Jazz for the Soul/The Russell Schmidt Quintet

Welcome The Russell Schmidt Quintet to the JAZZBIRD stage to perform a wide-ranging program featuring jazz classics, songbook standards, and original compositions. This group includes Paul Brewer-saxophone, Mary Petrich-saxophone, Russell Schmidt-piano, Vincent Thiefain-bass, and Ryan Anthony-drums.

Paul Brewer Paul enjoys playing all saxophones in all styles and has become one of the most in-demand freelance saxophonists in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. He has had the opportunity to perform with artists/bands like Frankie Valli, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Idina Menzel, Gunhild Carling Diana Ross, The Phoenix Symphony, Michael Buble', David Foster and Doc Severinsen in addition to playing with Broadway touring shows. Currently Mr. Brewer is the Director of Jazz Studies at Mesa Community College, his alma mater, where he enjoys coordinating the jazz program in addition to teaching concert band and music history classes.

Mary Petrich is a performer, educator, recording artist - From a foundation in classical music, the freedom and creativity of jazz has emerged as the driving force in her musical career. Mary currently works with the Phoenix Symphony and is the leader of several smaller-format jazz projects featuring her original compositions. These include the quartet “OpenHand”, and also the Saxophone Quartet known as “The Prize-Fighting Kangaroos”. Mary has recently followed her eponymous 2013 CD with a second outing; “Murmuration” released in 2016. 

Russell Schmidt As a performer, composer, conductor, and educator, Russell Schmidt has been collaborating with world-class musicians while also shaping future artists for more than three decades. A deeply creative pianist, he has shared the stage with such celebrated performers as Carl Allen, Roxy Coss, Eddie Daniels, Nick Finzer, John Hollenbeck, Gerry Mulligan, Lucas Pino, Arturo Sandoval, and Clark Terry. He was featured as a guest soloist with Caleb Chapman’s Crescent Super Band in a performance at Carnegie Hall, as well as with the Eastman Jazz Ensemble at an alumni tribute concert to famed jazz pedagogue Rayburn Wright. Russell has also headlined jazz events with his own groups at such venues as the MIM Music Theater, Kilbourn Hall, and The Nash. Additionally, he has served as keyboard soloist with more than 30 professional orchestras, including performances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall.

Vincent Thiefain is a graduate of ASU’s jazz program.. He is a freelance bass player that is based out of Tempe and has played with some of the best local and national musicians and educators, including world class Jazz drummer Lewis Nash. While studying at ASU Vincent also had the opportunity to play with artists such as: Benny Golson, Lewis Nash, Cyrille Aimee.

Ryan Anthony - Ryan Anthony is a jazz percussionist with an active career as a live performer, recording artist, composer, arranger, and educator in the greater Phoenix area. A versatile musician conversant in a wide range of styles, Ryan has worked with Bob Mintzer, Andrew Rathbun, George Colligan, Rick DellaRatta, Ron McCurdy, Michael Kocour, and many others. He is also a performer and composer in the Phoenix-based bands Running From Bears, Open Hand, and Union32. Ryan has an abiding interest in many forms of popular music and enjoys working with students who are new to improvisation.

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