Retreat Director
Pat Harbison
Pat Harbison, trumpet, is the Retreat Director and will lead or co-lead most of the sessions.
Jazz trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator Pat Harbison is on the faculty of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne and is Professor Emeritus at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he was Professor of Jazz Studies and taught jazz history, improvisation, jazz pedagogy, jazz trumpet, and ensembles. He was on the faculty at the Jacobs School from 1997-2023. He was on faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music from 1984-1997. He was on the faculty of Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshops from 1976-2019. These workshops are the best-known and most widely attended jazz education events in the world. He is also the founding director of JazzRetreats, which stages small group jazz improvisation learning sessions for adult musicians in a retreat-like setting.
Pat became intent on a career in music in his early teens, when he became a protégé of jazz education pioneer, Jamey Aebersold. Jamey exposed him to the magic of jazz and instructed Pat in improvisation, arranging, and composition. After graduating from the University of Louisville where he studied trumpet with Leon Rapier, he spent time freelancing in New York City and studying with Carmine Caruso. He returned to his native Indiana for graduate study in jazz with David Baker, Dominic Spera, and trumpet with the legendary William Adam.
Pat has performed original music and his personal version of jazz standards with his own jazz groups and as guest soloist at major jazz concerts, festivals and clubs on six continents. He has recorded and released four CDs as leader or co-leader and is presently preparing to record his new quartet, PH & Organism. In addition to his work as a bandleader, Pat's credits include work with the innovative Caribbean Jazz fusion group Ritmos Unidos (including two CDs which received Grammy consideration), the Postmodern Jazz Quartet, the Jamey Aebersold Quintet, 4=One, the PsychoAcoustic Orchestra, John VonOhlen's Blue Wisp Big Band, and David Baker's 21st Century Bebop Band. In over four decades as a jazz trumpet artist and educator, Pat has taught aspiring musicians about jazz around the world. He is the author of many articles on jazz and trumpet, as well as several books, including Trumpetology, Technical Studies for the Modern Trumpet and Twenty Authentic Bebop Solos.
Jazz trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator Pat Harbison is on the faculty of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne and is Professor Emeritus at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he was Professor of Jazz Studies and taught jazz history, improvisation, jazz pedagogy, jazz trumpet, and ensembles. He was on the faculty at the Jacobs School from 1997-2023. He was on faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music from 1984-1997. He was on the faculty of Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshops from 1976-2019. These workshops are the best-known and most widely attended jazz education events in the world. He is also the founding director of JazzRetreats, which stages small group jazz improvisation learning sessions for adult musicians in a retreat-like setting.
Pat became intent on a career in music in his early teens, when he became a protégé of jazz education pioneer, Jamey Aebersold. Jamey exposed him to the magic of jazz and instructed Pat in improvisation, arranging, and composition. After graduating from the University of Louisville where he studied trumpet with Leon Rapier, he spent time freelancing in New York City and studying with Carmine Caruso. He returned to his native Indiana for graduate study in jazz with David Baker, Dominic Spera, and trumpet with the legendary William Adam.
Pat has performed original music and his personal version of jazz standards with his own jazz groups and as guest soloist at major jazz concerts, festivals and clubs on six continents. He has recorded and released four CDs as leader or co-leader and is presently preparing to record his new quartet, PH & Organism. In addition to his work as a bandleader, Pat's credits include work with the innovative Caribbean Jazz fusion group Ritmos Unidos (including two CDs which received Grammy consideration), the Postmodern Jazz Quartet, the Jamey Aebersold Quintet, 4=One, the PsychoAcoustic Orchestra, John VonOhlen's Blue Wisp Big Band, and David Baker's 21st Century Bebop Band. In over four decades as a jazz trumpet artist and educator, Pat has taught aspiring musicians about jazz around the world. He is the author of many articles on jazz and trumpet, as well as several books, including Trumpetology, Technical Studies for the Modern Trumpet and Twenty Authentic Bebop Solos.
Faculty
Sean Dobbins
Sean Dobbins may co-lead combo and special sessions and will float between groups to offer drum, rhythm, and horn input.
