artists
Who We Are
Matt Gordy
Percussion
Matt Gordy is a drummer, percussionist, pianist ad composer who has performed with international orchestras all over the world, including the Orquesta Sinfonica de Maracaibo, Venezuela and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. He has also performed with star attractions including Joni Mitchell, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Brian Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Mose Allison, Mark Murphy, YES, Donna Summer, The Moody Blues, Seth MacFarlane, and Jerry Bergonzi. In 2013, he performed at the Changsha Music Festival in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
(818) 378-8152
John Proulx
Piano
John Proulx was one of the leaders of the two quartets that performed at the Changsha Music Festival in June 2013. This was part of the U.S. Jazz Delegation to China.
His piano playing is hot and swinging, and his voice recalls the smooth, mellow sounds of a young Chet Baker. John’s latest CD on MAXJAZZ, “Baker's Dozen-Remembering Chet Baker" is a tribute to the late trumpet player and vocalist. It features legendary musicians Chuck Berghofer, Joe LaBarbera, and special guest, Dominick Farinacci on trumpet. In addition to his own trio, John has performed with the likes of Anita O’Day, Natalie Cole, and Marian McPartland. John is also a Grammy-winning composer. Jazz legend, Nancy Wilson, recorded “These Golden Years,” a song that John co-wrote with lyricist D. Channsin Berry for her 2006 Grammy-winning CD, "Turned to Blue."
Chris Colangelo
Bass
Bassist Chris Colangelo is one of the genuine masters on his instrument. The first thing you notice about Chris’s playing — his tone, deeply resonant with astonishing articulation across the instrument’s sonic register. Once you adjust to such reverberant force, you recognize that this is a musician with serious chops … that hard to define, never forgotten lyric quality that separates yeoman time-keepers from bassists with seductive narrative power.
Chris was part of one of the quartets performing at the Changsha Music Festival in Changsha, Hunan, China in June 2013. This was part of the U.S. Jazz Delegation to China.
Sherry Williams
Singer
Since she began singing as a professional, Sherry has had the good fortune to rarely be out of work. She has toured with Debbie Reynolds, Andy Gibb, and the legendary Johnnie Ray, to name a few. In 1997, she released her first CD, “The Way You Love Me,” to rave reviews. Her second release, “A Taste Of Sherry,” was on the 2003 Grammy ballot and one of the songs was used in the soundtrack of the film THE CORE. Sherry toured Germany and Italy with Markus Burger and Jim Linahon, again working in important concert halls and jazz clubs, including the famed Birdland in Hamburg.
Ryan Dragon
Trombone
Dragon began studying trombone at the age of 10 under the leadership of Bill Tole, Ira Nepus, and Joey Sellers. After finishing Esperanza High School, he attended the Berklee School of Music where he studied jazz composition. Dragon’s first engagement was a Cirque du Soleil show called Bananna Schpeel. In LA Dragon has played/recorded with Gordon Goodwins Big Phat Band, John Beasley’s Monk’estra, Herbie Hancock, The Hollywood BowlOrchestra, John Tesh, Paul Anka, Johnny Mathis, Kid Songs, The Stradband, Kim Richmonds Concert Jazz Orchestra, John La Barbera’s Big Band, Danny Seraphine’s C.T.A, Lee Ritenhour and others.
Ryan was one of the original members of JazzTonite Sextet.
Chuck Berghofer
Bass
Chuck enjoys a varied career as a jazz musician and recording artist. He has performed on hundreds of movie soundtracks and TV shows, receiving the NARAS award for the most valuable bass player for 4 consecutive years. Two of his biggest ‘hits’ were his bass solo on ‘These Boots Are Made For Walking’ and the Barney Miller TV theme. He has worked with many jazz legends including Herb Ellis, Zoot Sims,Shelly Manne, Stan Getz, and renowned vocalists including Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Barbra Streisand, Joni Mitchell, Michael Buble. In the 90’s, Chuck joined the rhythm section to tour with Frank Sinatra, and later recorded the classic Duets I and II. He now records and performs with Seth MacFarlane.
Chuck was part of one of the quartets who performed at the Changsha Music Festival in Changsha, Hunan, China in June 2013.
This was part of the U.S. Jazz Delegation to China.
Chuck Manning
Saxophone
A long-time veteran of the Los Angeles jazz scene, Chuck has made thousands of appearances over the years, in the LA area and throughout the world. He has had a 3 decades long collaboration with the Los Angeles Jazz Quartet, a group that includes Larry Koonse, Darek Oles and Jason Harnell. Gary Fukushima of Downbeat wrote, “Anyone who knows anything about jazz in L.A. knows these guys represent the very best of what’s great in this town.” Chuck also has had a long associations with jazz greats Bobby Bradford, Henry Franklin, Theo Saunders, Putter and VR Smith and Isla Eckinger; all of which are well documented on many CD releases over the years.
Chuck was part of one of the quartets featured at the Changsha Music Festival in Changsha, Hunan, China in June 2013. This was part of the U.S. Jazz Delegation to China.
Alan Pasqua
Piano
Alan Pasqua is a Steinway Piano artist, Grammy Nominee and Professor of Jazz Studies at USC Thornton School of Music.
He has played and recorded with Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, and many others. He also recently composed and performed the piano improvisations for Bob Dylan and his Nobel Prize acceptance speech. His most releases are solo piano recordings. “Soliloquy” is a stunning recording of Alan’s favorite standards recorded on his Hamburg Steinway concert grand piano. Just released in November of 2020 is “Day Dream”.
ido meshulam
Trombone
Ido has collaborated and performed with artists such as Billy Childs, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Slonaker, John Beasley, CTA, Bill Holman, Steve Huffsteter, Mike Barone, John Daversa, Sara Gazarek, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The U.S. Army Blues and many more. Notable performances include the 2016 International Jazz Day at the white house hosted by first lady Michelle Obama, Playboy Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center, JEN Conference and the Annual LA Jazz Institute’s festival among others. In addition, Ido was recently featured on Billy Childs’ GRAMMY winning album “Rebirth” and on John Beasley’s GRAMMY nominated album “MONK’estra Vol. 2.” Presently, Ido serves as jazz trombone faculty and ensemble director at California State University, Northridge.
Jeff Ellwood
Saxophone
Jeff Ellwood is the Director of Instrumental Jazz Studies at Mt. San Antonio College. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Berklee College of Music and Master of Music degree from Cal Sate Fullerton. Jeff was a member of the 2002 & 2003 Henry Mancini Institute. Jeff has performed or recorded with: Tony Bennett, Alan Pasqua, the Bill Cunliffe Big Band, Rick Margitza, Jerry Bergonzi, Terell Stafford, Joe LaBarbera, Jimmy Haslip, Dave Carpenter, Darek Oles, James Moody, Randy Brecker, Christian McBride, Bob Mintzer, Eddie Daniels, and Gary Burton to name a few.
Ron Stout
Trumpet
A Musician’s Union member since age 15, Ron studied music at Orange Coast College and Golden West College where he was frequently the recipient of "Best Soloist" awards from Jazz Festivals statewide. Since 1991 Ron has taught part-time, recorded and performed in and around Los Angeles, traveling occasionally to Europe upon invitation. Ron spent three seasons traveling and recording with Horace Silver in groups ranging from the classic quintet setting to the ten-piece brass ensemble. His other small group jazz work has been with: Saxophonist Karl Denson, Pepper Adams, and Supersax; Pianist Les Czimber also with Poncho Sanchez, Matt Zebley, and David Berger.
