Peter Epstein, saxophone
Saxophonist Peter Epstein is the director of the Program in Jazz & Improvisational Music at University of Nevada, Reno. He began his career in 1984 in Portland, OR where he apprenticed with resident musicians like Nancy King and Glen Moore. After four years of studying jazz and various world music genres at California Institute of the Arts he moved to New York City (1992 - 2002). Throughout his career he has appeared on over 30 recordings and has toured in more than 20 countries with such notable artists as Bobby Previte, Brad Shepik, Ralph Alessi, Michael Cain, Miroslav Tadic, Medeski, Martin, & Wood, Mike Stern, Steve Coleman, Jim Black, Ravi Coltrane, Uri Caine, Kadri Golpalnath, and many others. As a leader, Peter has released four albums for MA Recordings. His most recent collaboration is Lingua Franca, which also features Brad Shepik and Matt Kilmer, on the Songlines label. Even more recent is Once and Again, the latest release from resident University of Nevada, Reno faculty ensemble, The Collective. Peter received a BFA in Jazz Performance from Cal Arts in 1992 and a Master of Music from UNR in 2004.
For a brief period each winter, longer during the summer, Peter can also be found subletting in Park Slope, playing at assorted Brooklyn venues, and teaching at the Center for Improvisational Music. Current projects: Abstract Realism, UNR's The Collective; Lingua Franca (w/ guitarist Brad Shepik and percussionist Matt Kilmer); Ralph Alessi's Modular Theatre; James Carney Group; recordings for MA Recordings and Songlines.
James Miley, piano
James Miley, recipient of the Gil Evans Fellowship in Jazz Composition, is currently Director of Jazz Studies at Willamette University in Salem, OR. A composer and improvising pianist comfortable in both the jazz and classical idioms, he has written music for a variety of chamber and choral ensembles in addition to his work for jazz orchestra. In 2006 he made his Carnegie Hall debut as a composer with “After the Water, the Clouds,” premiered by the James Logan Wind Symphony under the direction of Ramiro Barrera. He has appeared as a guest composer and director at numerous festivals and universities, including the University of Kansas, University of Michigan, University of Nevada, University of Oregon, CSU Northridge, Las Vegas Academy, Drury College and the Monterey and Reno Jazz Festivals. Recent commissions include new works for the California All-State Honor Jazz Band, the Monterey Jazz ‘Next Generation’ Festival, the Las Vegas Academy, and a new extended chamber work for the Kandinsky trio. His catalog of compositions and arrangements is available through Walrus Music and UNC Jazz Press. Dr. Miley holds degrees from Occidental College, the University of Arizona, and the University of Oregon, with additional graduate work in jazz improvisation and composition at California Institute of the Arts. www.jamesmiley.net
Jeff Miley, guitar
Jeff Miley, has been featured in Guitar Player Magazine (winning that magazine's "Spotlight Award"), Jazzwise Magazine (U.K.), Gendai Guitar Magazine (Japan), and the L.A. Jazz Scene, among others. He has released several CD's as a leader and appeared as a sideman on many others. In addition to his work with bug, Jeff also records and performs with jazz vocalist Inga Swearingen, multi-media performance ensemble "Vox Lumiere", and the trios “Code 3” and "Altered”. Jeff received his Bachelor of Music Degree from California State University, Northridge in 1988, with an emphasis in classical guitar. Jeff is a faculty member at Cuesta College, in San Luis Obispo, CA, teaching guitar in the applied music program. Jeff is based in Los Angeles but also spends a fair amount of time in the San Luis Obispo area of California, as well as on the east coast. www.jeffmiley.com
Roger Shew, bass
Bassist Roger Shew holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies/Bass Performance from Western Michigan University. He has studied under such acclaimed musicians as Rufus Reid, Tom Knific, Billy Hart, Darek Oles and Robert Hurst. Roger is based on the Los Angeles area, and performs across the Southland with musicians Joe Bagg, Matt Otto, Bill Cunliffe, Josh Nelson, Stacy Rowles, Eric Dries, Les Hooper, Club Django, Evan Stone, Jeff Ellwood, Bruce Babad, Joe Jewell and many others. Through travels across the country, he has also had the opportunity to perform with the NY Voices, Sunny Wilkinson, Billy Hart, Bob Brookmeyer, John Abercrombie, Bruce Forman, Kenny Werner and Dominique Eade. In 2001, Roger placed third in the jazz division at the International Society of Bassists worldwide competition. As an educator, Roger splits his time between Fullerton College, where he teaches applied bass, history of Jazz and Rock classes, and as the head of the Jazz Department at Laguna Beach High School, where he runs the LB Jazz Orchestra and Combo program.
Brian Hamada, drums
Brian Hamada - closet cowbell enthusiast, drummer and jazz educator - has performed with many jazz greats, including Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Ernie Watts, Bob Mintzer, Jeff Lorber, Peter Epstein, Tim Ries, Matt Otto, Michael Davis, Bobby Shew, Lanny Morgan and the inestimable Don Ho. As a member of the legendary CSU Fresno Jazz Band 'A' he toured Japan, Korea and Europe, performed at the Northsea and Montreux International Jazz Festivals, and in 1983 he was the recipient of a DownBeat jazz soloist award. He has been an active clinician and adjudicator throughout California & Nevada for nearly 20 years, maintains a vibrant drum studio in central California, and currently holds down the drum chair for the Fresno Jazz Composers Orchestra. Brian is now teaching jazz drum set at CSU, Fresno in the first year of the school's Jazz Instrumental Performance degree option.
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