Sean Dobbins got his start at a young age when he would regularly perform with Blue Note recording artist Louis Smith. As Sean's Career progressed he found himself the recipient of many awards and accolades including the Woody Herman Jazz Award and the Louis Armstrong Scholarship, each of them celebrating outstanding musicianship. Due to his talent both as a performer and an educator Sean has been the focus of countless news articles and media programs. In addition, the 2015 Michigan Jazz Festival was dedicated to him for his outstanding musicianship, leadership and mentorship in the Metro Detroit jazz community.
Though still young by jazz standards, Dobbins has amassed an impressive list of playing companions. He has performed/toured/ recorded with Roy Hargrove, Benny Golson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Frank Morgan, Joey DeFrancesco, George Cables, Barbara Morrison, Tamir Hendilman, James "Blood" Ulmer, Marcus Belgrave, Larry Willis, Rodney Whitaker, Claude Black, Johnny O’Neal, Sheila Jordan, Jon Hendricks, David "Fathead" Newman, Johnny Basset, Donald Walden, Cyrus Chestnut, Barry Harris, David Baker, Randy Johnston, Ralphe Armstrong, Mose Allison and a host of other great musicians. Sean's sound can best be described as hard-driving solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Some of his influences include Art Blakey, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Ed Thigpen, Sonny Payne as well as Detroit area greats Louis Hayes and the one and only Elvin Jones. Sean has performed on countless recordings as a sideman and has released multiple albums as a leader and co-leader.
As an educator Dobbins has most recently served as Director of Jazz Studies at Oakland University and Jazz Program Director at Community Music-School Detroit. In addition he has also served on the faculty at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Sean is currently an Associate Professor at Indiana University and endorses Yamaha, Vic Firth and Zildjian products.
Sean Dobbins got his start at a young age when he would regularly perform with Blue Note recording artist Louis Smith. As Sean's Career progressed he found himself the recipient of many awards and accolades including the Woody Herman Jazz Award and the Louis Armstrong Scholarship, each of them celebrating outstanding musicianship. Due to his talent both as a performer and an educator Sean has been the focus of countless news articles and media programs. In addition, the 2015 Michigan Jazz Festival was dedicated to him for his outstanding musicianship, leadership and mentorship in the Metro Detroit jazz community.
Though still young by jazz standards, Dobbins has amassed an impressive list of playing companions. He has performed/toured/ recorded with Roy Hargrove, Benny Golson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Frank Morgan, Joey DeFrancesco, George Cables, Barbara Morrison, Tamir Hendilman, James "Blood" Ulmer, Marcus Belgrave, Larry Willis, Rodney Whitaker, Claude Black, Johnny O’Neal, Sheila Jordan, Jon Hendricks, David "Fathead" Newman, Johnny Basset, Donald Walden, Cyrus Chestnut, Barry Harris, David Baker, Randy Johnston, Ralphe Armstrong, Mose Allison and a host of other great musicians. Sean's sound can best be described as hard-driving solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Some of his influences include Art Blakey, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Ed Thigpen, Sonny Payne as well as Detroit area greats Louis Hayes and the one and only Elvin Jones. Sean has performed on countless recordings as a sideman and has released multiple albums as a leader and co-leader.
As an educator Dobbins has most recently served as Director of Jazz Studies at Oakland University and Jazz Program Director at Community Music-School Detroit. In addition he has also served on the faculty at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Sean is currently an Associate Professor at Indiana University and endorses Yamaha, Vic Firth and Zildjian products.
Stefan Lenthe
Stefan Lenthe may co-lead combo and special sessions and will float between groups to offer drum, rhythm, and horn input.
Stefan Lenthe is a jazz bassist and educator. He received a Bachelor of Music from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he studied bass with Jeremy Allen and Todd Coolman. Other teachers during this time include Steve Houghton, Dave Stryker, Walter Smith III, Tierney Sutton, and John Raymond. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in jazz studies at Northern Illinois University where he studies bass with Marlene Rosenberg and jazz performance, arranging, and pedagogy with Reggie Thomas, Bobby Broom, Geof Bradfield, Tom Garling, and Pharez Whitted.
