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Matt Kirk, bassist
To describe Matt Kirk’s background, one can’t help but use words like “diverse” and “eclectic”. Kirk’s earliest musical ventures included punk, funk, Motown… he’s played as a solo, a duo, trio, combo, a ten-piece and orchestra. Kirk has played for audiences on three continents, for audiences as large as 20,000 and in venues where the band outnumbered the guests! Those that have followed Kirk’s successes have seen him play guitar, piano, bass, or just watched him sing. Why jazz? Why now? If you ask him, he’ll tell you that--while training as an astronaut was challenging--he’s finally found what he’s meant to do. Kirk calls Portland, Oregon home but you’re just as likely to see him on tour in Asia, playing a coffee shop in the Bay or relaxing in his winter home in Italy.
Linfield College. Pacific Artist Management. |
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John Garcia, percussion
Garcia and Kirk met backstage in Paris during the ’98 Festival de Jazz, and while they were both ‘committed’ to other engagements, their fortunes to play together came in 2000 in Montréal when a no-show presented an opportunity to piece together a combo that would set the foundation for Matt Kirk Jazz, and this magic continues to today- Garcia’s background includes engagements with many jazz notables… DiMiola, Yoyo, Zappa… but he continues to enjoy personal, performance music in intimate settings. Garcia still has strong ties to the music scene in Madrid, but currently lives in the Pacific NW.
Université de Paris, Oregon State University. |
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Ron Murvihill, piano
MKJ continually welcomes the best-of-the-best to the core trio line-up! Murvihill brings the rock solid foundation to the music. Once the groundwork is placed, hold-on as Murvihill moves from "sweet to inspired" as he gets his improvisational footing and takes the listener to new perspectives of familiar music.
Kirk and Murvihill have a long history of pushing the musical limits. For our guests--those who appreciate talent and teasing a musical score--Murvihill is where you will pay close attention.
North Texas State (1:00). |
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Matt Kirk Jazz loves to flex to the budget and expectations of our customers!
While the "core trio" remains the staple set of performers, we eagerly pull in other feature players to our performances.
The section below introduces some of these feature musicians, but the list is always growing as we find those in the Portland jazz community that have something special to share.
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Rebecca Pershing, vocalist
Pershing adds that sexy, 1960's vocal sound when performing with Kirk. Recognized as the NorthWest premier jazz ballad performer, Pershing's vocal talents range from rock to jazz and is a welcome addition to those special Matt Kirk Jazz club dates. We'll see you there!
See Pershing in her "regular" (read, outstanding!) group Global FM, and visit them at www.globalfmband.com to find what part of the country she's giggin' today. |
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Margie Boule', vocalist
Media personality, columnist, vocalist and actor. As a long-time Portland favorite, Boule' brings here sensuously smooth vocals to Matt Kirk Jazz and shares a side that few have seen in her ability to hold the audience as she walks them through some of the best vocal jazz. Suave and sophisticated; see Boule' perform with MKJ at every opportunity! |
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Lisamarie Harrison, vocalist
"You know it when you see it." is what Kirk's manager always used to say! Harrison is all that... talent, presence, persona and one you won't forget. Harrison easily earns her place with Matt Kirk Jazz and has an accomplished list of credits- including theatrical performances in 'Nunsense', 'Reefer Madness the Musical', accaimed performances in 'Sisters of Swing' and 'Grease (the later years!)'. Going beyond the theater, Harrison is known for her ability to take the common and create the extrordinary. See Harrison with Kirk whenever possible... allow yourself the opportunity to leave the performance with words such as "WOW!" and "Incredible!". |
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Cam McMinn, horns and keys
A Portland native, McMinn plays alto/ soprano/ tenor sax, flute and keyboards. Well versed in jazz and composition and specializes in a laid-back 'Desmond-like' style.
