Sandy Dennison
Growing up listening to music; country to Bach, Sandy was enamored with Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horn and Blossom Dearie. In her teens Sandy was crazy for Doris Day and Shirley Bassey, then Cleo Lane. In her twenties, her sister Loretta, convinced her to sing professionally and her career was on it's way!! Sandy studied with some of the best teachers in the Delaware Valley, including voice and stage presence under the watchful eye of Bucky Harris and voice with Lenny Payton, former music coordinator on several New York based television shows.
After working the circuit for eight years, including radio and TV, Sandy left the music business to raise her family, never thinking to sing, professionally, again. Twenty-five years later, after having spinal surgery behind her voice box, and wearing a neck brace for 3-1/2 months, there was concern that she would not be able to sing again. It was a very long 3-1/2 months! Once the brace was off, the work began; get the voice back!! A year later, Sandy was working clubs in Portland and 2-1/2 years later Darrell Grant produced and arranged her premier CD.
Sandy performs at Spirit Mountain Casino, Portland Art Museum, Nick's Italian Cafe, Dolce Skamania Lodge, the Pearson Air Museum, the Portland Spirit, Duck Pond Cellars, Wilf's at Union Station, to name a few. She also performs at festivals, art openings, business and private functions.
Emmy award-winning, Grammy nominated composer and jazz pianist, writing musical scores for TV and film. Music score credits include: TV - "ABC Sports", "Good Morning America", "NBC Nightly News", "Oprah", "Dateline", "Friends" and "The Sopranos". Movies – "The Lion King", "U-571", "The Perfect Storm", "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "The Three Muskiteers". Musical Director: "Jazz Vespers" concert series for 13 years in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Kevin studied classical bass with Royce Lewis and Jeff Bradetich, at the U. of Oregon with Robert Hladdy, North Texas State U. with Edward Rainbow, Portland State U. with Larry Zongonc and cellow with Hamilton Chefitz at Portland State. Kevin performs, literally, all over the globe in both the classical and jazz genre. www.kevindeitz.com 
David came to Portland from New Orleans in 1994. In the Crescent City he performed with Pete Fountain, B.B. King, Mose Allison, Nicholas Payton, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis, Shirley Jones and Mitzi Gaynor, among many others, and for seven years led the band on the National Historic Landmark Steamboat Delta Queen. He continues to perform with and record with Portland's most notable musicians.
George Mitchell has been pop superstar Diana Ross' first-call pianist for more than two decades. Since 1980, he has accompanied her musical ensemble performing internationally... playing hundreds of concerts all over the world... as well as extensive touring throughout the United States. Mitchell's keyboard talents were featured in command performances for the Queen of England, and more recently at Super Concerts in Taipei and Japan, with Ms. Ross and renowned opera singers Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo. He has made numerous appearances as an ensemble player on top-rated television and radio shows, including: The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC's Today Show and Oprah. From an early age, the Portland, Oregon, native displayed a musical maturity and talent that landed him engagements with jazz legends such as Sonny Stitt, Philly Jo Jones, Richie Cole, Eddie Harris, Jon Hendricks and Kirk Whalum. www.georgemitchellmusic.com
Reece is a graduate of the Western Washington University Jazz Studies program where he worked intensively with bassist Chuck Isreals, saxophonist Mike Allen and pianist Margaret Brink. He is currently the piano chair in the Jim Beatty Jazz Band, the Tony Starlight Show Band and the Reece Marshburn Trio. Reece is the staff arranger for Tony Starlight. www.reecemarshburn.com
Gordon Lee is a composer, jazz pianist, arranger, conductor and music educator. Lee performed in New York City for five years in the early 80's before returning to his roots in Portland, Oregon. He has worked with such people as Don Cherry, Bobby Hutcherson, Richie Cole, Frank Foster, Bill Frizzell, Leroy Vinnegar, Bob Moses, Gladys Night & the Pips, and the Temptations. www.worldjazzscene.com
Mike has enjoyed a sucessful and diverse musical career for over 25 years, serving as an educator, composer, arranger, recording artist and concert soloist. He studied vibraphone with jazz great Gary Burton developing a rich 4-mallet style. As co-founder of the trio Tall Jazz he has performed with all the major players in Portland and is widely respected. www.talljazz.com 
Bassist of choice for many of the world's finest musicians: Mel Brown Sextet (winner of the Int'l Hennessey Jazz Search Contest 1989), Dewey Redman, George Cables, Herb Ellis, Blue Mitchell Quintet, Dennis Springer Quartet, Allen Jones, Kai Winding, Sun Ra, Ezra Weiss, Omnibus, Ed Kellye, Smiley Winter, Sonny Rollins, Yoku Tamura Trio-Japan, Baha'i World Concgress Orchestra, New York City. Faculty member of the Mt. Hood Festival of Jazz, 1989-2004.
She has been called the “Femme Fatale of Funk,” by The Olympian, Newspaper. Pat Ferris of HOTBANDS says, “She is definitely the funkiest bass player I've seen in the entire country in the past 2 years! With her renewed interest in jazz she is proud to be a member of Swamp Cactus, bassist for Portland Jazz Vocalist’s Workshop, and The Quadrophonnes (Portlands’ premier all Woman Sax Quartet). Her original music is heard on film soundtracks, websites and radio stations around the world.
