Bach to Blues
Bach to Blues: Music Faculty Concert with Special Guests
Kaye Bohler is the Guest Performer at Gavilan's Bach to Blues Concert on March 16, 2024! This year's guest performers are the Hollister High School Band, Kaye Bohler, Maria Amirkhanian, Dahveed Behroozi, Albert Marques, and Ava Santos, the winner of the Marian Filice Youth Piano Competition!
When: Saturday, March 16, 2024 starting at 7PM.
Location: The Gavilan College Gilroy Campus Theater Building (Gavilan College, Hispanic Serving Institution, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy 95020).
Tickets Information: General: $20; Students & Seniors: $10. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Purchase Tickets for this Event at:
- Gavilan Bookstore: (Official Gavilan Bookstore Apparel, Merchandise & Gifts (bkstr.com))
- BookSmart in Morgan Hill: (BookSmart | (indielite.org))
- Gavilan Hollister Site: (Welcome to Hollister Site at Briggs - Gavilan College)
- Purchase tickets online: https://gofan.co/event/1331396?schoolId=CA87775
The annual Bach to Blues Concert once again will take place at the Gavilan College Theater this Saturday, March 16th @ 7 pm! Bach to Blues is a fundraising concert that showcases faculty, students and amazing local talent. This year's guest performers include Kaye Bohler and the Hollister High School Band. For forty years Kaye Bohler’s non-stop touring career has taken her all over the entire Pacifica Northwest, Southwest and abroad to Paris and Japan. With multiple appearances at the International Monterey Blues Festival, Eureka Blues by the Bay, the Fountain Blues Festival San Jose and many other festival appearances from Los Angeles to Seattle. Kaye has recorded a few social consciousness singles with Woman in the Whitehouse in 2015, The Country I love in 2020 and Stand Up and Fight in 2023. Maria Amirkhanian, Music faculty and longtime organizer of the event shared: “It’s a wonderful, family event! Everyone wants to come. It is a local tradition, which truly celebrates not only Gavilan talent, but our homegrown musicians. Buy your tickets now before they sell out!”
TICKETS: General Admission $20; Seniors / Students $10. Tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets can be bought online HERE: https://gofan.co/event/1331396?schoolId=CA87775 . Tickets can also be purchased at the Gavilan College Bookstore, BookSmart in Morgan Hill, and the Gavilan College site in Hollister. All proceeds will benefit the Gavilan College Music Program. For more ticket information, please contact Maria Amirkhanian: mamirkhanian@gavilan.edu or 408-848-4796.
The Event's Lineup:
The Kaye Bohler Band:
“Kaye Bohler is a rarity in the world. A singer, with a beautiful, smooth, flexible voice, who writes her own, personal songs and knows how to interpret them at a high level.” Barn Owl Blues, Germany Few singers have harnessed the power to sing and truly entertain the way Kaye Bohler has. Her songwriting is thought provoking and prolific. Her vocal range is over 3 octaves, capable of operatic arias or Mavis Staple style Soul. Her authenticity is revealed in her, over 3-decade study of The Blues. The athletic ease and natural sex appeal of the way Kaye dances during her show are abundantly compelling combined with the comfort of her comedic timing, bring an element that is reminiscent of a Vegas Rat Pack show. Her recordings are aptly characterized here by Michael Macomber of Retro Review Magazine,…”I’m telling ya, this lady has more than a little Aretha in her big, beautiful blues belt. She isn’t a sound-alike by any means, but she has that kind of power, that kind of nuance and that kind of emotional resonance. Her stylistic range is impressive too. Of course, Ms. Bohler is much more than a magnificent set of pipes. It also turns out she’s a killer songwriter... Once again, her range is incredible…Utterly breathtaking.” Kaye’s career now spans 4 decades, with 5 albums and three singles recorded, having toured the South West, all over the Pacific North West and Japan, with only the pandemic to interrupt her non-stop 40-year career. She has shared the stage with Bozz Skaggs, Elvin Bishop, Robert Cray, Gatemouth Brown, Irma Thomas, Sista’ Monica, Magic Slim, Pinetop Perkins and Rod Piazza to name a few. The musicians and producers on Kaye’s albums host a wealth of San Francisco Bay Area, L.A. and International celebrities including Robben Ford, Tommy Castro, Danny Caren, Garth Webber and Pete Anderson. Kaye likes to think of herself as a “Mavin of Mid-century Modern American Roots Music.” Her Era of influence is Big Band Swing to late 1970’s Funk. That is reflected in her songwriting as well as the material she covers. She has been a force as her own band leader, whether she steps out with small trio or her 10-piece big band. Dave Faires of the Monterey County Weekly writes, “There is no way to contain Kaye Bohler. She strides across time, not singing but laying down songs, not dressing up but stepping out-bringing the vibe if a different era and making it resonate now. With a voice of whiskey and honey - Bohler is blues and soul, rock and big band, Tina Turner, Etta James, James Brown in one.” On the journey to find your style, a singer/songwriter travels through many genres and bands, and Kaye’s career has been no different. In 1981 Kaye began private classical vocal study and attended “The Jazz School in San Diego. By 1983 she was a singing waitress, sitting in with bands and doing singing telegrams. In 1986 she landed a gig with a piano player in L.A. and went from obscurity to singing 6 nights a week for 6 years, covering old-school and pop music. In 1990 was the moment when she came home to the Blues and formed