Dekajaz

Dekajaz was a 10 piece concert jazz band based in Los Angeles. The group was critically acclaimed and most notably was founded to promote under-represented female jazz artists in the Southern California region much like the group Maiden Voyage.[1] The group had many prominent performances in Los Angeles during their existence.[2][3][4] Their album Eclectikos was released in September 2003.[5][6][7]

Dekajaz
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresJazz
Years active1999–2013
LabelsDekajaz
Associated actsScheila Gonzalez, Jack Cooper, Dan Higgins
Websitewww.dekajaz.com
Past members
  • Scheila Gonzalez
  • Sharon Hirata
  • Lee Secard
  • Jennifer Hall
  • Glenda Smith
  • Lee Thornburg
  • Les Benedict
  • Steve Gregory
  • Josh Nelson
  • Sherry Luchette
  • Megan Foley

History

The DekaJaz Tentet first came together as an all female jazz group in the winter of 1999 as an idea of co-leaders Scheila Gonzalez (sax), Glenda Smith (trumpet), and Megan Foley (drums, arranger). Eventually the group did evolve into including certain male artists such as trumpeter Lee Thornburg, saxophonist Lee Secard and others. The group called upon the writing and arranging talents of Jack Cooper, David Caffey, Rick Lawn, Dan Higgins, Paul McKee, as well as their own Lee Secard, Megan Foley and Josh Nelson. Working with such a diverse group of players and composer/arrangers gave the band its unique style and sound. By the time the group was ready to record a CD in 2002, they had settled on a set of personnel who was consistent and knew the book of original, challenging music. The most noted performance of the group was at the 2005 International Association for Jazz Education Conference in Long Beach, California.[8]

Reception of the group

"This ensemble has become what it set out to be. It is a first rate group with talented players playing great arrangements. They have their own identifiable sound.....a breath of fresh air in today's music scene."

Jeff Hamilton

"...an exact mixture of five women and five men, none of whom are household names in the world of jazz recordings, offer a program of vital, mature jazz performance that is striking in its originality and virtuosity."

Gary Foster

Members
  • Alto sax/flute/soprano sax - Scheila Gonzalez
  • Tenor sax/flute/clarinet - Sharon Hirata
  • Baritone Sax - Lee Secard (Jennifer Hall earlier)
  • Trumpet (lead) - Glenda Smith
  • Trumpet (jazz) - Lee Thornburg
  • Trombone - Les Benedict
  • Guitar - Steve Gregory
  • Piano - Josh Nelson
  • Bass - Sherry Luchette
  • Drums - Megan Foley

Discography
  • Eclectikos (2003)

See also

References
  1. Kuipers, Dean. The Los Angeles Times. In Regular Rotation June 20, 2002 (Article includes quotes from Sheila Gonzalez as member of Dekajaz)
  2. Bowers, Jack. AllAboutJazz Review. Dekajazz at the I.A.J.E. Conference, January 2005
  3. Dekajaz at Steamers Jazz Club, Friday January 10th, 2003
  4. Dekajaz at Steamers Jazz Club, September 8th, 2006
  5. Dekajazz CD Eclectikos on AllMusic Guide
  6. The Los Angeles Times, Dekajazz CD Release Party and performance at Catalina's Bar and Grill in Hollywood, CA., Thursday, September 4, 2003, Page 68
  7. Pasadena City College, Dekajaz performance on Artists Series, Thursday, October 25, 2007
  8. International Association of Jazz Education Journal listing for Dekajazz performance, January 2005, Volume 37, Issues 4-6, page 50
  • Dekajaz at AllMusic
  • Dekajaz discography at Discogs
  • Dekajaz discography at MusicBrainz
  • OCLC 988774188 for Eclectikos
  • Eclectikos at AllMusic
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