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​Matt Turner

Cellist, pianist, and composer Matt Turner teaches improvisation at Lawrence University and has performed in Europe, Asia and Canada.  Turner, a Yamaha Performing Artist, has performed on over 100 recordings on Ayler, Sketch/Harmonia Mundi, Cadence Jazz, Nato, Illusions, O.O. Discs, Music and Arts, Polyvinyl, Clean Feed, and others.  He currently performs and records with Bill Carrothers’ Armistice 1918 ensemble, Randy Sabien, Karmadog and with the Jean-Marc Foltz Trio. 

 

 

 

 


 David Hagedorn

David Hagedorn is an Artist in Residence at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he teaches percussion, jazz studies, and world music.  In June, 2011, Downbeat magazine deemed St. Olaf Jazz I to be the “Best Undergraduate Large Jazz Ensemble” in the 34th annual student music awards.
He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, and the University of Minnesota.  Hagedorn has an album, “Solid/Liquid” on the artegra label in SACD format released in October of 2003, and a duo album with pianist Dan Cavanagh, “Horizon”, released in December of 2010.   Just released in April 2014, is a recording with the Chris Bates Good Vibes Trio.   He has recorded with the George Russell Living Time Orchestra on Blue Note Recordings (nominated for a Grammy award), jazz singer Debbie Duncan on Igmod Recordings, Brian Setzer Big Band, Pete Whitman X-tet, Phil Hey Quartet, the Out to Lunch Quintet, and also with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra on Teldec Recordings.  Hagedorn regularly performs in the Twin Cities with groups such as the Phil Hey Quartet, JazzMn, and Chris Bates Good Vibes Trio.  On the classical side of music, he also has performed with the Minnesota Orchestrea, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, VocalEssence, Cantus, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra.

 

 

 


José L. Encarnación 

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies José L. Encarnación leads the jazz improvisation classes, coaches jazz small groups, teaches applied jazz saxophone, and coordinates the jazz performance program at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music.  He studied saxophone, flute and clarinet at the Free School of Music in San Juan, Puerto Rico, completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he graduated magna cum laude, and received his Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music (including the 2002 Schirmer Prize in Jazz Performance). He previously served as Assistant Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the Eastman School of Music, Instructor of Saxophone, Latin Jazz Performance Workshop, and Youth Saxology for the Eastman Community School, and as Jazz Ensemble Conductor at the Rochester (NY) School of the Arts.  He has performed jazz, salsa, and Latin music with the Bob Mintzer Big Band, the Dave Rivello Ensemble, Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Gilberto Santarosa, Roberto Rohena, Bobby Valentin, Domingo Quinones, Israel ³Cachao² Lopez, Tito Puente, Danilo Perez, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Batacumbele, Humberto Ramirez, and David Sanchez. His pops performances include appearances with the Temptations, Dianne Reeves, Natalie Cole, Doc Severinsen, Lou Rawls, New York Voices, Brasilia, Ann Hampton Calloway, and the symphony orchestras of Milwaukee, Rochester, and Green Bay

 

 


Harvey Halpaus

Harvey Halpaus, was a full time music educator for 35 years. A graduate of UW River Falls(BME) and U of Iowa(MA) he  studied trumpet with Conrad DeJong  and John Beer. At Ellsworth Wisconsin he has conducted, directed concert bands and nationally recognized jazz ensembles at grade levels 7-12.  Mr. Halpaus, a charter member and former officer of Wisconsin Jazz Educators Association is an active soloist, clinician and adjudicator  throughout the midwest. He was  awarded the Wisconsin Jazz Educators”Distinguished Service Award” in 2004. During his active teaching years  he was recognized for supervision, teaching and performing excellence by institutions and organizations such as UW EauClaire, UW River Falls, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Minnesorta Music Educators Association, Wisconsin Music Educators Conference, Music Educators National Conference, International Association of Jazz Educators,  and the North American Brass Band Association.  Mr. Halpaus is currently trumpet player/leader of a professional Big Band called “Generation II” and  cornetist with the Sheldon Theatre Brass Band of Red Wing,Mn 

 

 

 

 

 


Sue Orfield

Sue Orfield plays the tenor saxophone with the whimsy of Sonny Rollins, the passion of Kurt Cobain, the soul of Bill Withers, and the joy of Ella Fitzgerald. Along with a compelling mastery of her instrument, Sue brings to the stage a powerful presence and joy of all things musical.
 
Sue has played with many musical greats over the years, including Bo Diddley, Bobby McFerrin, The Indigo Girls, Ann Wilson (Heart), Dizzy Gillespie, Ivan Neville, Jo Dee Messina, Diane Schuur, The Delgado Brothers, and Vicki Martinez (The Voice). She tours internationally with several groups, including The Tiptons Sax Quartet (formerly The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet) (Seattle/NYC), and Ellen Whyte (Portland, OR). 
 
Sue was voted "Best Horn" by the Washington Blues Society for the years 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.
 
In 2014, Volume One honored Sue by naming an entire category after her (The Best Sue Orfield), in their “Best Of The Chippewa Valley Reader Poll”.
 
Her own group, The Sue Orfield Band (SOB), highlights Orfield's talents as a composer as well as a player. SOB was voted Best Jazz Band in Volume One's "Best Of The Chippewa Valley 2009" reader poll. (Eau Claire, WI)
 
Sue makes her home in the Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin, and  plays locally with bands from all over Wisconsin and Minnesota, including The Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, AcoustiHoo, Catya's Trio, The Butanes, Deep Water Reunion,  and many more.

 


Dr. Greg Balfany

Dr. Greg Balfany is the Emeritus Professor of Jazz Studies and Woodwinds at the Univeristy of Wisonsin - La Crosse.  He is active as a performer and music educator, giving workshops, clinics, and guest performances throughout the Tri-state area. His quartet, The La Crosse Jazz quartet, has been a mainstay of the regional jazz scene for the past three and a half decades appearing regularly at local festivals and clubs.
 
Dr. Balfany (Greg) has performed extensively as a clarinet and saxophone soloist in both classical and jazz contexts.  He has served as principal and solo saxophonist and clarinetist with the La Crosse Symphony, and the La Crosse Concert band.  In addition, he performs with the Viterbo University opera orchestra and is a woodwind specialist with regional musical performances. He has performed with Randy Brecker, Bob Minzer, Red Holloway, Al Grey, Bob Hope, Frank Wess, Red Skelton, Marv Stamm, Kurt Elling, Clark Terry, Ed Shaughnessy, and may others.  He is a clinician for many jazz festivals and will do so at the 2016 Iowa Jazz Finals and the St. Point Jazz Festival 
Greg was voted Top jazz artist in the La Crosse region in the 2015  “Best of La Crosse” poll.  In addition to his jazz and classical performances Greg appears regularly with regional rock and roll artists including “Blind Baby Olin” and “The Remainders.”
Greg directs and performs with the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, Western Wisconsin’s Jazz Repertory Orchestra.  The band has recorded two cds and been featured on Chuck Cecil’s nationally syndicated radio program “The Swing Years.”  The band has also been featured on Minnesota and Wisconsin Public Radio.

 

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