Vince Guaraldi, Piano, 1928, San Francisco, CA
Vince was a noted composer as well as a popular jazz pianist. His major professional work began in the early '50s when he performed and recorded with Cal Tjader. He next played in groups led by Bill Harris, Chubby Jackson, and Georgie Auld. In between tours with Woody Herman in the mid '50s, Vince again worked with Tjader. During the late '60s and early '70s Gauraldi worked on the West Coast with Frank Rosolino, Conte Candoli, and with Howard Rumsey at the Lighthouse. Vince will probably be best remembered by the general public for the wonderful work he did with the Peanuts (Charlie Brown) series on television. In 1962 he won a Grammy Award for his composition, "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" and in 1965 his Jazz Mass was performed in San Francisco. Vince Guaraldi died in 1976.
Joe Morello, Drums, 1928, Springfield, Ma
Joe studied the violin as a youngster, but changed to drums in high school. His first professional jobs with "name" musicians were with Phil Woods and Sal Salvador. Afte rmoving to New York, (1952) Joe performed with Johnny Smith and did a short stint with Stan Kenton. In the mid '50s Joe worked with Marion McPartland's trio, though he also recorded as a freelance with Tal Farlow, John Mehegan, Jimmy Rainey and Jackie Cain & Roy Kral. Joe joined Dave Brubeck's quartet in late'56. (Marion McPartland once claimed her groups were a springboard for drummers to move to Brubeck's group, because over the years, several other drummers had made the same move). Joe stayed with Brubeck until 1967. Thereafter, he worked mainly as a teacher, making international tours for the Ludwig Drum Co. He continued to play with Brubeck and McPartland in reunions. Morello's playing is characterized by delicacy, clarity, and sensitivity. He is probably most widely known and admired for his work with DaveBrubeck.
Chico Freeman, Saxophone, 1928, Chicago, Ill
Chico, son of Von Freeman, began his musical career by playing the trumpet, inspired by hearing Miles Davis. During the mid '60s, while a student at Northwestern University, he took up the tenor sax. He gained experience playing with local blues and rhythm-and-blues groups. He studied with Muhal Richard Abrams, and joined the Association for theAdvancement of Creative Musicians. He also studied piano and sax with several other prominent teachers. In 1974 he enrolled as a graduate student in composition and performance at Governors State University. In 1977 he moved to New York and began working with Sun Ra and Elvin Jones. He also worked with Jack DeJohnette, Don Pullen, and the big band of Sam Rivers. He is best known for his work as a leader of his own groups with such sidemen as Cecil McBee, John Hicks, and Jay Hoggard. He joined his father's group, The Leaders, in 1984. His style reflects the playing of John Coltrane.
Abe LaBoriel, Bass, 1947, Mexico City
Abe studied composition at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston, and then joined Gary Burton with whom he recorded in the early '70s. During the 1970s he also worked with many popular artists and also did a short stint with Count Basie. The mid '70s found Abe in Los Angeles working in the movie and recording studios. Abe plays the double bass and electric bass guitar. He has recorded with Al Jarreau, John Klemmer, Ella Fitzgerald, Milt Jackson, and Freddie Hubbard. Between 1977 and 1985 he recorded on eight albums with Lee Ritenour. Today, as a freelancer, he continues to work with major stars and also does a considerable amount of studio work.
