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Brenda Goforth Adelante, a native Pasadenian, has been playing the trumpet since 1985. It's been her passion when not working at NASA's Jet Propusion Laboratory (JPL) as a UNIX System Administrator/Engineer where, since 1991, she has worked on several NASA missions including the Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit & Opportunity), the Spitzer Space Telescope, and currently the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Over the years, despite working full time at JPL, she has played with numerous bands and musicals in the greater Los Angeles area and beyond. Her playing can be heard on several CDs by various bands including SGS' two already released albums, as well as the St. Lucy's Christmas CD where she played lead trumpet for the Salsa Big Band. She studied trumpet with Uan Rasey, Bobby Shew, and Howie Shear, among others. Brenda has performed with notable musicians among whom are Ray Anthony, Bill Watrous, Peabo Bryson, Susie Hansen, Oleta Adams, Conte Candoli, Melissa Manchester, and Paul Lopez. She is also Paul Lopez's caretaker and has been since 2000. In 1999, she co-found the JPL big band, Big Band Theory, which is still doing quite well. Brenda is one of the original members of San Gabriel Seven (SGS) and has very high hopes for its success!!
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Frank Villafranca
is originally from Buffalo, NY. He attended Berklee College Of Music majoring in jazz performance in the late 1970's. As a saxophonist, Frank's musical career started as an arranger/performer in the Boston area where he performed with numerous top 40 bands including the pop group "Tavares" famous for their top 40 hit "Penny For Your Thoughts". He also arranged and composed for local groups in the Boston area while recording with the "Fresh Tracks" studio where he acquired many TV and radio credits. He arrived on the L.A. scene in 1984 and has performed in too many groups to list here. He is an accomplished soloist and is the author of two instructional jazz books, "Outstanding Jazz Saxophone Solos" published by A.D.G. Productions, www.adgproductions.com. In addition to performing with San Gabriel Seven, he is also working a jazz CD with keyboardist Andrew D. Gordon, due for release in 2006 as well as a solo CD in his recording studio at home.
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Jim Lewis
is the Trombone player and founding member of SGS. He studied jazz under Bill Watrous and is a regular on the L.A. jazz scene. He started as a session player in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and is a graduate of the University of Alabama Jazz Program. In Alabama, he led several groups throughout the early 90's and appeared as a guest soloist with Gene Bertencini. He moved to L.A in September of 2001 and, immediately after 9/11, was sent to Afghanistan for 18 months as a Special Forces Team Leader with his National Guard unit. Upon his return in 2003, Jim focused his attention on starting SGS and currently performs in many of the local rehearsal bands around town. Jim works full time as an engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena and spends much of his free time coordinating activities for SGS.
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Matt Weisberg
Matt was convinced that playing rock guitar was going to be his life's work until his first exposure to jazz at a Berklee College of Music summer camp. Weisberg was enticed by the sounds of Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson, and decided to further pursue it in a university setting. Within eight months he was a competent jazz pianist and received a scholarship to study at the acclaimed University of Miami's school of music. In Miami, Matt had the opportunity to hone his skills with some of the best educators in the world. After his stint in South Florida, Matt made the move to the West Coast in late '05. He teaches and produces music out of his home studio, which includes a Yamaha C1 grand piano.
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Andrew Synoweic
Andrew attended the University of Miami on a scholarship and quickly worked his way up through the program, earning a spot in the school's prestigious Concert Jazz Band. With the CJB, Andrew performed with Jazz greats Vince Mendoza, Bob Mintzer, David Liebman, Joe Lovano, James Moody, Bob Berg, Jim McNeely, and recorded Maria Schneider's Grammy-Nominated Three Romances.
While attending UM, Andrew received a Downbeat magazine Outstanding Performance award two years in a row in the Pop/Rock/Blues category for his work with the experimental fusion band Active Ingredients. The group acquired a loyal following and toured nationally. In 2001, everything came full-circle when they gained an opening slot with Steve Morse.
Upon graduation, Andrew accepted a teaching-assistantship at the University of Miami. He taught private lessons and ensembles for the guitar department and earned a Master's Degree in Studio/Jazz Writing. Even with his busy University schedule, Andrew always placed an emphasis on working in the "real world." He found time to be the musical director for former New Kids on the Block member Danny Wood and toured nationally in support of his solo record.
It was during this time that Andrew became a sought-after studio guitarist and sideman. He lent his talents to international Latin music stars Obie Bermudez, Chayanne, and Raul DiBlasio, and Grammy-Winning producers Jose Miguel Velasquez, Sebastian Krys, and Julio Reyes. He also helped to jump-start the career of young singing sensation JD Natasha, accompanying her all over the country on national TV and radio, as well as contributing guitars and string orchestrations to her debut album. Andrew's time in Miami culminated with the release of Marc Anthony's platinum-selling album, Amar Sin Mentiras. He performed guitars for the majority of the album including the #1 hit single "Ahora Quien." In 2005, the album went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.
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Peter Kastner
was born and raised in Austria and is a recent graduate of the Los Angeles Music Academy. At the age of eight, he began playing the piano. Later, he developed a love for rhythm and at the age of twelve took up the drums. Four years later, he bought his first bass, and fell in love with the instrument. He studied with several well known teachers in Vienna and played in several local funk and rock bands. From 2000-2002, Peter was the bass player for master jazz saxophonist, Michi Erian. He then continued his musical education at the Conservatory of Carinthia in southern Austria. In 2004, as a member of the group Five Alarm, Peter opened for the Beach Boys and, more recently in September of 2005, completed a European tour as the bass player for the musical Dance Baby Dance.
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Randy Drake
began playing drums at age twelve. After graduating from Goffstown High School in New Hampshire, Randy moved to Denton, Texas, and studied music at the University of North Texas, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies.
After moving to Los Angeles in 1988, he began performing with Dan Siegel, Bill Watrous, John Novello, Pat Kelley, and Gregg Karukas. Between 1990 and 1992, he performed and recorded with artists including Birds of a Feather, the Mark Masters Jazz Orchestra, Uncle Festive, Ralph Carmichael, and many other Los Angeles artists. After touring Japan with Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka and the United States with Englebert Humperdinck, Randy performed, recorded, and toured with the jazz-pop artist Daniel Ho and Kilauea. Recently, he has been performing and recording with Shelly Berg, Jennifer Leitham, Carmen Bradford, the jazz-pop group Kombo, and Suzanne Buirgy.
In 1999 and 2000, Randy worked with aspiring young musicians at Bill Murphy’s Summer Jazz program in Jackson, Mississippi. Currently, he teaches private drum set students at California State University Long Beach.
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Special Guest Artists
Bill Watrous, Trombone
Steve Snyder, Alto Sax
Bruce Lofgren, Guitar
Jeff Bunnell, Trumpet
Steve Huffsteter, Trumpet
Pete Christlieb, Tenor Sax
Harry Smallenburg, Vibes
Steve Treseler, Tenor Sax
Eric Marienthal, Saxes
Sal Lozano, Saxes
Jennifer Gates, Vocals
David Whitfield, Vocals
Nick Mancini, Vibes
Andy Martin, Trombone
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Subs
Trumpet:
Brian Owen
Larry Williams
Saxes/Flute:
Jeff Dellisanti
Gary Herbig
Trombone:
Jim Lutz
Harry Smallenberg
Paul Young
Jeremy Levy
Piano:
Chad Edwards
Wendy Ryan
Matt Whited
Bill Fulton
Guitar:
Bill Fowler
Bass:
Adam Cohen
Geo Valle
Susan Cohen
Drums:
Dave Derge
Brad Elliott
Slammin' Sammy K
Jack LeCompte
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