Maryland Summer Jazz Faculty

Jeff Antoniuk - Saxophone, Artistic Director

Saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk is artistic director and co-founder of Maryland Summer Jazz. Internationally respected as a jazz composer and musician, he appears on numerous recordings and packs many club and concert dates. His 2007 CD Here Today, with the Jazz Update, received extensive airplay in the US and his native Canada. A beloved and gifted teacher, he directs the Jazz Band Masterclass and In-Depth Jazz programs. Long associated with Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS), he also teaches at Towson University. (Teaches both workshop sessions)

Tom Baldwin - Bass

Bassist Tom Baldwin backs many modern jazz greats like James Moody, George Garzone, Eartha Kitt and Eric Alexander. A member of the Jazz Update band, he has performed in countless venues, including the Wolftrap Jazz and Blues Festival and the Princeton JazzFeast. Highly respected as a tasteful, articulate and inspired bassist, Tom teaches in the jazz department at the University of Maryland. (Teaches both workshop sessions)

Dave Ballou - Trumpet

Dave Ballou is an internationally acclaimed composer and trumpet player. Across the jazz, rock and classical genres, he is one of the most sought after New York trumpet players of his generation. He as toured with Steely Dan, gigged with Joe Lovano and was a featured soloist for the premiere of Gunther Schuller's Encounters, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Jordan Hall. With eight albums on the SteepleChase label, he is the director of the Jazz/Commercial Music Division at Towson University. (Session I)

Wade Beach - Piano

Phenomenal pianist Wade Beach is widely respected for his harmonic sophistication and superb technique, which knows no stylistic limitations. After classical training  (a master’s degree in piano performance from the University of Maryland) he entered the world of jazz, becoming a protégé of Sir Roland Hanna. A 20-year veteran of the Air Force, he played with the Airmen of Note. He teaches at George Mason University and performs with the Jazz Update. (Teaches both workshop sessions)

Jeff Coffin - Saxophone

Yamaha Artist Jeff Coffin is a virtuoso saxophone player who is discovering his talents as an inspired and inspiring teacher. Best known as a member of the Grammy Award winning group, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, he is also busy collaborating with his own group, Mu’tet. He has played and recorded with names as diverse as John Scofield, Dave Matthews and Garth Brooks. He is a busy clinician and faculty member at Cumberland University in Tennessee. (Session II)

Pepe Gonzalez – Bass

Born in Spain and now living in Washington, DC, Pepe Gonzalez is a performer, producer, arranger, and teacher. He has performed primarily in the Jazz, Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian idioms, appearing on many recordings and at many festivals in Europe and the Caribbean. He has had the pleasure of working with Maria Rodriquez and her Latin Jazz Orchestra, Jeannie Bryson, Pepper Adams, Dorothy Donegan, Clifford Jordan, Horacio Icasto, Pedro Iturralde, Hilton Ruiz, Slide Hampton, Dave Valentin and many others. (Session I)

Steve Herberman - Guitar

Steve Herberman is respected around the country as one of the true voices of the modern jazz guitar. His new CD Action: Reaction met with rave reviews. According to Jazz Times, “ Steve Herberman exhibits a vast harmonic palette involving uncommon stretches on the fretboard along with a real capacity to burn on fluent single note lines…” He has written instructional material for Downbeat and Jazz Times, and teaches at the Levine School of Music and Towson University. (Teaches both workshop sessions)

Tony Martucci - Drums

Drummer Tony Martucci has played and recorded with giants from almost every period of jazz, including Mose Allison, Joe Henderson and Sonny Stitt. A regular at Blues Alley and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, he has ac acquired too many accolades to list. He shines on numerous recordings with many artists including Here Today with Jeff Antoniuk and The Jazz Update. Tony teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Maryland. (Teaches both workshop sessions)

Jim McFalls - Trombone

After 17 years with the Jazz Ambassadors, trombonist Jim McFalls launched a new phase in his accomplished career. The busy and versatile performer became involved in instrument model development. He played with DC’s “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown and on well-received recordings with the likes of Denis DiBlasio and The Capitol Bones. He enjoys a national reputation as an educator and clinician and is a full time professor at Towson University. (Session I)

Alex Norris - Trumpet

Trumpet player Alex Norris, Ph.D. is full professor at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He has played with legends like Betty Carter and the Village Vanguard Band and modernists such as Joshua Redman and Marvin Smitty Smith. He began his Latin Jazz exploration with Baltimore based Rumba Club, going on to work Afro-Cuban jazz artists Andy and Jerry Gonzalez, Giovanni Hildago and Monguito Santamaria. Tours with Steve Winwood and Miami Sound Machine show the pop side of his career. (Session II)

Paula Phillips - Administrative Director

Paula Phillips is the Administrative Director of Maryland Summer Jazz. The co-founder of the MSJ, Paula is the powerhouse behind the scenes. With years of experience in public relations, arts administration and meeting management, she also runs The Phillips Agency, a PR firm that represents The Jazz Update and other arts-based clients. (Teaches both workshop sessions)