Evan Dobbins
Trombone

  Evan Dobbins is a graduate of Harvard University and Eastman School of Music. From 1995-2001 he freelanced in New York City, where he was a featured soloist in the Phil Woods Octet and Big Band. He is co-founder of the Rick Holland/Evan Dobbins Little Big Band and in addition to the Po Boys, is an active member of Orqestra Antonetti and the Gap Mangione Big Band.

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Nick Finzer
Trombone
Personal Website: http://www.nickfinzermusic.com/

  Freelance Jazz Trombonist Nick Finzer is a recent graduate of the Eastman School of Music, in Rochester NY. A Rochester native, Nick began his musical training in the 4th grade. Since then, Nick’s passion for music has been growing and expanding rapidly, with influences ranging from the jazz and classical genres to rock and popular music.

  In high school, Nick was chosen to play lead trombone with the 2005 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Justin Diciocio, where he performed with renowned jazz artists Benny Golson, Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling. Nick also developed a relationship with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon at this time, taking lessons and performing with him from time to time. Nick then chose to further his studies of jazz by attending the Eastman School of Music where he earned a Bachelors of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Media.

  After graduation from high school, The Commission Project (a Rochester, NY non-profit whose mission is to commission pieces for school ensembles of various levels) chose Nick to participate in a program that teamed up Nick with Wycliffe Gordon to compose and perform four pieces specifically for Nick’s own groups. The first piece in the series (a three part suite entitled “The Nick of Time” scored for jazz sextet) was premiered on Nick’s first solo recital as a student at the Eastman School of Music. The second sextet piece, “Bebop da Boogaloo” was featured on a live radio broadcast on Rochester’s jazz station Jazz 90.1 FM. Nick had the pleasure of premiering the third piece (the first for full jazz ensemble) with his alma mater the Hilton High School jazz ensemble with Gordon in attendance, and additionally with the Fairport High School jazz ensemble. The fourth piece in the series features a duet for Nick and Wycliffe on the George Gershwin composition “I Got Rhythm” accompanied by full jazz ensemble. Wycliffe’s arrangement of “I Got Rhythm” was premiered in April of 2009 with the Webster Schroeder High School jazz ensemble.

  Nick can be seen performing with the Gap Mangione Big Band, the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, the Dave Rivello Ensemble, Orquestra Antonetti, The Po’ Boys Brass Band, and leading his own jazz-funk project DubbleStuff and the Nick Finzer Sextet. Nick has had the pleasure of performing with the legendary Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (lead by Buddy Morrow), Frank Tiberi, Rich Perry, Jeff Beal, Harold Danko, Clay Jenkins, Bill Dobbins, Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk Big Band, along with many fantastic salsa artists including Tito Alan, N’Klabe, Eddie Santiago, Luisito Rosario, Kevin Ceballo, Michael Stewart, and Lalo Rodriguez.

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Mike Frederick
Guitar
Personal Website: http://www.myspace.com/mikefrederickguitar

  Michael Frederick began playing guitar at the age of twelve, taking private lessons for six months and then exploring the guitar on his own through high school. By the time he graduated, Mike had won several awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and was the guitarist in the 2000 Washington All-State Jazz Ensemble. Mike earned his B.A. in guitar performance from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, studying jazz improvisation with trumpeter Brian Ploeger, saxophonists Geoff Bradfield and Dave Hagelganz, and pianist Brent Edstrom. Performing with the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble and as an accompanist for the chamber choir afforded opportunities for travel including tours of Italy, Hawaii, and several regional tours of the West. During this time, he also studied classical guitar with Dr. Paul Grove, earning the Young Artist award in the guitar division at Musicfest Northwest 2004.

