ROBERT W. HOUTMAN has been Playing Drums for 50 years and is an Accomplished Rudiment-Trained, Studied, Poly-Rhythmic both Classic and Match Grip-Technique Orientated, Drummer. He started his drumming avocation in Drum & Bugle Corps beginning at age 9, and Studied during his teen years - off and on - at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, under the late great Alan Dawson. This encompassed learning how to Read Music, Jazz Technique/Independence and Poly-rhythmic Articulation. He Continued this path up until his aging-out of Drum Corps at 20-21 years of age, culminating in his winning a National Rudimental Championship in 1967. In the Late 1960s He Played with an Afro-Jazz Group named the “Bacchanalians” in Boston Massachusetts - playing tunes of the Greats such as John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Jazz Crusaders, Dave Brubeck and alike. He has during the intervening and Interim years played spot gigs, and Sit-ins with recognized top names in the Jazz and Fusion music world, throughout the Country; This during his Engineering Consulting Career and while building his own Business Enterprises - Settling in Michigan from 1977-2005. As Bandleader/Drummer with the RWH Jazz Triad his focus is to bring a sophisticated, tight, executed New York, East Coast blend of sound and Jazz Excellence via The Bay Area Scene. He was a previous member and Performed with the Sacramento Concert Symphony Band and was Principal Snare Percussionist of same. He previously played with Thee Immortals Avant Jazz Band. Mr. Houtman has studied and collaborated with the Great Drum Master Chuck Brown. Mr. Houtman now resides with his wife in the Northern
California East Bay Area.
DAVID COPELAND, Guitarist, born in the suburbs of New York City, Dave started playing jazz guitar in high school, almost 30 years ago. Being close to The City, he was able to see live performances by many of his influences such as Jim Hall, Pat Metheny and Bucky Pizzareli during his "formative" jazz years. Attending U.C. Berkeley he studied with Tuck Andress and Susan Muscarella, and started composing more regularly. In his playing and composing he attempts to combine influences from the whole history of Jazz, as well as the four corners of the globe.
CARL HERDER, bassist, is not a jazz bassist. His musical range is so broad that you can't pin him to one style. In the San Francisco Bay Area and in Europe, he has performed in jazz, rock, funk, Brazilian, Caribbean, art music, theatrical productions...even Philippine Kulintang musical configurations, and many hybrid combinations. (After a few drinks, he might even admit to playing country music at times.) Having now been playing bass for 40 years, he's gotten pretty good at it.
