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Band Member Projects
See what we've been up to! Here is our collection of solo band member projects over the years, and a collection of press clippings that we're oh so proud of!
Pennsylvania Jazz Collective
MISSION Statement
The Pennsylvania Jazz Collective strives to expose and promote the diversity of jazz through education, outreach and performance encouraging participation in America's unique art form.
The Three Goals: 1.- To educate the public about numerous world class musicians that reside in our region. Neighbors that perform with household names such as Frank Sinatra, Jr., Liza Manelli, Phil Woods and on. Requesting member support to enable live performances to once again thrive in our area.
2.- This enabled us to create employment opportunities for local jazz musicians of excellence.
3.- Educate Youth - While we helped a number of budding young virtuoso's, It was not our intention to create more jazz musicians. Most importantly it was all about building future audiences in support of this unique American Art form.
Our plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The first thing the board did was develope a criteria of musical excellence. They then listed all qualified regional artists and voted for inclusion.. Hence our Collective roster. In an effort to further educate the community we awarded an artist of the year based on their outstanding contributions. This decision was unanimously agreed upon by the board. These artists are indeed the "cream of the crop" in our region and beyond.
(Later we created additional awards including: Youth, business, lifetime achievement, etc.)
ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
Year 1 - NELSON HILL - Alto Saxophonist with Co-op
Year 2 - TOM KOZIC - Guitarist with Co-op
Year 3 - CRAIG KASTELNIK - Hammond B3 Organist
(Co-op)
Year 4 - GARY RISSMILLER - Drums (Co-op)
Year 5 - Bill Washer - Guitarist -
Sometime sub for Tom Kozic w/Co-op
Year 6 - Paul Rostock - Acc. Bassist
Year 7 -- Neil Wetzel - Alto Saxophonist
Sometime sub for Nelson Hill w/ Co-op
In partnership with Moravian College, where Alan taught for over 26 years, the first creation was a FALL - 4 day November jazz series. This series changed the featured instrument each year as follows:
2012 Trumpet Guest RANDY BRECKER
2013 Sax Guest PHIL WOODS NEA Jazz Master
2014 Piano Guest BOB DOROUGH NEA Jazz Master
2015 Trombone Guest ROBIN EUBANKS
2016 Big Band - Composition Guest
MARIA SCHNEIDER NEA Jazz Master
2017 Guitar Guest VIC JURIS
2018 Arrangers -- Guests - Andrew Neu, David
Springfield & Mike Tomaro
It was our objective to present these artists in education clinics and performances at no charge to area school students. The featured guests are world class artists of international acclaim. (Regional artists have been interacting with them regularly over the years- giving us a more personal relationship that differs from the normal booking venues).
Students were given the opportunity to interact up close and personal.
We also created a Spring series with the theme JAZZ IDOL - Our version of the popular TV show AMERICAN IDOL Our program focused on improvisation which is the one thing that school kids get the least amount of exposure to. This was the backbone of what we as professional jazz artists offered.
ALWAYS FREE -
Finally we attempted to produce our own Jazz festival - We ultimately presented three consecutive years 2016, 17 & 18. This turned out to be a very difficult task considering there are many existing competitors. Many thanks to Richard & Susan Master of MCS Industries for the unwavering support of jazz in the Lehigh Valley. Additionally - We also produced 5 annual summer scholarship fundraising events at a regional winery and 3 end summer young Jazz artist showcases at Riverside Park along the Delaware River in Easton, PA.
Members of CO-OP BOP were active throughout this 8 year time period. COVID turned out to be a very difficult time period for live music and ultimately the Collective was forced to cease activities.
Online Press for PA Jazz:
https://www.mcall.com/2016/07/14/first-christmas-city-jazz-fest-is-saturday-in-bethlehem/
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2018/07/19/christmas-city-jazz-festival-in-bethlehem/
https://www.lvpnews.com/20170721/afternoon-night-delight-spyro-gyras-to
https://biography.omicsonline.org/united-states-of-america/moravian-college/alan-gaumer-422656
https://www.mcall.com/1986/01/17/french-horn-of-plenty-lv-native-plays-classical-jazz-with-distinction/
https://www.mcall.com/2011/12/14/top-3-concerts-jazz-christmas-party/
https://www.mcall.com/2018/06/01/grammy-winner-half-dozen-more-to-play-bob-doroughs-music-at-jazz-scholarship-fund-raiser/
The Pennsylvania Jazz Collective strives to expose and promote the diversity of jazz through education, outreach and performance encouraging participation in America's unique art form.
The Three Goals: 1.- To educate the public about numerous world class musicians that reside in our region. Neighbors that perform with household names such as Frank Sinatra, Jr., Liza Manelli, Phil Woods and on. Requesting member support to enable live performances to once again thrive in our area.
2.- This enabled us to create employment opportunities for local jazz musicians of excellence.
3.- Educate Youth - While we helped a number of budding young virtuoso's, It was not our intention to create more jazz musicians. Most importantly it was all about building future audiences in support of this unique American Art form.
Our plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The first thing the board did was develope a criteria of musical excellence. They then listed all qualified regional artists and voted for inclusion.. Hence our Collective roster. In an effort to further educate the community we awarded an artist of the year based on their outstanding contributions. This decision was unanimously agreed upon by the board. These artists are indeed the "cream of the crop" in our region and beyond.
(Later we created additional awards including: Youth, business, lifetime achievement, etc.)
ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
Year 1 - NELSON HILL - Alto Saxophonist with Co-op
Year 2 - TOM KOZIC - Guitarist with Co-op
Year 3 - CRAIG KASTELNIK - Hammond B3 Organist
(Co-op)
Year 4 - GARY RISSMILLER - Drums (Co-op)
Year 5 - Bill Washer - Guitarist -
Sometime sub for Tom Kozic w/Co-op
Year 6 - Paul Rostock - Acc. Bassist
Year 7 -- Neil Wetzel - Alto Saxophonist
Sometime sub for Nelson Hill w/ Co-op
In partnership with Moravian College, where Alan taught for over 26 years, the first creation was a FALL - 4 day November jazz series. This series changed the featured instrument each year as follows:
2012 Trumpet Guest RANDY BRECKER
2013 Sax Guest PHIL WOODS NEA Jazz Master
2014 Piano Guest BOB DOROUGH NEA Jazz Master
2015 Trombone Guest ROBIN EUBANKS
2016 Big Band - Composition Guest
MARIA SCHNEIDER NEA Jazz Master
2017 Guitar Guest VIC JURIS
2018 Arrangers -- Guests - Andrew Neu, David
Springfield & Mike Tomaro
It was our objective to present these artists in education clinics and performances at no charge to area school students. The featured guests are world class artists of international acclaim. (Regional artists have been interacting with them regularly over the years- giving us a more personal relationship that differs from the normal booking venues).
Students were given the opportunity to interact up close and personal.
We also created a Spring series with the theme JAZZ IDOL - Our version of the popular TV show AMERICAN IDOL Our program focused on improvisation which is the one thing that school kids get the least amount of exposure to. This was the backbone of what we as professional jazz artists offered.
ALWAYS FREE -
Finally we attempted to produce our own Jazz festival - We ultimately presented three consecutive years 2016, 17 & 18. This turned out to be a very difficult task considering there are many existing competitors. Many thanks to Richard & Susan Master of MCS Industries for the unwavering support of jazz in the Lehigh Valley. Additionally - We also produced 5 annual summer scholarship fundraising events at a regional winery and 3 end summer young Jazz artist showcases at Riverside Park along the Delaware River in Easton, PA.
Members of CO-OP BOP were active throughout this 8 year time period. COVID turned out to be a very difficult time period for live music and ultimately the Collective was forced to cease activities.
Online Press for PA Jazz:
https://www.mcall.com/2016/07/14/first-christmas-city-jazz-fest-is-saturday-in-bethlehem/
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2018/07/19/christmas-city-jazz-festival-in-bethlehem/
https://www.lvpnews.com/20170721/afternoon-night-delight-spyro-gyras-to
https://biography.omicsonline.org/united-states-of-america/moravian-college/alan-gaumer-422656
https://www.mcall.com/1986/01/17/french-horn-of-plenty-lv-native-plays-classical-jazz-with-distinction/
https://www.mcall.com/2011/12/14/top-3-concerts-jazz-christmas-party/
https://www.mcall.com/2018/06/01/grammy-winner-half-dozen-more-to-play-bob-doroughs-music-at-jazz-scholarship-fund-raiser/
Pianoless Quartet
This title pretty much speaks for itself.
However historically speaking, some 30 years ago, Jazz Icons Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker teamed up to introduce a previously unheard of quartet combination that did not include a piano (harmonic) voice.
This demands a great deal more authority while at the same time allows for much more freedom. Meaning : more room for the horns.
In this band we have an additional unique quality. An instrument normally associated with orchestral activities.
Bobby Routch, French Hornist (actually preceded Nelson Hill in the Quintet) internationally renowned joins Alan and any one of the marvelous bassists and drummers from within the collective presenting new works and classics from the past.
However historically speaking, some 30 years ago, Jazz Icons Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker teamed up to introduce a previously unheard of quartet combination that did not include a piano (harmonic) voice.
This demands a great deal more authority while at the same time allows for much more freedom. Meaning : more room for the horns.
In this band we have an additional unique quality. An instrument normally associated with orchestral activities.
Bobby Routch, French Hornist (actually preceded Nelson Hill in the Quintet) internationally renowned joins Alan and any one of the marvelous bassists and drummers from within the collective presenting new works and classics from the past.
KATO
KATO the musical duo is made up of band members Craig Kastelnik and his wife Pat Kastelnik.
https://www.katoduo.com/home
https://www.katoduo.com/home
The Flyers Re-Union Band
This is a get together of what was a very popular band in it’s time (1975-78)
We play mostly what would be considered “FUNK” type stuff. (Nowadays it could be called “fusion” or even “smoothe”.) For the record, we’ll stick with the “FUNK” label.
The Rep. includes such classics as Canteloupe Island (H. Hancock), Keep Your Soul Together (Freddie Hubbard), Pick Up the Pieces (Average White Band) and much more.
The band pictured at right, featuring all but one of the original members of P.F. & the Flyers , is responsible for the re-union of PF and AG . After many years they’re playing together again, with a commitment. That said, calling on any members from within the collective is sure to supply Peter and Alan with a great platform with which to present their smoothe and funky groves.
Some regular guests include John Sproat, Jim McGee, and Tom Kozic.
We play mostly what would be considered “FUNK” type stuff. (Nowadays it could be called “fusion” or even “smoothe”.) For the record, we’ll stick with the “FUNK” label.
The Rep. includes such classics as Canteloupe Island (H. Hancock), Keep Your Soul Together (Freddie Hubbard), Pick Up the Pieces (Average White Band) and much more.
The band pictured at right, featuring all but one of the original members of P.F. & the Flyers , is responsible for the re-union of PF and AG . After many years they’re playing together again, with a commitment. That said, calling on any members from within the collective is sure to supply Peter and Alan with a great platform with which to present their smoothe and funky groves.
Some regular guests include John Sproat, Jim McGee, and Tom Kozic.
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