Bop Shop Records is pleased to present: The Music of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, a Tribute featuring John Hasselback & Phil Sims
Sunday, October 21, 4pm - 6pm
Bop Shop Records 1460 Monroe Ave. Rochester NY
$10 at the door/ $5 for students
J.J. Johnson might be called the father of bebop trombone, with legendary mobility on his instrument. Trombonist Kai Winding was also a great player, and their playing in tandem is so in tune and so rhythmically together that they are like musical twins.
Trombonist, John Hasselback jr.
John Hasselback, Jr. started playing professionally with his father as a young teenager. After studies with the legendary Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music, he returned to Buffalo, where he has been an active force on the Jazz scene for nearly 30 years. He has performed across the United States and Europe, and recorded with noted musicians including Don Menza, Jaki Byard, Lester Bowie, Steve Davis and Aretha Franklin. He is a featured soloist on recordings with Gap Mangione, Kenny Wheeler, and Don Menza. "Menza Lines," which was recorded live in Los Angeles at the "Stratospheric" celebration of Maynard Ferguson's 75th birthday, was selected as one of the top releases of 2005 by the critics of Jazz Times Magazine. John has been named "Top Jazz Trombonist in Western New York" by the JazzBuffalo poll each year since the poll's inception in 2014.
Trombonist, Phil Sims
Over the last forty years Phil Sims has created arrangements and orchestrations for performers and recording artists such as the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, sax and clarinet recording artist, Salvatore Andolina, vocalist, Katy Miner, BPO Grateful Dead Orchestral/Tribute Band, the Jim Tudini Orchestra, the Bobby Lebel Orchestra, the Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz orchestra, and many other artists.
After touring extensively with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra as lead trombonist and arranger, Phil returned to Buffalo and has been very active as a performer, band leader, composer, and arranger. He has a Master’s Degree in Music from SUNY at Buffalo. Phil currently is a partner with Imagine Music Publishing, in Medina, NY and is the in-house arranger for Crosswater Digital Media in Buffalo, NY. Phil also performs with several jazz groups including his own Musicians of Buffalo Big Band, Katy Miner and the Cabaret Big Band, and is a leader of many smaller ensembles and a staple on the Western New York Jazz Scene. In the 1908s and ‘90s his big band, The Buffalo Brass, was recorded on Mark Records, and has received critical acclaim.
Pianist, Lisa Hasselback
Texas native, Lisa Hasselback has been a pianist in the Buffalo, NY area since 1988. She has played with the Buffalo Philharmonic Pops Orchestra for trumpeter Byron Stripling and vocalist Marva Hicks, The New York Voices, Liz Callaway singing the Carole King songbook and American Idol winner Melinda Doolittle. Lisa has toured with The Four Lads, The Four Aces and The Chordettes. She has played for Bob Newhart at Chautauqua Institute. She has played with Houston Person at the Albright-Knox Summer Jazz Series. Williamsville East High School Legends of Jazz Concert Series has hosted her playing with featured artists Ernie Watts, Regina Carter, Houston Person, John Pizzarelli, Karin Allyson and Jane Monheit. She has accompanied The Drifters at the Niagara Casino, played for Channel 7’s Variety Club Telethon and for Aretha Franklin at Art Park. Buffalo Jazz Collective has featured trumpeter Freddie Hendrix , Buffalo’s own, tenor saxophonist, Don Menza and trumpeter, Sam Noto for which she has accompanied. She has played as a soloist and has been a part of numerous small combos, big bands and festivals in the area working with Clay Jenkins, Cindy Miller, Sabu Adeyola, Bobby Militello, Phil Sims and Wendell Rivera to name a few. She and her husband, trombonist, John Hasselback, Jr., make their home in East Aurora, NY and have three grown children.
Bassist, Paul Zapalowski
A highly sought after classical and jazz bassist in Western New York. He earned his BFA (cum laude) from State University of New York at Buffalo. His musical experience covers the classical, jazz, pop, big band and traditional genres.
Performing regularly with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chautauqua Symphony, he has also made guest appearances with several other major orchestras. Paul has toured extensively in the United States, Europe and Scandinavia with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Woody Herman Big Band. As staff musician for several cruise lines, Paul has circumnavigated the world visiting 46 countries. Paul has also had the privilege of accompanying many major artists including Doc Severinsen, Mark Murphy, Nancy Wilson, Barney Kessel and Joe Pass.
Currently, Paul is a 31 year member of the Barroom Buzzards, who were inducted as an ensemble into Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2002. He is a lecturer of applied Bass Studies at SUNY Buffalo State.
Drummer, Dan Hull
As originator and host of Buffalo's longest running guest artist series, drummer Danny Hull has enjoyed the unique distinction of accompanying some of the finest jazz musicians in the world. Dan Hull and Friends at the Amherst Anchor Bar is a staple on the regional jazz scene, featuring both local talent and musicians of international repute.
Versatile and experienced in a variety of genres, Dan has been called upon to accompany the varied and sundry artists who appear on the Buffalo Philharmonic Pops Concerts, or as an accompanist to visiting artists - Judy Collins, John Pizzarelli, Jane Monheit, Houston Person, Karrin Allyson, Cyrus Chestnut, Kevin Mahogany, Don Rickles, Bill Charlap, Freddy Cole, Pat La Barbera, and Ernie Watts to name but a few. Among other highlights in a busy and rewarding musical career, was a tour of Peru and Brazil as a cultural representative for the United States Information Service.
