l to r: Alex, Josh (middle), Jim
Jason, Brett
Jason
Slats - tenor saxophone. Jason is 21, a student at the University
of Alaska, Fairbanks. He has been playing the saxophone since a 7th
grade teacher dug some instruments out of the school attic and started
a school band. He is the world's only Cup'ik Eskimo jazz musician,
and can play all woodwinds as well as the piano. Jason's favorite
musician is John
Coltrane.
Brett Forsythe - alto saxophone.
Brett is 22, a music major at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
He was born and raised in Fairbanks and started playing alto saxophone
in the 4th grade and can play the saxophone family and the flute.
Brett's favorite musician is Eric
Dolphy.
Alex White - bass.
Alex is 26, the organizer of the band. He was born and raised in
Fairbanks and began playing the drums at the age of 7. Mo Betta Jazz
has evolved from previous bands Alex was involved with, most recently the
Taj Jam Jazz Quartet. Alex's favorite artists are Marcus Miller and
Charles
Mingus
Josh DiStefano -
piano. Josh is 24, and is in the Army. He started playing piano
in high school in L.A. and had a band. After graduating he went to
Berklee of Boston and got a degree in film scoring. Upon returning
to L.A. and being unable to get a gig scoring films, he decided to join
the Army. The Army sent him here to Fairbanks in September of 1997
as a member of the army band. Josh likes pianists Bill Evans, Keith
Jarrett and Herbie
Hancock
Jim Vogt - drums.
Jim is 36, and while he was not fortunate enough to be born in Alaska,
he came up on an adventure in 1990. He started drumming while in
high school, and became serious about it after graduation. Jim doesn't
have a favorite artist or musical influence, his taste in music is eclectic.
Links to Fairbanks, Alaska sites Links to the Alaskan music scene Things I happen to like
