The

Players
MUSICIANS
Ted Rosenthal (piano) is a recipient of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition Award and has recorded extensively in both solo and trio settings including Live at Maybeck, Rosenthology (Concord Records),  Threeplay, and The Three B’s, a tribute album honoring Bud Powell, Bill Evans, and Beethoven ( Playscape Recordings).  A master at improvisation, arranging , and composing, Ted performed with Gerry Mulligan’s Quartet for over three years and is music director of the Gerry Mulligaan All-Star Tribute Band.  That group’s recording Thank You, Gerry (Arcadia Jazz) was nominated for a Grammy Award.  Other credits include the Art Farmer Quintet, Jon Faddis, James Moody, Benny Golson, Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.  He has appeared with Marian McPartland on Piano Jazz (National Public Radio) and performed with David Sanborn on NBC’s Night Music.  Singers he has arranged for and accompanied include Helen Merrill and Ann Hampton Callaway.  Ted is a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music and The New School in New York City and is contributing editor for Piano and Keyboard magazine, in addition to publishing piano arrangements and articles for Piano Today and The Piano Stylist.
Gene Bertoncini (guitar) is a most revered jazz guitarist whose impeccable technique and lyricism have brought him international acclaim.  He has been heralded “the Segovia of Jazz” by one critic and the Washington Post declared a solo concert in New York City as “the best jazz concert of the year”.  His associations have included a long standing duo with bassist Michael Moore in addition to numerous recordings and performances with Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman, Paul Desmond, Hubert Laws, Bill Charlap, the Tonight Show Band, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Lalo Shifrin, Michel Legrand, Lena Horne, Eydie Gorme, Tony Bennett, and Susannah McCorkle.  He is a frequent teacher and lecturer at the Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, William Paterson University, New York University, the Royal Academy of Music in London, and at events sponsored by the International Association of Jazz Educators.  Recent recordings include a solo album entitled Body and Soul and a Jobim tribute album Someone To Light Up My Life, in addition to many recordings on Chiaroscuro and Ambient Records.
Jay Leonhart (bass) is one of the most requested bass players in the business having worked extensively with an array of artists including Buddy Morrow, Mike Longo, Jim Hall, Urbie Green, Phil Woods, Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, Don Sebesky, Louis Bellson, Chuck Wayne, Marian McPartland, and Mike Renzi. He is a favorite session player and has recorded with popular singers such as Maureen McGovern, Nancy LaMott, Judy Garland, Anita O’Day, Meredith D’Ambrosio, Blossom Dearie and Michael Feinstein.  Possessing a flair for clever lyrics, he has made several recordings of his own songs on which he sings and plays bass.
Dennis Mackrel (drums) began his career playing for several Las Vegas and Broadway productions including A Chorus Line.  He performed for several years with the Count Basie Orchestra.  Other credits include performances with the Carla Bley Very Large Band, Slide Hampton and the Jazz Masters, the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Band, the Manhattan Symphony Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Classic Jazz Orchestra, the George Shearing Quintet, the Hank Jones Trio, the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, the Mel Lewis/Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Quincy Jones, Harry Connick Jr., Clare Fischer, Don Sebesky,  Diane Schuur, and John Pizzarelli.  His compositions and arrangements have been recorded and performed internationally.
Dick Oatts (tenor and soprano saxophone) has recorded and performed with Flim and the BB’s, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, Bob Brookmeyer, Eddie Gomez, Gerry Mulligan, Tito Puente, Pacquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, Red Rodney, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Luther Vandross, James Taylor, the Toshiko/Tabackin Big Band, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Danish Radio Big Band, the Rome Radio Big Band, and the Berlin RIAS Big Band. Dick has recorded solo albums on SteepleChase and has been on the Manhattan School of Music faculty since 1989.