Tony Pacini and Ed Bennett

Tony Pacini

The jazz piano artistry of Tony Pacini has been enthusiastically enjoyed by nightclub and festival audiences throughout the West coast as well as in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

A piano student since the age of 5 Tony continued his music education at Mt. Hood Community College on a full music scholarship. In 1990 jazz critic Leonard Feather awarded Tony a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass.

Upon returning to Portland Tony immersed himself in the jazz scene performing with, most notably: Leroy Vinnegar, Bud Shank, Harry Allen, Ritchie Cole, Chuck Israels, Dan Faehnle, Claudio Roditi, Hadley Calliman, Mel Brown, Ron Steen, Nancy King and Rebecca Kilgore.

Learn more at: www.tonypacini.com

Ed Bennett

Ed Bennett has long been considered one of the West Coast’s premiere string bass players. Currently living in Portland, Oregon since 1990, Ed’s work has taken him virtually everywhere in the world. He has worked with, toured internationally, or recorded with many legendary jazz figures, including: Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Henderson, Sonny Stitt, Frank Morgan, Richie Cole, Pete Christlieb, Bud Shank, Charles McPherson, Pete Jolly, Joe Albany, James Williams, Mike Wofford, Bill Mays, and many others.

Ed was born in Los Angeles California on December 19, 1951 and began playing the string bass at the age of 12. He was a talented student of bassist Nat Gangursky, with whom he concentrated on technique and the classical repertoire. At 13, he was introduced to jazz music, and played in a Dixieland band that appeared on the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour in 1966.

A dedicated, working professional, Ed also majored in music, winning acceptance to the Berklee School of Music in Boston in 1971. Ed made what he considers to be his first professional jazz engagement doing a week stint at the Jazz Workshop with Brazilian greats Victor Brasil and Claudio Rotiti, while a Berklee student.

In 1974, Ed toured with Jimmy Witherspoon. From 1976 to 1979 he backed Carmen McRae, making his recording debut on “Carmen McRae at the Great American Music Hall” in San Francisco which was was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1977. In 1981, he worked with the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band, recording the Grammy- nominated “Tanuki’s Night Out.”

While living in Los Angeles, Ed Bennett recorded his first album (LP) as leader on Vision Records in 1987. A trio date with Kent Glenn on piano and Jack Ranelli on drums. In 1993 Ed started Saphu Records, an independent jazz record label. There are currently 16 releases in the Saphu catalog.

Learn more at: www.edbennett.net