An accomplished and experienced musician, Ben Haugland has a history of musical distinction. A doctoral student as well as a graduate assistant at the University of Northern Colorado, Haugland has received three DownBeat awards including an award for "Best Instrumental Jazz Soloist". He has performed with the world-renowned University of Northern Texas One O'clock Lab Band under the direction of Steve Weist. Haugland has also played with a number of legendary jazz artists including Adonis Rose, Curtis Fuller, Chuck Berghofer, Chris Potter, Billy Hart, Tim Warfield, Steve Davis, Ed Soph, Brad Leali, and many others. An avid composer, one of Haugland's original compositions, "Lift" won a DownBeat award for Best Original Song, and he is currently working on a CD with an anticipated release in summer 2011.
Andrew Vogt's enthusiasm for music originated early in life. Initially performing on the saxophone in elementary school, and as his passion for music grew, Vogt continued to add a diverse collection of instruments to his repertoire, including the clarinet and the flute. He earned a degree in music from the University of Nebraska, and since then has performed professionally at over 5,000 events. One of the top musicians competing for the Cognac Hennessy Jazz Challenge in the late 1990's, Vogt spent three years after the competition sailing on cruise ships performing every night for hundreds of guests. Vogt currently resides in Colorado, where he not only shares his musical talents as an educator, but also performs in high-energy jazz ensembles and a variety of funk, soul, and R&B groups.
Matt Smiley has almost a decade of musical forte, and has performed in a variety of musical genres including gospel, rock, funk, bluegrass, jazz, free improvisation, and Twentieth Century music. An avid and enthusiastic musician, Smiley has performed both nationally and internationally at the Montreux, North Sea, and Montreal Jazz festivals. While acquiring his master's degree in music and jazz studies at the University of Northern Colorado, he succeeded in winning the UNC Jazz Composer's Award for an original composition titled "Double Quartet." Currently, he resides in Colorado, where he performs funk music with the band Soul Proprietor, jazz music with The Mark Sloniker Trio/Quartet, and performs weekly with the Subterranean Jazz Trio/Quartet in Fort Collins.
Performing with musical group Rare Moment at Elitch Gardens in Denver Colorado, John Olson had his professional debut at just sixteen years old. After four years playing with Colorado State University's jazz band, he spent a summer performing with Walt Disney's All-American College Band and successfully led alternative-rock bands Kaustic Kids and Joe Sockit and The Wrenches. After his success in Denver, John moved to Los Angeles, where he not only performed with multiple alternative-rock groups, but also freelanced for Drums and Drumming Magazine. John returned to Colorado in 1992, where he played with a diverse group of bands and solo artists, including The Atoll, Mark Van Ark, Liz Barnez, Swing Essence, Carol Frazier, Linda Theus Lee, and many others. In 2010, John created The Subterranean Jazz Band. He currently directs and performs weekly at Ace Gillett's Lounge in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Born to a family of bluegrass musicians in Ogden, Utah, Kate Skinner began studying classical piano at a very young age. A Naturally talented and eager musician, she performed in many capacities throughout her childhood and teen years. At seventeen, Kate was invited to sit in and sing on a couple of local jazz gigs, and it was during that time that she discovered her passion for jazz. She proceeded to study jazz piano with Dr. Larry Smith at Utah State University and later went on to become a two-time vocal jazz winner at the Lionel International Jazz Festival, the first student from her alma mater ever to do so. Most recently, Kate received a DownBeat Magazine 2010 Student Music Award for Graduate College Outstanding Performance by a Vocal Soloist. Currently, Kate is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado, and performs in many musical groups including the Kate Skinner Trio, A-S-K, and The Subterranean Jazz Quartet.
Josh Skinner began his musical career at the young age of twelve. Studying privately with David Yavornitsky in Salt Lake City, Utah, he ardently pursued his passion for learning and expression throughout his teenage years. While completing his bachelor's degree at Utah State University, Skinner was introduced to jazz music and began performing in the Utah State Jazz Orchestra. After finishing his degree, Skinner taught music in the public school setting and later began his graduate studies in music at the University of Idaho, where he received the opportunity to play in both professional jazz and classical music groups. He currently resides in Greeley, Colorado, where he not only directs his own bass studio, but also performs for a diverse group of bands.
