Ken Hales-trumpet/flugelhorn, Dave Ihlenfeld-bass, Vince Thiefain-bass, Cleve Huff-drums
“The Road Less Travelled”
Join Ken and his quartet for an evening of music beloved by musicians, but seldom heard at “standard” jazz events, including compositions by Tom Harrell, Reed Kotler, Chucho Valdez, and many more!
Ken Hales has played trumpet since 3rd grade. His love of jazz came by playing in intermediate and high school bands in the Bay Area in California. In Concord, His band took honors in several jazz festivals, including Sacramento, San Francisco, Reno, and Monterey. After taking some time off playing, he resumed in Chandler with the CGCC big band, then lately the “little big band”, consisting of some of the most talented musicians in the valley. He frequents several jazz jams, including at the Pita Jungle in Chandler, where he has sat in for over 20 years. His style has been greatly influenced by the likes of Chet Baker, Bobby Shew, Till Bronner, and Tom Harrell. Playing jazz is a lifetime process of learning, improving, improvising, collaborating, and sharing. Ken loves doing this, communicating at a level that cuts right to the soul. Along with his friend Dave Ihlenfeld, he has collected a set of tunes that are a little off the beaten path, but are fresh and cool.