As an educator, Stefan has taught students of all ages as an applied teacher and as an ensemble coach. He has served as an adjunct professor of jazz studies at the University of Indianapolis, volunteer instructor of jazz bass at Kabarak University in Nakuru, Kenya, and graduate assistant at Northern Illinois University. He has taken part in the presentation of clinics across the country on the topics of jazz performance, practice, and theory alongside Pat Harbison, Sammy Miller and the Congregation, June Lee, and others. He has taught at the Northern Illinois University summer jazz camp and at the Jazz Retreats in Nashville, Indiana.
He has performed at clubs, theaters, and festivals throughout the United States and Canada. After completing his undergraduate degree, Stefan resided in New Orleans for a period of time and performed throughout the French Quarter and the rest of the city. A native of Indiana, he has played with Indianapolis stalwarts such as Frank Glover, Charlie Ballantine, Rob Dixon, and Mark Buselli. He currently lives in Chicago where he performs regularly.
Stefan Lenthe is a jazz bassist and educator. He received a Bachelor of Music from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he studied bass with Jeremy Allen and Todd Coolman. Other teachers during this time include Steve Houghton, Dave Stryker, Walter Smith III, Tierney Sutton, and John Raymond. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in jazz studies at Northern Illinois University where he studies bass with Marlene Rosenberg and jazz performance, arranging, and pedagogy with Reggie Thomas, Bobby Broom, Geof Bradfield, Tom Garling, and Pharez Whitted.
As an educator, Stefan has taught students of all ages as an applied teacher and as an ensemble coach. He has served as an adjunct professor of jazz studies at the University of Indianapolis, volunteer instructor of jazz bass at Kabarak University in Nakuru, Kenya, and graduate assistant at Northern Illinois University. He has taken part in the presentation of clinics across the country on the topics of jazz performance, practice, and theory alongside Pat Harbison, Sammy Miller and the Congregation, June Lee, and others. He has taught at the Northern Illinois University summer jazz camp and at the Jazz Retreats in Nashville, Indiana.
He has performed at clubs, theaters, and festivals throughout the United States and Canada. After completing his undergraduate degree, Stefan resided in New Orleans for a period of time and performed throughout the French Quarter and the rest of the city. A native of Indiana, he has played with Indianapolis stalwarts such as Frank Glover, Charlie Ballantine, Rob Dixon, and Mark Buselli. He currently lives in Chicago where he performs regularly.
Ana Nelson
Ana Nelson will lead combo and special sessions.
Ana Nelson is a clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer known for her multi-genre diversity in classical and jazz styles, and described as a “creative force with which to reckon” (All About Jazz). In 2021, Ana was granted the prestigious Presser Graduate Award from Indiana University, enabling the recording of her debut album, Bridges. This collection of original compositions seamlessly weaves the influences of jazz, classical, and Latin jazz music.
Bridges, released in the fall of 2022, has achieved global recognition with widespread radio play and critical acclaim, securing positions on the Roots Music Reports Charts top 50 (#2 Contemporary Jazz Album, #3 Indiana Album) and Jazz Week’s top 100. Ana's musical versatility extends to collaborations with artists and groups such as Michael Spiro, the Buselli-Wallarab Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, and Bootsy Collins. Notably, alongside Aruban pianist Jamaal Baptiste, Ana co-founded the NelBap Duo.
In January of 2020, Ana was awarded the Earl Hines Outstanding Soloist Award presented by Wynton Marsalis at the inaugural Jack Rudin Jazz Championship for playing that showed, “emotional maturity, technical accuracy, harmonic sophistication, depth of understanding, beauty, range, thematic consistency, and someone whose playing moved us and inspires us.” Expanding her artistic reach, Ana was a featured guest artist on saxophone for Aruba’s International Jazz Day in April 2022, emphasizing the influential role of women in jazz. In December 2022, she presented a panel at the Midwest Convention in Chicago on “Creating a Welcoming Environment for All: Supporting Developing Jazz Students.”
Ana holds an M.M. in Jazz Studies (Saxophone) and Music Performance (Clarinet) from Indiana University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Clarinet Performance at IU. She serves as an adjunct lecturer for the Music in General Studies department at IU, and is a sought-after clinician and guest artist around Indiana and the Midwest. Ana runs her own private studio and is the co-founder of the Virtual Woodwind Academy, an online music education program that offers high-quality instruction to participants worldwide.
