Esto Jazz performs a variety of contemporary jazz, standards and original compositions. The goal of the group is to play music that is recognizable but is pliable enough to be stretched in various ways.

Featuring:

Bob Esterle, Saxophones, has performed in a wide variety of musical groups from symphony orchestras to Jazz big bands throughout the Midwest. He has backed up such popular artists as Bobby Caldwell, Olivia Newton-John, Sandy Duncan, Ray Charles, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Frankie Avalon, Martha Reeves, The Platters, The Fifth Dimension, The Four Lads, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, Guy Lombardo, Hal Linden and Red Skelton. He has also performed for Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

His recording credits include Michael Egleton (Smooth Jazz Artist), Bambo Kino (Fusion Bassist), Walter Williams (Lead vocalist of the O’Jays), Italian Bassist Stefano Capomagi, The Dave Banks Big Band, Frederick Davis, Paul Kraker, Alan Licht, Wayne Conte and the Ignitions, The Deacons, Abe Lamarca, Gaetano Letizia’s Underground Blues Band, jingles for the the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the Summit Toy Company, the Cleveland Indians, the Prudential Insurance Company, and various local radio stations. Bob holds a Bachelors Degree in Music from Bowling Green State University and a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Akron.

Duncan Crooks, Piano, has been playing professionally for over 30 years, beginning as a teenager in R&B and Fusion bands in Cleveland, Ohio, and Los Angeles, California. Originally from Cleveland Heights, and a graduate of Cleveland Heights High School, Duncan went on to Capital University in Columbus to study music and arranging. While at Capital, Duncan was the winner of the Diversified Music Publishers Award for “Best College-level Composer.” From there, he moved to Boston to attend the Berklee College of Music where he graduated summa cum laude. Over the years, Duncan has continuously played with the finest jazz musicians and vocalists Northeast Ohio has to offer. In addition to touring with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Duncan has performed with Kenny Burrell, Nick Brignola, and Ernie Krivda, opened for BB King in the early 80s, recorded with Brandon Fields, was a member of Cleveland's local band, Forecast, and played for Cleveland's top society bands.

Dave Morgan, Bass, is a bassist, composer and teacher. His recording, The Way of the Sly Man, featuring Jamey Haddad, Dan Wall, Jack Schantz, Howie Smith, and many other fine musicians, was made possible by a grant from Chamber Music America. Morgan also composed the music for The Surprise of Being—Live at Birdland by the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra featuring Joe Lovano. A concert by the Tri-C JazzFest featuring Ernie Watts of Morgan’s transcriptions and arrangements of the music of Frank Zappa earned an Award of Achievement from Northern Ohio Live. Morgan holds a Doctorate in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin, and is Professor of Composition and Double Bass at Youngstown State University.

James “J.R.” Richley, Drums, has performed internationally as both a drummer and percussionist in a wide variety of musical styles. From his early days as a staff studio musician for Walt Disney Productions in Los Angeles, he has gone on to record albums for numerous record labels including Universal Records (with producer John Simon), MCA, Atlantic, Koch Jazz, 1201 Music, Seismic and Blaster records. His Radio, DVD and Television credits include performances on PBS, Michael Feldman’s National Public Radio (NPR) show “WhadYa’ Know?,” “A Christmas Spectacular” for Dish Network, and numerous others.

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