of Mel Torme, Leon Redbone, Charlie Byrd, Peggy Lee, George Shearing, Madonna, Hank Jones, Dave Frishberg, Rosemary Clooney, Tom Harrell, James Moody, Cedar Walton, Houston Person, Steve Allen, Bill Charlap, Woody Allen, Marianne Faithfull, Isaac Delgado and Erich Kunzel.
David Finck is all about that bass! Since age 10, his mastery of the double bass has earned him spots in the jazz, popular, Brazilian and classical music worlds. David got his professional start touring with Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd. Since then he’s collaborated with a roster of notable and diverse artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Sinead O’Connor, Natalie Cole, Rod Stewart, Herbie Hancock, Ivan Lins, Al Jarreau, Tony Bennett, Paquito D’Rivera, George Michael, Rosemary Clooney and Andre Previn. The in-demand bassist has appeared on more than 100 recordings, including platinum and gold-selling records of Rod Stewart, Natalie Cole and Elton John. Today, his career extends beyond performing and into the roles of producer, arranger and songwriter, most recently on the Christy Baron album, “Take This Journey.”
Drummer/percussionist Ernie Adams woos audiences with his brilliant technique and magnetic personality. The Chicago-based artist has played professionally since age 15 and his long list of performance, touring and recording credentials includes collaborations with Ramsey Lewis, Stanley Turrentine, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Patricia Barber, Dianne Reeves, James Moody, Rufus Reid, Joe Zawinul, Slide Hampton, Frank Morgan, Arturo Sandoval, Wycliffe Gordon, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders, Ahmad Jamal and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Performing on more than 100 recordings along with a host of radio and television jingles, Ernie’s perfect timing, solid groove and masterful technique render him relevant – and highly in-demand – in all musical genres. Devoted to arts education, Ernie currently serves on the faculty at the University of Illinois-Chicago and teaches at Orbert Davis’ Music Alive program, The Jazz Institute of Chicago, Ravinia and the Music Institute of Chicago.
Tim Horner began playing the drums at the age of ten. His influences rest primarily with musical parents. His introduction with music began by singing in the church choir at a very early age and by the 4th grade he began playing violin, viola, and drums in his public school music programs. This continued through high school while also joining The Roanoke Civic Orchestra and attending numerous summer music camps. Upon entering Berklee College of Music in 1974 he made drumming and the goal of being a professional jazz drummer his dream.
