One of the area’s young lions, trombonist Nick Syman celebrates the release of his debut recording, Nick Syman Quartet, on the Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie series this week, November 10. He’s joined by quartet cohorts Ted Godbout on piano, Ted Olsen on bass and Pete James Johnson on drums.
A trombonist and educator, Nick Syman is a featured soloist with some of the most exciting young bands on the Twin Cities jazz scene. He plays regularly with the Adam Meckler Orchestra and the Nexus Ensemble, a new band that fuses jazz with hip-hop and R&B. Nick has also performed with Bob Summers, Michael B. Nelson, Corey Christiansen, Steve Strand and Michael Spiro. A versatile player, he has soloed with big bands, West African drumming ensembles, experimental electro-ambient groups, small jazz groups, Latin jazz ensembles, salsa bands, funk bands, traditional New Orleans jazz bands, pop bands, bluegrass groups, wind bands, and orchestras. As an educator, Nick has worked as an Associate Instructor at Indiana University’s Jazz Studies department and as a private trombone teacher. He currently is the director of bands and jazz ensembles at Hudson (WI) High School. Nick earned a Bachelor of Arts in Trombone Performance and Music Education from St. John’s University and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from Indiana University.
Pianist Ted Godbout has been building a reputation as a sympathetic accompanist for area vocalists as well as a creative composer and bandleader. He holds a B.A. in Music – Piano Performance from St. John’s University and an M.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon. A versatile and active musician, Ted performs frequently as a jazz pianist and classical accompanist, as well in funk, R&B, and rock bands. He has performed with such notable artists and groups as Ron Miles, Mark Colby, and the Harry James Orchestra. Currently on faculty at Chaska Music Studios and Augsburg College, Ted leads his own trio and appears regularly with PaviElle, Katia Cardenas, BDP, Nick Syman, and the Bill Simenson Orchestra. Ted also serves as Director of Music at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska, MN.
Ted Olsen studied bass with Travis Schilling and Adam Linz. He graduated from St. Paul’s Como Park High School in 2010 and went on to study composition at Luther College in Decorah, IA, finishing college studies at the University of Northern Colorado in spring 2015. In the Twin Cities, Ted has taught at the Twin Cities Jazz Workshop and has performed as leader and sideman at various venues including the Artists Quarter, Jazz Central, Black Dog, Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and more, often in the company of Javi Santiago and Miguel Hurtado.
Drummer Pete James Johnson is a Central Minnesota native and graduate of Minnesota State University at Moorhead who recently returned home after spending time working and studying for his Master’s Degree in Los Angeles. His credits include working with the Bob Mintzer Big Band, Russell Ferrante, Alan Pasqua, and Ambrose Akinmisure. In the Twin Cities he has led a number of ensembles including his trio, quartet, and the Basement Society, and has performed with Andrew Walesch, Adam Meckler, Nelson Devereaux, the Nexus Ensemble, Debbie Duncan, Pippi Ardennia, Nick Syman, and more.
Thursday Night Jazz at Reverie is curated by Steve Kenny. Reverie Bar and Cafe is located at 1931 Nicollet Av South, at Franklin just south of downtown Minneapolis. No cover but donations ($10 suggested) appreciated to support the band and the series. Full Thursday Night Jazz schedule at www.thursdaynightjazzatreverie.info
