Tall Jazz was formed in 1989 with the goal of establishing a unique sounding jazz trio with an emphasis on arrangements of 'standard' repertoire as well as original material. To date, Tall Jazz has performed over 1600 engagements and recorded 6 CDs. The newest CD,'Ode To A Vibes Generation', was released in September 2001 as a tribute to vibists Milt Jackson, Red Norvo, Cal Tjader and Lionel Hampton. Tall Jazz has been involved in a wide variety of musical endeavors, from club dates, concerts and festivals, to workshops, clinics and school assemblies, as well as private parties and corporate events. You can contact Tall Jazz to sign up for the upcoming perfomance mailing list, booking or any other reason at talljazz@talljazz.com
Dan
Presley - String Bass
Dan
has been performing professionally since 1969 throughout the United States.
He has appeared with national artists Rebecca Kilgore, Bud Shank, Bobby Shew,
Scott Hamilton (Concord Records), Bill Berry (Duke Ellington alumnus), Lew
Tabakin, Dave McKenna, Mark Murphy and most recently, pianist George Cables
(pianist for Dexter Gordon, and solo career). He studied guitar from age 7,
attended University of Oregon 1969-74, and founded Willamette Valley Folk
Festival (now 20+ years still active). His early career includes bluegrass/folk
with Muddy Bottom Boys 1972-76, Everything's Jake (swing jazz) 1976-78, Wholly
Cats (jazz/swing) 1978-86, which released two recordings and toured throughout
western US & Canada. He has also performed in the Rebecca Kilgore quartet
1986-88, the Art Abrams Swing Machine Big band 1988-90, and the Ranch Dressing
Western Swing Big Band. In 1989 Dan co-founded the trio Tall Jazz, which is
still in demand and has six recordings to its name. When not performing with
with Tall Jazz, Dan performs with the Mazeltov klezmer group, Lilly Wilde,
David Cooley, the Dennis Costi (DC big band), Larry Natwick, Ellen Vanderslice,
Larry Nobori, Gordon Lee, George Mitchell, Larry Adair, the Pacific Jazz Big
Band and the "Radio Revue Orchestra" led by Marv & Rindy Ross
(Oregon Trail Band & Quarterflash). As an educator, Dan teaches privately,
organizes bass clinics throughout the area, was jazz band instructor for Wilson
High School (Portland, OR) 1995-97. He is a member of the Portland Community
College Music Career Curriculum Advisory Board, and an adjunct faculty member
for Marylhurst University. Currently, Dan is the special project coordinator
for the M.U.S.E. band program headquartered in Portland. He also produces
CD’s and demo tapes for local artists. You can reach Dan at: dpresley@comcast.net
Mike
Horsfall - Piano, Vibes
Mike
Horsfall has enjoyed a successful and diverse musical career for over 25 years,
serving as an educator, composer, arranger, recording artist and concert soloist.
He was educated at Central Washington University and the University of Washington,
earning a Bachelors in Piano degree from Marylhurst University in Portland,
Oregon. In the early 70's Mike studied the vibraphone with jazz great Gary
Burton, developing a rich 4-mallet style. The next decade found Mike playing
piano and vibes in various venues across the country. Upon settling down with
his wife and two daughters in Portland, Oregon, he began performing in a number
of different settings ranging from classical to rock and roll and country
western. In 1989 he co-founded the trio Tall Jazz, playing vibes and piano
and serving as musical director. The trio started a record company, PHD Music,
which represents jazz artists in the Portland area, and currently has 15 titles
on the market, including a piano solo CD that Mike recorded in 1998 ("I
Thought About You" PHD-1008). His acclaimed composition
and arranging skills can by heard on any of the six recordings that Tall Jazz
has on the PHD label. He was recently awarded First Place (Jazz) in the 2002
USA Songwriting Contest for his work on the tune, "Moonshadow Dance" ("Once
In A Blue Moon" PHD-1013). Mike is in demand as a concert
soloist, both on piano and vibes. He is also an avid music educator, with
private students studying piano, vibes and jazz harmony. He is an adjunct
faculty member at Mt. Hood Community College. In 1994 Mike designed a program
giving piano students a chance to perform in a professional setting, and earned
wide acclaim from the National Music Teachers Association. An accomplished,
well-rounded musician, he has recorded and/or performed with a large number
of world class musicians, including Bud Shank, Bobby Shew, Leroy Vinegar,
Rebecca Kilgore, Marilyn Keller, Darrell Grant, Pete Rugolo, and Norman Leyden,
among others. You can reach Mike at: horsfall5@comcast.net
Drummer/composer David Averre was born in Pennsylvania, and graduated from the College of New Jersey with a degree in Music Education. David has collaborated with a variety of artists as a freelance drummer and studio musician in New York City. He later received the opportunity to perform steadily in Europe. David resided in Scandinavia for two years, and performed with musicians such as John Surman, Armen Donelian, Tony Coe, Arild Anderson, and the Danish trombonist Eje Theilin. He performed at the internationally acclaimed Molde Jazz Festival, and Voss Jazz Festival every year. This led to further engagements with both European and American jazz artists. After returning to America, David furthered his education on piano and composition, and was performing with artists Mose Allison and tap dancer Brenda Buffalino. Upon moving to the Portland/Vancouver, Washington metro area, he was employed as a jazz educator for the Vancouver,Wa school district. He has been performing with local (Portland) artists Dave Captein, Randy Porter, Steve Christofferson, Rob Davis, George Mitchell, Jerry Hahn, John Stowell, and many others. He recently completed the music for an original theater production,"Havok's Burden", which premiered in Portland in 2002. David is currently teaching privately as well as performing with Tall Jazz. You can reach Dave at:: dcaverre@comcast.net
