The CC Septet is a high energy jazz septet known for its creative and original compositions that have been exciting both jazz and mainstream audiences alike. They artfully cross styles from Latin to funk to rock to swing, deftly combining intricate harmonies with singable melodies and transitioning from lush ballads to screaming solos without ever missing a beat. The talent and musical sensitivity of this engaging combo is a must hear that will have everyone smiling.
This top notch group began in 2006 as a compositional and creative outlet for this diverse and talented group of composers and performers from across the Twin Cities. Members have performed with Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, the Temptations, the Suburbs, Dave Samuels, and others. The ensemble quickly gained notice and were soon releasing their first CD at the Dakota Jazz Club and being heard on KBEM radio....
read more
The CC Septet is a high energy jazz septet known for its creative and original compositions that have been exciting both jazz and mainstream audiences alike. They artfully cross styles from Latin to funk to rock to swing, deftly combining intricate harmonies with singable melodies and transitioning from lush ballads to screaming solos without ever missing a beat. The talent and musical sensitivity of this engaging combo is a must hear that will have everyone smiling.
This top notch group began in 2006 as a compositional and creative outlet for this diverse and talented group of composers and performers from across the Twin Cities. Members have performed with Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, the Temptations, the Suburbs, Dave Samuels, and others. The ensemble quickly gained notice and were soon releasing their first CD at the Dakota Jazz Club and being heard on KBEM radio.
They continue to hone their unique high energy sound and compositional creativity playing for a wide range of venues, and in 2009 released two new CD’s: She’s Big in Egypt and We Three Kings and a Horn Section.
“CC Septet swings like crazy and performs with enormous energy.” – Jerry Swanberg, KBEM 88.5 FM Jazz Radio & Twin Cities Jazz Society
Larry Neumann – Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute
Larry is a band director in the Stillwater Area School District. In addition to his band directing duties in Stillwater, he leads the Century Jazz Ensemble at Century College in White Bear Lake, the St. Croix Jazz Ensemble, and freelances with various groups throughout the Twin Cities area.
Paul R. Peterson – Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
Paul is a Saint Paul based musician and composer/arranger who performs regularly with the Nova Jazz Orchestra, Century College Big Band, sHorn hortZ, and CC Septet. Paul attended the University of Minnesota at Duluth with an emphasis in jazz studies under Dr. George Hitt.
Scott Snyder – Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Scott teaches for the Parrish Schools Band Program, run by Hill-Murray High School, and for the high school’s Academy for the Performing Arts. He’s played locally for 35 years in many and varied styles. Local legends, Willie and the Bees and the Suburbs weigh in as his favorites. He’s performed with Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Bettye LaVette, the Temptations and the Four Tops to name a few. Besides the CC Septet, he currently plays with the Century College Jazz Ensemble, and the St. Croix Jazz Orchestra, and the Emperors of Jazz Dixieland Band. His Mom says he would rather play than eat.
Ralph Brindle – Trombone
Ralph plays in several Twin Cities area ensembles covering a wide variety of musical styles, including the First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, the Wild Prairie Brass, the Classic Big Band, as well as the Century Jazz Ensemble from which this septet grew. He works as an embedded systems software designer. His wife Mary is awesome.
Tim Lackas – Piano
Tim has a BA in Music Education from the University of Minnesota. He has been an educator and performer in the Twin Cities for mare than 20 years. He has played professionally for churches, R&B bands and jazz ensembles, and as an accompanist for various Twin Cities vocalists. As well as composing and arranging for various horn sections, jazz ensembles and his own groups, he has written for and recorded with the Century College Jazz Ensemble, local vocalist Jennifer Grimm and others. He has also arranged, produced and performed on a CD for Hosanna Lutheran church Entitled “Shine” and his own CD, “My Leah”, named after his oldest daughter.
Greg Stinson – Bass
Greg currently plays bass with the Century College Jazz Ensemble, The St. Croix Jazz Ensemble, the sHorn hortZ jazz quartet, and freelances in the Twin Cities area. He is also active as a composer/arranger. By day he is Sr. Vice President of Product Development for Amcom Software in Minneapolis. Prior to entering the computer software field, he taught instrumental music for 12 years.
Brett Smith – Drums
Brett is a music educator with a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College and MA from the U of M, Minneapolis in Music Education. Along with receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from GAC, he was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 1999 and was one of 4 finalists for the National Teacher of the Year in 2000. He is currently teaching for the Mahtomedi Public Schools and performing with various music groups in the Twin Cities. His performance & freelance career have included tours of England, Sweden, Germany and China with groups including: the Century College Jazz Band, the Minnesota Zephyr Cabaret, A Touch of Class, Cabin Fever, and Lone Star. Along with Brett’s musical endeavors, he is a gardener and a competitive sailor and ice boater.
https://sites.google/ccseptet2
https://facebook.com/ccseptet
http://cdbaby.com/ccseptet
show less
