Skip Spiro's 10 Piece Blues / Jazz Project

6:30pm Doors

7pm Show

Skip Spiro's 10 Piece Jazz/Blues Project features the original works of

some of the most creative composer/arrangers on the scene today. The

sound of the group is an eclectic mix of the traditional big band era of the

30s and 40s, the burnin' NY bebop scene of the 50s and 60s, the rock/funk/

latin fusion scene that came to follow, and forms yet to be defined.

"The beauty of this 10 piece format", Spiro says, "is that we're big enough

to produce a very full ensemble sound, yet small enough to shine the

spotlight on each of the players. So the focus of the group is on new

original material (along with re-worked standards and such) designed to

feature each of these great ensemble players as soloists in their own right.

In the traditional sense, there are no sidemen in this band, everyone is a

featured soloist. This not only makes for a great musical experience, but a

very happy band. And of course judging from responses we receive night

after night, that enthusiasm translates right out there to the audience!”

An all-star lineup hits the stage at The Grape in Ventura on Thursday November 12. Musical artists who have toured and recorded with Cher, Kenny Loggins, Doobie Brothers, Maynard Ferguson, Ray Charles, Olivia Newton-John, Pat Benatar, Frank Sinatra Jr, Joan Armatrading, Melissa Manchester, and more —all in one tight knit fiery ensemble.

Skip Spiro’s 10 Piece Jazz/Blues Project personnel:

Skip Spiro — leader, trumpet, flugehorn (Herb Pomeroy Orchestra, Spiral Staircase, Tina Turner, Bill Medley)

Murray Middleman — alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet (Teddy Pendergrass, Sammy Davis Jr, Buddy Rich, Shirley Scott)

Colin Kupka — tenor saxophone, clarinet, soprano saxophone, flute (Kenny Loggins, Bennie Maupin, Jeff Goldblum’s Midred Snitzer Orchestra)

Gabe Katell — baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute (Kevin Hiatt Big Band, Sonny Phillips Ensemble, Conejo Jazz Orchestra)

Brandon Douglas — trumpet, flugelhorn (Matthew Felsen Big Band, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas pit orchestra, Gary Urwin Jazz Ensemble)

Alan Osmundson — trumpet, flugelhorn (Lovejoy, Psych Big Band, Jacob Collier)

Steve Johnson — trombone (Ray Charles, Don Ellis Orchestra, Willie Bobo, Johnny Polanco)

Rocky Davis — piano (Solid Gold, Psych Big Band, Outrageous 8, Janice Jarre)

Bill Bodine — bass (Cher, Leo Sayer, Olivia Newton-John, Melissa Manchester, Joan Armatrading)

Tony Pia — drums (Doobie Brothers, Pat Benatar, Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, Woody Herman Thundering Herd)