Rhythm Section
Joe Gilman, piano
Dr. Joe Gilman is a full-time professor of music at American River College in Sacramento, the music director of the Brubeck Institute's Fellowship Program, and music director of Capital Jazz Project. He has received bachelor's degrees in classical piano and jazz studies at Indiana University, a master's degree in jazz and the contemporary media from the Eastman School of Music, and a doctoral degree in education from the University of Sarasota. Joe has been the primary pianist with jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson since September 2006, and has also performed professionally with Eddie Harris, Woody Shaw, Marlena Shaw, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, George Duke, Chris Botti, Eric Alexander, David "Fathead" Newman, and Slide Hampton, and has recorded with Joe Henderson, Jeff Watts, and Robert Hurst. Dr. Gilman has twice been an International Jazz Ambassador through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and USIA, traveling to West Africa in 1999 and East and Southern Africa in 2000. He won the 1998 Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Emerging Artist Award and the 2000 Sacramento News and Review SAMMIES Critical Achievement award for contribution to the arts community. Joe was the 2001 American River College Student Association Instructor of the Year and was named the first Brubeck Scholar at the 2005 Brubeck Festival. In 2004, Joe won the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Gilman's work with students at the Brubeck Institute has produced several CDs - Brubeck Revisited Vols. 1 and 2 (Sunnyside) and Wonder Revisited Vols. 1 and 2 (Capri), all recorded with Brubeck Institute fellows Joe Sanders and Justin Brown. His work with the Brubeck Fellowship students also resulted in five DownBeat magazine student awards, including "College Winner" in the Jazz Group category in 2007 and 2009. For more information visit: www.joegilman.com
Matt Robinson, bass
Matt Robinson has been working as a professional acoustic and electric bassist since 1993. He has performed in California, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Mexico, and New York City. He currently resides in the Sacramento Metro Region, where he enjoys working frequently with many of the area's finest musicians, in several different genres. Though he most frequently performs within the "jazz" genre, he thoroughly enjoys playing and listening to many styles of music including soul, classic rock, reggae, classical, romantic, baroque, experimental, country, Latin jazz, salsa, metal, and just about all styles of music in between. Matt's musical education includes a Master of Music degree in double bass performance from Sacramento State University, received in 2003, studying with Sacramento Philharmonic Principal Bassist Tom Derthick; and a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Humboldt State University, received in 1998, studying under Bassist/Cellist John Brecher. As far as jazz education, Matt credits Sacramento area jazz musicians such as Joe Gilman, Aaron Garner, Steve Homan, Rick Lotter, Steve Roach, (and many others), for much of the on-the-bandstand training that he has received. Matt would also like to acknowledge David Valdez, Sam Maez, Francis Vanek, Shao Way Wu, Pat Miller, and Darius Brotman for helping him learn to play jazz while he was a student at Humboldt State University. For more information, visit Matt's website at: www.mattrobinsonbass.com
Steve Homan, guitar
Steve has been performing professionally for over 30 years. He has played with a variety of notable jazz artists including Howard Alden, Herb Ellis, Jimmy Smith, Joe Williams, Ed Thigpen, Hugh Masakela, Art Van Damme, Anita O'Day, Joey Calderazo, Mel Martin, Diane Schuur, and the Nelson Riddle Concert Orchestra. Steve has also appeared on recordings with Anita O'Day and Pete Jolly (At Vine Street Live) and Vibraphonist Gene Estes (In A Sentimental Mood). In 1998 Steve performed at The Glasgow International Jazz Festival in Scotland with Jazz Organ Legend Jimmy Smith. He has also performed at The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts Millennium Stage in Washington D.C. for the 1998 & 2000 Jazz Ambassadors program. Steve currently serves as adjunct Professor of Jazz Guitar at Sacramento State University where he teaches courses in improvisation, jazz styles & analysis, directs jazz combos, and provides private instruction in jazz guitar. He also holds adjunct teaching positions at Cosumnes River College and American River College. In addition to maintaining an active freelance schedule, Steve provides instruction at a variety of Northern California Summer Jazz Programs including The Jazzmasters Workshop Jazz Guitar Series in San Francisco, the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Camp, and The Brubeck Institute Jazz Camp at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. For more information visit Steve's website at: www.stevehomanjazz.com
Rick Lotter, drums
Rick Lotter began drumming at age four, when his family lived in Malawi Africa. He later studied drumset, timpani and mallet percussion with Stanley Lunetta in Sacramento. He began playing professionally in his teenage years and has enjoyed a varied career in the music business as a drummer, educator, bandleader, producer, and record label manager. Rick has worked in settings from combo and big band jazz to rock and worldbeat, and most everything in-between. Best known for his work with eclectic roots music group Mumbo Gumbo, Rick's credits include recording and performing with Capital Jazz Project, Dave Liebman, Jim Snidero, Bobby Shew, Richie Cole, Jessica Williams, Carl Anderson and Maria Muldaur, as well as numerous radio and television commercials. A dedicated music educator, Rick has given clinics and workshops at high schools and colleges throughout Northern California. In addition to a busy performing schedule, Rick serves on the faculty at Sacramento State University and maintains a private teaching studio. For more information visit Rick's website at: www.capitaljazzproject.com
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