fiddleFunk is a program of compositions incorporating a cornucopia of idioms; the romanticism of the Great American Songbook, Bebop's rhythmic elasticity, Brazilian melodies, a variety of jazz styles and popular tunes are all in the mix. So too the blues.

Chris Bakriges (piano, composer) the Detroit-born pianist and composer is resident artist at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston. The rich cultural firmament of Motown cultivated his taste for music as an expression of emotion, communication, and social change. His doctorate in ethnomusicology at York University in Toronto afforded him the opportunity to study with the legendary Oscar Peterson. He has also worked with Jimmy Giuffre, Harold Danko, Anthony Braxton, and Nadi Qamar. Bakriges is a founding member of Critical Theory Ensemble, Quartet ‘Til the End of Time, and the Oikos Ensemble. He was music director for the monthly “Jazz Alive” radio program on Northeast Public Radio broadcast from WAMC Studios in New York and accompanied many artists, including Kenny Burrell, Bernard Purdie, Bobby McFerrin, David Darling, and Dave Holland. Bakriges has performed throughout the United States and internationally in India, Pakistan, Turkey, The Czech Republic, United Kingdom, and France.

Stanley Chepaitis (violin) is chair of the string department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Stanley is a founding member of the Litton Quartet and the Gorell Trio. Chepaitis is one of the rare breed of violinist who can cross easily over classical and jazz terrain. He former concert master of the Arkansas Symphony who learned jazz from the legendary Joe Venuti as well as Floyd Williams, drummer with Duke Ellington. His international performances include engagements at the Academy of Music in Zagreb, Croatia, the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and a special jazz program for an audience of German music teachers at the Hoechschule in Hanover, Germany. In the states, Stanley has presented concerts at the Eastman School's Kilbourne Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Krannert Center, in Champagne, Illinois.

Bassist Glenn Holmes is a native Clevelander who has performed with Ignacio Berroa, Charlie Rouse, Andy Narell, Jerry Hahn, Richie Cole, Doc Cheatham, Earl Warren, Keith Copeland, and Joe Williams. He was a member of the Wichita Symphony and a former faculty member at Wichita State University and Friends University. He is also a published composer.

Drummer Paul Samuels grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. His father, a violinist with the Cleveland Orchestra, and his mother, who designs and creates visual art, was supportive of Samuels’ interest in playing music. Samuels studied with percussionist Robert Matson of the Cleveland Orchestra, and drummer Bob McKee. He played drums throughout the Cleveland area and was influenced by such local musicians as Lawrence “Jacktown” Jackson, Greg Bandy, Lamar Gaines, Bill DeArango, Jamey Haddad, Val Kent, Skip Hadden, Carl “Ace” Carter, and the late Neal Creque. Samuels recorded three albums with Greg Osbyand toured internationally with a variety of musicians: James Moody, David Fathead Newman, Lonnie Plaxico, Hank Crawford, Pat “The Kid” Martino, Jack McDuff, and the late r&b artist Gerald Levert. He teaches at Oberlin.

More about Stanley Chepaitis, http://www.stanleychepaitis.com/

More about Chris Bakriges, http://www.bakriges.com/