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Human
Motion, formed in the spring of 2005, is a Chicago-based
jazz quintet dedicated to playing improvised music, focusing
particularly on the original compositions of its members.
Led by bassist/composer Jeff Greene, the quintet features
trumpeter Matt Holman, alto saxophonist Taku Akiyama,
pianist Jordan Baskin, and percussionist Jon Deitemyer.
With widely varying influences from Charles Mingus and
John Coltrane to Bjork and the Roots, each individual
brings his life experiences and love of music to every
performance to create a cohesive and inspired unit. Human
Motion draws from tradition while looking toward the future.
Their debut album, "Human Motion", was released
in September of 2005. It features ten original compositions
and is available now on CD Baby!, iTunes, and in select
Chicago-land Tower Records. For more information on Human
Motion including upcoming shows and events, please visit
www.jeffgreenemusic.com
Jeff Greene-
Originally from Jonesboro, Georgia, Jeff Greene began
playing the acoustic bass just before graduating from
high school. He recently completed his Bachelor of Music
degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University in Bloomington,
Indiana. During his four years there, he studied and played
with a variety of faculty members including David Baker,
Bruce Bransby, Pat Harbison, Steve Houghton, Luke Gillespie,
Tom Walsh, and Joey Tartell, in addition to playing professionally
in Bloomington and Indianapolis. Jeff’s musical
experiences are varied. He has played with rock bands,
jazz combos, big bands, and orchestras. Upon graduation
in 2004, Jeff moved to Chicago to continue working as
a professional musician. In June of 2004 he was invited
to attend the Steans Institute for Young Artists at Ravinia
in Chicago. There he studied closely with David Baker,
Nathan Davis, James Moody, Rufus Reid, and Danilo Perez,
in addition to fourteen of his peers. In April of 2006
he was selected to attend Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead program
at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Jeff’s
quintet, Human Motion, recorded their full-length, debut
album in June of 2005. It features ten of Jeff’s
original compositions and was released in September of
2005. For his current schedule and other information,
please visit www.jeffgreenemusic.com.
Taku Akiyama-
Taku Akiyama has become one of the most active alto/soprano
saxophonists in Chicago. Akiyama has performed regularly
with his own quartet/quintet and developed a distinctive
style of music. In 2001, the Taku Akiyama Quintet was
mentioned as a critic's choice by Neil Tesser in the Chicago
Reader. He has performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival
in 2001 and 2003, the North Shore Jazz Festival in 2002,
and the Chicago Blues Festival in 2004. In 2001, he graduated
from Roosevelt University with a Bachelor’s Degree
in Music. As a freelance saxophonist, Akiyama has performed
with a number of renowned musicians, including Von Freeman,
Ari Brown, Ira Sullivan, Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry,
David “Fat head” Newman, Frank Wess, Monty
Alexander, Robert Shy, Jodie Christian, Jeff Parker, Redd
Holt, Orbert Davis, Barbara Morison, and Tatsu Aoki. Recently,
he performed on the album of Tatsu Aoki's Miyumi Project
Big Band, Rob Parton's JAZZTECH Big Band, and the Redd
Holt Quintet.
Jordan Baskin-
Jordan is a young, rising talent in the American music
scene. Jazz has been his primary focus for several years,
although he began his journey in classical music. After
he completed high school, Jordan was offered scholarship
to attend Indiana University’s School of Music.
There he received guidance from noted jazz scholar Dr.
David Baker, and classical training from Evelyne Brancart.
Since college, Jordan has maintained a very active work
schedule, and is solely supporting himself on his musical
endeavors. He has four steady venues he performs at on
a weekly basis and frequently makes appearances at Chicago’s
oldest and most famous jazz club, the Green Mill. Some
notable names Jordan is performing with currently or in
the past include: Rob Scheps, Steve Coleman, Howard Levy,
Mike Arnopol, Steve Davis, Dennis Carol, Marlene Rosenberg,
George Fluddas, Kelly Sill, Linda Hoffman, Jeff Parker,
Patrick Harbison, Jamie Abersold, Ari Brown, and Zach
Brock. Jordan has had many career highlights including
international tours to Europe and Canada along with multiple
Midwest tours, attendance to the Banff International Jazz
Workshop and Steans Institute at Ravinia. This year looks
to be especially promising with several recordings scheduled,
including Jordan’s own project, as well as multiple
tours planned later in the year.
Jon Deitemyer-
Jon Deitemyer is a young, gifted musician with an insatiable
appetite for improvised music. His interest in jazz and
jazz drumming led to a full-tuition scholarship to the
esteemed University of North Texas, where Jon studied
under Ed Soph, and performed and recorded with the UNT
lab bands, jazz singers, and countless small groups. It
was at UNT that Jon was able to perform with such notable
musicians as Bill Charlap, Slide Hampton, Brad Shepik,
and Keeter Betts. Since completing his degree, Jon has
participated in the Banff International Jazz and Creative
Music Workshop, directed by Dave Douglas, and has toured
with legendary bassist Lynn Seaton’s Trio. Currently
living in Chicago, Jon continues to play, record, and
write original music. He recently joined and completed
a two-week CD release tour with Zach Brock and the Coffee
Achievers to promote the new album, “Chemistry.”
Matt Holman-
Matt Holman (composer, trumpeter), originally from Tucson,
Arizona, received a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies,
with Performer's Certificate, from Indiana University
in May 2004. He has performed as a soloist and member
of many premier ensembles in the classical and jazz idioms,
including the Philharmonic Orchestra of Tucson, the National
High School Honors Orchestra, the Bloomington Pops, the
Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, the Tucson Jazz Orchestra,
David Baker's IU Jazz Ensemble, and the ensembles at Interlochen
Arts Camp. Matt moved to Chicago, Illinois in late 2004.
Matt has received grants and scholarships from organizations
including the National Foundation for Advancement in the
Arts, DOWNBEAT Magazine, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra,
the Tucson Jazz Society, the National Trumpet Competition,
and was recently awarded first place in the 2004 International
Trumpet Guild's Jazz Improvisation Competition held at
the University of Denver in Denver, CO. In the summer
of 2004 he attended the Banff International Workshop in
Jazz and Creative Music, led by music director Dave Douglas.
Matt has performed with ensembles that have opened for
Linda Ronstadt, AACM reedist Joseph Jarman, Liquid Soul,
punk-rock deities Fugazi, and Wesley Willis. Among his
freelance activities, he has been honored to be able to
share the stage with such luminaries as Rebeca Mauleón,
Clark Terry, Tim Reis, and most recently with Fred Hersch
on his piece "Leaves of Grass." Matt has also
performed in distinguished venues including Carnegie Hall
and Constitution Hall. His past and present teachers include
Edward Reid, Dr. Michael Davison, Joey Tartell, Marie
Speziale, Dominic Spera, William Adam, Pat Harbison, and
David Baker. A blossoming composer, Matt's music has been
performed by the jazz orchestras of David Baker and Pat
Harbison, the Monster Zero Orchestra, the 2004 Indiana
All-State High School Jazz Ensemble, Dominic Spera and
his septet, Marvin Stamm, Marie Speziale, and Ed Soph. |
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