 Dave
Robinson, Director: Dave has directed the Capital Focus Jazz Band since its formation in 1988. He is an
active jazz performer, historian, and educator. On trumpet, cornet, valve trombone, and vocals, he has performed and toured with the top traditional and swing bands in the Washington DC area. He is the founder
of the Traditional
Jazz Educators Network, is Past President of the American Federation of Jazz Societies, and has produced the Smithsonian's
Jazz Concert Series. Dave helped to launch the Traditional Jazz Youth Band Festival in Sacramento, where he serves as clinician, lecturer and adjudicator, and he also has served on the faculty of the STJS Trad Jazz Youth Camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Dave hosted "The French Quarter" on XM Satellite Radio for three years, drawn from his huge archive of trad jazz recordings. He is currently producing the Traditional Jazz Curriculum Kit for national distribution in partnership with the National Association for Music Education (MENC), the Smithsonian Institution, the National Endowment for the Arts, and various foundations. |
| |
 |
 Ricky Alexander, a student at the U. of Maryland, is new to the band this year on clarinet, tenor and soprano sax. Ricky also plays in the Tom Cunningham Jazz Orchestra and leads his own jazz groups. He was named to the All-County (twice) and All-State Jazz Ensembles and is a Maryland Distinguished Scholar of the Arts. |
 Brian
Almeter played cornet and trumpet with the band in 1997-98.
Brian studied at Indiana University. He worked for the Smithsonian
Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, transferring handwritten arrangements
to computer notation, and was also Assistant Jazz Band Director
at Fairfax HS. Brian designed and maintains the CFJB web site. |
 Kate Amrine, a student at Walt Whitman HS, is new to the band this year on trumpet. Kate also plays in the Jazz Academy Orchestra and the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra, and was a semifinalist in the National Trumpet Competition. Kate has been accepted into the Eastman Summer Classical, Jazz, and Trumpet Institute programs. |
 Mark
Armon played tuba with the band in 1996-97 while a student at
Centreville HS. He went on to work in film production in New York City. |
 Keith
Atteberry played banjo and guitar with the band in 1991. Keith
studied Music Education at Pembroke State U. |
 Russell
Baker played trumpet with the band in 1997-98 while a student
at Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS. Russell was selected for the Maryland
All-State Jazz Band, and was the 1998 winner of the national Bix
Lives Jazz Award. Russell went on to attend Columbia U. |
 Joel
Baroody played drums with the band in 2003-2004 while a student
at Herndon High School. He went on to major in music at the U. of
South Carolina, with plans to play professionally. |
 Tom
Barrick played drums with the band in 1992. Tom later played
with Doc Scantlin and his Imperial Palms Orchestra and the Greg
Harrison Jazz Band, and currently holds the drums chair in the Radio
King Orchestra. |
 Ben
Bayer played tuba with the band in 1997-98 while a student at
Wheaton HS. He went on to study Music Education at West Virginia
U. |
 Teedo
Bilecky played banjo and guitar with the band in 1989-90 while
a student at JEB Stuart HS. |
 Alan
Biller played banjo, guitar and clarinet with the band in 1997-99
while a student at Richard Montgomery HS, and rejoined for 2007-8.
While in high school, he was named to the All-State Jazz Ensemble.
Alan went on to major in jazz performance at New York U.,
where he formed a student traditional jazz group, the Washington
Square Stompers. He later played bass on cruise ships, and served as a jazz intern at the Smithsonian. Alan is now back in New York pursuing graduate studies at New York U.
|
 David Brenneman, a student at the U. of Maryland, is new to the band this year on trombone. David was awarded the John Phillip Sousa Award, and was named to All-State Band three years, including one year as first chair. |
 Nick
Brewer played piano with the band in 1996 while a student at
Frederick Douglass HS. He won several awards for outstanding musicianship
before moving to Germany. |
 Wil Brumbach, a student at the U. of Maryland, is new to the band this year on banjo and guitar. Wil has studied with jazz guitarist Pat Martino. He is a winner of the Louis Armstrong Award as well as various soloist awards. |
 Antonio
Castro-Ossorio played piano with the band in 2007-8 while a student at Quince Orchard High School. Antonio was named to the All-State Jazz Ensemble twice, and received a "Top Talent Circle" rating from the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Antonio is now studying jazz at the U, of North Carolina--Greensboro. He intends to pursue a career as a professional pianist. |
 Eric Chandler, a student at Walter Johnson HS, is new to the band this year on trumpet. |
 Mike
Curtis played drums with the band in 1991 while a student at
Seneca Valley HS. He is now a jazz drummer and studio technician in California. |
 Jeanie
Dawson played clarinet with the band in 1989-90 while a student
at Catholic U. Jeanie became a music teacher at Maret School. |
 Sam
Dingman played clarinet and soprano sax with the band in 1999-2000
while a student at T.C. Williams HS. Sam was a winner of the Woody
Herman Jazz Award and Chantilly Jazz Festival's Best Soloist Award,
and was named to the All-State Jazz Ensemble. He went on to attend
Swarthmore College. |
 Anders Eliasson, a student at the U. of Maryland, is new to the band this year on drums. Anders is a recipient of the Louis Armstrong Award, and leads his own jazz combos. |
 Matt
Ellison played banjo and guitar with the band in 1993-95. Matt
studied at Berklee School of Music. |
 Greg
Englar played banjo and guitar with the band in 2006 while a student at James Hubert Blake HS. He was named to the All-State Jazz Ensemble, and played in the Blake Dixieland Band. Greg now attends New York U. |
 Dave
Erickson played trumpet with the band in 1993-94. He has played
in the HOTS Jazz Orchestra, Doc Scantlin and his Imperial Palms
Orchestra, Laissez Foure (trad jazz) and the New Columbia Swing Orchestra, and led a group
called D.C. Dixie. Dave is married to CFJB alumna Rachel McCarthy.
