CONNIE JOHNSON - VIBRAPHONE

Connie has been playing the vibraphone and music in the Brazilian style for 30 years. During the 90’s she co-founded the six-piece Brazilian band ‘Desafinado’ out of Illinois. This band performed for ten years including venues such as the Chicago Cultural Center and also produced several CD’s, with airtime on WBEZ (Chicago) and KMHD (Portland). Since moving to the Northwest in 2010, Connie has been playing with Rainforest Jazz at venues including the Walters Cultural Center. They produced their first CD in 2015. She also plays occasionally with other bands in the Portland area. Connie is an active composer. She studied piano and composition at the University of Texas at Austin where she received a Bachelor of Music. Several of her compositions appear on CD’s including “Dream” (title track) and “Imagine Brazil”.

BILL FRENCH - PIANO

A seasoned veteran, Bill has played the piano professionally for more than 60 years. His vast knowledge of the jazz idiom and repertoire is the result of a life-long musical journey, having begun his professional career at age 15 and playing with bands of all sizes and descriptions. Bill has traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad playing in bands including the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He has also made special appearances with the Zoot Sims Quintet and the Arnett Cobb Quartet. In 2010 he moved to the Northwest and began working with Portland vocalists Carrie Rambo and Amy Weston, the Two Spirit Jazz band, and Rainforest Jazz. Bill studied piano and composition at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and received music degrees from Bethany College and the University of Illinois. He is an active composer and arranger and often the lead arranger of small ensembles. He has appeared on many jazz recordings.