NOVA JAZZ BIOGRAPHIES

Daniel Heffez, Musical Director, Tenor Saxophone

Born and raised in New York City, Daniel started playing the saxophone at the age of 6. While at The Crane School of Music in New York, he studied classical performance with internationally recognized Saxophonist Tim McAllister and Jazz Improvisation with world renowned Trombonist Bret Zvacek. Inspired by the great history of jazz, he relocated to the West Coast and founded Nova Jazz.

Daniel is a well respected saxophonist in San Francisco’s jazz community and has received impressive press coverage including a front page feature in the SF Chronicle’s Datebook section, July 2007. In addition to coordinating Nova Jazz, Daniel composes original music and can also be seen playing with Lenny Williams of Tower of Power and also with The Family Stone Experience.

Bob Brumbeloe, Guitar

Bob's playing demonstrates an impeccable command of the guitar, seasoned with taste and a playful sense of musical humor. He has played every major venue in the San Francisco Bay area, including Yoshi’s, Kimball’s East, and The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society. He has performed with internationally known jazz recording artists including Bud Shank, James Moody and John Handy.

When he’s not performing or composing, Bob’s busy teaching. He has worked as an educator with Jazz Education Friends, a non-profit organization that presents jazz to disadvantaged young children and teens. He has been a guest instructor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the San Francisco University High School. He was an instructor at the Yamaha music school and continues to give private lessons.

Adam Gay, Double Bass

Adam grew up in Tucson Arizona with a family of musicians. His mother, a professional violist, introduced him to classical violin at the age of two. His father, an organist, exposed Adam to jazz music which became the main musical passion of his life. In Tucson Adam studied double bass with Patrick Nehr and graduated from the University of Arizona in 2004. During this time he gained the necessary experience to play professionally in jazz, salsa, and latin jazz groups. Adam came to the Bay area in 2005 and became incorporated in the jazz scene immediately. Since then he has played with many great musicians including: Donald "Duck" Bailey (drummer for Jimmy Smith, Sarah Vaughn), Eddie Duran (Cal Tjader), Evan Francis, Smith Dobson V and many others.

Matt Swindells, Drums

Since relocating from Manchester UK to San Francisco, Matt has been busy playing drums with various bay area artists covering an entire spectrum of musical genres. Some of Matt’s career highlights include two world tours as drummer for electronica pioneers Fila Brazillia and playing with Australian multi instrumentalist James Morrison at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Matt has also made several live and pre recorded TV and Radio appearances with Fila Brazillia in many different countries including UK, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Turkey, Czech Republic, Holland and Spain.