  After college, Mike worked in showbands and jazz trios on several Carnival cruise ships. During the ‘05-’06 and ‘06-’07 school years Mike taught guitar and coached jazz small groups at Whitworth University and Gonzaga University, taught guitar classes in high schools, played for theater productions, and freelanced around the Northwest with his trio, Localized Tenderness, and several other jazz and rock projects. Mike has performed with such artists as Jimmy Heath, Dave Weckl, John Stowell, Nicholas Payton, Steve Turre, Nnenna Freelon, and others. He has also recorded for Hal Leonard Publishing and Princess Cruises. In May 2008 Mike graduated with a master’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He currently maintains an active teaching and performing schedule.

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Erik Jacobs
Trombone

  Erik often says he was born in Indiana, raised in Florida, but grew up in New Orleans. It was in Florida that Erik fell in love with music and picked up the trombone. After high school, Erik opted for the Marines and after basic training, combat training, and a brief stint at the Armed Forces School of Music, Erik was stationed with the U.S. Marine Band New Orleans.
Erik has toured as part of the Marine Band New Orleans extensively throughout the country and abroad. As a member of the band’s Liberty Brass Quintet, Erik performed from New York to California and everywhere in between, for two U.S. Presidents, various flag officers and congressmen, and several celebrities. He also performed at several Mardi Gras Parades and secret-society Mardi Gras Balls.

  After his tour in the Marines, Erik left Marines to pursue a music career in Florida. There he performed with the Southwest Florida and Charlotte Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Sarasota Opera Orchestra. Erik also performed with several small ensembles, private events, jazz combos and big bands.

  Erik is currently attending the Eastman School of Music where he studies applied music and music education. He also is a founding member of The Po’Boys Brass Band, a throwback to his New Orleans years, and performs extensively with them.

  Erik resides in West Irondequoit with his wife Erika, daughter Addyson, and two basset hounds, Dook and Daisy.

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T.J. Ricer
Sousaphone
Personal Website: http://tjricer.com/

  T. J. Ricer holds a Bachelor of Music from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a Master of Music from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee and has completed the coursework toward a doctorate at the Eastman School of Music. He has performed with the Cincinnati, Honolulu, Knoxville, Springfield, Lima, Middletown, and Lebanon Symphony Orchestras. In addition to his work as a tubist, Ricer has played bass trombone in the Blue Wisp, Streamliners, and Jack Carr Big Bands and as a soloist with the Eastman Wind Ensemble. He is a regularly contributing writer for the International Tuba and Euphonium Association's Journal.

  When not playing low brass, Ricer is the lead singer and bass player for “CASH Back,” a tribute to the Man in Black, has completed a marathon, and holds a certification as a group aerobics instructor.

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Chris Teal
Drums
Personal Website: http://www.christeal.com/

  Chris Teal is a drummer & percussionist currently residing in Rochester, New York. He performs with DubbleStuff, the Po'Boys Brass Band, and the Chris Teal Grouping as well as freelancing with other local artists and theater companies. Chris is a member of the groups Localized Tenderness, Fugu Apprentice, the Danny Songhurst Band, Jigsaw Republic, and Don Goodwin and Freefire. Originally from Spokane, Washington, Chris graduated with a BA in Jazz Performance from Whitworth College in 2005, and his MM in Jazz and Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music in 2009.

  He has recorded and performed with notable artists such as the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Trio East, The Eastman Jazz Orchestra, the Eastman New Jazz Orchestra, Dayna Stephens, James Pants, Dan Balmer, the Alvin Ailey Dance Company and the World's Oldest Living Sax Section. Other cross-country endeavors include playing for Carnival Cruise Lines beginning in 2003.

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Chris Van Hof
Trombone
Personal Website: http://www.vanhofmusic.com/

  Chris Van Hof is the resident vegan in the band, consistently annoying concert promoters with his ridiculous dietary practices. He plays trombone, sometimes sousaphone, and notoriously trumpet. He's from Grand Rapids, MI, and began his musical career at age 3 turning pages for his mom while she freelanced on organ at various churches. Chris writes a lot of tunes for the band, most of which he admittedly can't play or even remember half the time. Chris likes to run, loves to cook, and will gladly help you with that pitcher of hefeweizen.

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