|
 Arianna
Fanning played drums with the band in 2007-8 while a student at Langley HS. She is the winner of a national scholarship awarded by the Percussive Arts Society, and was selected for the prestigious Governor's School summer program as well as the All-State Jazz Ensemble. Arianna has also played with the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra and the Annandale Jazz Ambassadors, with whom she performed overseas. She aspires to be a jazz band director and professional musician. |
 Harlan
Feinstein played trumpet, trombone, clarinet, and tuba with
the band from 1989-94 while a student at Georgetown U. Harlan became
a member of the board of directors of the Potomac River Jazz Club.
He now works as a computer programmer and musician in the Seattle
area. |
 Keith
Fitzgerald played trombone with the band in 1998 while a student
at George Mason U. He was selected to be in one of the bands at
Disney World in Florida. Keith went on to join the Air Force Band
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. |
 TJ
Fredrick played tuba with the band in 2001 while a student at
Herndon HS. He went on to pursue a Doctorate in Music Composition. |
 Mike
Gallant played piano with the band in 1998-99 while a student
at Sidwell Friends School. He received Honorable Mention in the
ARTS National Talent Competition, and was named to the All-State
Jazz Ensemble. Mike went on to attend Columbia U. |
 Geoff Gallante, a student at Stratford Landing Elementary School, is new to the band this year on cornet. Geoff has performed on NBC's "Tonight Show" and "Today Show", CBS' "Early Show", and on BBC Radio. He has performed at the White House, the Capitol, the Kennedy Center, and Blues Alley. He has been a featured soloist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Army Blues, and various wind ensembles, and has performed on nationally-televised ball games. He has shared a stage with Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Arturo Sandoval, Hugh Masekela, and Maynard Ferguson. Locally he has performed with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and has sat in with Dixieland Direct and the Washington Conservatory Jazz Band. Geoff also plays piano. |
 Brian
Garland played trumpet with the band in 1989 while a student
at JEB Stuart HS. He went on to graduate from James Madison U.,
and later became the Band Director at Falls Church HS. He is now
in Los Angeles composing music for films and television. |
 Justin
Greville played drums with the band in 1989-90 while a student
at Sandy Spring Friends School. He went on to study at Berklee School
of Music. |
 Ben
Grimley played trombone with the band in 1990 while a student
at Winston Churchill HS. |
 Lionel
Haas played piano with the band from 1992-95 while a student at
Georgetown U. He later studied in England before moving back to
his native Germany. |
 Calvin
Haney played trumpet with the band in 1996 while a student at
Northern Virginia Community College. He went on to study at Virginia
Commonwealth U. to be a music teacher. |
 Ben
Hankle played trumpet with the band in 2005-06 while a
student at the U. of Maryland. Ben was in the All-State Jazz Ensemble
in New Jersey for four years. He also spent three years in the New
York Tri-State Grammy Jazz Band, and one year in the All-American
Grammy Jazz Band. |
 Brian
Harper played clarinet and soprano sax with the band in 1991-92
while a student at Richard Montgomery HS. |
 Jake
Harper played piano with the band in 2006 while a student at Winston Churchill HS. He was named twice to the All-County Jazz Ensemble, and participated in the Paul Carr Jazz Camp. Jake also played in the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra and the Early Birds Jazz Collective. He now attends New York U. |
 Steve
Helfand played drums with the band in 1999-2000 while a
student at Montgomery Blair HS, and rejoined in 2002-03 while a student
at the U. of Maryland. He also performed locally with the James Bazen Big Band,
the Blue Sky Five, the Celestial Sliphorns and the SingCo Rhythm
Orchestra. Steve toured internationally for several months as a
member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and is now with the Air Force's
Heartland of America Bands in Omaha NE, including the jazz big band
The Notables. |
 Allan
Hill played clarinet and alto sax with the band in 1989 while
a student at Montgomery Blair HS. Allan went on to graduate from
New England Conservatory of Music. |
 Sam
Hillmer played clarinet and tenor sax with the band in 1996
while a student at Montgomery Blair HS. Sam went on to study music
composition at the Manhattan School of Music. |
 Brett
Hunter played drums with the band in 1997-98. Brett studied
at Cleveland Institute of Music. he toured Germany with
the Washington Symphony Orchestra, and performed with the
Federal Jazz Commission, the Sunshine Skiffle Band, the Beall Street
Seven, and Doc Scantlin and his Imperial Palms Orchestra. |
 Jon
Ilhan played tuba with the band in 1999 while a student at Chantilly
HS. He went on to attend Purdue U.