Ana Nelson is a clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer known for her multi-genre diversity in classical and jazz styles, and described as a “creative force with which to reckon” (All About Jazz). In 2021, Ana was granted the prestigious Presser Graduate Award from Indiana University, enabling the recording of her debut album, Bridges. This collection of original compositions seamlessly weaves the influences of jazz, classical, and Latin jazz music.
Bridges, released in the fall of 2022, has achieved global recognition with widespread radio play and critical acclaim, securing positions on the Roots Music Reports Charts top 50 (#2 Contemporary Jazz Album, #3 Indiana Album) and Jazz Week’s top 100. Ana's musical versatility extends to collaborations with artists and groups such as Michael Spiro, the Buselli-Wallarab Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, and Bootsy Collins. Notably, alongside Aruban pianist Jamaal Baptiste, Ana co-founded the NelBap Duo.
In January of 2020, Ana was awarded the Earl Hines Outstanding Soloist Award presented by Wynton Marsalis at the inaugural Jack Rudin Jazz Championship for playing that showed, “emotional maturity, technical accuracy, harmonic sophistication, depth of understanding, beauty, range, thematic consistency, and someone whose playing moved us and inspires us.” Expanding her artistic reach, Ana was a featured guest artist on saxophone for Aruba’s International Jazz Day in April 2022, emphasizing the influential role of women in jazz. In December 2022, she presented a panel at the Midwest Convention in Chicago on “Creating a Welcoming Environment for All: Supporting Developing Jazz Students.”
Ana holds an M.M. in Jazz Studies (Saxophone) and Music Performance (Clarinet) from Indiana University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Clarinet Performance at IU. She serves as an adjunct lecturer for the Music in General Studies department at IU, and is a sought-after clinician and guest artist around Indiana and the Midwest. Ana runs her own private studio and is the co-founder of the Virtual Woodwind Academy, an online music education program that offers high-quality instruction to participants worldwide.
Meghan Pund
Meghan Pund will lead combo and special sessions.
Meghan Pund, a distinguished saxophonist and clarinetist based in Louisville, Kentucky, is a testament to the transformative power of jazz. Originally trained in classical music, Meghan's journey took a turn when she attended Jamey Aebersold's Summer Jazz Workshops on a scholarship from the local jazz society during her undergraduate studies in classical clarinet.
Captivated by the improvisational spirit of jazz, Meghan shifted her focus and pursued a graduate degree dedicated to the genre. Today, she stands as a prominent figure in the Kentucky and Indiana music scenes, performing regularly in diverse ensembles and teaching students of all levels.
Meghan enjoys sharing her expertise, drawing from a rich background that spans classical and jazz genres. Participants can expect an immersive experience that explores the unique intersections of Meghan's musical journey, providing valuable insights for anyone eager to delve into the world of jazz.
Meghan Pund, a distinguished saxophonist and clarinetist based in Louisville, Kentucky, is a testament to the transformative power of jazz. Originally trained in classical music, Meghan's journey took a turn when she attended Jamey Aebersold's Summer Jazz Workshops on a scholarship from the local jazz society during her undergraduate studies in classical clarinet.
Captivated by the improvisational spirit of jazz, Meghan shifted her focus and pursued a graduate degree dedicated to the genre. Today, she stands as a prominent figure in the Kentucky and Indiana music scenes, performing regularly in diverse ensembles and teaching students of all levels.
Meghan enjoys sharing her expertise, drawing from a rich background that spans classical and jazz genres. Participants can expect an immersive experience that explores the unique intersections of Meghan's musical journey, providing valuable insights for anyone eager to delve into the world of jazz.
Jamaal Baptiste
Jamaal Baptiste will lead combo and special sessions.
Jamaal Baptiste is a pianist, composer, arranger, and ethnomusicologist. Born and raised in San Nicolas, Aruba, Baptiste began taking piano lessons at age eight and by age eleven was serving as a pianist for the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Aruba in his hometown. Exposed to the island’s diverse communities and musical expressions, he became comfortable performing in a wide range of musical settings with experience in Jazz, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Caribbean, Brazilian, and other Latin American musics.
