The Band's
All Here

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OUR CONDUCTOR
Pete BarenBregge

Peter C. BarenBregge is currently Editor for Jazz Products for Warner Bros. Publications. He is also a freelance professional musician and he is recognized nationally as a saxophone/flute/clarinet clinician and educator. A member of NARAS, he has recently been elected to the board of governors for the Washington D.C. chapter of NARAS.

Mr. BarenBregge received his B.S. degree in Music Education from West Chester University in West Chester, PA. Following his graduation, he spent nine years in the classroom teaching instrumental music in the Brandywine School District of Wilmington, DE.

Mr. BarenBregge is the former Musical Director and Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of the United States Air Force Band's Airmen of Note, Washington, D.C. In addition to his leadership of this premier jazz ensemble, he performed as lead jazz tenor saxophonist during his 20-year military career. He has been a featured soloist on 19 Airmen of Note albums and the producer of seven of the group's recordings.

Mr. BarenBregge has done extensive recording for radio, television, and record singles. He has freelanced with top names in the Washington and Baltimore areas including Mel Torme, Diana Ross, Henry Mancini, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, and many others.

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THE JAZZ BAND

The 30 member Columbia Jazz Band is made up of members who are interested in perfecting their techniques in the rendition of the jazz medium. Even though they are volunteers, many of the Jazz Ensemble members have played jazz professionally and some still do. The members of the Columbia Jazz Band come from all walks of life - a medical doctor researching heart disease, a social worker, an engineer, a number of computer scientists, retired music educator, middle school teacher, a lawyer, and more. The members all aspire to the highest levels of technical and artistic excellence in our selection and execution of big band arrangements. The group gives stage band concerts, including a recent performance at the famed Blues Alley in Georgetown and is available for dances, dedications, receptions, and picnics in central Maryland. The Columbia Jazz Band participated in the premier Montreux, Switzerland, International Jazz Festival in July 2008. The performances in Montreux were followed with a tour and concerts in Croatia, Slovenia, and a final concert in the American Embassy in Vienna, Austria. In July 2010 the band plans to return to Europe for concerts in the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Scotland.

We "jazzers" rehearse at River Hill High School, 12101 Rt. 108, Clarksville, MD 21029 on Monday nights from 6:15 to 7:30 P.M. - just before the concert band rehearses. Qualified musicians are invited to join.

For more information about the Columbia Bands organization, including its other ancillary units, contact our band president at ( cbpresident@columbiaband.org .).

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VOCALS

• JILL SANDLER, Lead Vocalist
  Jill Sandler began her musical life very early--at the tender age of 4-1/2 she began what would be years of piano lessons--but she always loved to sing in front of an audience. "I often serenaded my family and friends, using the upright vacuum cleaner as my microphone, and when I got too tall, a hairbrush!"  In high school and college, Jill was a vocalist in "pop/show" bands and more recently performed with another local big band--the Olney Big Band (http://www.olneybigband.org/.)    For well over a decade, Jill has been lead vocalist and percussionist for the Columbia Jazz Band.   "The (Columbia Jazz) Band is like a family; many of us have been together for years. It's rare when you find that combination of strangers who come together from different backgrounds for the sake of something they love to do--make beautiful music. It's truly a joy to be in the group."
• Matt Williams, Vocalist

SAXOPHONES

• Maurice Feldman, Alto ------- Section Leader & Band Manager
• Tanya Hoegh-Allan, Alto
• Joan Kasura, Baritone
• Peter LePoer, Alto
• Riley McDonald, Tenor
• Myron Segal, Baritone
• Jack Sharretts, Tenor
• Jodi Shochet, Tenor
• GLENN SPIEGEL, Alto
  I played bassoon as a kid, but took my first step over to the Dark Side when my high school band director told me I couldn't march with it. He suggested the sax and reassured me that I wouldn't need lessons. He didn't unfortunately tell me that my teeth were supposed to touch the top of the mouthpiece.
  
  A few years ago I decided to go back to sax after listening to a Johnny Hodges disk. I found a teacher, fixed my embouchure and am having a great time learning jazz and playing with an outstanding group.

