Meet the Band

March 22nd Roster

Saxophones:
Brian Grivna (alto)
Pete Whitman (alto)
Dave Karr (tenor)
Dale Mendenhall (tenor)
Adrian Barnett

Trumpets:
Steve Strand
Mark Bobnick
Scott Snyder
Tim Sullivan

Director:
Doug Snapp

Trombones:
Mike Nelson
Dave Graf
Ethan Freier
John Tranter

Rhythm:
Mary Louise Knutson, piano
Terry Burns, bass
Dave Singley, guitar
Dave Schmalenberger

Guest Pianist:
Jimmy Hamilton

Dr. Douglas R. Snapp (Artistic Director)- Doug Snapp was exposed to jazz at an early age. Raised in a musical family, his earliest memories include his parent's jam sessions in their basement with local musicians. It was inevitable that Snapp would follow his older brother to the University of North Texas, a breeding ground for many jazz musicians. Snapp's ambition from the start was to become a jazz educator. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. Upon graduation, Snapp gained professional experience performing on Princess and Scandinavian cruise lines, performing at Disney World resorts, and backing various artists. In 1989, Snapp decided to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Northern Colorado. It was at this time that Snapp was offered a position as Assistant Director of the UNC jazz studies program. During his tenure at UNC, Snapp performed in, and directed groups that received the prestigious Downbeat magazine awards in the Big Band, Combo, and Vocal Jazz categories. In 1998, Snapp formed the JazzMN organization with the intent to promote, preserve, and perpetuate the jazz art form. Since that time, Snapp has brought international jazz artists such as Phil Woods, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Weckl, and Paquito D'Rivera to perform with the JazzMN Big Band. Snapp currently serves as the Jazz Studies and Trumpet professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and plays principal trumpet in the Mankato Symphony.

The Band:

Terry Burns (bass) - is currently the Director of the Bass Department at McNally Smith College, St. Paul and has been a professional bassist for 30 years. His performance credits in range from performances with Linda Rondstadt and Joe Walsh to performances and recordings with the greatest names in Jazz including: Gene Harris, Dewey Redman, Lee Konitz, Marlena Shaw, Jane Monheit, Freddy Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, David “Fathead” Newman, Ray Bryant and Billy Higgins. Terry has released two solo recordings on SONGSPEAK Records to critical acclaim and received nominations for “Jazz Recording of the Year” and “Bassist of the Year” in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 from the Minnesota Music Awards.

Ethan Freier (trombone) - is a band director, writer, arranger, and freelance trombonist. Since 1998, Freier has been a concert and jazz band director in the Northfield Minnesota school system. Freier earned his Master of Music degree in jazz studies from Indiana University where he earned a prestigious “Performer’s Certificate.” While at Indiana University, Freier studied arranging with Dominic Spera and David Baker, and trombone with Dee Stewart. Freier received his Bachelor of Music degree in music education from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Many of Freier's compositions for young jazz ensembles are published by Kjos Publishing and his arranging talents are called upon by many Latin and pop bands in the Twin Cities area.. As a trombonist, he is in demand as a freelancer in the Twin Cities and has shared the stage and performed with numerous famed musicians such as Kenny Rogers, Harry Connick Jr., Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, Barry Manilow, Michael Bolton, Ray Charles, Marie Osmond, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Natalie Cole.

Dave Graf (trombone) - One of the most versatile trombonists in the Twin Cities, Dave has worked in a wide range of musical settings. His jazz resume includes performances with Slide Hampton, Herbie Lewis, Jack McDuff, Charli Persip and Superband, the Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Orchestra, and the Woody Herman Orchestra. As a member of local show bands, he has backed stars like Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Harry Connick Jr., Julie Andrews and Rosemary Clooney. In addition to JazzMN, Dave is currently active in the groups Mulligan Stew, The Twin Cities 7, and Salsa del Soul. His debut recording as leader, Just Like That (Artegra), was released in 2005 and boasts a stellar lineup of Twin Cities jazz and latin artists. He also teaches, writes, arranges, and works as a graphic designer.