In 2010, Baptiste relocated to the United States to attend Indiana University, where he studied with renowned music educators David Baker, Pat Harbison, and pianist Luke Gillespie. In 2013, Baptiste was a jazz fellow at Ravina’s Steans Music Institute under the tutelage of Baker, Curtis Fuller, Nathan Davis, and Rufus Reid. Baptiste has been featured as a guest artist and clinician at various colleges, festivals, and clubs throughout the U.S., South Africa, Austria, and Aruba.
Baptiste has collaborated with esteemed practitioners of Caribbean and Latin American popular music in the United States and contributed to several albums by Grammy-nominated artists Michael Spiro and Wayne Wallace. Notably, he recorded on their album Canto América (2017), which was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album. Other notable artists with whom Baptiste has performed include Gary Bartz, Avery G. Sharpe, Ronnie Burrage, Greg Osby, Carol Sudhalter, Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Wayne Wallace, Dave Stryker, Steve Houghton, Ed Saindon, Jamey Aebersold, and Rob Dixon.
Baptiste is an original member of the Batuquê Trio with drummer Andy Smith and bassist Natalie Boeyink. With this trio, he recorded the album Transparency (2015). He is also a co-founder of the NelBap Duo with saxophonist/clarinetist Ana Nelson and a member of Carlos Bislip’s Aruban Jazz Collective.
Baptiste holds a B.M. and M.M. degree in Jazz Studies from the Jacobs School of Music and an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from Indiana University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Ethnomusicology in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology.
Jamaal Baptiste is a pianist, composer, arranger, and ethnomusicologist. Born and raised in San Nicolas, Aruba, Baptiste began taking piano lessons at age eight and by age eleven was serving as a pianist for the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Aruba in his hometown. Exposed to the island’s diverse communities and musical expressions, he became comfortable performing in a wide range of musical settings with experience in Jazz, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Caribbean, Brazilian, and other Latin American musics.
In 2010, Baptiste relocated to the United States to attend Indiana University, where he studied with renowned music educators David Baker, Pat Harbison, and pianist Luke Gillespie. In 2013, Baptiste was a jazz fellow at Ravina’s Steans Music Institute under the tutelage of Baker, Curtis Fuller, Nathan Davis, and Rufus Reid. Baptiste has been featured as a guest artist and clinician at various colleges, festivals, and clubs throughout the U.S., South Africa, Austria, and Aruba.
Baptiste has collaborated with esteemed practitioners of Caribbean and Latin American popular music in the United States and contributed to several albums by Grammy-nominated artists Michael Spiro and Wayne Wallace. Notably, he recorded on their album Canto América (2017), which was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album. Other notable artists with whom Baptiste has performed include Gary Bartz, Avery G. Sharpe, Ronnie Burrage, Greg Osby, Carol Sudhalter, Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Wayne Wallace, Dave Stryker, Steve Houghton, Ed Saindon, Jamey Aebersold, and Rob Dixon.
Baptiste is an original member of the Batuquê Trio with drummer Andy Smith and bassist Natalie Boeyink. With this trio, he recorded the album Transparency (2015). He is also a co-founder of the NelBap Duo with saxophonist/clarinetist Ana Nelson and a member of Carlos Bislip’s Aruban Jazz Collective.
Baptiste holds a B.M. and M.M. degree in Jazz Studies from the Jacobs School of Music and an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from Indiana University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Ethnomusicology in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology.
Associate Faculty
Sam Butler
Sam will offer insights and help organize and coordinate activities.
Sam Butler is a professional jazz trumpet player, composer, arranger, and educator based in Bloomington, IN. As the winner of the 2023 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Solo Competition and with his debut album “Folklore” out with positive reviews in May of 2023, and Sam has “an abundance of jazz success coming his way” (debbieburkeauthor.com).
Sam was named a semi-finalist in the Jazz Division of the 2019 and 2020 National Trumpet Competition, and performed with the Plummer Jazz Sextet, a select group of musicians that writes original music, plays shows around the Midwest, and records. Following the release of “Folklore” in May of 2023, Sam toured with his Folklore Sextet in the summer of 2023 at venues all around the Midwest. He has also performed all around the Midwest with the Buseli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra and Sean Dobbins and the Modern Jazz Messengers. Aside from his own music, Sam works as a jazz education curriculum developer, transcriber, arranger, and composer with Playbook Music. He is immersed in the blending of musical styles including rock, classical music, folk, and jazz, and is creating a unique voice as he enters the modern jazz scene.
