Alex Coke Carl Michel Sextet

ALEX COKE

Composer and instrumentalist Alex Coke plays flutes and saxophones.
Born in Dallas TX, Coke received his B.A. from the University of Colorado in 1976, with an emphasis on flute performance, before becoming one of the original members of the Creative Opportunity Orchestra and a touring member of the renowned Dutch ensemble Willem Breuker Kollektief.
With a distinctive sound and an inclination toward experimentation, Coke exemplifies the traditions pioneered by fellow Texas tenors and jazz flutists, while expanding the possibilities of extended technique.
His projects as bandleader include Live Action Brass Band, Leadbelly Legacy Band, New 
Texas Swing with Tina Marsh, and the post-bop quintet, The Worthy Constituents with pianist and composer, Rich Harney.
Coke's extensive discography includes his many original projects and his work as a featured soloist with The Austin Jazz Workshop, Greezy Wheels, White Denim, Maryann Price, Accra Trane Station, KlezEdge, Reeds and Deeds, and many others.
http://alexcoke.home.xs4all.nl

CARL MICHEL

After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Carl Michel became a co-founder of the Creative Opportunity Orchestra, with the innovative lead vocalist Tina Marsh.
He has released several Projects under Play On Records including “Food Of Love,” ”The Carl Michel Group,”
“The Carl Michel Group (+)” and
“Music In Motian: (The Compositions Of Paul Motian)”.
Carl has received two Emmy awards in Music Composition and Arrangement based on his work from a 16-part documentary series about 1930s-2000s pioneering female journalist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Doris O’Donnell Beaufait titled , "Doris O’Donnell’s Cleveland.”
His music is featured on film soundtracks "The Fourteenth Victim - Eliot Ness & The Torso Murders,” and “Dusk & Shadow - The Mystery Of Beverly Potts.”
http://www.carlmichel.com


ELAINE BARBER

Elaine Barber is Principal Harpist of the Austin Symphony and a regular guest with San Antonio Symphony. She performs a wide range of chamber music, solos, new music and early music in Austin and Central Texas. She plays with Texas Early Music Project (medieval & renaissance), Austin Baroque Orchestra, Allegro Chamber Trio (classical), Cleo Trio (jazz), and has worked with artists as diverse as Renee Fleming, Gladys Knight, and Shearwater. She's a passionate teacher and director of the Girl Scout Harp Ensemble, the only known Girl Scout troop made up entirely of harpists.
www.elainebarber.com


BOB HOFFNAR
Pedal steel guitarist Bob Hoffnar relocated to Austin from NYC in 2009 and has since become a major contributor to Austin’s cultural landscape.
Originally from Silver Springs, Maryland, Hoffnar graduated from Purchase Conservatory of Music in 1998 with a BFA in Composition that included private studies with Richard Cameron Wolf. Further private studies included time with such musical luminaries as Lamonte Young, Pandit Pran Nath, and Ernest Tubb’s steel player Buddy Charelton. He currently runs the “Liminal Sound Series”, a live concert performance series, dedicated to the commissioning of new works and collaborations between visionary composers, and Austin, TX. based musicians and performers. http://www.bobhoffnar.net/

CAROLYN TROWBRIDGE

Originally from Alexandria, VA, Carolyn Trowbridge is an Austin-based percussionist who specializes in vibraphone, marimba, steel pan, and world percussion. Growing up overseas in Gabon, Czech Republic, and Norway, she has a wide variety of musical influences.
As an active performer, she records, and tours nationally in a wide variety of styles: soul, funk, pop, jazz, experimental, and rock bands, among others. Carolyn maintains a full studio where she teaches percussion, piano, and improvisation. She received a Bachelors in performance from James Madison University and a Masters in performance from The University of Texas at Austin.
https://www.carolyntrowbridge.com/


JAMES SUTER
James Suter is a bassist hailing from South Florida who recently received a Doctorate in Music and Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. James started his education at The University of Miami wherein he was a member of the prestigious Stamps Jazz Quintet. Following his bachelor's degree, James then earned a Master's degree from North Carolina Central University. He has shared the stage with Gary Burton, Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Matt Wilson, Gilad Hekselman, Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, Andre Hayward, Joe Lovano, Steve Davis, Joey Calderazzo, Ira Sullivan, and many others.
James resides in Austin, Texas where he teaches and performs regularly. James is on faculty as a bass instructor at Austin Community College and Temple College.