Saxophone Section
Tyler Richardson, Josh Smitley, Greg Armstrong, Nicholas Hoo, Rob Elinson
Gary Bucher, Bob Payne, Carly Ines, Tim Hall
Doug Meeuwsen, Mark Nicholson, Michael Schmidt, Jack Houghton
Steve Sibley, Oliver Shirley, Charlie "Stix" McGhee III
Dan Radlauer
Composer in Residence
Dan Radlauer has composed for Television, Feature Films and over 1,000 commercials for companies including: Coke, Nissan, Pizza Hut, Acura, Microsoft, Denny's, Mazda, Mattel and many others.
Dan is composer for the VH1 Reality Hits “Ochocinco; The Ultimate Catch”, "The Surreal Life” "Flavor of Love” and “For the Love Of Ray J". He also scored the music for Style Network’s “Ruby” as well as Joel Silver's "Next Action Star" on NBC. He scored the TBS series "Outback Jack” as well as “Set for Life” on ABC, “Same Name” on CBS and "Does Someone Have to Go?" onFOX.
Dan has done the score for a number of “indy” feature motion pictures including “We’re Not Broke” which was featured at the Sundance Film Festival as well as contributing to both score and soundtrack of Mummy III.
He has received numerous BMI TV Music Awards and an Emmy Nomination. From 1990 to 1993 his music was featured as theme music for the Sally Jesse Raphael Show and the Jerry Springer Show. He wrote the theme for the "Disney Block Party" cartoon series. He also wrote the theme for “Hogan Knows Best.” Dan also wrote a special theme for the international syndication of "Hells Kitchen."
His music is heard internationally from Theme Parks in Asia, to commercials in Australia, Europe and Russia to the Montrose Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He frequently donates his time and talents to non-profit organizations composing music for public service announcements and fund raising videos.
An accomplished pianist, guitarist, bassist, orchestrator and synthesizer programmer, he has the ability to compose in many styles from classical, jazz and symphonic music, to rock, techno, hip hop and sound design. He is also frequently asked to collaborate on lyrics for songs and jingles.
Tyler Richardson
ALTO & SOPRANO SAX, FLUTE, and CLARINET
Born in San Diego, saxophonist Tyler Richardson attended San Diego State University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Saxophone Performance in 2006. In 2008, Tyler completed his Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University. Tyler has studied with saxophonists: Lee Elderton, Jay Easton, Douglas Masek, Todd Rewoldt, John Rekevics and Christopher Hollyday.
Tyler has been performing professionally throughout San Diego for 10 years. He has performed in several different Big Bands with renowned artists: Eric Marienthal, Bernie Dresel, Gilbert Castellanos and Charles McPherson. Tyler has worked with the San Diego Musical Theatre, Lamb’s Players Theatre, and Moonlight Stage Productions performing in several musicals at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista and the Lyceum in Downtown San Diego. Tyler has performed in the musicals: “Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Show,” “Cabaret,” “Dream Girls,” “American Rhythm,” “Annie” and “Guys and Dolls.” Tyler currently performs with the Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine and the Jazz Project Big Band. Along with performing Tyler maintains a private teaching studio for students of saxophone, clarinet, flute and piano.
Josh Smitley
Tenor, Alto, and Soprano Sax, Flute, and Clarinet
Born and raised in San Diego, Josh has been playing the saxophone since he was a freshman in high
school. Prior to picking up the sax, Josh began his musical journey taking piano lessons at the age of 8 as
well as learning the clarinet at age 10. He then went on to study music at San Diego Mesa College and
San Diego State University, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance in 2015.
Josh has been performing professionally around San Diego for 10+ years. He has performed with
renowned artists such as Eric Marienthal, the late Bill Watrous, John Daversa, as well as the
internationally acclaimed Jamaican vocalist, Ken Boothe. He has also performed with local legends such
as Christopher Hollyday, Gilbert Castellanos, and Carlos “Charlie” Chávez. Besides being a part of the Ira
B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, Josh currently plays with The Jazz Katz Orchestra, Legacy Big Band, Full
Strength Funk Band, as well as others.
