6.13.12 Nine Winds Festival Part 2 [Walsh Set Trio + Gavin Templeton Quartet]

Gavin Templeton was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but was transplanted at an early age to Reno, Nevada. When he was five, Gavin began studying classical violin, but switched to the alto saxophone a few years later. It was while he was studying saxophone privately that his teacher introduced him to the music of Charlie Parker. Gavin felt an instant affinity with bebop music. He began to memorize Parker solos and perform them for friends, family and, later, at his saxophone teacher’s gigs, where he would be invited up to the bandstand to perform.

Gavin began his professional career in his teens. He played with area musicians and visiting artists such as Wayne Newton and The Temptations. These experiences fueled his desire to continue studying music, and inspired him to learn other woodwind instruments, as such skills were necessary to play much of that repertoire. He enrolled in the Jazz Studies program at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he received a Bachelor of Music degree.

Always curious, Gavin experimented playing in a variety of musical genres and contexts. During college he performed, recorded, and toured with high energy rock and funk groups. He views those years as a crucial part in his musical development. The electrifying music and emotions of rock and funk are integral to his performance style.

Gavin moved to Los Angeles in 2006. He went on to receive a Master’s degree from the California Institute of the Arts where he focused on composition and performance. In addition to jazz, he spent significant time studying Indian classical music, West African drumming, traditional Balkan music, and modern classical composition. That exposure lead him to join the Eastern European-influenced band, PLOTZ!, and co-create the experimental improvisation group DR. MiNT.

In addition toPLOTZ! andDR. MiNT, Gavin performs under his name in varying configurations, and is a member of the Vinny Golia Sextet. He has performed and/or recorded with Charlie Haden, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joe LaBarbera, Nels Cline, Larry Koonse, Darek Oles, the New Century Players, Butch Morris, Alfred Ladzekpo, Swapan Chaudhuri, Peter Epstein, David Rosenboom, daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra, The Temptations, and Wayne Newton, among many others.

Gavin’s most recent album ‘Asterperious Special’ is scheduled for release on Nine Winds Records in Spring 2011. The album is comprised of his original compositions, and he is joined by Joe LaBarbera, Darek Oles, Larry Koonse and Gary Fukushima.

Gavin Templeton website

VINNY GOLIA SEXTET @ 11pm

As a composer  Vinny Golia fuses the rich heritage of Jazz, contemporary classical and world music into his own unique compositions. Also a bandleader, Golia has presented his music to concert audiences in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the United States in ensembles varying dramatically in size and instrumentation. Mr. Golia has won numerous awards as a composer, including grants from The National Endowment of the Arts, The Lila Wallace Commissioning Program, The California Arts Council, Meet the Composer,Clausen Foundation of the Arts, Funds for U.S. Artists and the American Composers Forum. In 1982 he created the on-going 50 piece Vinny Golia Large Ensemble to perform his compositions for chamber orchestra and jazz ensembles.

A multi-woodwind performer, Vinny’s recordings have been consistently picked by critics and readers of music journals for their yearly “ten best” lists. In 1990 he was the winner of the Jazz Times TDWR award for Bass Saxophone. In 1998 he ranked 1st in the Cadence Magazine Writers & Readers Poll and has continually placed in the Downbeat Critic’s Poll for Baritone  & Soprano Saxophone. In 1999 Vinny won the LA Weekly’s Award for “Best Jazz Musician”. Jazziz Magazine has also named him as one of the 100 people who have influenced the course of Jazz in our Century. In 2006 The Jazz Journalists Association honored him with a Lifetime Achievement  Award.

Golia has also contributed original compositions and scores to Ballet and Modern Dance works, video, theatrical productions, and film. As an educator Vinny has lectured on music & painting composition, improvisation, Jazz History, The History of Music in Film, CD & record manufacturing and self-production throughout the  United States, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand and Canada. He currently teaches at California Institute of the Arts. In 1998 Golia was appointed Regent’s Lecturer  at the University of California at San Diego. In 2009 Vinny Golia was appointed the first holder of the Michel Colombier Performer Composer Chair at Cal Arts.

Vinny has been a featured performer with Anthony Braxton, Henry Grimes, John Carter, Bobby Bradford, Joelle Leandre, Leo Smith, Horace Tapscott, John Zorn, Tim Berne, Bertram Turetzky, George Lewis, Barre Phillips, The Rova Saxophone Quartet, Patti Smith, Harry “the Hipster”  Gibson, Eugene Chadburne, Kevin Ayers, Peter Kowald, John Bergamo, George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Misha Mengelberg, Han Bennick, Lydia Lunch, Harry Sparrney and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra amongst many others.

Vinny Golia website