November 2013 • Jazz Cafe

Friday, November 1 • Shikantaza

SHIKANTAZA takes pleasure in creating environments that quiet the mind and open the heart.  The word shikantaza refers to a form of Japanese Zen Buddhist meditation.  It translates literally as just sitting.  Precise dynamic and rhythmic movements punctuate the group’s trademark flow; the music is saturated with meaning, melody, and haunting harmonies.  The ensemble passionately explores the jazz canon, making familiar works uniquely their own, and offers original compositions developed improvisationally.  Their eclectic repertoire also draws inspiration from folk, classical, gospel, rock, and even country western genres.

Browse audio, photos, and podcasts at http://www.shikantazamusic.com/

Shikantaza

SHIKANTAZA is:

DOUG MILLER studied classical piano with F. Ming Chang, popular and jazz with Norman Schnell, gospel piano and organ with Lillette Jenkins-Weisner, and improvisation with Laurie Altman. Doug began Shikantaza and continues to be its creative leader.

BRANDON LEWIN aspires to use the drums with a soft palette in the Paul Motian/Jack DeJohnette approach.  Mentors include his own musical family, the late Tony Denicola, beloved Trenton-based legend, Gerry Hemingway, the world-class composer now based in Switzerland.

BERNHARD GEIGER learned jazz from Johannes Schädlich and classical from Laura McCreery.  Bernhard’s melodic and authoritative double bass lines have been heard in The Thilo Wagner Trio and Threebop (Germany), Swing Line (France), and the Eric Haltmeier Trio, Cranbury Jazz, Tom Hyland Trio, and Ponds Big Band (USA).

In high school, LORI PANTALEO sang with three choirs, in cabarets, and starred in “Anything Goes.” An alumna of Skidmore College, where she majored in Voice Performance, she has sung with various ensembles         including the Princeton Singers, and is an active member of the Princeton United Methodist Church Choir. She also performs country western music with Bill Flemer’s Bare Root Band.
TANYA SAUNDERS studied piano and voice with Lily Dichupa-Alano, Ernie Scott, and the renowned Lillette Jenkins-Weisner. At fourteen, she won the Talented Teen of New Jersey competition, appearing at the Garden State Arts Center. She has performed in many community theater and summer stock productions, and in a European tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “West Side Story.”  She is currently Director of Music for Ebenezer AME Church in Rahway.

A native of New Orleans, ROBERT BULLINGTON earned his Bachelor of Music from Loyola and a Masters of Music from Boston University.  Robert toured with the Opera Company of Boston, and served in the Vienna-based United Nations Organizations.  He is the owner of Front Row Seat Productions and host of Jazz Discoveries on WWFM.

No performance in December this year.

2014 performances will begin in February.