Brian Grivna (alto saxophone) - is a freelancer in the Twin Cities, spent ten years as a staff woodwind player at the Guthrie Theater and has toured with the Buddy Rich Band. He has been performing and recording with the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He plays on the Garrison Keillor radio show, "Prairie Home Companion" and with Broadway pit orchestras; he teaches saxophone and jazz improvisation at Macalester College and the University of Minnesota.

Dave Karr (tenor saxophone) - is a professional musician involved in many aspects of the music business. He has been composing and producing music for radio and TV since 1970, and with Mark Henderson formed Mark & Dave Music and Sound Design in 1996. As an instrumentalist, Karr has performed with name bands, symphony orchestras, Broadway shows and recording sessions. His saxophone and original compositions can be heard at local jazz venues, such as the Artists' Quarter in St. Paul, where he frequently can be found listening tojazz or performing with his quartet.

Mary Louise Knutson (piano) - has been called "one of the most exciting and innovative artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time." Her debut jazz trio CD, Call Me When You Get There, charted in the Top 50 in the United States and Canada for eight consecutive weeks and earned Knutson the award for Top New Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year from KWJL Radio, California, in 2001. In 2004, Knutson was the recipient of Lawrence University's distinguished Nathan M. Pusey Alumni Achievement Award for significant contributions and achievements in a career field, and in 2005, she was selected as one of five finalists in the Kennedy Center’s Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Pianist Competition. In 2006, Knutson was nominated for both Jazz Artist of the Year and Pianist of the Year by the Minnesota Music Awards. For more info, please visit: www.MaryLouiseKnutson.com

Dale Mendenhall (tenor saxophone) - Dale has over 30 years of professional music experience. As a freelance musician, Dale has performed at Orchestra Hall with the Minnesota Orchestra, The Guthrie, Ordway, Children's Theatre, The State and Orpheum Theatre, backing up such artists as Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, David Letterman,Jay Leno, and many more. He toured Japan with Ben Sidran and the Paris singer Clementine. He has toured Russia with the University of Minnesota concert band. His sound was heard on the #1 pop hit "Funkytown" and is in demand wherever quality music is a priority in the Twin Cities. He plays regularly with local groups like the Jimmy Behringer band, Minnesota Klezmer Band, TC Jammers with the Hornheads, Stud Brothers, Reuben Ristrom Trio,. His latest CD Four To GO can be heard on the KBEM jazz station. Dale also plays various jazz festivals around the country with the Orlando Florida based Bill Allred Classic Jazz Orchestra.

Michael B. Nelson (trombone) - has distinguished himself as leader, arranger and trombonist for the Hornheads, the a cappela jazz horn group. In addition to receiving the McKnight Composers Fellowship in 1996, he has composed and arranged for Prince and many international artists and has toured world wide with Prince. His trombone credits include performances with Doc Severinsen, Chaka Khan, Lenny Kravitz, Ben Sidran, Sammy Davis Jr., Phil Upchurch and many others. He has also produced and arranged several Target Lifescapes Series jazz CDs. He studied at the Lawrence Conservatory of Music, Appleton WI, under Fred Sturm, current Director of Jazz Studies at the Eastman School of Music. He is also a member of the trombone ensemble Locally Damaging Winds, heard periodically at The Artist Quarter in St. Paul.

Dave Singley (guitar) - has shared the stage with numerous jazz artists, including; Tal Farlow, George Shearing, Butch Thompson, Larry Elgart and Jim Snidero. He has also performed with Perry Como, Jimmie Rodgers, Debbie Reynolds, Rich Little, and many others. He can be heard on nearly a dozen CD's by local artists, including his own debut CD "How My Heart Sings". Dave holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Composition/Arranging from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and a Master of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University.

Pete Whitman (alto saxophone) - has been actively composing, arranging, and performing for the past 21 years. As a jazz saxophonist he has performed with such artists as Randy Brecker, Jack McDuff, and the Woody Herman Orchestra, and currently leads his own group, Departure Point. Whitman attended North Texas State University, where he received his B.M. and M.M. Majoring in Jazz Studies and Minoring in Flute. Currently, Whitman is also teaching at McNally Smith College, a Minneapolis-based music school where he heads the Woodwind and Brass Department.