First Thursday Jazz Series

with pianist Andy Roberts

Pianist/composer Andrew Roberts of Mt. Gretna Pa. is a graduate of Berklee  College of Music in Boston Mass.. His love for musical diversity has allowed him to work in many different musical environments. As a freelance pianist,  Roberts  plays frequently around Central Pa., Philadelphia, and Atlantic City. He has backed up such jazz artists Lou Soloff, Tom Harrel, Jim Pugh, and Patti Austin.  He toured Japan  with “The Three Degrees” as keyboardist/arranger. He served as  music director/pianist for Muhlenberg College  (Allentown Pa.) and the  Allenberry Playhouse (Boiling Springs Pa.) and has been music director/pianist  for the Timbers Dinner Theater since 1985.  Roberts is music leader for Soul.Com a contemporary worship service at Good Shepherd Church (Lebanon). He is also involved with “Music in the Schools”  giving concerts and clinics to area schools.  He has co-lead numerous groups featuring original music and arrangements. Most notably, “New World Parade” and more recently the “Four Piece Quartet.” Both projects have released recordings. 

Andy's Guests on June 5: STRING THEORY

Jay Umble on guitar

Jay is the band’s principal writer. His compositional approach brings a strong, modern harmonic sensibility to the group. His improvisational concept is highly linear, offering a fusionistic groundwork for the band.

Jay has been a professional guitarist for 27 years. In the early years, he spent his time with various rock and commercial groups. In the early 1980’s he was on the road for four years with the Ron Smith Trio, an organ based group. In the mid 1980’s to mid 1990’s he was the founder-leader of In transit, another organ based trio that focused on the jazz/blues idiom. The group played the music and arrangements of George Benson, Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Charles Earland and others. In Transit also played jazz standards and original music.

Jay has studied with world-renowned guitarists Pat Martino and Joe Diorio and has released three recordings with material ranging from jazz to commercial. His latest recording, Spirit Crossing, includes international
percussionist Jamey Haddad from the Paul Simon Group.

Jay is on the music faculty of Bucknell University and Susquehanna University where he teaches guitar. He has several jazz instructional books published through Mel Bay Publications, Inc. His latest book, Payin’ Your Dues With The Blues, is due out later this summer.

Andy Alonso on bass

Andy is one of Central Pennsylvania’s most in-demand musicians. He originally hails from New York City and credits his father, a well-known Latin jazz composer, as his first musical influence. Andy is a Berklee alumnus and earned his living for twenty years in New York City playing along side the best rhythm and blues, and jazz musicians on the scene including members from Funk/R&B luminaries as Tower of Power and The Average White Band.

Andy’s influences are too vast to list. As one who appreciates all styles of music, he is inspired by players from all genres and instruments. As a bassist, Andy’s goal is to always create a bass line that is supportive while at the same time being melodic and interactive with the other band members. He brings an eclectic approach to the table with deep roots in jazz, rhythm and blues and funk. He also offers a highly evolved improvisational aspect to String Theory.

Teaching is a vital part of his profession. He enjoys nurturing up and coming players, helping them understand the traditional role of the bass as well as teaching modern bass techniques.

Kevin Ditzler Checket on drums

Kevin has roots in fusion, rock, pop and jazz which provide versatility to the band. He has worked with many groups over the years, honing his unique, incredible chops touring from New England to Texas. Two of the most successful groups with which he has been associated are The Front, a power pop quartet and Simon Apple, a group that had chart reaching success.

His parents told him that he was born with drum sticks in his hands. He was always banging on something and had an insatiable desire to figure out how music worked. Kevin’s enthusiasm has never stopped. He sites his drum influences as Buddy Rich, Mike Clark and Steve Smith to name a few. He continues to be inspired by these players as well as many others.

Kevin is also a multi-instrumentalist covering the guitar, piano, and flute. He has recorded several solo albums of original material. As a creative composer he occasionally performs solo throughout Central Pennsylvania utilizing state of the art technology resulting in a phenomenal one man show.

As the band’s rhythmic engine, his fluid, over-the-bar line style of
playing always propels the band to uncharted territory.

www.jayumble.com/st.html

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