Janis Mann Group



Award-winning vocalist and L.A. favorite Janis Mann returns to Jazz at Chez Hanny with a stellar trio. Both a striking song stylist and a fearless improviser, Janis is that rare artist who can sweep you away with her captivating sound. The way Janis weighs and colors the melody and lyrics of a song place her in rare company.

A native New Yorker, Janis Mann has been a major presence on the L.A. music scene for years. You may have seen her perform with Diane Schuur, Roy Haynes, Kenny Werner, Laurence Hobgood, Dave Frishberg, Bob Mintzer, Ernie Watts, Terell Stafford, and many other jazz luminaries in addition to her own legendary shows. She tours frequently in New York and the West Coast and her music appears in films while her recordings are a radio and streaming mainstay.

"Great singer, great feel! I haven't heard anyone like Janis in years." -- Roy Haynes

She appeared previously at Chez Hanny in duo with Kenny Werner and George Colligan.

http://www.janismann.com



Pianist David Udolf moved to the Bay Area from his native New York in early 1991. A sought after and diverse sideman, he has worked with a wide range of musicians from saxophonist Herb Geller to R&B legend Bo Diddley, and toured nationally for six years with San Francisco’s own legendary New Pickle Circus.

Local artists he has worked or recorded with include Jules Broussard, Opie Bellas (with whom he did a concert tour of South Africa), Sherri Roberts, Lavay Smith, Diane Witherspoon, Denise Perrier, Akira Tana, Kenny Washington, Dave Ellis, Vicki Burns, Hal Stein, Noel Jewkes, Warren Gale, and the Joe Henderson Memorial Big Band.

David has worked extensively for 20 years with vocalist Mary Stallings, performing at international festivals and concert venues in Switzerland, Prague, Melbourne, Jakarta Indonesia, and Tel Aviv as her accompanist and music director.

He has a masters degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique.

He appeared here previously with Chuck Metcalf, the Chuck Metcalf Tribute, Jules Rowell, Ratzo Harris, Charlie McCarthy, Jim Grantham, and Jim Zimmerman.

http://www.balanceandharmony.net/



One of the most in demand bassists in the Bay Area, John Wiitala has played with Jessica Williams, James Moody, Benny Golson, Pete Jolly, Joe Henderson, Akira Tana, Vince Lateano, Scott Hamilton, Bruce Forman, Rebecca Parris, Wesla Whitfield, Madeline Eastman, and Jackie Ryan, among many others.

John was heard previously at Chez Hanny with Faith Winthrop, Michele Rosewoman, Patrick Wolff, Mark Levine, Peck Allmond, Scott Barnhill, Harvey Wainapel, Erik Jekabson, Tim Armacost/David Berkman, and John Klopotowski.



Drummer Jim Zimmerman toured regularly with world renowned vocalists Cleo Laine and Dianne Schuur. He has performed throughout the world from Carnegie Hall to Tokyo's Blue Note jazz club with a rich roster of artists including Peggy Lee, Michael LeGrand, the Spinners, the Temptations, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett.

Jim’s recording credits include both television--“Peanuts” specials (with pianist Vince Guaraldi), and film--“Bicentennial Man” (Robin Williams), “True Stories” (David Byrne), and “Rumblefish” (Matt Dillon).

He has performed and recorded with jazz legends Toots Thielmans, Joe Williams, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, Blue Mitchell, and five albums with Cleo Laine, including the Grammy Award winning, “Live at Carnegie Hall.”

Jim appeared here previously (on drums) with the Jim Zimmerman Trio, and Khalil Shaheed and Daria Nile, and on vibes with Bernal Jazz Quintet, Bernal Jazz Quartet, and the Chuck Metcalf Tribute.

http://www.jimzimmermanmusic.com

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