Eric Klaxton
Eric Klaxton (jazz piano, composition, audio engineering) performs frequently with many notable ensembles, including The Soggy Po Boys, Sojoy, OurBigBand, and composes and arranges for a number of his own groups. He earned his B.A. in Saxophone Performance at the University of New Hampshire where he studied jazz harmony with Mark Shilanksy, arranging with Mike Annicchiarico, and worked with such inspiring visiting artists as Clark Terry, Frank Wess, Terell Stafford, Jimmy Heath, and Stjepko Gut. Eric enjoys the arts across a broad spectrum, seeking inspiration from the works of great philosophers, classical composers, modern authors, directors, and visual artists.
Jared Steer
Jared Steer (percussion) is an active performer/educator based in central NH. He received a BA in Music Performance from Plymouth State College. There he studied drum set and percussion with Tim Gilmore, Eric C. Hughes and Craig Fahey. After receiving his degree he continued studies with Rakalam Bob Moses, Bob Gullotti, Jeff Ballard, Dave Dicenso, Steve Michaud, Thierry Arpino, Jerry Leake and Greg Hutchinson. In 2017 he went back to PSU to take classes toward obtaining a music education degree. Jared either currently or has held faculty positions at the Manchester Community Music School, Holderness School, New Hampton School, Fryeburg Academy, Tilton School, Interlakes School District, and Sant Bani School. He facilitates drum workshops from school and community events. He performs and records regionally as well as nationally with a variety of groups and ensembles.
Keith Perry
Keith Perry (jazz, blues & rock guitar) has performed in the Montreux Jazz Festival and with the 3 o’clock Jazz Ensemble at UNH. He regularly plays around the Seacoast at venues including Blue in Portland, the Stone Church, and many others. Keith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance from UNH and has studied with David Newsam, Mack Walters, and Phil Sargent. He has taught through his private studio and at UNH’s Summer Youth Music School (SYMS) program.
Matt Langley
Matt Langley (saxophones (remote only)) has studied with Lou Marini of Saturday Night Live, David Baker, Ted Dunbar, and Stan Strickland. He has recorded extensively with the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet, his own group, Color, with pianist Pandelis Karayorgis’ group System of 5, and with Mike Effenberger’s weirdturnpro. Mr. Langley has also shared the stage or recording studio with Ron Carter, Richie Cole, Fred Hersch, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, Matt Wilson, Tiger Okoshi, Roswell Rudd, Dave Douglas, and many others.
Mike Walsh
Mike Walsh (percussion) has been drumming for over 35 years and teaching for 20 years. He has a B.A. in Music Performance from UNH, where he studied drum set with Les Harris Jr. and percussion with Nancy Smith. Mike continued drum set studies with Bob Gullotti, Dave Dicenso, Dan Weiss, and Steve Michaud. He has performed and recorded with original classic soul groups Mother Superior and The Sliding Royales, modern jazz groups Equal Time and Weird Turn Pro, and blues singer-songwriter-pianist Veronica Lewis. He has performed at venues and festivals throughout the northeast and as far away as Mexico City and Jackson Hole, Wyo. Mike also teaches at Shaker Road School and Portsmouth Music and Arts Center.
Scott Kiefner
Scott Kiefner (bass) is a Music School alumnus who graduated from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music in Montreal, QC, where he studied with Fraser Hollins and Chris McCann. After college, he was selected for additional studies at the School for Improvisational Music Intensive workshop in New York City. He has since returned to New England, where he performs as an in-demand bass player with Jonathan Lorentz, Jim Dozet, Chris Klaxton, and many others throughout the region.
Zeb Cruikshank
Zeb Cruikshank (jazz, blues, and rock guitar) performs and teaches in musical genres ranging from blues and classic rock to acoustic fingerstyle, jazz, and classical guitar. Most recently he was a full-time guitar faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. He holds a Bachelor’s in Guitar Performance from McNally Smith College of Music, with further studies in their advanced Artist Diploma program. Zeb has recorded five albums, and opened for national acts such as Maceo Parker, Living Colour, Semisonic, Firehouse, and Chris Duarte. In Minneapolis he was known for his original jazz fusion project The Zeb Cruikshank Band, his acoustic duo Jess & Zeb, and classic rock band The Brute Squad.