DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM
Ellen Rowe, jazz pianist and composer, is currently the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan. Recent CDs as a leader include “Momentum-Portraits of Women In Motion” with her octet, “Courage Music”, with her quartet and special guest Ingrid Jensen and “Wishing Well”, featuring Andrew Bishop. Her new quartet includes saxophonist Mike Sakash, Director of the Fryeburg Academy Jazz Program in Fryeburg, Maine and in-demand sideman throughout New England, Chicago based bassist Dennis Carroll, currently Jazz Bass Professor at DePaul University and longtime member of the Bobby Broom Quartet and Ann Arbor drummer Pete Siers, one of the most versatile and active drummers based in the Midwest . For tonight’s performance bassist Dennis Carroll will be replaced by Ann Arbor bassist Rob Bickley. Ellen and Mike have been working together in duo format for several years in Maine and New Hampshire and she is excited to bring this new quartet to the Blue Llama in advance of recording dates this fall.
MIKE SAKASH:
Mike Sakash holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in Music Education and Performance, as well as a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music. He has studied saxophone with Lynn Klock and Raymond Ricker, improvisation with Yusef Lateef, and jazz composition and arranging with Fred Sturm. Before settling in New Hampshire Mike was Associate Professor of Music at Washington & Jefferson College (PA). Currently, he is the arts department chair at Fryeburg Academy, in Fryeburg, ME, where he directs the instrumental ensembles and teaches courses in music theory, guitar, and jazz improvisation. Mike also serves as a guest artist and clinician at music festivals throughout the country. In 2017 Mike received the Maine Music Educators Association “Music Educator of the Year” award, presented at the Maine All State Conference. As a saxophonist he has performed, recorded, and toured with the Phoenix Jazz Project and the Traverser Saxophone Quartet, in addition to being a regular member of the Portland Jazz Orchestra. As a member of the Portland Jazz Orchestra Mike has had the opportunity to solo with vocalist and saxophonist Darmon Meader, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, and saxophonists David Demsey and Jeff Coffin. His compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by the Portland Jazz Orchestra.
ROB BICKLEY:
Ann Arbor native Rob Bickley received a B.M from Michigan State University and M.M from The Juilliard School. While living in New York Rob served as a teaching artist for Jazz @ Lincoln Center. Rob has performed at such venues as The Blue Note, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Small Jazz Club and Alice Tully Hall. Since returning to Ann Arbor, Rob can be seen performing with musicians Sean Dobbins, Rick Roe, Jesse Kramer, and Mike Malis. Rob has served on faculty for the AAPS summer music programs and is a regular clinician at schools across the district. Rob maintains an active private studio offering private lessons and small group classes.
PETE SIERS:
Jazz percussionist Pete Siers is a study in contrasts—soft-spoken and unassuming offstage, yet an electrifying force when seated behind a drum set. Described as a hard-swinging, intensely physical, and dynamically sensitive drummer, Pete's performances personify "straight-ahead, readily apparent musical joy,” according to the Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association. Paul Pearce of Bass World magazine goes even further, noting that “Pete absolutely ‘sings’ with his drum kit.”
A consummate professional, Pete Siers boasts an international reputation for his restless curiosity, meticulous attention to detail, and mastery of diverse styles. Mike Stratton, host of the FM 90.5 radio show, “Groove Supreme,” praises Pete's versatility, citing his impressive collaborations with jazz luminaries such as Russell Malone, Mulgrew Miller, Marian McPartland, Lee Konitz, Benny Golson, James Moody, Kenny Werner, David “Fathead” Newman, Eddie Daniels, Frank Morgan, Scott Hamilton, Bob Wilber, and Barry Harris.
Beyond his expansive performance career, Pete has left an indelible mark on over 60 recordings, including Russell Malone’s "Black Butterfly" on Columbia Records. His illustrious career has seen him grace the prestigious stage of Carnegie Hall twice, in 2008 with Andy Firth and Buddy DiFranco, and in 2013 with the New York Pops, featuring Dave Bennett. Pete's musical itinerary has taken him across Europe, solidifying his status as a sought-after artist at jazz parties and festivals throughout the U.S.
With over 30 years of experience, Pete not only demonstrates his prowess on stage but also imparts his vast knowledge as a teacher of percussion and jazz drumming. As a leader, he has released 13 recordings with diverse ensembles, showcasing his versatility across genres, from mainstream jazz to salsa and traditional blues piano boogie-woogie.
Pete's reputation and expertise have led him to perform with over 35 orchestras in North America, including in Detroit, Nashville, Calgary, Vancouver, and Portland, Oregon. Currently, he travels to New Orleans to perform with the Crescent City Joymakers and contributes his talent to the dynamic sound of the Toledo Jazz Orchestra. His home base is Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he lives with his wife, Stephanie Hale.
THE BAND:
Ellen Rowe - Piano
Rob Bickley - Bass
Pete Siers - Drums
Mike Sakash - Saxophonist