Rob Scheps – Saxophone & Flute
While living in the Boston area, Rob formed and led his own groups, including the True Colors Big Band. In 1988 he moved to New York, where he formed the Rob Scheps Core-tet and the Bartokking Heads, firmly establishing himself on the jazz scene.
Not content to limit himself, Rob continued to take on new challenges. He formed new bands on both coasts. He served as a faculty member at the Mannes College of Music. He worked with contemporary music ensembles. All while performing with some of the most noted and influential big bands of our age, such as the Gil Evans Orchestra and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
In addition to his jazz credentials, Rob been an active part of the classical, theater, and popular music communities. For 13 years, he served as the Principal Saxophone with the Oregon Symphony. He was part of the national tour of Porgy and Bess with the Charleston Symphony, and the New York City Opera orchestra for Wonderful Town. He has worked on Broadway on productions such as CATS and Miss Saigon. He has appeared with such legends as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Liza Minnelli, and Linda Ronstadt. His range is best shown by viewing his ‘Performances’ page, showing the diversity of those with whom he has worked.
Rob has recorded on over 35 albums. His most recent releases, by the Rob Scheps Core-tet, are the critically acclaimed Comencio on Steeplechase Records and Live at Smalls on Smalls Records.
Rob continues to perform and record internationally, working with his contemporaries and leading his own groups; Magnets! With Kim Clarke, The Rob Scheps Big Band, and the Rob Scheps Core-tet.
Matt Cooper – Piano
Matt Cooper recently retired from 28 years of teaching piano, theory and jazz studies at Eastern Oregon University. He has played keyboards (including piano and accordion) for the Depot Street Syncopators, the Tailgators, Irish Session, Moody Brews, and other Northeast Oregon bands, and has performed solo accordion at Oregon’s Alpenfest.
Matt’s mastery of the piano will transport you through a captivating musical journey. With a profound understanding of jazz and classical piano, Matt’s performances are a testament to his dedication and passion for music. He has toured with the Woody Herman Young Thundering Herd and accompanied Eddie Harris, Nancy King, and many others, in addition to being a bronze medalist at the 1988 Thelonious Monk International and Great American Jazz Piano competitions.
He also taught jazz piano, improv and theory at summer camps such as UO Summer Music Institute, OSU Piano Jazz Institute, Oregon East Symphony summer camp, and will be teaching and performing at the Festival for Creative Pianists this June. As a pianist, he is the author of a book on Duke Ellington’s piano styles, and has performed in Amsterdam, England, Russia, Canada, and Argentina as well as throughout much of the U.S.