DAN BALMER (jazz guitar) has long been considered one of the finest guitarists, composers, and educators in the Northwest. In 2009 Dan became one of only five Oregonians to be honored with membership in both The Oregon Music Hall of Fame and the Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame. He is the youngest person to be included in both Halls, and is hailed by the Los Angeles Times as, “the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be.”

From 2005-2009 Dan toured and recorded with two time Grammy Winner Diane Schuur playing in over 15 countries and 60 cities. When not on the road with Ms. Schuur he leads his own groups and continues his long standing gigs with drummer Mel Brown, David Friesen, and others.
Dan has performed with a long list of jazz greats including Joey DeFrancesco, Benny Green, Steve Smith. Airto, Bruce Forman, Houston Person, Jeff Hamilton, Bill Mays, Gerald Wilson, Eric Alexander, and Pat Martino among others.

Dan’s playing and composing have won rave reviews from critics around the country. The Palm Beach Post wrote…”guitarist Dan Balmer’s fast fingered runs and twisting figures were arresting.” The Seattle Times proclaimed, “Balmer’s top fuel solos and tasty octave work…were most satisfying.” The Anchorage Daily News stated, “Balmer turned in a top notch unstinting performance.”
 

 

NAT HULSKAMP (flamenco guitar) was born in Portland, OR. He began studying guitar with guitarist/composer Paul Chasman at age seventeen. He was soon introduced to flamenco guitar by José Solano. His interest in the influence of Arabic music on flamenco led him to study oud in Morocco.

After returning to the US, he moved to Seattle to study ethnomusicology at the University of Washington. There he worked with the groups Carmona Flamenco, The Rez Quartet and others ranging in style from Hungarian Csardas and Gypsy swing to flamenco. In 2000 he co-founded the Vancouver, BC based Arabic/ flamenco group Aire with ney player and singer Emad Armoush. He now resides in Portland, composing and performing with Shabava, the Nat Hulskamp Trio and Seffarine.
 

 

 

ISRAEL ANNOH (percussion) is a renowned master percussionist originally from Ghana. He currently performs with Portland bands Caminhos Cruzados Border Crossing, Michael Allan Harrison and Thara Memory. His style has its roots in Ghanaian and other West African music as well as jazz greats such as Max Roach, Cosy Cole, & Elvin Jones. He's played at the BBC studios in London, traveled through Africa, Europe, and the US. He's played with Highlife pioneer E.T. Mensah, Obo Addy, and the Ghana Broadcasting Orchestra.