The Band

Mike Irwin Johnson - Arranger/Guitar/Leader

Mike Irwin Johnson – Arranger/Guitar/Leader

Mike began studying classical theory and composition at The San Francisco Conservatory of Music at the early age of 14. His teachers included the world-renowned composer Laura Schwendinger and guitar masters David Tannenbaum and Scott Camille. Mike took up the study of jazz in 1999 while attending San Francisco State University. He has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Jim Hall, John Handy, Branford Marsalis, Stephan Harris, Bill Frissel, Melvin Sparks and many more.

The structure of 8 Legged Monster has been a great tool for Mike to use for musical discovery and experimentation in Be-bop, Swing and Modern Jazz. Mike’s strong foundation in composition and arranging allows him to use the Monster?fs 6 horn set up as any other Jazz arranger would use a full big-band. 8LM is mesmerizing to watch, you’ll laugh with the band and think about jazz in an entirely new way.

Rob Barics - Tenor Saxophone and Clarinet

Rob Barics – Tenor Saxophone and Clarinet

With his style deeply rooted in the traditions of New Orleans jazz, Rob Barics brings a unique approach to the 8 Legged Monster. Fluid in jazz styles of all eras, Barics has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Marcus Roberts, Nicholas Payton, Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Clint Baker’s New Orleans Jazz Band and vocalist Faye Carol. Co-founder of the Eaton-Barics Quintet and founder of the Rob Barics Quintet, he has been a fixture on the San Francisco jazz scene for over 15 years. His recording credits include the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra’s “The Lights”, “Port Chicago Suite” and “Bound for the Promised Land, Harriet Tubman”.

More Information: http://www.myspace.com/rbquintet

Mike Olmos - Trumpet

Mike Olmos – Trumpet

Mike Olmos has become one of the most in demand jazz trumpet players since his arrival in the San Francisco Bay Area 10 years ago. Over his 10 year tenure here, he has been has performed with local favorites such as the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Realistic Orchestra & and Brass Mafia. He has performed and recorded with the likes of Rosemary Clooney, Mary Stallings, Lavay Smith, Marcus Shelby, Cachao, John Calloway, Jesus Diaz y Su QBA, Pete Escovedo, Josh Jones, Thomas Dolby, Lyrics Born, Michael Feinstein, Realistic Orchestra, Brass Mafia, Akira Tana, Zigaboo Modeliste, Will Bernard, Andrew Speight, Jeff Chambers, Dave Eshelman’s Jazz Garden Big Band, The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Evan Francis, Howard Wiley, Dayna Stephens, Noel Jewkes, Mel Martin, Michael Brecker, Madeline Eastman, Howard Tate, The Bjorkestra and The Glide Ensemble.

More Information: http://www.myspace.com/themikeolmos

Joe Cohen - Alto Saxophone

Joe Cohen – Alto Saxophone

Joe Cohen has been an active member of the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for the past 9 years.

Raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Joe is a graduate of the University of Miami Studio Music & Jazz program. He performs locally and abroad, works as a studio musician and teaches privately. In addition to playing the alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, Joe plays piano, flute, clarinet, and electronics. He has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such notable performers as Bobby McFerrin, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Idris Muhammed, Lyrics Born, KRS-One, Michael Franti, Thomas Dolby, Peter Rowan, Booker T Jones, JBoogie, Benevento Russo Duo, Galactic, Digital Underground, Abstract Rude, Soulive, Spencer Day, Eric Lindell, and Russell Batiste among others.

Joe does frequent studio session work and has appeared on recordings with Zion-I, Grippo “Circuits”, Spencer Day, Will Bernard’s Motherbug, The Disco Biscuits, VU, and Dj Zeph. Touring highlights include multiple domestic tours with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus and a successful tour with blues artist E.C. Scott.

Joe is a founding member of the Bay Area’s Jazz Mafia, which includes The Realstic Orchestra, The Shotgun Wedding Quintet, Brass Mafia, and The Shotgun Wedding Hip-Hop Symphony. The Realistic Orchestra was nominated for Best Jazz Group in the Sf Weekly’s Best of the Bay in 2003 and won the award for Best Jazz Group in 2004. Joe also plays an important part in other Bay Area Bands such as Brass Monkey, Boostamonte, Will Bernard’s Motherbug, Phil Lorenz’s Soultet, Will Blades, and The Mitch Marcus Big Band.

