Bios - The Twin Cities Seven
Doug Haining - Saxophone and ClarinetDoug Haining is a music graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he studied classical clarinet. He has performed professionally since 1974, backing national artists such as Steve Allen, Don Rickles, Bob Hope, and others, and Broadway shows such as West Side Story, Cats, A Chorus Line and many others. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Doug also played short stints with Red Wolfe’s ‘Ellington Echoes’, and the Hall Brothers. Since 1979, Doug has been a member of the Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra. He is also a member of the recently formed BellaGala big band, and plays in other jazz groups in the area. Doug founded the Twin Cities Seven in 1999, and since then has been busy writing arrangements and compositions for the band's ever-growing library. Doug has performed with the band at many local venues and jazz festivals, and several regional performing venues outside the metro area. In his spare time, he teaches privately and co-leads the Edina High School Jazz Ensemble I. (photo: Howard A.Gitelson)
Dave Graf - TromboneDave Graf has performed with several area bands, most notably an 11 year stint with the Echoes of Ellington, led by the late Red Wolfe, and now by Percy Hughes. Dave also performs with the JazzMN Big Band, and numerous traveling Broadway shows. Dave is the first call trombone player in town for just about any type of job, and he does them all equally well. Dave's solos combine finesse and style to a very pleasing effect.
Steve
Wright - TrumpetDr. Steve Wright is a nationally recognized trumpet and flugelhorn soloist, as well as a composer-arranger of hundreds of works. After graduating from the University of Iowa, he played jazz/lead trumpet player with the the Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C. Since 1972, he has been a mainstay of the Twin Cities music scene, performing, recording and writing in virtually every musical style. He currently is Professor of Trumpet and is Director of Jazz Ensembles at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. As a trumpeter, Steve Wright has played in everything from the Minnesota Orchestra to recording tracks for Motown Records. He has played lead trumpet for such stars as Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Mathis, Joe Williams, and many others. Steve also performs with the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, the Goteborg Brass Band, and the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, as well as his own big band.
Kent
Saunders - GuitarKent has been playing professional guitar, bass and banjo for over 32 years. Kent has performed on soundtracks for records, commercials and industrial films in his career, and has backed national acts here and throughout the country. The list is too long to include, but some of the artists are Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, Pearl Bailey, Louis Bellson, Nancy Wilson, Benny Goodman, Jerry Lewis and Bob Hope. Kent has also performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and in numerous Broadway show orchestras.
Rick Carlson - Piano Rick Carlson is a devotee of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, and has played with The Wolverines since 1984. Rick has recorded with local singers Maud Hixson, Charmin Michelle, Judi Donaghy, Sue Tucker and Ame Fogel, to name a few. Rick has backed many national artists including Kathryn Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and Wynton Marsalis.
Steve Pikal - BassBetween the Bass and the Trombone, Steve keeps pretty busy musically. He has played with the likes of Bob Hope, Artie Shaw and Margaret Whiting, to name a few. Locally, he plays with Bill Evans, The Barbary Coast Dixie band, and has played with The Hall Brothers and Butch Thompson.
Dick Bortolussi - DrumsA native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Dick came to Minnesota in 1960 and immediately gained the respect and admiration of area musicians and Jazz fans. His career has included tours with Teddy Wilson, Tony Lee Scott and Al Jarreau. Dick has backed national artists such as Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, George Burns, Wynton Marsalis and many others. "Borto" is at home with a variety of Jazz Styles. In his spare time, Dick is a member of the Board of Directors of the Twin Cities Musicians Union.
Charmin Michelle - VocalsVocalist Charmin Michelle has performed with several of the Twin Cities great musicians for over a decade. Her collaboration with Doug Haining and the Twin Cities Seven resulted in the CD "HOT" which continually receives glowing reviews. She has toured Spain and Portugal as a featured guest of pianists Mulgrew Miller and Kirk Lightsey and the Tuxedo Big Band, a trip that was set up at the behest of the late Jack McDuff, who was one of Charmin's biggest fans.