"Itâs easy to forget that jazz is supposed to be as much fun as it is arty. Thatâs where the Potomac Jazz Project comes in." Michael J. West, Washington City Paper. This quartet will keep you toe-tapping and smiling all the way.

8 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Mainstream Jazz, JAZZ: Hard Bop



Details:
"Itâs easy to forget that jazz is supposed to be as much fun as it is arty. Thatâs where the Potomac Jazz Project comes in." Michael J. West, Washington City Paper. Read the full review at the link on your left!

Jazz can still be fun!! The Potomac Jazz Project is one of the Washington, DC areaâs busiest and most popular straight-ahead jazz groups.

For this recording, we've chosen a collection of great jazz tunes with arrangements that have proven immensely popular in their live performances. Evoking feelings of fun, adventure and nostalgia, the rich blend weaves together the sounds, time and textures of many cultures.

From Billy Strayhornâs âChelsea Bridge,â to Carlos Jobimâs âCorcovado,â the song titles convey picturesque images from all over the world, hence the title, The Scenic Route. And from the "Island sound" of St. Thomas to the ska-inspired arrangement of "Night in Tunisia," you are in for an eclectic trip. Bon voyage. We hope you enjoy!


Band - Members (All members appear on all tracks.)

Stan Hamrick â Springfield, VA â Bass, Founder of Potomac Jazz Project.

Stan has been studying and playing music since his high school days in the 1970âs. He played in The University of Virginia Jazz Ensemble, The University of Virginia Symphony Orchestra and numerous jazz groups in the Charlottesville and Washington DC areas. He has studied with DC area bassists and educators Tom Baldwin and Victor Dvoskin, and shared the stage with DC mainstays as Wade Beach and Larry Brown. He is currently enrolled in the Jazz Studies Program at The University of Maryland where he plays in the UM Big Band.

Gary Taylor â Quinque, VA â Drums, and one of Original Members of Potomac Jazz Project

Drummer Gary Taylor has been a professional rock, R&B, and jazz drummer much of his adult life. He has toured and played with bands all over the East Coast, including a stint in the 80s as leader of the Boston R&B icon, Tremendous Richard. Because of his varied musical experiences, he brings rhythmic precision and wide range of rhythmic sensibilities to the group. He studied with Alan Dawson, formerly of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has accompanied and/or recorded with many noted DC and Virginia jazz artists, including Dennis Guinan, Peter Spaar and Royce Campbell.


Steve Wolfe â Manassas, VA â Saxophone

Steve started playing sax in elementary school. By high school, he was a Virginia State Jazz Soloist. He has played with the Tom Cunningham Orchestra, and the rock band, Ransom. He has studied privately with saxophonists Jeff Antoniuk, Ron Diehl, Jim Hayward, and Tedd Baker (Airmen of Note). In addition to the Potomac Jazz Project, Steve performs with the jazz quartet, Sonorous, and a fusion band, The Keith Wesby Group.

Tala Faral â Falls Church, VA â Keyboards

Tala was born in Madagascar, and grew up in the musical household of his late father, Jean Style, a composer, actor, pianist and choir director. Talaâs focus is Modern Jazz, keyboards, and saxophone. From his travels around the globe (Indonesia, Madagascar, Burkina/Africa) he brings a varied and worldwide musical vision to his playing.