David Widelock: Bio

David Widelock - guitar

A versatile guitarist who is at home with jazz, latin, free improvisation, funk and rhythm and blues styles, David has been performing in the Bay Area since the early 70's. He studied jazz guitar with Warren Black in Portland, Oregon, and improvisation with pianist Art Lande in Berkeley, California. He has performed with Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Woody Shaw, Art Lande, Mark Isham, pianist Jon Jang, and the Bay Area Jazz Composers Orchestra. Famed Brazilian guitarist Luis Bonfa called David “a giant of the 12-string...one of my favorite guitarists”.

As a composer David is the author of over fifty jazz tunes for small ensembles. He has also written three pieces for large ensembles. “Sun Song” was premiered at the first performance of the Bay Area Jazz Composers Orchestra in January 1988. “Echoes” was premiered by B.A.J.C.O. in spring 1989. “The Jolly Blue Giant” premiered in July 1990 and was partially funded by a grant from the American Music Center. David has toured Europe numerous times. In 1979 he appeared at the Essen, Germany, City Festival with the trio Lejimda, and his 1985 tour included an appearance at the Fribourg Music Festival. Also in 1985 his first album, “Too Many Vitamins”, was released on Beegum Records. A trio recording, the LP featured David's compositions. In 1988 he was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Music Fellowship, resulting in a quartet collaboration with pianist Jon Jang. The first duo record with Matt Brubeck triggered a 1991 European tour, followed by a 1992 European tour with the Brubeck Family.

Fred Randolph - bass

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Fred started taking ukulele lessons as a young child. At age 11, inspired by the innovative and creative style of Jimi Hendrix, he switched to the guitar. After listening to Howard Roberts and Jimmy Smith in high school, he became fascinated with the unique harmonies of jazz, and his musical direction was forever altered. He began to seriously study and play jazz, first on the guitar, and later, on the saxophone and trumpet during his college years at UC Berkeley. His instrumental epiphany occurred, however, when he was working on his Master’s Degree in Composition at CSU Hayward, he fell under the spell of the bass, captivated by its endless possibilities and sounds. The acoustic and electric basses are now his primary instruments. He has since studied bass with Carl Stanley, Brian Marcus, Alex Glickman, Frank Tusa, and the electric bassist Kai Eckhardt. He continues his studies with Timothy Spears. Project

Jim Kassis - drums

A percussionist, Jim received his BA in Music from San Jose State University. He has studied under Tony Cirone, Jack VanGeem, and Alfred Kanwisher. Jim has taught privately and at the National Guitar Workshop and Soundsation Jazz Camp. Jim has extensive Bay Area ensemble experience, performing with the CA, San Jose, San Francisco, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Symphonies; Opera San Jose; the California Shakespeare Festival; the American Musical Theatre of San Jose; Gene Harris; and the Cabrillo Music Festival.