Tom
Knific
has performed on tour and on record with Gene Bertoncini, Randy
Brecker, Art Farmer, Dave Brubeck, and others. He and Eric Marienthal
co-led the “Dream Band” with Toots Thielemans, Kenny Werner and
Harvey Mason in the first live interactive jazz concert multi-cast
world wide over the Internet. A renown educator, his students have
toured and recorded with Betty Carter, Vincent Herring, Cedar Walton,
and perform in orchestras on three continents. He is professor
of bass and director of jazz studies at Western Michigan University
and leader of the WJQ. The WJQ has appeared on four continents receiving
rave reviews for their five CD’s of original music. Knific’s two
solo CD’s, “Home Bass”,
1998, and “Siena”, 2004, have received critical acclaim. Knific
is president of the International Society of Bassists.
Trent
Kynaston
is professor of music at Western Michigan University where he teaches
saxophone, arranging, directs an award winning big band and performs
with the Western Jazz Quartet. He is a recipient of the coveted
gold Medaille d’Honore from the Conservatoire National de Musique
de Bordeaux. He has published numerous books and articles internationally
on various aspects of music and is recognized throughout the world
for his jazz solo transcription books. He has made over a dozen
recordings, including five with the Western Jazz Quartet. His compositions
form the heart of the WJQ repertoire.
Tim
Froncek
is the most respected drummer that resides in Michigan. He has performed
with Woody Herman, Ray Brown, Randy Brecker, Christian McBride,
Oliver Jones, Bud Shank, Bill Watrous, and others. As a visiting
artist at Western Michigan University, he teaches drum set and combos.
As drummer for the Western Jazz Quartet, he has toured North, South,
and Central America, as well as Europe and Asia. He can be heard
on the three most recent WJQ CD’s. Tim is a professor of jazz studies
at Grand Valley State University and leads his own big band in Grand
Rapids, Michigan. Tim is a clinician for Yamaha Drums.
Steve
Zegree
is considered one of the world‘s leading authorities on vocal jazz.
His Western Michigan University collegiate group, the Gold Company,
sets the standard. He is professor of jazz and classical piano at
WMU. He appears world wide as both a classical and jazz pianist,
and as an educator in instrumental and vocal jazz. He has published
extensively for Hal Leonard, the world’s largest music publisher,
and has published the definitive text on vocal jazz pedagogue for
Heritage Press.
A
renowned educator, his former students are among today’s leaders
in jazz and pop performance, Broadway, recording studio production,
writing, arranging, singing, and music education.