More Information:
http://www.myspace.com/joeycohen
joecohen.net

Jaz Sawyer - Drums

Jaz Sawyer – Drums

Jaz Sawyer was born and raised in San Francisco Bay Area. He began playing drums at the age of 2. He also learned to play the trumpet and the bass before starting his serious pursuit of music studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music/Preparatory Division at the age of 15. Mr. Sawyer was a member of the San Francisco Youth Orchestra for two years before graduating from the San Francisco School of the Arts. He has toured and performed in numerous venues across the world. Including The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, Carnegie Hall (NY), Davies Symphony Hall (S.F), The New Morning (Paris) The Concertgebow (Germany), Red Sea Festival (Israel), and North Sea Jazz Festival (Cape Town). Mr. Sawyer has worked with Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, Santana, The Grateful Dead, The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Hutcherson, Jacky Terrasson, Irvin Mayfield, Abbey Lincoln, and many others. Now 28, he holds a B.F.A. degree from the Mannes Jazz & Contemporary Music Program and a Master of Public Administration degree from the Metropolitan College of New York.

Mr. Sawyer is versatile in performing and producing different genres of music including Jazz, Classical, and Afro–Cuban-Caribbean to Soul and well studied in various percussion instruments. He is currently CEO of Pursuance Records for which he constantly composes and produces creative projects and events. More Information: http://www.myspace.com/pursuancerecords

Danny Grewen - Trombone

Danny Grewen – Trombone

Danny Grewen is one of the Bay Area’s most sought after Trombonists, as well as an arranger and vocalist. He has worked and recorded with many greats on the San Francisco jazz scene, including The Collective Jazz West Orchestra, Jaz Sawyer & The Pursuers, Realistic Orchestra and Brass Mafia. Grewen starred as Frank Sinatra in “The Rat Pack Is Back!” and continues to channel Ol’ Blue Eyes both in his live performances, and on his album “First Pitch Swinging” (Pursuance Records/The Orchard). Grewen is an integral part of the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, having been with the band from it’s inception.

More Information: http://www.myspace.com/dannygrewen

Fil Lorenz - Baritone Saxophone

Fil Lorenz – Baritone Saxophone

Fil Lorenz brings up the bottom end of an orchestra like nobody else can. In addition to his talents with the baritone sax, he is also an accomplished arranger and composer. Lorenz founded the Collective Jazz West orchestra in 1998, which has since become a shining icon of the San Francisco jazz community. His weekly shows at Jazz at Pearls have consistently brought in not just jazz aficionados but also mainstream music fans, taking jazz to a whole new audience.

More Information: http://www.collectivewestjazz.com/

Matt Nelson - Tenor Saxophone

Matt Nelson – Tenor Saxophone

Matt Nelson is one of the most accomplished musicians in the World. He has the tenacity of a suction-cup and the dexterity of a spider monkey. His hot licks are only slightly less impressive than his charm and his appeal to the wild SF cougar. If you’re lucky enough to hear him live and live through the experience, then you will be one of the lucky ones who did not fall victim to his nearly fatal awesomeness. (written by Mike Irwin Johnson, for lack of getting a proper bio from Matt himself)

More Information: http://www.8leggedmonster.com/

Eric Markowitz - Bass

Eric Markowitz – Bass

Bassist Eric Markowitz, born and raised in New Jersey, never thought much of growing up 30 minutes away from the jazz mecca of New York City. That all changed when half way through his college studies in St. Louis, he met world renowned Jazz drummer Joe Charles. Eric spent the next few years apprenticed under local St. Louis legends Joe Charles and Saxophonist/Composer Jimmy Sherrod. Markowitz quickly became one of the leading jazz bassists in St. Louis, voted 4 years in a row best jazz group in St. Louis while playing with the David Stone Trio. Having decided that the St. Louis Jazz community was just too small, he moved to San Francisco in 2004, and was quickly integrated into the local jazz scene. On any given night, you can find him appearing at many of the Bay Area’s best jazz venues.

More Information: www.myspace.com/ericmarkowitzjazzbassist