JOHN O'GALLAGHER SAM LASSERSON JEFF WILLIAMS "VALENCE"

John O'Gallagher is considered one of the most compelling alto saxophonists and composers at work today on the New York jazz scene. He is known for an innovative style which pushes the boundaries of jazz while rooted in it's tradition."Mr. O'Gallagher is an exploratory alto saxophonist with a clear melodic streak" - The New York TimesBorn in Anaheim Califorina in 1964 he began playing alto saxophone in grade school after his family moved to Spokane, Washington. Upon graduating high school he studied briefly at Eastern Washington University before moving to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. There he studied with legendary saxophone gurus Joe Viola, Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone. During the past 25 years living in New York he has become known for his projects as a leader, and as a sought after sidemen, working with artist such as Joe Henderson, Maria Schnieder, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Hart, Tony Malaby, Jeff Williams, Tom Rainey,  Chris Cheek, Ralph Alessi, Rudresh Manhathappa, Mike Formanek, Ben Monder and numerous others.Jeff Williams was raised in Oberlin, Ohio where he began playing drums at age eight. Self-taught, with the aid of his parents' collection of jazz recordings as a guide, he started playing gigs with local professionals at age fourteen. Jeff's mother, Ann Williams, moved to New York to pursue a jazz singing career when he was nine, introducing him to a number of musicians who would be his early mentors, including drummers Jo Jones, Herb Lovelle, Elvin Jones, and Oliver Jackson. In 1967 Jeff made his recording debut with the psychedelic group Ant Trip Ceremony (Cicadelic).Sam began playing the double bass aged 16, taking classical lessons and teaching himself jazz. Whilst studying both disciplines at Trinity College of Music with Corin Long and Steve Watts respectively, he began to perform professionally on the British jazz scene. Since graduating seven years ago, Sam has appeared regularly at many established jazz venues in London and around the UK, as well as embarking on numerous international tours throughout Europe, America, Canada and Brazil.Sam is a member of Jeff Williams' UK-based quartet, award-winning saxophonist Julian Arguelles' quartet, vocalist Emilia Martensson's band, and Andrew McCormack's UK trio. As a sideman he has performed with Ethan Iverson, John O'Gallagher, Stan Sulzmann, Martin Speake, Nikki Iles, Bobby Wellins, and Jim Hart among many others. He is also proud to be involved in a number of exciting projects with his contemporaries, including the George Crowley Quintet and the Michael Chillingworth Sextet. SAM LASSERSON