Brian Landrus

Born: September 14, 1978

After 12 albums as a leader, multi-instrumentalist and composer Dr. Brian Landrus has become an internationally recognized low woodwind artist. Landrus specializes on the low woodwind family, specifically: baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, alto flute, and bass flute. As a composer, Landrus has written for solo instrument to symphony orchestra.

Landrus consistently places in the critics polls of the year in Downbeat Magazine and JazzTimes International Critics Polls.  Landrus was awarded “Rising Star” in the 2021 for bass clarinet and 2015 for baritone. Landrus’ 2020 release For Now, was chosen as Editor’s Pick in both Downbeat and JazzTimes. Landrus’ 25-piece orchestral album Generations, was named one of the best recordings of the year by NPR, Downbeat Magazine, JazzTimes, All About Jazz, Jazziz, Boston Globe and many other international publications. The New York Times wrote “With Generations, Mr. Landrus takes the jazz big band tradition into the mesosphere.”  

Danielle Mikaelian

Born: October 5, 1998

Danielle Mikaelian is a flute and piccolo player. She has experience performing for a wide range of ensembles and performing at competitions across the state of California. She also has won awards for composing. Danielle Mikaelian graduated from Columbia University with a BA in English Literature. She currently attends Harvard Law School. Danielle Mikaelian is also a published poet.

David Bertrand

David grew up in the Trinidadian neighborhood of Cocorite, four lanes of highway from the sea. Growing up, he played a wide range of classical and folk music before a chance BBC jazz broadcast at midnight through his grandmother’s GE radio forever changed his relationship with music. Encouraged by the artistry of Joe Farrell and Kent Jordan, he was determined to join the fraternity of musicians who have championed the flute as a credible jazz instrument.

His own voice has been deeply influenced by the world of jazz tenor saxophone, the instrument he’d always felt connected to which was simply not available in his band program at the time. Initially drawn to the iconic figures of John Coltrane and Joe Henderson, his ear also turned to the voices of players active in his lifetime: in the days of dial-up internet, a young David would patiently wait upwards of a hour just so he could hear the likes of Mark Turner, Chris Bacas and John Ellis for the first time. 

Mark Lotz

Born: June 12, 1963

Mark Lotz – Flutist, Improviser, Composer

Mark Lotz is more than just a leading voice in the European jazz scene. He stands at the intersection of jazz, classical, and world music – and enjoys every second of it! (Tomas Peña, Jazz.com & Latin Jazz Network)

Raised in Thailand, Uganda, and Germany, Lotz’s musical journey has always been global. His collaborations extend far beyond jazz, encompassing world music, theater, performance and visual arts, film, dance, and live visuals. As an improviser and composer, he continuously pushes the expressive possibilities of his instrument, blending the aesthetics and techniques of contemporary and classical music with the energy of jazz.

Karlton E Hester

Born: 1949

Karlton E. Hester, Ph.D. (composer/flutist/saxophonist), began his career as a composer and recording artist in Los Angeles where he worked as a studio musician and music educator. He received his Ph.D. in composition from the City University of New York Graduate Center and is currently Director of "Jazz" Studies at the University of California in Santa Cruz. As performer on both flute and saxophone, he is music director of the Fillmore Jazz Preservation Big Band and Hesterian Musicism. Hester is currently music director of Hesterian Musicism, founding director of the Fillmore Jazz Preservation Big Band in San Francisco and served as the Herbert Gussman Director of Jazz Studies at Cornell University from 1991-2001

LehCats

Born: August 19

LehCats (Norbert and Karen Stachels�� last name spelled backwards) blends jazz, funk, R&B, Latin, and other world music styles that takes you on a unique journey using original compositions as the vehicle. This group of seven musicians was formed in August 2013 by Norbert and Daniel Gonzalez and was designed to showcase all original jazz compositions. These musicians tell a unique story with versatility, passion, discovery, and invention.