TROMBONES

• Bill Buckley
• Bob Frantz, Bass
  I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA and I started trombone in elementary school (my band teacher looked at my crooked teeth and "suggested" that I try the trombone because it would hurt less then the trumpet when I got braces.) My Olds Tenor (which I still own) has seen better days, but it got me through high school marching band and brings back fond memories. At Peachtree High School, I was fortunate to have Allen Beach as my band director (a past trumpet player with the Air Force Jazz Band) who turned me on to the world of jazz and offered me the chance to play the bass trombone.
  
  Throughout high school and college, I played in a variety of bands and small ensembles (everything from the antiphonal brass to symphonic band to jazz.) Unfortunately, I packed up my horn after college and did not return to it for over 20 years. I started playing again in 2005 and rediscovered my passion for music and life (looking back I can't imagine how I could have been "muted" for so long.) In addition to the CJB, I also play in the Ellicott City Trombone Choir and other brass emsembles. Equipment: Bach 50B3LG Stadivarius (circa 1980); Douglas Yeo mouthpiece.
• Chris Koepke
• Michael Pack ------- Asst. Director
• Bruce Robins
• Harold West
• John Zontek ------- Section Leader
  I returned to playing trombone in 2002, after a 23-year hiatus. Started trombone at the age of ten in elementary school, and found that I loved making noise with other people (I don’t think it could have been called music at that point). By the age of fourteen I had saved enough money to buy a brand new King 2B tenor trombone, that I now share with one of my daughters.
  
  I was fortunate to attend a High School in Pleasant Hill, California with several other talented musicians. Our senior year the jazz ensemble was recognized as one of the top ten High School groups in California and invited to play in an adjudicated Jazz Festival in Monterey. Auditioned for and was selected as one of the four trombonists to play in the California All Star High School Jazz Band which performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September of 1974. That band put on a several hour performance at the festival with a series of jazz legends, including Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Jon Faddis and Chuck Mangione.
  
  Three days after the Monterey performance I was on my way to basic training and a four year stint with three USAF regional bands, and doing some freelance work. After the Air Force, I had a close encounter with God and made several lifestyle changes, which included my association with music.
  
  My return to playing has been very rewarding, and being with the CJB has rekindled my love of making noise with other people—this time it’s real music.
  
  Equipment: King 3B Silversonic (circa 1965); Warburton, Frank Rosolino #3 mouthpiece.

TRUMPETS

• LARRY SCHULTZ ------- Section Leader
• FRED BALMAGES
  "Started playing trumpet at the tender age of 8 (my first horn was a Harry Peddler tied with string). I took private lessons and played with many New York State School Music Assn. (N.Y.S.S.M.A) groups in the early 60's. I was accepted at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and graduated with a degree in Music Education in 1969. I had been teaching music in the Baltimore County Public School system until 1995.

I had always loved using computers to enhance my students' appreciation of music by writing programs to accompany my students. My love of computers afforded me a change of venue, and in 1995, I became a technology teacher for the County. In 1996, I was named Maryland's Technology Educator of the Year. Please come and hear us. We love to perform and love audiences.

• Sam Craig
• Andy Farb
• Mrtin Houghton
• Russell Perkins
• Chris Ward
• David Weisenfreund
• MATT WILLIAMS
  "I started playing trumpet in elementary school. Initially, my mother forced me to play an instrument - leaving the choice of which one up to me. I chose the trumpet because I liked the way the case smelled." (Favorite CD: "Buena Vista Social Club"). (Favorite Song: "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" - performed by Nat King Cole.

In addition to the Columbia Jazz Ensemble, Matt is a record producer and a vocal coach - having coached and produced several recording artists, including grammy award winning Toni Braxton. Additionally, he has appeared in several R&B bands and has performed on stage with the likes of Parliament/Funkadelic, Kool & the Gang, and others. He has also done restaurant, soft drink, hair salon commercials, and more. His one true love, however, has always been jazz.

RHYTHM SECTION

• RANDY MALM, Bass ------- Section Leader
• Mark Morris, Guitar
• Scott Mayer, Piano
• Mike Morris, Drums
• Jill Sandler, Percussion

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