|
 Dave
Joyce played tuba with the band in 1989-93 while a student at
Georgetown U. He was previously selected for the McDonald's All-American
High School Band. Dave became an accountant on Wall Street, and
subsequently relocated to Florida. |
 Byung Kang, a student at Walter Johnson HS, is new to the band this year on drums. |
 Joe
Kaplowitz played tuba and piano with the band in 1989-91 while
a student at South Lakes HS. He was later selected for a spot in
the band at Walt Disney World. Joe was awarded the David Robinson
Scholarship by the International Association of Jazz Educators in
1995. Joe graduated from Youngstown State U., and now works as a
jazz organist in New York City. |
 Brian
Kaufman played tuba in the band in 2007-8 while a graduate student at the U. of Maryland. He has a degree in music education and tuba performance from the U. of Michigan, and completed his Masters in tuba performance. Brian has taught at summer music festivals, and is currently pursuing post-graduate studies in conducting at New England Conservatory while managing a youth orchestra. He has also done gigs as a jazz singer. |
 Brian
Keegan played tuba, trombone, trumpet, and clarinet with the
band from 1995 to 2003. After graduating from Chantilly HS, Brian
studied at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, Northern Virginia Community
College, and George Mason U. Brian was a winner of the Woody Herman
Jazz Award, and received a National Communicator Award for his original
jazz soundtrack to a documentary film. He toured Germany
with the Washington Symphony Orchestra; played in
D.C. Dixie, the Celestial Sliphorns, and the SingCo Rhythm Orchestra;
toured with the Bud Forrest Big Band; and appeared with the Artie
Shaw Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. With a Masters in jazz trombone, Brian went on to teach music at the U. of Miami. He now plays in the Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors. |
 Josh
Keller played trumpet with the band from 2002-06 while a student
at the U. of Maryland, and rejoined for 2007-8. An alumnus of
the Montgomery County Honors Jazz Ensemble and recipient of the
"President's Scholarship," Josh majored in Music Education.
He also played with the SingCo Rhythm Orchestra and the New Orleans-style brass band Yamomanem. After graduation,
Josh served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in New Orleans, participating
in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Josh then served as a substitute music teacher in Maryland schools before moving to Michigan to work as a director at a camp facility. |
 John
Kocur played clarinet, alto and soprano sax, banjo and guitar with the band in 2007-8 while a graduate student at Howard U. He has a degree in Music Education from George Mason U. and a Masters in Jazz Studies from Howard U. John performed in Japan with the Howard U. Jazz Ensemble, and has also performed with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra, Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, and McLean Jazz Orchestra, and leads his own quartet. John teaches jazz history and theory at George Mason U. and Northern Virginia Community College. He was named a Strathmore Artist in Residence. |
 Mike Kramer, a student at the U. of Maryland, is new to the band this year on banjo and guitar. Mike is a winner of the Jonathan T. Deutsch Award for young jazz composers. |
 Dave
Lambert played trombone with the band in 1992-94 while a student
at James Madison HS. Dave was twice a finalist in the East Coast
Jazz Festival's Fish Middleton Scholarship competition. Dave graduated
from James Madison U. with a degree in Music Education, and went
on to do graduate studies at Western Michigan U., where he won a
national Down Beat Award for "college outstanding performance". Now with a doctorate in music from the U. of Miami, Dave has taught at the U. of Georgia and is currently Director of Jazz Studies at U. of Mary in ND. |
 Kevin Lambert, a graduate of the U. of Maryland, is new to the band this year on tuba. Kevin is a recipient of the Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence, and was a National Merit Scholar. |
 Paul Lambert, a student at the U. of Maryland, is new to the band this year on trombone. He was named to the All-State Band and All-State Jazz Ensemble, and was a semifinalist in the Army's Classical Solo Competition. Paul is a National Merit Scholar. |
 Stephanie
Lee played clarinet with the band in 1996 while a student at
James Madison U. She won the National Association of Music Merchandisers
Scholarship, and has worked for the Musicians Union. She subsequently relocated to Florida. |
 Seth
Lieberman played clarinet and alto sax with the band in
2004-2005 while a student at the U. of Maryland. Seth majored in clarinet
performance under a music scholarship. Previously, he won a clarinet
performance scholarship from Skidmore College. Seth relocated to
New Jersey. |
Where we’ve played
