Chicago Jazz Workshop Previous Year's Faculty
« General Information
Tim Coffman, trombonist, is one of the most active trombonists and teachers in the Chicago area. A graduate of the prestigious Jazz Studies program at Indiana University, Mr. Coffman is in high demand for studio and show work and has performed with Frank Sinatra, Jr., Andy Williams, Natalie Cole, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, Louie Bellson, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Paul Anka, Al Jarreau, Henry Mancini, Stevie Wonder, Diane Schur, Jimmy Heath, Randy Brecker, and Benny Golson. Mr. Coffman is currently the jazz trombone instructor at DePaul University and at Oak Park-River Forest High School. Mr. Coffman also teaches jazz improvisation, jazz history, low brass techniques and directs the Jazz Orchestra at DePaul.
Mark Colby, saxophone, is one of the Midwest’s most in-demand
musicians. A graduate of the University of Miami with a Master of
Jazz Studies degree, he spent years as a featured soloist with Maynard
Ferguson and Bob James. Mark moved to Chicago in 1980. Some of
the musicians Mark has performed with include Gerry Mulligan,
Jaco Pastorius, Frank Sinatra,Tony Bennett, Charlie Haden and Joe
Williams. Mark has performed at jazz festivals in the Netherlands,
Newport, Umbria, and Montreaux. He has been a jazz faculty
member at DePaul University since 1983 as well as performing as a
guest soloist and clinician/adjudicator at high schools and colleges throughout the
United States representing Selmer Saxophones and Vandoren Reeds. Mark has
performed Duke Ellington’s version of The Nutcracker Suite with the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra. Hallway Records has released his Colby’s Reunion, Tenor
Reference, and a tribute to Stan Getz albums.
SteepleChase recording artist and trumpeter Brad Goode was
born in Chicago in 1963 and classically trained on violin from age
four. Brad switched to guitar and coronet at age eleven. At fourteen,
Brad met and studied with Cat Anderson, the great
Ellingtonian trumpeter, who inspired and encouraged the young
player. He received his Bachelors of Music degree from the
University of Kentucky in 1985, studying under renowned trumpeter
Vincent DeMartino. Upon moving back to Chicago in
1985, he began working with the bands of Von Freeman, Mike Finnerty and Eddie
Johnson. He received his Masters of Music degree from DePaul University in 1987,
where he studied double bass with Larry Gray. In the ensuing years, Brad worked with
the combos of Red Rodney, Al Cohn, Eddie Harris, Ira Sullivan, Frank Morgan, Don
Lanphere, Curtis Fuller, Jack DeJohnette, Ernie Krivda, Barrett Deems and many others.
He led his own combo from 1986 until 1998, appearing at major festivals and
night clubs around the world, including a twelve year weekly stint at the famous Green
Mill jazz club in Chicago. Mr. Goode has served on the faculties of the American
Conservatory of Music, New Trier High School, Cuyahoga Community College, and
the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. He is currently on faculty
at University of Colorado-Boulder. He has recorded for the Delmark, Sunlight and
SteepleChase labels.
Ken Haebich, bass, lives in Chicago, IL and has worked as a bassist, Composer, and Music Instructor for many years. He graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He also received a Master of Music Theory and Composition degree from Illinois State after studies with acclaimed composer Roque Cordero. As a Bassist, Haebich has performed with a diverse selection of artists including, Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Garth Brooks, Chuck Berry,Woody Herman Orchestra, Jerry Lewis, Red Skelton, Ken Nordine, Diane Schurr, Ric Nielson (Cheap Trick), Barret Deems, Hal Linden, Dennis DeYoung, and the Mills Brothers. He also plays and records original straight-ahead jazz with the Gephart/Long Quartet. As a Composer, Haebich has written many works for his art rock/jazz ensemble NUMBERS. He also composes for his contemporary chamber group imaginary numbers. Haebich also writes and plays for The Ken and Jim Show, an artistic collaboration with saxist/composer Jim Gailloreto, and is co-curator of the Experimental Music Series at Nevin’s Live in Evanston, IL. Haebich is currently teaching Applied Jazz Bass, Jazz Combo, and String Techniques at Elmhurst College. Chicago Tribune “...provides especially strong harmonic underpinnings...” Chicago Reader Critic’s Choice “...plays both stand-up and electric bass with cool fervor and a terrific ear for harmonies...”
