Mile High Jazz Festival

Mile High Jazz Fest 2008
Schedule | History | Denis DiBlasio | Judges Bios | Awards | Driving Directions

DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF JUDGES AND CLINICIANS
Ralston Valley High School Auditorium

Ron Bland has been a professional musician for over twenty-five years, playing virtually all styles of music in every setting from concert hall to theatre to the recording studio. At home on both the electric and double basses, he performs regularly with Pan Jumbies Steel Drum Band, Moment’s Notice and the Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra. Ron has performed with many jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Eddie Daniels, Billy Taylor, Tom Scott, Bobby McFerrin, Red Rodney, Phil Wilson, Byron Stripling, Clare Fischer, Diane Schuur, Doc Severinsen and Bill Watrous. Recent show work includes the national companies of “Blood Brothers”, “Grease” and “Big” at the Buell Theatre as well as performances with Bob Hope, Rita Moreno, Marvin Hamlisch, Linda Ronstadt, Maureen McGovern, Rosemary Clooney, Billy Crystal, Steve Allen (his last performance) and Luciano Pavarotti. In October 2003, as part of the Denver Jazz Quartet, Ron was a featured headliner at the 25th Annual Queenstown International Jazz Festival in Queenstown, New Zealand. Ron graduated with a BA Degree in bass performance from Metropolitan State College of Denver where he is a part-time faculty member. He is the bass instructor and leader of the Musical Styles Ensemble at the University of Colorado at Denver as well as Instructor of Bass and member of the Faculty Jazz Combo at Colorado Christian University. In addition to college instruction, Ron teaches privately and performs regularly in educational concerts at area schools.

Keith Ewer has worked as a freelance musician for over twenty years. He has performed in groups accompanying traveling artists such as Ed Shaugnessy, Chick Corea, Joe Williams, Bobby Shew, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Bolton, Brian Wilson, Lyle Lovett, Amy Grant, Chuck Berry, Don Rickles, The Smothers Brothers, Joan Rivers, and Shari Lewis & Lambchop (twice!). Keith performed in the orchestra for President Clinton and the Summit of Eight in 1996 and is currently the 'House Percussionist' at the Arvada Center, a position he has held since 1986. He also teaches jazz ensembles with the Front Range Youth Symphony and Colorado Honor Band. For the last seventeen years Keith has been writing and arranging music for everything from theater to dance. His writing has included all styles, from jazz to classical to rock, even including a show written in the style of Italian Folk Music! Keith started playing percussion in the fourth grade. His Mom let him play drums if he promised never to sing again. He has kept his promise to this day.

Nick Gnojek is currently a freelance percussionist and teacher in the Denver area, where he has performed and taught for thirty-one years. He attended the University of Northern Colorado and was a member of Jazz Lab Band I for three years. During this time, Nick’s groups received several “Down Beat” awards for musical excellence. In 1980, Jazz Lab Band I was selected by the National Association of Jazz Educators to perform at the National Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a drum set artist, Nick has played with such celebrated performers as Chick Corea, Joe Williams, George Shearing, Diane Schuur, Billy Ekstine and Bob Hope. Locally, he has performed and recorded with many of the area’s finest musicians. Nick has been percussion instructor with several public schools and has had the opportunity to work with students of all ages. Currently he holds the staff drumming position at Orchard Road Christian Center and maintains a large private student studio. Nick is an active adjudicator and clinician at festivals throughout the country for the Yamaha Corporation.

Nick Keelan is an associate professor of music at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin where he teaches trombone and euphonium; chairs the woodwind, brass and percussion department and teaches instrumental music education courses. His degrees are from Henderson State University in Arkansas and the University of Northern Colorado. A native of Arkansas, Nick taught in Texas and Colorado before moving to Wisconsin in 1985. He was president of the Colorado Bandmasters Association, president elect of the Colorado Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators and a member of the board of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association. Nick has been a trombone soloist and clinician with numerous school, college and civic bands throughout the United States including the Colorado All-State Jazz Band and the Mile High Jazz Festival “All-Star Band”. As a performer, he was an active freelance musician in Denver and Dallas. He currently is the trombonist with the Lawrence Brass, the jazz group Extempo and is lead trombone and co-leader of the jazz band The Big Band Reunion.

Bill Wilkinson was born at an early age on February 16, 1949 in Granite City, Illinois. At age 10 he began playing trumpet. Mr. Bill graduated from Collinsville High School in 1967. He received his B.S. Mus. Ed. Degree from John Brown University in 1974. He graduated “Laudy How Cum.” A least that is what the music professors said as he received is degree. He has performed with Lionel Hampton, Florence Henderson, Roy Clarke, Pat Boone, Andre Crouch and performed for President Nixon and President Ford. He married his college girl friend Beth in 1971. They have three beautiful children, Summer, Megan and Seth (no ugly ones) and a very beautiful grand-daughter Madeline. In 2005 Mr. Wilkinson retired from Longmont public schools after 31 years. During his years in the St. Vrain School District his band were selected to perform at The Colorado Music Educator’s Convention 5 times. Mr. Wilkinson started The Skyline Jazz Festival in 1979. His marching bands were invited to perform at Bronco’s games 2 times. In 1989 Mr. Wilkinson was selected to direct The Colorado All State Jazz Band Mr. Wilkinson is currently the band director at Rocky Mountain Christian Academy and the Jazz Ensemble Director at Regis University in Denver. Mr. Wilkinson started The Longmont All Star Jazz Band six years ago. He is also the leader of The Good News Blues Band and Director of The Rocky Mountain Christian Church Big Band. He is also assistant director of the Rocky Mountain Christian Church Orchestra.