Greg Armstrong
TENOR SAX, FLUTE, and CLARINET
Greg Armstrong is comfortable in virtually any performance situation. He has appeared with the internationally acclaimed Sonora Quartet, with the Tucson and Albuquerque Symphony Orchestras, and in numerous theatre, radio, television, and film productions. Greg earned his Bachelors degree in Jazz Studies and Masters degrees in Saxophone Performance from the University of Arizona where he studied with Elizabeth Zinn Ervin, Kelland Thomas, and jazz professor Jeffrey Haskell. Greg is a valued adjudicator at festivals and competitions, and provides workshops and clinics throughout the Southwest. In 2009 Greg relocated to San Diego.
Nicholas Hoo
2ND ALTO SAX
Nicholas, a San Diego native, started classical piano at the age of 4 but soon picked up the saxophone in 4th grade and hasn’t put it down since. Now completing his Bachelor’s in Music Entrepreneurship and Business at San Diego State University, Nicholas participates in both the classical and jazz ensembles playing various saxophones and woodwinds and has studied under some of San Diego’s finest saxophonist including Todd Rewoldt, John Rekevics, and Christopher Hollyday. While performing and teaching in San Diego, Nicholas also works in music production, artist management, and aspires to be a young entrepreneur in today’s music industry. He has collaborated and worked with various non-profit and retail organizations such as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the SDSU Downtown Gallery, and Bertrand’s Music and Lessons and continues to support music advocacy in the community.
Rob Elinson
Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet
Rob has worked and recorded with Barry White, Joe Piscopo, the big bands of Gordon Goodwin, Bill Watrous, and Bill Holman, Vic Damone, 10,000 Maniacs, Billy Eckstein, Dan Higgins, Sal Marquez, Dave Stryker, John Beasley, Tom Fowler, Bob Sheppard, Ed Palermo Big Band, as well as working on Numerous Broadway musicals in the New York and Philadelphia metro areas.
Gary Bucher
LEAD TROMBONE
Gary Bucher was born and raised in New Holland Pennsylvania. His foray into the world of music began at age 10. He excelled at playing Euphonium and Trombone thru high school. After high school Gary joined the US Navy and attended the Naval School of Music. He began a 20 year career as a Navy Musician with duty stations in Orlando, Memphis, Guam and San Diego where he retired from the Navy as a petty officer, 1st class in 1996. Gary has performed all over the US, Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan and Africa. He has shared the stage with such notable musicians as Stan Mark, Bernie Dresel, Bill Acosta, Shirley Jones, Eric Marienthal, Dean Brown, Gilbert Castellanos, just to name but a few. Currently Gary enjoys spending the daytime hours with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in La Mesa CA and at night playing in a variety of bands and combos in the San Diego area.
Bob Payne
TROMBONE
Bob was raised in San Diego. He attended the University of Redlands and University of Southern California where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in Trombone. After 3 years with the Army Field Band in Washington D.C. he attended the California State University Los Angeles where he received a Masters Degree in composition. He studied privately with Robert Marsteller, Murray McEachern and Dick Nash.
Bob has recorded and toured with the bands of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Harry James, Les Brown, Louis Bellson, Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones and many others.
Bob has been a freelance studio musician for over 45 years. He has been involved in all forms of recording during that time including playing on over 200 motion picture sound tracks and hundreds of TV shows, commercials and records. He played lead trombone with the Simpsons TV show for 27 years.
Bob has been involved with musical theater for much of his career, having been first trombone at the Shubert and Ahmanson theaters for many years. He is currently in his 16th year as orchestra contractor for Center Theatre Group at the Music Center in Los Angeles.
Carly Ines
TROMBONE & VOCALS
Carley started playing piano when she was 5 years old, and came from a very musical family. In the 5th grade, she chose the trombone, and played in band all the way through Jr. High and High School. She attended the University of Kansas on trombone scholarship, and while there, played and sang in a variety of musical ensembles, including the symphonic band, jazz band, marching band, basketball band, trombone choir, gospel choir, and the jazz singers. Carley received my degree in Music Composition, and then moved to San Diego. She was the lead singer and trombonist for several years in a rock band that played at various venues in the San Diego area, and recorded a CD with the group. She has been singing for about 17 years in an a cappella group called Singchronicity, sings at various events around San Diego County.