Jazz Pianist Joan Hickey teaches and performs as a free-lance artist in the Chicago area. A graduate of University of Illinois, she has been recording and leading her own groups since 1980. Venues include The Jazz Showcase,The Green Mill, Pete Miller’s, and the Chicago Jazz Festival. Cab Calloway, Joe Williams, Milt Hinton, Nat Adderly,Von Freeman, and Buster Williams are among the artists she has worked with. Tours have included Italy, Sweden, and Denmark with the Jazz Members Big Band. She has been awarded 2 National Endowment for the Arts grants, and her quintet was a finalist in the Hennessy Jazz Competition. The latest CD, Soulmates, was nominated for Best Jazz CD at the Chicago Awards. Her teaching experience includes jazz piano at the University of Illinois, Verhoog Music Institute, ISYM and University of Arkansas music camps. The Chicago Tribune has stated that “Hickey happens to be one of the best jazz pianists in the city, even if her soft spoken art has won her less attention than she deserves. Some pianists such as the exceptional Chicago musician Joan Hickey, prefer to engage an audience with sheer beauty of sound, lushness of color and understatement of gesture.”
Nic Meyer is the Jazz Program Director at Midwest Young Artists, where he directs the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, Big Band, Jazz Combos, and teaches the Jazz Theory and History class. He also teaches jazz improvisation courses at New Trier High School, where he maintains a private saxophone studio. Nic is formerly the Director of Instrumental Music at The Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth, where he spent three years rebuilding the band, orchestra, and jazz programs. He is also a former faculty member of the MERIT School of Music, where he taught private sax lessons, jazz improvisation, and an honors chamber ensemble. Nic is an active adjudicator for solo and ensemble festivals, and has directed ensembles for the IMEA all district jazz festival.
Nic attended DePaul University on a saxophone performance scholarship and received his B.M. in Music Education. In addition to his busy teaching schedule, Nic performs regularly in the Chicago area, appearing at Pete Miller’s, Martyr’s, Park West, The Green Mill, The House of Blues, and other local venues.
Frank Portolese, Jazz Guitarist, has been active in the Chicago area as a performer and teacher for over 20 years. His performing credits include Joe Pass, Sammy Davis Jr., Eddie
Harris, Les McCann, David Baker, Shelley Manne, Ira Sullivan, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Bobby Shew, and many others. Frank’s debut CD, Transparent is on the Southport label and his second releas, Last Call, also on Southport, was
released in February 2000. His work has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Reader and magazines such as Jazz Times, Cadence, Guitar Player, and Just Jazz Guitar. He stays busy as a leader and sideman in many performing combos locally and throughout the country. Frank was
the founder and director of the Midwest Young Artists Jazz Program from 1995 until 2004. He also teaches at Elmhurst College and Triton College, and his past teaching credits include the American Conservatory of Music and the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camp.
Jazz Drummer Bob Rummage maintains a versatile schedule of performances with a variety of Chicago ensembles ranging from Rob Parton’s Nonet, Ensemble 9 to the Brazilian influenced music of Colby/Caruso to the eclectic styles of Howard Levy. He has performed with many internationally known musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Nat Adderly, Buddy DeFrancon and Mississippi blues for Cheez-Its, Gallo Wines and AT&T as well as numerous CD appearances with Frank Mantooth, Rob Parton, Colby/Causo and Mike Smith. Bob is the Director of Percussion at Elmhurst College. Under his leadership, the Percussion Ensemble has toured and recorded their own CD. Bob is a much sought after clinician having made appearances at various high schools and colleges including Emporia and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
