Jazz for the Soul | West By Northwest-Tom Wakeling

Welcome Back West by Northwest to the JAZZ for the SOUL stage at JAZZBIRD!

Featuring the extraordinary Mr. Tom Wakeling on bass, the "fleet-fingered keyboard dynamo" Angelo Versace on keys, world-class trumpeter, Jason Carder, and the Valley's own ever-popular rhythm master, Dom Moio on drums.

This group embraces past, present, and future jazz with great chemistry and an adventurous, hard-swinging style. Come and experience the humor, energy and crushing groove of West by Northwest!

Tom Wakeling — For over 40 years, Tom Wakeling has put his bass to work at jazz festivals, concert halls, and jazz clubs throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Tom has performed with many jazz greats, including Arturo Sandoval, Lee Konitz, Mel Torme, Benny Golson, James Moody, Herb Ellis, Mose Allison, Charlie Rouse, Houston Person, Ken Peplowski, Ernie Watts, Scott Hamilton, Charles McPherson, Carl Fontana, and Herb Geller. Among the rhythm section greats he has performed with are Albert “Tootie” Heath, Jeff Hamilton, Mickey Roker, Lewis Nash, Butch Miles, Grady Tate, Mike Clark, Chuck Redd, Dave Frishberg, Bill Mays, Tamir Hendleman, Roger Kellaway, Mike Wofford, Bill Cunliffe, Art Lande, Edward Simon, and Bruce Forman.

Tom’s “show biz” credits include Della Reese, Red Skelton, Rich Little, Mickey Rooney, the Fifth Dimension, and playing in the orchestras of national touring shows such as "Cats", "A Chorus Line", the Joffrey Ballet, “Grease”, and "Damn Yankees" (with Jerry Lewis).

An experienced and dynamic educator, Tom has served as a guest artist at the Wuhan (China) Conservatory of Music, Taichung (Taiwan) University, Stanford University Jazz Workshop, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, University of Kansas, Arizona State University, University of Nevada, UC Fullerton, University of Arizona, University of British Columbia, Centrum - Pt. Townsend Jazz Workshop, Douglas College Summer Jazz Intensive, Jazz Camp West, and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, among others.

In addition to his live quartet recording with Juno award-winning Canadian trumpet player Brad Turner, Tom’s recordings include Rebecca Kilgore’s “Moonshadow Dance”, Nancy King’s “Perennial”, "Climbing” with the Alan Jones Sextet, and the Bridge Quartet’s “Night”.

Jason Carder — Trumpeter Jason Carder’s dynamic personality and nimble talent allow him to move fluidly from intimate jazz clubs to concert stages before audiences of thousands. As Yanni’s solo trumpeter since 2008, Carder has performed all over the world as well as record four live DVD’s. Yanni Voices Live at the Forum at Mundo Imperial, Yanni Live at El Morro, Yanni World With Borders and Dream Concert at the Pyramids of Giza. Throughout his career, Jason has toured with a diverse lineup of artists including Maria Schneider, Ray Charles, Woody Herman Orchestra, Arturo Sandoval Big Band, the Jaco Pastorius (Word of Mouth) Big Band, Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band, Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra Jr., K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Dr. John, The Toasters, Carlos Oliva y Los Sobrino’s del Juez, Magnum Band, Tabou Combo, The Original Wildcat Jass Band, Anatoly Vapirov Big Band and the H2 Big band. He has also contributed his talent to over 125 C.D.’s including Sandoval’s Rumba Palace, Americana, and the Grammy Award-winning Hot House, Latin Grammy winner Mamblue by Ed Calle, Sky Blue by Maria Schneider and others with Michael Bolton, Julian Marley, Gloria Estefan, Wyclef Jean, Placido Domingo, and the Bee Gees. His soundtrack credits include There’s Something About Mary, Studio 54, and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Jason studied music at University of Miami, Interlochen Arts Academy, Banff Center for the Arts, and Aspen Music Festival. He now holds a position at the Fred Fox School of Music as the Assistant Professor of Trumpet and chairs the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Improvisation Competition. His mentors include Steve Steele, Whit Sidener and Gilbert Johnson

Angelo Versace — Winner of the 2012 Phillips Jazz Piano Competition, Angelo Versace has been described as “a fleet-fingered keyboard dynamo” (Lawrence Budman) and “next star on the jazz scene.” (Dwayne Dolphin)

Versace’s passion for music has led him all across the globe. His playing has graced the stages of the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), the New Orleans Jazz Festival (Louisiana), multiple JEN conferences, the Pensacola Jazz Festival (Florida), and the Mellon Jazz Festival (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). A dedicated educator, Versace accepted a full-time assistant professor position at the University of Arizona as the Director of Jazz.

From private benefit events to large concert halls, He has been contracted as a performer, teacher, composer, arranger, producer, music director, and an engraver. From 2009-2013, Versace was a Mancini Fellow and was awarded the piano chair in the Mancini Institute Orchestra, a “multi-genre ‘cross-over’ orchestra” under the direction of Terence Blanchard. Versace’s musical versatility, creative prowess, and dedication set him apart as an artist. His appreciation of musical tradition as well as a unique blend of modern rhythm and harmony continually advance his career.

Dom Moio — started playing drums in the fifth grade. His first teacher, Dick Demers, started Dom on his way both as a player and teacher in 1970 in Maine. Dom went to New York to study with studio master, Bernard Purdie. Then to Boston in 1976 to study with Jazz great, Alan Dawson. Dom's first book, "Be Bop Phrasing for Drums," was dedicated to Alan. Before leaving the East Coast, Dom had the opportunity to play with Jazz greats, Don Doane, Clark Terry, Herb Pomeroy, Dave McKenna, and many other players from the New England area.

In 1978, Dom left for Reno, Nevada with guitar player brother Bill, where he soon started working the casino circuit. He was the house drummer for the MGM Grand and Hello Hollywood Hello Show. Other show gigs included Joan Rivers, Tony Orlando, Shirley Jones, and Debbie Reynolds to name a few. Dom also kept busy with west coast jazz players like Don Menza, Red Holloway, Herb Ellis, Joe Diorio, and Ahmad Jamal.

He's recorded over 100 Jazz Cd's, which include artists like Carl Fontana, Conte Condoli, Shorty Rogers, Greg Hopkins, Mike Kocour, and Bruce Forman. After studying with Cuban Master Walfredo Reyes Sr. in the 1980's in Reno, Dom has also become active in the Latin percussion world. His book, "Latin Percussion for Gringo's" as well as his band, "Cinco De Moio" have had much success. In 2008 Dom hooked up with long time hero Steve Gadd and did two book projects, Deep Grooves II and Just Duet, which also includes Jazz great, Joe LaBarera. Since then Dom has continued to gig with many Jazz greats, including; Benny Green, Joe Lovano, Luis Conte, Roxy Coss, Sean Jones, Lionel Loueke, and Wycliffe Gordon.

Now, in his 30th year at Arizona State University's Jazz Faculty, he keeps a very busy teaching and gigging schedule. Dom continues to record and write drum books, amongst his latest are, “THE SWEEP” brush book, and “SO YOU THINK YOU’RE WARMED UP…” featuring warm up exercises for snare and bass drum.

ALL JFTS CONCERTS ARE FREE and open to the public and all donations received will benefit local and international humanitarian causes.

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