The JOHN WOLF QUARTET was founded in the early summer of 1993, at least partly as a "laboratory" for experimentation with a "non chord-instrument" format, meaning no piano, guitar, or other chord-capable instrument. I have long enjoyed the work of such jazz pioneers as Ornette Coleman, Steve Lacy, Gerry Mulligan, and others who pioneered in writing for and performing with such groups. With the great talent available in the St. Louis area, I felt that finding the musicians capable of partaking in such a venture would not be a problem. I believe I was right.

In the fall of 1993, The JOHN WOLF QUARTET recorded a CD entitled FIRST LIGHT. By clicking on FIRST LIGHT, you can find out more about the recording, view the graphics, and even, if you wish, download AUDIO SAMPLES of the music! You will also find information on how to order your copy of the CD or cassette and the groovy-looking T-shirt!

Instrumentally, the JOHN WOLF QUARTET as represented on 1993's "First Light" constisted of: 1) Trombone and other low brass : 2) Vocals and Flute: 3) Acoustic Bass: and 4) Drums and Percussion.

Obviously, the Low Brass position is filled by yours truly, and the Flute/Vocals job is handled to perfection by Ms. Margaret Bianchetta. Due to the fluid nature of the music business and the fact that bassists and drummers are always in high demand, the people I use in the QUARTET are subject to "change without notice." However, as represented on our CD "FIRST LIGHT," they are: Eric Markowitz, Bass and Jim Miller, Drums on some cuts and Jim

Greene, Bass and Gary Sykes, Drums on the others.

Cut to 1999:Having returned from over 1-1/2 years on the road with ROOMFUL OF BLUES, I've reorganized the QUARTET; while Ms. Bianchetta will be featured on some of our performances, the new line up is as follows: besides yours truly, there is the talented THOMAS RICKARD on Vibraphone, JAMES GERA on Bass Violin, and KEVIN GIANINO on Drums.

MARGARET BIANCHETTA (Flute, Vocals) is arguably one of the finest and most versatile vocalists to call St. Louis her home, and her skills as a flautist are easily on a par with her singing ability. After graduating from her music studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia, she performed over much of the nation with the immensely popular band SPATZ , from 1984-86. When SPATZ disbanded, she turned her energies to the creation of HOT CLUB CANARY, a very talented and versatile vocal trio which released a recording. Currently, she performs with the MIGHTY BIG BAND, one of St. Louis' finest R&B ensembles which also featured the late BILLY GAYLES, a St. Louis legend who helped make music history with, among others, Ike Turner. She also performs with guitarist MARY D BROWN in JOBIM DREAMS.

JAMES GREENE (Bass Violin), who is featured on several tunes on FIRST LIGHT, is a St. Louis native who attended Wm. Paterson College in New Jersey, where he studied with jazz bass masters Rufus Reid and Todd Coolman. He has also studied with legendary St. Louis Symphony principal bassist Henry Lowe. Residing in New York City from 1988-93, he has performed with such jazz notables as ART FARMER, BENNY GOLSON, and LEW TABACKIN. Returning to St. Louis in the spring of 1993, he worked with a number of local and national performers, including a stint as the house bassist at St. Louis' premier jazz club, JUST JAZZ (now JAZZ AT THE BISTRO). He returned to New York in 1995, and now tours with the popular band THE NEUTRINOS.

GARY SYKES (Drums, Percussion) is without doubt the finest drummer in St. Louis; for that matter, he is, in my opinion, one of the six or seven finest and most creative drummers to be found anywhere. Also a native St. Louisan, he has had an enviable career both here and in New York City. A list of the jazz legends with whom he has performed would require at least a page itself; Duke Jordan, Lester Bowie, James Moody, Dakota Staton, and bluesman Albert King are just a few of the luminaries whose performances have been graced and propelled by Mr. Sykes' highly musical drumming.

As to the current (1999) lineup, TOM RICKARD, vibraphonist, hails originally from Boulder, CO. A 1989 graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music, he performed in the Boston area with Joe Brenna and the Michael Andrew Frank band. Relocating in 1990 to Kansas City, he performed with Carl Bender, Mark Strozier, Arny Young, and others. While there, he composed and performed on Kim Kirchner's recording "Red Ribbon Diaries," a project which benefited AIDS research, and recorded a C-D with the Matt Kane Trio. In '97 he moved to Metro East and has been performing with Todd Mosby, Dave Stone, his own trio, and most recently the JOHN WOLF QUARTET.

Bassist JAMES GERA, a St. Louis native, studied with local legend Tom Kennedy and former St. Louis symphony bassist Henry Lowe. The list of local jazz musicians with whom he has worked reads like a "who's who" of St. Louis music: Willie Akins, Dave Black, Carolbeth True, Rob Block and Joe Charles is just the tip of the iceberg. In addition, he has performed with such international jazz luminaries as Clark Terry, Steve Turre, John Pizzarelli, and Lewis Nash. In addition to his energetically creative work on bass violin, he also performs expertly on six-string electric bass.

DAVID JOHNSTONE, the drummer for the JOHN WOLF QUARTET from July 1999, has, as of January 3, 2000, gone to Los Angeles to "seek his fortune." Being the superb musician he is, he should have no trouble establishing himself in that highly competitive environment, and all of us in the St. Louis jazz community wish him well. His long-time instructor, KEVIN GIANINO, takes his place in the JOHN WOLF QUARTET.

KEVIN GIANINO, who begins performing with the QUARTET as of February 6, is considered one of the most versatile and talented drummers in the region. In addition to his extensive teaching duties and a roster of students who are themselves among the top performers in the area, his expertise crosses all musical boundaries. Since graduating from the University of Missouri (St. Louis) in 1979, he has performed with artists as varied as Roger Williams, vocalists Diane Schuur and Nancy Wilson, trumpet masters Clark Terry and Bobby Shew, woodwind virtuosos Lew Tabackin, David "Fathead" Newman and Nick Brignola, trombonists Bill Watrous and Al Grey, composer/arranger Toshiko Akiyoshi, the great Red Skelton, and other well-known artists far too numerous to mention in these pages. We look forward to the creativity, virtuosity, vast experience and impeccable professionalism which Kevin brings to the JOHN WOLF QUARTET.

As for me, you can get my "vital statistics" by going to the JOHN WOLF page and the JOHN WOLF'S RESUME page. For more info or booking email me HERE, phone 314.962.3266 or fax me at 314.968.9466...Mail all purchases by check or money order to: BONEHENGE MUSIC, 1247 McKinley Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119-1161

Enjoy yourself, and thanks for stopping in!!!