Rio Jazz
Biography
Hot Jazz from the Hot Springs!
Rio Jazz is a band from Pagosa Springs, a little town in the Southwest corner of Colorado.
The musicians
Lee Bartley -
Keyboard
Lee Bartley is a graduate of Denver University with a degree in music theory and composition. He also studied at Northwesten University and the
University of Southern California. He has played piano for 45 years, with studies in both classical and jazz piano. For three years he was
composer-in-residence at Stephens Perry-Mansfield, a college dance camp for ballet, modern jazz, and
ethnic dance. From 1981 to 1999 he was principal composer and keyboardist for the jazz group "Images," with six national
releases, among them CD's for both MCA Universal and Capitol Records. In
September, 1999 Mr. Bartley signed a publishing contract with the USA based international publishing company, Gold Leaf Productions, Inc.
In January of 2000 he released his firtst solo CD, "Adrift in Time." This solo CD is a diverse collection of songs, rich in harmony and
technique, with a refreshing emphasis on melody. His music is presently receiving airplay in the USA,
Canada, Germany, and Japan.
DC Duncan (aka
Captain Rumbelly) - Drums
Born March 2, 1951.
DC started drum lessons at the age of 11. He played his first professional gig with the Brack Sheppard Trio (1967).
Took lessons from Mitch Peters (L.A. Philharmonic) 5 years and took lessons from Paul Guerrero (Woody Herman).
Jimmy Zitano was mentor and friend (Jazz Workshop in Boston, Billie Holiday, Al Hurt, etc.)
79th Army Band (1970)
Concert tour with Jay Boy Adams/Point Blank 1974 - Bill Hamm (ZZ Top), producer/manager.
Studied music at Richland College in Dallas 1975-1976
Released 2 national albums (Derrick Records), 2 Texas Music Awards, concerts, radio
and tv with The Bees' Knees (1977-1980).
Opened concerts for: Linda Rondstadt (2X), Cheech & Chong, Elvin Bishop, Dr. Hook, Sea Level, Ronnie
Milsap, Spirit, Savoy Brown, Mose Allison and others.
"Eat A Chiquita" written and produced by DC featuring Airto and Jimmie Carl Black (Mothers of Invention) in Santa Fe
1983.
"Captain Rumbelly & The Panhead Pirates" by DC 1996 & 1999.
Recorded with: Johnnie Taylor, Marc Benno, Mickey Raphael, Jimmie Spheeris,
Airto, Jimmie Carl Black, Michael J. Martin and others.
Performed with: Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers), Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Ford
Coley, Roger Miller, Scott McGill, Anson Funderburgh, Michael J. Martin, Dickie Lee and others.
Played with the Dennis DeCreny Jazz Band in Dallas, 1970's.
Played in various rock, country and jazz bands in Santa Fe in the 1980's, including four years with The
Ravin' Brothers.
Moved to Pagosa Springs, CO from Maui in 1991 and played with Dog At Large as well as other bands
until present.
Jazz Bands: DC Duncan & Friends in Durango 1993-94 at The Pelican's Nest; Rio Jazz in Pagosa
Springs.
Married since 1973 to Jayebird, 1 son, Tait (deceased).
A. John Graves - Keyboard(bass)
Born February 19, 1928.
John started playing professionally in 1942 at the age of 14. He toured the west and mid-west with two different combos, providing dance music and three floor shows a night.
Played piano bars in Los Angeles for four years. He was pianist on The Betty White Show, a daytime variety show, and pianist-performer-arranger for The Gloria Hart Show with Art Kassel and His Castles in the Air on KLAC-TV, Los Angeles.
Furthermore he played private parties for and accompanied singers and performers, including:
George Burns, Judy Garland, Jimmy Durante, Groucho Marx, Redd Foxx, Danny Thomas,
Rudy Vallee, John Wayne, Rosemary Clooney, Jack La Lanne, June Christy, ABC, NBC and MGM.
Recorded for Liberty and Windsor Labels, including "ghosting" piano for Martin Denny on his Exotica album.
Was pianist with Orrin Tucker and Art Kassel big bands and Ray Linn's dixieland Chicago
Stompers.
Played over three thousand private parties, as single, leader, or sub-leader at virtually all banquet facilities in the Los Angeles area, including:
Beverly Hills Hotel, Bonaventure Hotel, Beverly Hilton, Biltmore Hotel, Beverly Wilshire, Los Angeles Hilton,
Century Plaza, Huntington Sheraton, Bel Air Hotel, Mariott Hotel, Disneyland Hotel The Queen Mary,
Disneyland Convention Center, Anaheim Convention Center, Los Angeles Country, Club Bel Air Country Club.
Also, during thirty five year career as a TV and film executive and producer, worked
with outstanding composers, conductors and arrangers such as Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith, Gil Melee, John Scott Trotter, and Nelson Riddle.
(And even the Monkees!)
Bob Hemenger -
Saxophone
Bob grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and has played in numerous Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Funk, and Jazz bands over the last 25 years. He played lead tenor sax in CMU's Jazz Lab 1 where he had the chance to perform with Phil Woods, Bobby Shew,
Doc Severinsen and Bill Wattrous. He has also warmed up for Chaka Khan and
Styx. Bob never thought he'd have a chance to play Jazz with such talented musicians in "lil' old" Pagosa Springs. His biggest fan is his two year old daughter Hannah.