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

For more information about the Columbia Concert Band organization, including its other ancillary units, call Roger Lark, President, (410) 465-7862.

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.  For well over a decade, Jill has been lead vocalist and percussionist for the Columbia Jazz Band.   She also fills the same roles in another local big band--the Olney Big Band (www.olneybigband.org.)   "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
• Tom Bahder, 2nd alto sax and soprano sax
• Maurice Feldman, Tenor & Alto
• Paul Hoskins, Baritone
• Peter LePoer, Alto
• Riley McDonald, Tenor
• RIP RICE, Tenor
  In his college days just prior to World War II, Rip Rice led the Stardust Melodiers, a 16-piece dance band at what is now the University of Texas at Arlington. Following the war and until 1951, he led the Music Makers, a 10-piece dance band that played in the Washington, DC area. Then came a stint at small combo work, until 1955, when he gave up music to develop his business career and provide for his family (tenor sax players were not paid much in those days).

  In 1994, Rip returned to his tenor sax playing, joining the Columbia Concert Band, its Jazz Ensemble and the Starvation Army Band. He also joined the Rockville Concert Band, is a member of its Swing Band and is the Head Rascal of the Rockville Dixie Rascals.
  
  

• Myron Segal, 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
• Tim Collins, Bass Trombone
• Pete Magoon
• Michael Pack
• Bruce Robins
• Harold West
• John Zontek
  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.

• Andy Farb
• Laura Hunter
• Sean Kirchhoff
• 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.

• DENNY WOODLING
  I started playing when I was about 12 and took lessons the first few years with a member of the Ringold Band which was a famous band in eastern Pennsylvania. I played in high school and went to school at West Chester. After college, I auditioned for the Air Force Band and joined in 1960. Through high school, college and the Air Force, I played a Conn Constellation, Maynard's horn in the 60' and 70's. When my children were in school, they used my horn and I really didn't play for about 25 years. Church brought me back to playing. I play in a contemporary group and Brass group at New Hope Lutheran church plus the Columbia Jazz and Concert Band.

  I play a Marcinkiewicz Bb trumpet and a Courtois Flugelhorn. My mouthpieces are Marcinkiewicz and Callet.

RHYTHM SECTION
• RANDY MALM, Bass ------- Section Leader
• Tom Harwick, Substitute Bass
• Doug Sherry, Guitar
• Scott Mayer, Piano
• Mike Morris, Drums
• Jill Sandler, Percussion