Raj Sodhi Jazz Ensemble

jazz . funk . blues . latin . swing

weddings . corporate events . parties

swing dances . receptions . wine tastings

Biographies

Double-bass player Raj Sodhi is known around Sonoma County for his very clean sound, great feeling for rhythm and perfect intonation. He first picked up a double-bass in seventh grade in New Hampshire, where he grew up. His passion and his natural talent for music led him to play in numerous jazz bands, string ensembles and symphony orchestras along the east coast. He was fortunate to have studied under the very finest bass players in the country, including Lawrence Hurst (Bloomington IN), Winston Budrow (East Lansing, MI), and Todd Seeber (Boston MA). In his final year of high school, Raj took first place in the Young Artists' Concerto Competition on double-bass. In 1990 he played for Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra and in 1991, he attended the Tanglewood Music Festival. While studying at MIT, he played numerous groups in the Boston area. Recently, he has played an active role in the jazz scene in Northern California, having played with Ylonda Nickell, Steve Wolfe, Noam Lemish, Casey Cameron, Tony De Anna, and many others.

Matt Rothstein is a multi-styled saxophonist and vocalist, playing a unique blend of jazz, folk, and blues music. Beautiful and energetic passages make him a sure hit with any adult contemporary crowd. Matt has received international recognition from both Down Beat Magazine (Student Music Award Winner) and The Grammy Foundation (All-Star Jazz Ensemble Member), and is a mere 22 years of age. Currently working towards his Master's degree at Sonoma State University, Rothstein has already performed at notable venues across the North American continent. These include the International Association for Jazz Education Convention, Los Angeles' Jazz Bakery and Knitting Factory, and the world-famous South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas.

Drummer Alex Aspinall is a native of Northern California and has been playing drums for 15 years. He has performed with many of the Bay Area's finest jazz musicians including; Mel Graves, Kathleen Grace, Casey Cameron, Ben Zeff, Randy Vincent, Julian Lage, Cody Anderson, Frankye Kelly, Mad and Eddie Duran, and Yanci Taylor. Alex attended Sonoma State University and graduated in 2002 with distinction in jazz performance. He has studied extensively with the great drummer George Marsh, Harold Jones and Akira Tana.

Guitarist Randy Vincent began his career in Florida and moved to the San Francisco Area in 1980. Since then, he has divided his time between performing and teaching. Among the many musicians with whom he has performed and recorded are: Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Hutcherson, Leny Andrade, Stephanie Ozer, Bill Watrous, Akira Tana, Ernie Watts, Herb Pomeroy, and the list goes on and on. He plays on a regular basis with many local musicians throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.  A few of the jazz festivals at which he has performed include the Monterey Jazz Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, and the San Miguel de Allende Jazz Festival in Mexico.Randy has taught jazz guitar at Sonoma State University (in Sonoma County, California) since 1981 and has conducted clinics throughout the U.S. While on tour with Joe Henderson, he taught at Taller de Musicos in Madrid, Spain. Randy's students include Julian Lage, the young prodigy who appeared on the 2000 Grammy Awards show.  He has also taught Dave McNab, who has worked with Shelby Lynne and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with David Letterman; and Liberty Ellman, who works on a regular basis with Greg Osby and Henry Threadgill. 

From Philadelphia to Honolulu, Sonoma County’s vocalist Dana Land has been stirring up the jazz scene with a refreshing style and a playful presence all her own. Growing up in a musical family Dana studied piano for many years and was exposed to diverse musical genres from classical to big band. Having discovered her passion for jazz and her natural ability to perform, she followed her path with private instruction and education at University of Hawaii and Sonoma State University. Locally, Dana has performed at The Mustard Festival in Napa Valley, Salute to the Arts in Sonoma, and The Cotati Jazz Festival. Dana’s repertoire ranges from vintage standards, swing and show tunes to Latin and blues, from candlelight jazz to foot tapping music that makes you want to get up and dance! Interpreting the compositions of some of the greats such as Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Nat King Cole, Dave Frishberg and Harold Arlen, Dana is supported by some of the finest name musicians in Northern California. With her upbeat and playful style, critics have hailed her as one of the most appealing jazz performers on the scene.