Tim Hall
BASS TROMBONE
Bass Trombonist, Tim Hall, a native of Coronado, California, joined the BBJM in 1991. He is co-leader of the San Diego Concert Jazz Band and has been that band’s bass trombonist since its formation in 1976. Tim has worked with such greats as Chubby Jackson, Bobby Shew, Sammy Nestico, Shorty Rogers and Rich Mattison and has performed at The Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals. He has served as pianist for East Hills Christian Fellowship since 1997, and enjoys writing arrangements for trombone choirs. By day, Tim is a senior director of a major marketing firm serving the automotive industry.
Doug Meeuwsen
Doug Meeuwsen
USA
Versatile trumpeter Doug Meeuwsen has been a mainstay of the San Diego music scene since the 1980s, He has done the typical variety of work including Latin, commerical, jazz, big band, brass quintet, symphony, opera, ballet, and theater orchestras. He has also been a music educator for the last 30 years.
Mark Nicholson
TRUMPET
Mark Nicholson kicked off his trumpet career as a member of the summer jazz studies at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He later would graduate from Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y. with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and Performance. He also holds a Masters of Science degree in Educational Administration from National University, San Diego CA. He has shared the stage with such notable artists as Pete Christleib, New York Voices, Eric Marienthal, Bernie Dresel, Gary Puckett, Bill Acosta, Shirley Jones, Harry Connick, Sr, just to name a few. He has also played in the trumpet section of The Cab Calloway Orchestra and The Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Presently, Mark is the Music Supervisor for the San Diego Unified School District where he is directly responsible for coordination in over 160 schools for standards based music curriculum to students K-12.
Jack Houghton
TRUMPET
Jack Houghton is a native of San Diego and a veteran of many musical venues.
He has performed for Broadway San Diego, Starlight Opera, Lawrence
Welk Theater, Benny Hollman Orchestra (Charger Band), Del Mar Fair,
Humphrey's Concerts, San Diego Symphony Pops, Ice Capades, Bi-National
Mambo Orchestra, and the La Jolla Playhouse.
Individual artists he has backed up include Henry Mancini, Mitzi Gaynor,
Steve Allen, Johnny Mathis, Frankie Lane, Frankie Valli, The Temptations,
The Spinners, The Four Tops, and Barry Manilow to name a few.
Jack is also a Software Engineer when he is not blowing air through a pipe!
Michael Schmidt
TRUMPET
Michael earned his Masters degree in Trumpet Performance at San Diego State University. He is an active professional trumpet player and music educator in the San Diego area. He has performed in a wide variety of productions with the San Diego Music Theater, Moonlight Theater, La Jolla Presbyterian Chamber Orchestra, Hector Rivera Y La Conciencia, and Jukebox Productions. Michael currently serves as the music director at Woodland Park Middle School in San Marcos, CA
Steve Sibley
PIANO
Steve Sibley is a jazz pianist who has played with every imaginable type of group and appeared at literally hundreds of music venues in and around Southern California and Nevada for the last forty years. He has backed up singers such as Billy Eckstine, Reba McEntire and Bobby Caldwell, to comedy acts like Jay Leno and Robert Klein. He is a music educator and composer.
Oliver Shirley
BASS
Originally from Texas, Oliver began his music career by touring the world for nine years with the U.S. Navy Band. This brought him to San Diego where he received a BA in Jazz Studies from SDSU and a MA in Music Performance from UCSD, studying under world renowned double bassist Bertram Turetzky. During this time, he was principal bassist with the La Jolla Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his career Oliver has had the pleasure of playing with Max Roach, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, George Shearing, and many others. Oliver has recorded and toured with numerous jazz, rock, country and blues bands around the country. He is a veteran of hundreds of musical theater productions and is excited to be playing with Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine!
Charlie "Stix" McGhee III
DRUMS
Charlie ” Stix” McGhee has held the drum chair in the Big Band Jazz Machine for the last twenty years. He has played professionally in the San Diego area for over 35 years. In addition, Charlie is an accomplished music educator in The San Marcos School District, teaching middle school and has over 400 students in his program. In 2010, Charlie was named San Diego County Jazz Educator of The Year. His greatest ambition in life is to pass on his love of music to his students and watch them grow musically