As an educator, Sam currently holds an Associate Instructor position in the Jazz Department of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University while completing his master’s degree in jazz studies. He also has been a Teaching Assistant at the Brevard Summer Jazz Institute in Brevard, NC, and has been on faculty for the Indianapolis Trumpet Day.
Sam Butler is a professional jazz trumpet player, composer, arranger, and educator based in Bloomington, IN. As the winner of the 2023 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Solo Competition and with his debut album “Folklore” out with positive reviews in May of 2023, and Sam has “an abundance of jazz success coming his way” (debbieburkeauthor.com).
Sam was named a semi-finalist in the Jazz Division of the 2019 and 2020 National Trumpet Competition, and performed with the Plummer Jazz Sextet, a select group of musicians that writes original music, plays shows around the Midwest, and records. Following the release of “Folklore” in May of 2023, Sam toured with his Folklore Sextet in the summer of 2023 at venues all around the Midwest. He has also performed all around the Midwest with the Buseli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra and Sean Dobbins and the Modern Jazz Messengers. Aside from his own music, Sam works as a jazz education curriculum developer, transcriber, arranger, and composer with Playbook Music. He is immersed in the blending of musical styles including rock, classical music, folk, and jazz, and is creating a unique voice as he enters the modern jazz scene.
As an educator, Sam currently holds an Associate Instructor position in the Jazz Department of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University while completing his master’s degree in jazz studies. He also has been a Teaching Assistant at the Brevard Summer Jazz Institute in Brevard, NC, and has been on faculty for the Indianapolis Trumpet Day.
Alex Hoberty
Alex will offer insights and help organize and coordinate activities.
Alex Hoberty is an up and coming young Upright Bassist from Indianapolis, IN. She is currently a Junior at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she studies with Chicago bassist Christian Dillingham. She began playing bass at age 14, and quickly fell in love with the instrument after attending Ball State University’s Music for All Jazz camp during her junior year of high school. While at IU, Alex has been a member of Tom Walsh’s Jazz Ensemble, Wayne Wallace’s Latin Jazz Ensemble, and is currently a member of the school’s premier combo, the Plummer Jazz ensemble. She has had the mentorship of Pat Harbison and Sean Dobbins in addition to her professors at school. She has represented the school in the Carmel Jazz fest in Carmel, IN and most recently in the A2 Jazz Festival in Ann Arbor, MI. In her free time she is a part of many projects including her Bloomington-based piano trio, Soul Proprietors, which has played publicly in Bloomington several times and has shared the stage with the great saxophonist Greg Ward on two occasions. Alex has performed at venues in Bloomington such as the Blockhouse, The Orbit Room, and the Bluebird, in Indianapolis at the Chatterbox, Feinsteins, and the Blind Tiger, as well as the French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotel. She has performed with names such as Greg Ward, Makaya McKraven, Tom Walsh, Luke Gillespie, Pat Harbison, and Sean Dobbins, to name a few.
Alex Hoberty is an up and coming young Upright Bassist from Indianapolis, IN. She is currently a Junior at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she studies with Chicago bassist Christian Dillingham. She began playing bass at age 14, and quickly fell in love with the instrument after attending Ball State University’s Music for All Jazz camp during her junior year of high school. While at IU, Alex has been a member of Tom Walsh’s Jazz Ensemble, Wayne Wallace’s Latin Jazz Ensemble, and is currently a member of the school’s premier combo, the Plummer Jazz ensemble. She has had the mentorship of Pat Harbison and Sean Dobbins in addition to her professors at school. She has represented the school in the Carmel Jazz fest in Carmel, IN and most recently in the A2 Jazz Festival in Ann Arbor, MI. In her free time she is a part of many projects including her Bloomington-based piano trio, Soul Proprietors, which has played publicly in Bloomington several times and has shared the stage with the great saxophonist Greg Ward on two occasions. Alex has performed at venues in Bloomington such as the Blockhouse, The Orbit Room, and the Bluebird, in Indianapolis at the Chatterbox, Feinsteins, and the Blind Tiger, as well as the French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotel. She has performed with names such as Greg Ward, Makaya McKraven, Tom Walsh, Luke Gillespie, Pat Harbison, and Sean Dobbins, to name a few.