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| Nathan Bayreuther Piano |
Jesse Charland Bass |
Chris Kent Drums |
Nathan Bayreuther began studying piano at the age of eight when he was encouraged to take lessons on a trial basis for four weeks with Judith Mack; he did not conclude his studies with her until ten years later. During that time Nathan was actively involved with local, state, and regional competitions. He first began accompanying choruses in elementary school, continuing to work with choruses in middle school and eventually numerous choirs and soloists in high school for many functions and concerts. He auditioned for and was accepted as the pianist for the All New England Music Festivals from 1995-1998, performing in Norwich, Connecticut, and Burlington, Vermont.
Nathan’s piano career took off on another tangent when, at age 13, he was hired as a substitute for Mr. Donald Janse, the Director of Music at the First Congregational Church in New London, Connecticut. Five years later he accepted the church’s offer of the permanent music director position following Mr. Janse’s death in 1999. In May of 2002, Nathan’s position became his full-time occupation, dedicated to reaching out to the community through music.
While maintaining a deep respect and love of classical music, jazz has quickly become Nathan’s passion. He is self-taught and continues to expand his knowledge mainly by listening to old recordings, especially those of Bill Evans and Miles Davis. After teaming up with Jesse and Chris, he feels right at home when they play together: “The music comes from our hearts, and it’s difficult to describe it in words. It’s just wonderful to share the same love for jazz with excellent musicians who feel the same way.”
Jesse Charland has been a musician since early childhood, although he did not begin his career as a bassist until the beginning of high school. Prior to studying the bass he was a cellist, and he was asked to play the bass to fill an empty chair in the high school orchestra. Since then he has taken the bass as his voice, playing all kinds of musical styles on electric and upright bass. Jesse started playing and experimenting with jazz just before high school at the Community Music School in Essex, Connecticut, under the instruction of Mr. Tom Briggs, a percussionist with the New London Coast Guard Band.
In 1996, under the tutelage of Coast Guard bassist Mark McCormick, Jesse studied classical styles as an orchestral performer. During a summer workshop at the Tanglewood Institute at Boston University, he was introduced to Lawrence Wolfe, a Boston Symphony Orchestra bassist and was welcomed as his student. After high school he was accepted to the New England Conservatory of Music as a student of Mr. Wolfe, majoring in Classical Double Bass performance. Currently studying at the Conservatory, Jesse has discovered a love for all kinds of music. He remains an open-minded musician and a bass player of all styles including jazz, classical, rock, and hip hop/drum and bass.
Upon meeting with Nathan Bayreuther, the two formed a musical connection and understanding with each other that does not occur with many musicians. Jesse says, “Playing with Nathan and Chris for so long has given us an incredible musical bond. When we play it is like we know what the other is going to do before it happens. That’s when you know you’ve got something worthwhile.”
Chris Kent received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from Western Connecticut State University in 1996 where he studied percussion with David L. Smith, principal percussionist with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. He has been playing drums and percussion professionally since 1996 and has also taught percussion privately and as an adjunct teacher in many Connecticut school systems since 1991. In addition to his performing and private teaching, Chris is also a percussion repair technician who works independently and for Stewart’s Music in Niantic, repairing percussion instruments for public school systems and for individual drummers and percussionists.
Besides playing for the Combo, Chris also plays drumset and provides harmony vocals with Avalon Express, a diversified dance-band led by guitarist/arranger Ron Murray. Chris has been called upon as a freelance percussionist performing in churches, parades, outdoor concerts and for orchestras, such as The Albano Ballet Orchestra and The Sergio Franchi Memorial Scholarship Orchestra. In addition to his performing, he currently teaches percussion for Alpha Audio Works, Ron’s Guitars Music Center, and Thames Valley Music School.
Although his earlier years were spent mainly playing pop and rock, Chris says, “I have a new appreciation for jazz after playing with Nathan and Jesse; we really have a lot of fun when we work together.”