Al Criado, a native of Havana, Cuba, has been a professional musician for over 35 years. He has had the priviledge to play bass with and or record with: Nancy Sinatra, The Fifth Dimmension, The Emotions, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Della Reese, Shirelles, Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Alex Acuña, Eartha Kitt, and many, many others. He has produced TV shows for OPB (PDX Jazz, 1992), music for commercials (TrueValue Hardware, Fabrege, Mazda), and played on hundreds of record and jingles sessions.
Performing throughout the United States since 1969, Dan has appeared with artists such as Rebecca Kilgore, Bud Shank, Bobby Shew, Scott Hamilton, Bill Berry, Lew Tabakin. His early career includes bluegrass/folk with Muddy Bottom Boys, Everything's Jake, Wholly Cats (jazz/swing) and has recorded CD's in Canada and has 6 CD's to his credit with his trio Tall Jazz.
In 1975 Ken was selected to be bassist for the USAF jazz band, The Airmen of Note. While with the Note, he played with jazz greats such as Sarah Vaughn and Benny Goodman. Ken re-enlisted to be the bassist for the official protocol combo of the U.S. Air Force, The Diplomats. Ken has performed for every President, Vice President and Secretary of State who served in office during the span of his military career, as well as dignitaries and civilian heads of state from around the world.
Originally from the Bay Area, Craig spent 12 years playing mostly pop music, and has played upright since the mid 70's. Alongside his Disney gig and as part of the house band at the Righteous Brother's club in Fountain Valley, Craig has performed with many big bands and jazz combos in LA. In Portland Craig has performed with Donny Osborne and Victoria Corrigan, Eddie Parente's Quartet and Tall Jazz, to name a few.
John studied jazz guitar with David Schiff and Dan Faehnle and partners with jazz violinist Eddy Perenti. As part of Portland's great jazz scene, John performs with bassist Ed Bennett, Drummer Ron Steen and Dave Weinstock. He spent a few years in New York where he worked with pianist John Coates. John received his Master's in jazz from the Manhattan School of Music. 
Frank Tribble is an accomplished guitarist and composer. Frank moved to Portland in 2002 and brings more than 30 years of experience working in a variety of venues. Some of the artists Frank has opened for are Ronnie Laws, Phoebe Snow, Kenny Loggins and he has performed and recorded with Bobby Shew, Richie Cole, Dick Oatts and the Des Moines Big Band.
A very versatile guitarist, Larry has performed and taught in a broad range of venues. As a studio player he has played on commercial jingles, movie soundtracks and, for two seasons, played in the orchestra and recorded soundtracks for the “Here’s Lucy” show at Paramount studios. Among the many jazz artists with whom he has performed are Louis Bellson, Charlie Byrd, Joe Morello, Buddy Rich and Frank Rosolino. Larry also has a Masters Degree in Classical Guitar performance and has been a music professor at four universities including University of Arizona and U.S.C. He has also performed numerous solo and chamber music recitals throughout the U.S.
Tim graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor degree in music. He has traveled the U.S. with the national touring companies of Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. He has backed many artists including Julie Andrews, Johnny Mathis, Ray Charles and Wayne Newton. Since moving to Portland Tim has appeared on over twenty five recordings. www.timjensenjazz.com 
Derek graduated with honors from The University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Music degree. While at Michigan, he studied with Armando Ghitalla (Boston Symphony), and Charles Daval (Montreal, Seattle Symphonies). After college, Derek went to play with Princess Cruise Lines, and toured over 40 countries around the world for 2 years. Mr. Sims has also performed with many different groups in the Portland area including: Mel Brown Septet, Greg Tardy, Poncho Sanchez, Carlton Jackson / Dave Mills Big Band, The Oregon Symphony, Columbia Symphony, Big Horn Brass, Alan Jones Sextet, Bobby Torres Ensemble, Soul Vaccination, Pepe and the Bottle Blondes, Pink Martini, and Dahlia. www.dereksims.com
Donny Osborne, Buddy Rich's protégé, began playing drums at the age of four and was hailed as a "Drum Wizard" and "Drum Prodigy" by Chicago newspapers. By age 13, he was performing and touring the U.S. with Buddy Rich and his band. In the early 70's, Donny joined Mel Torme on the road and continued to play, record and tour with him for more than 23 years. He has also backed jazz luminaries like Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee, and performed with famed percussionists Steve Allen and Gene Krupa.
This ten year veteran has just the right touch. Ed has performed with the Humboldt State PM Jazz Big Band, Mad River Transit Vocal Jazz Ensemble, "Unseen", The Big Foot Stompers Dixieland Jazz Band at the Humbolt County Dixieland Jazz Festival (five years), Humboldt Calypso Band (four years). Renato Caranto Quartet, Ezra Weiss and Blues Connotation, Johnny Martin, Geno Michaels, Norman Moody Blues Forecast, Li' Lynn and the Smokin' Soles.
As a member of Crazy 8’s rhythm section he helped make the band a driving force in the Northwest in the late 80’s. Most recently Carl has been working with Balafon Marimba Ensemble, Rubberneck, The Porterhouse Quartet, Fran Gray, and Heart & Hammer. Carl has spent over 20 years studying Afro-Cuban tradition through song and dance; Rhythms of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, Cuba (guaguanco, mozambique, rhumba-columbia, merengue), and Brazil - searching for ways to incorporate these rhythms into popular music. www.handsoffire.com