Latin Jazz Ensemble to perform at Lindero Canyon
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Matt Finders

Lindero Canyon Middle School's jazz program just got jazzier with the announcement that Bill Cunliffe and his Latin Jazz Ensemble will perform a benefit concert on Thurs., Feb. 15 on the school campus.

Student jazz bads will perform during the first half hour of the show, said Bicky Rippe, an office assistant for the school's music department.

Matt Finders, trombonist for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," member of the ensemble and director of the school's Jazz Band "B," arranged the engagement.

"It should be a really great concert," Finders said. "The ensemble is probably my favorite band to play with here in L.A. They're all local pros and are all really great players."

Eighth grade student Mara Weiner, the lead trumpet player for the Jazz A band, composed a special song for the concert called "Lindero Rock." She also made all the arrangements, Rippe said.

According to Rippe, the concert will help finance the Jazz Band "A" trip to the Reno Jazz Festival at the end of April. The Jazz Band "A" is directed by Matt McKagan, who will also perform at the upcoming concert.

The ensemble features several well-known musicians. Bob Sheppard plays the flute and saxophone, but is also accomplished on the clarinet and bass clarinet. Sheppard toured with Chick Corea and is featured on Coreas's Grammy-nominated CD "Change" and has recorded over 100 television and movie soundtracks.

Kye Palmer, a member of the band on the "Tonight Show," will perform on trumpet with the ensemble. Palmer studied with such notable musicians as Bobby Shew and jazz vibraphonist Charlie Shoemaker. (A vibraphone is similar to an African xylophone.) He performs with the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band and the Brian Seltzer Orchestra. Palmer's movie credits include soundtrack recordings for "Stuart Little" and "Me, Myself and Irene."

Bruce Paulson, the lead trombonist for the Glen Miller Orchestra when it was headed by Buddy DeFranco in 1970, will rock the house at the benefit event. Paulson was a 20-year member of "The Tonight Show" band when Johnny Carson reigned as latenight king and the band was directed by Doc Severinson.

An accomplished trombonist, Finders performed both live and in the studio with Bob Mintser Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, Harry Connick, Jr., Natalie Cole, Sting and Blood, Sweat and Tears prior to joining the "Tonight Show" band. Finders' film credits include "Internal Affairs," "Clockers" and "Glengarry Glen Ross." He also performed on Broadway in several shows including "Cats," "Secret Garden," "Anything Goes" and "Rags."

Rene Camacho, who plays bass, initially focused on Latin jazz, and appeared with Tito Puente and Poncho Sanchez, before performing for five years with Celia Cruz. Camacho is also accomplished in soul, R&B, country and rock. Such diversity has enabled him to record and tour with a wide spectrum of artists with a variety of musical backgrounds.

Joey De Leon Jr., percussionist, will play the congas. De Leon currently performs with former Earth Wind & Fire guitarist Al McKay and recently returned from touring southwest Asia, India, Sri Lanka and Europe.

Ramon Banda will be the ensemble's featured drummer. Banda is known for his work on timbales with the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band. He has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Freddie Hubbard, Carmen McRae, Chick Correa and Arturo Sandoval.

Grammynominated composer, arranger and jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe will play the piano with the ensemble. Cunliffe toured as pianist and arranger with the Buddy Rich Big Band, Frank Sinatra and Freddie Hubbard. He currently works with his own trio and sextet, the Clayton Brothers Quintet.

The concert will take place at the Lindero Canyon Middle School's Capretta Memorial Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each, and there will be open seating. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at the school through the music office.

Lindero Canyon Middle School is at 5844 Larboard Lane in Agoura Hills. For further information, contact Lindero Canyon Middle School at (818) 889-2134.