Vivify Music Artists

Brian Nova is a Jazz guitarist that combines a rare mixture of lightning-speed fretwork and beautiful melodies throughout his performances and recordings. He has the distinction of being the only guitarist who was mentored by, and toured with, the two titans of Jazz guitar: Herb Ellis and Joe Pass. And he adds eloquent vocals to his artistry reminiscent of Nat Cole and the hip style of Frank Sinatra. Nova performs, and records, as a solo artist, with his Trio, Quartet, and his 12-piece Big Band. No matter what configuration, Nova always delights his audience with his hard swinging style and romantic melodies.

Nova has performed with an impressive list of elite Jazz musicians: Saxophonists Eddie Harris, Illinois Jaquet, Danny Turner, Frank Foster, Bobby Watson, Stanley Turrentine, Bud Shank, Pete Christleib, Med Flory, Hadley Calman, and Bill Ramsey; Trumpeters Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Steve Madaio, Fred Radke and Mike Vax; Pianists Gerald Wiggins, Shelly Berg, Kenny Drew, Jessica Williams, Joe Fos, Larry Fuller and Benny Green; Bassists Ray Brown, Red Mitchell, Neils Henning Orsted-Pederson, Jim Hughart, Luther Hughes, Dave Carpenter, Andy Simpkins, Leroy Vinneger, Mads Vinding, Buddy Catlett, and John Heard; Drummers Jeff Hamilton, Mel Brown, Eddie Henderson, Dick Berk, Butch Miles, Bobby Durham and Paul Kreibich; Organists Jimmy Smith and Barney McClure; Guitarists Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Larry Coryell, Mundell Lowe, John Pisano, John Stowell, Henry Johnson and Taj Mahal; Trombonists Julian Priester and Fred Wesley; Vibraphonists Louis Hjulmand, Kiyoko Ami and Ricky Kelly; Vocalists Diane Schuur, Ernestine Anderson, Freddie Cole, Dee Daniels and Mark Murphy; and Blues and Rock Legends Charlie Musselwhite and Steve Miller.

Nova performs throughout North America with extended bookings in major cities and as a Jazz Festival artist. His annual European Tour includes engagements in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain and Italy. His Pan-Pacific Tour includes China, Taiwan, and a sold out tour in Japan every December.

In addition to performing, Nova also encourages young Jazz musicians to further their own musical education and stage presence. From 1990 to 1996, he was the Director of Jazz and Guitar Studies for the Music Program at Seattle University. He continues to mentor the next- generation of professional musicians through his master classes and the clinics he conducts around the world. Nova has also created an adult Jazz appreciation program so lovers of Jazz can gain a more insightful view of this art form and a greater knowledge of the communication between musicians on stage.

Brian Nova has released six recordings. His most recent release in Spring 2006 is titled “I Could Have Told You”; “The Shadow of Your Smile” released in 2005 to rave reviews; “Blue and Bossa Nova”; “Brian Nova- Alone”; “Live at Belltown Billiards”; and “Jazz Inflections”.

Stephanie Porter

Stephanie Porter has been developing her own unique style for over a decade performing around the Northwest. She is a favorite not only among Jazz listeners, but among Jazz artists as well.

"Stephanie Porter is one of freshest new jazz vocalists I've heard in quite some time. One of the things I like best about her is that her sound is totally her own; she doesn't sound like anyone else. (OK, maybe a little like the young Anita O'Day... but just a little.) It's going to be a delight to watch and hear her artistic growth in the years to come."

"Her voice took me on a melodic journey, twisting and turning up and down. One that without question made me smile in satisfaction. This is the artist you brag to fellow music aficionados about finding first. If you don't buy here music you can just wait a year or two and then catch her on the AMA or your local jazz station as she's more then able and certain to make her mark."

"Rather than ensnare you with a lot of vivid adjectives, I'm just going to get right to the point... listen to this album! I mean it! I was and am in total awe with this woman's voice. It's something like Norah Jones with more harmonics, but more broad, more full and just spilling over with emotion. It's been a long, long time since an album has stopped me in my tracks so completely. Even if you don't claim to be much of a jazz vocals fan, at least give this a whirl. Stephanie Porter is not going to be "indie" very long. With an instrument like that voice, she's sure to be chasing the popularity of Diana Krall in no time. It's pure silk. Just listen."

Buddy Catlett

Jazz legend George James “Buddy” Catlett on Acoustic Bass, is a Seattle legend having toured and recorded with The Count Basie Orchestra for Five years, along with several landmark recordings with Frank Sinatra including "Fly Me to the Moon". Louis Armstrong for Seven years, including “What a Wonderful World”. Quincy Jones for Four years, performed and recorded with, Ella Fitzgerald, Horace Henderson, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Johnny Griffin, Johnny Smith, Cal Tjader, Chico Hamilton, just to name a few.

Buddy now resides in Seattle where he teaches and performs, presents workshops, passes on the tradition of Jazz to young and old alike, and plays several nights a week with Brian Nova.

Christopher Sartisohn - Cold Cut Combo

While Christopher's major inspiration lies in Gypsy Jazz, Flamenco, Musette, Latin, and Ethnic Folk music, the Combo have a decidedly original feel and fire up their music with their own expressive je ne sais quoi, capturing a vitality and freshness that makes this music contemporary once again. Christopher's guitar virtuosity makes this group stand out from the rest.

The Combo's repertoire features Jazz standards from the greatest composers of the 20th century, including Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Cole Porter, Carlos Jobim, George & Ira Gershwin and of course the great Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli of the Hot Club de France.

Aaron Watson - Cold Cut Combo

Aaron is the other half of the Cold Cut Combo, an acoustic duo of improvisational musicians specializing in Gypsy Jazz, Old-time Swing, Parisian Musette Waltzes, Eastern European Folk tunes and Latin standards. Featuring jazz manouche guitars, accordion, musical saw and sweet vocals. Aaron's vocals, accordian and musical saw help set this combo apart.