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.
ADDITIONAL NOVA JAZZ ARTISTS:
Michael Parsons, Piano
is a seasoned jazz pianist and has been a fixture in the Bay Area jazz community for over a decade. His credits include performances with Donald 'Duck' Bailey, Marcus Shelby, Dayna Stephens, Melvin Sparks, Jaz Sawyer and many others. Michael is a perfect addition to any ensemble and is also a wonderful soloist.
Smith Dobson, Vibrophone, Drums
Drummer and Vibraphonist Smith Dobson V has been performing in the Bay Area for nearly twenty years. He has been performing with various groups at many Bay Area venues such as the San Jose and San Francisco Jazz Festivals, the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Yoshis, Pearls, the Great American Music Hall, The Jazz School and The Stanford Jazz Workshop. One of the most versatile of all bay area jazz men, Smith also plays Saxophone and subsititues for Daniel when he is not available.
Hanna Rifkin, Vocals
Hanna Rifkin is one of the bay area's most respected vocalists. Audiences love Hanna's generous stage presence and feel. She has the emotional and tonal range of Bette Midler, the confidence of Anita O'day and the smooth tone of Chet Baker. Hanna can accompany a duo with Bass and Guitar/Piano, a trio plus Saxophone or a quartet plus drums.