Kirk and McMinn actually met by total happenstance--on several mountains around the NorthWest. Both were on a mission to climb the ten highest peaks (one of us succeeded!). Eventually they found more in common with music and came together in 2006 for an unforgettable gig... You'll have to ask Cam for the whole story-
Berklee College. Pacific Artist Management. Capitol (Blue Note). |
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Victor Sharpe, horns
Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxes along with Clarinet; Sharpe brings a full compliment of instruments to Matt Kirk Jazz. A native of England, Victor has played with Jazz groups and dance bands throughout the world. He has performed on the Queen Elizabeth and on several Cunard and P&O cruise ships as a member of various bands. Victor leads his own musical group and is a freelance musician. He has performed at many northwest jazz and night clubs as well as at local hotels, wineries and on Portland's own sternwheeler, The Columbia Gorge. |
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Craig Bidondo, piano
Alaska has a lot of wonderful things but quality jazz musicians don't exactly leap to one's thoughts... say, like a moose on a snow covered highway. Bidondo breaks all these expectations (no longer on the moose metaphore) by bringing his award winning musicianship to Matt Kirk Jazz. Yes, literally award winning.
You can catch Bidondo in many different venues around the Portland metro, or catch him as music director in "Menopause the Musical"... Bidondo is always an exciting addition to the Matt Kirk Jazz line-up.
[photo by Peter Paul Rubens] |
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Jim Ormand, upright bass
Jim is the 'bass player's bass player'! Ormond has the usual credentials and a very busy schedule, but Kirk still looks forward to the times when he can pull Jim off his calendar and use him where his talents can shine!
Kirk describes Ormand as the guy that makes him reconsider playing upright bass. That said, he feels fortunate enough to call Ormand his friend and looks forward to having him play in the Matt Kirk Jazz lineup.
Berklee College. Memphis Artist Management |
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Kevin Bennett, percussionist
Bennett performs with many different tour band and appears on many different labels, but on those infrequent (perhaps even magical) occasions he has the opportunity to fill in for the 'local" gig....
Matt Kirk Jazz draws on many talented performers--and Bennett, as a sound perfectionist, is always a welcome feature in the band. It's the rare drummer that brings in highlights and the grooves not found in the day-to-day playing of traditional jazz. Bennett is inspiring in his ability to bring a new feel to the traditional and familiar tunes, yet provides a solid, comfortable rythm that is expressly his own. ...unforgettable and personal.
Catch Kevin on tour, and certainly catch Matt Kirk Jazz on those special nights!
Percussion Institute of Technology/Musicians Institute- Hollywood, Pacific Artist Management, Crusade Records - A&M |
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Von Vinhasa, percussion
Von, aka "Fang", and Kirk met in Asia while on tour with different bands in the same city. They earned each other's respect and find themselves as frequent guests in each others bands. Label restrictions prevent saying who Fang is currently playing with, but Kirk is incredibly pleased to be able to call Fang his drummer at those special cross-over gigs!
Von continues to perform with Matt Kirk Jazz when his schedule allows... hopefully you too will have the opportunity to see Kirk and Von play together!
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Daniel Noland, guitar
Noland is a Indianapolis transplant to the Portland, Oregon jazz scene. ...and a welcome addition! In his short time here, Noland has quickly become known as a versital and talented performer. Noland and Kirk come together when performing in larger venues and when combined, deliver a full, amazingly rich jazz sound that is not to be missed. Indiana University. www.danielnoland.com |
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Scott Bauer, guitar
Kirk met Bauer during a sleepless recording session... Matt Kirk Jazz in one room, Bauer and his band in another. After time, Kirk invited Bauer to record a few lead tracks in Kirk's fifth album, and the collaboration continues today.
Bauer has found his own roots in music, but brings a special sound to Kirks current discography. As a feature player, Bauer continues to be a welcome artist and shines in Matt Kirk Jazz.
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Libby Kirk, clarinet
Libby Kirk is a classically trained woodwind performer that has nearly two years of intensive clarinet experience under her belt. An experianced player, Libby manages a full concert schedule but she still finds time as a frequent guest musician with Matt Kirk. Libby continues to refine and develop her unique approach to improvisational jazz and will undoubtedly continue to impress in many future performances.
Wood Middle School.
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