Mats Holmquist is a composer/arranger/big band leader/author/lecturer of Swedish origin. He has earned two Master of Music/Composition degrees; one from the Royal College of Music, Stockholm and one from University of North Texas. As a leader/director he has composed and arranged music for seven albums as a leader. He has performed with his own groups and big band, ”Mats Holmquist Stora Stygga” (Big Bad Band) at international jazz festivals like Montreux, The Hague, San Sebastian, etc. In 2012 he toured with legendary saxophonist Dave Liebman and Stora Stygga around Sweden with this project. In 2014 he recorded the CD ”A Tribute to Wayne Shorter” with the Dave Liebman Big Band. In June 2015 he recorded the CD; ”A Tribute to Herbie +1” with his new big band Dick Oatts/Mats Holmquist New York Jazz Orchestra”. The band is co-lead by saxophonist Dick Oatts, lead sax and artistic director of the Vanguard Orchestra (former Thad Jones/Mel Lewis). The band consists mostly of Vanguard Orchestra members. In 2010 he premiered his ”Big Band Minimalism”, a sub-genre that could be described as a fusion between his own modern big band music style and the minimalism of Steve Reich and John Adams. The CD ”Big Band Minimalism” was recorded in October 2015 by the Latvian Radio Big Band and will be released in April 2017. In November 2015 he was invited to do several concerts and a lectures in Tokyo.

Her debut recording on vocals, Heather Bennett presents “Lazy Afternoon”, a wonderfully arranged jazz vocal recording with a quality lineup of musicians that include;

Dr. Malecki has earned degrees in music education and instrumental conducting from Central Michigan University, VanderCook College of Music and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His primary conducting teachers include Thomas Leslie, John Williamson, Charles Menghini and Takayoshi Suzuki. Other conducting experiences and masterclasses include work with Craig Kirchoff, J. Julian and John R. Bourgeois. This has conducted with the top groups in Las Vegas, as well as in Ireland and Italy. His five years of public and private school teaching experience was defined by incredible growth, both in size (Sunnyslope High School band grew by 350%, orchestra by 100%) and quality (earning “Giving Music the Edge” radio award and notable advances in regional honor participation). While at UNLV, his dissertation on the life and transcription style of Col. John R. Bourgeois has lead him to further research in cataloguing Col. Bourgeois’ Marine Band programs and analyzing common trends. There has been optimistic contact with GIA Publications to compile and publish the results.

Her debut recording on vocals, Heather Bennett presents “Lazy Afternoon”, a wonderfully arranged jazz vocal recording with a quality lineup of musicians that include;

Her debut recording on vocals, Heather Bennett presents “Lazy Afternoon”, a wonderfully arranged jazz vocal recording with a quality lineup of musicians that include;