her first Blues band, The Big K Blues Band. Kaye has always had the lead singer role she went to Japan with the American Can Can Review in 1990, to fronting Capone, a Nevada, casino-circuit, cover-band in 93’ or the lead singer of Pele Juju the nationally famous 10-piece World beat band from 1998 - 2000. Kaye’s songwriting became prolific and focused on “the Blues” in the 1990’s with the release of Kaye Bohler, Men and Music and Live at Moe’s Alley, hosting 14 original compositions. With the release of Like A Flower in 2009 Kaye risked moving outside the Blues genre to set her sights on capturing a more broad representation of Soul, Jazz and Rhythm & Blues in her songwriting. Featuring Robben Ford and Tommy Castro, Like A Flower holds 10 original compositions and was met with great reviews. Downbeat magazine review notes, “Bohler stands firmly in the Blues tradition yet can turn a dime into Soul Sophistication.” Dan MacIntosch, of Reviewyou.com writes, “Bohler is to the Blues what Carol King was (and is) to singer-songwriters: an introspective songwriter, with a gutsy, impossible to ignore voice.” And Fabrizio Poggi of Fab Radio in Italy says, “A Great and unforgettable voice! A large and beautiful voice to Kaye Bohler, a voice that is not easily forgotten. Described as a “white Tina Turner.” Hearing is believing.” Her next Album release in 2014, entitled Handle the Curves was well received also. Alan Pearce of Blues Matter Britian writes…”Kaye Bohler, out of California, has a big strong voice and on this, her fifth album, she proves that she can certainly handle a soul tune with ease and class…A very fine Album.” Blue Barry ~ Smoky Mountain Blues Society writes, “Handle The Curves” is a winner! With 10 original tunes, and a fabulous voice Kaye asks us that question? Apparently she can, and more! With multi-Grammy winner, and ace guitarist, Pete Anderson producing and playing guitar on the CD it is done right! Kaye can love talk you, or powerfully tell you how it is, with that great voice she has! The CD is truly a showcase piece for a fine singer. Kaye has been performing for over 30 years, and this CD shows it. It is brassy, and sassy, and right to the money. Not complicated, but funky to soulful to blues in your face. The CD has that Memphis sound with its horn arrangements. Which, by the way, are written by Lee Thornburg from the Tonight Show. With horns on every track! The guitar work is great, the horn section is money, and the extra bonus is the heart, grit, soul, and love of Kaye herself!” For forty years now Kaye’s non-stop touring career has taken her all over the entire Pacifica Northwest, Southwest and abroad to Paris and Japan. With multiple appearances at the International Monterey Blues Festival, Eureka Blues by the Bay, the Fountain Blues Festival San Jose, Gilroy Garlic Festival and many other festival appearances from Los Angeles to Seattle. Kaye also loves the intimacy of performing in a dinner show environment, showing off her vocal and performance chops with a scaled down musical combo. Kaye has recorded a few social consciousness singles with “Woman in the Whitehouse, in 2015, The Country I love in 2020 and Stand Up and Fight in 2023. Kaye notes now, “coming out of the pandemic gave me two wonderful things, a much need sabbatical and 16 new original inspiring tunes.” Kaye always steps out with top notch, American Roots musicians, well-seasoned in Blues, Jazz and Soul. She is currently promoting her Rat Pack to Rhythm and Blues Show and is in production on her 6th full length album entitled “Better,” scheduled to be released by the end of 2024.
Hollister High School Winter Percussion Ensemble Director, Michael Tabrizi:
Graduating from San Benito High School (now Hollister High School) in 2009, Michael has taught and coached percussion sections at multiple schools around the Bay Area. He taught at San Benito High School for the 2010 and 2011 winter percussion seasons, Del Mar High School for the 2011 Fall season, and has been back on at Hollister High School since the 2023 Winter season. His ensembles have frequently come away with top honors at local competitions including leading the Hollister High School Percussion Ensemble to be the California Color Guard Circuit 2023 Scholastic Division Champions.
Local Prize Winner of Marian Filice Piano Competition Senior Division, Ava Santos:
Ava Marie Santos is a 14-year-old freshman at Gilroy Early College Academy. With four years of piano and eight years of violin experience, Ava won the Local Prize in the Marian Filice Piano Competition on March 3, 2024. As well as being a violinist in the South Valley Symphony since age 12, she embarked on a violin tour across Germany and Austria in 2023 with the South Valley String Academy. She graduated as the Valedictorian of the Gilroy Prep School class of 2023, and Ava received recognition from the Gilroy School District for achieving the highest score possible in the 8th-grade CAASP test for English language arts. Alongside her musical endeavors, Ava’s hobbies are swimming, volleyball, and exploring boba drinks.
Maria Amirkhanian:
A native of Yerevan, Armenia, Maria Amirkhanian began piano lessons at the age of five. After graduating from Tchaikovsky School of Music, Maria was accepted to Komitas State Conservatory, where she obtained her B.M. in piano performance under guidance of Armine Mokatsian. In 1993, Maria was accepted, with a full scholarship, to CSU Fresno where she became a student of Andreas Werz. In addition to performing throughout California and internationally, Maria has participated in master classes with Peter Frankl, Barbara Nissman, Tomas Ungar, Ruth Loredo and Oxana Yablonskaya. In 1994, Maria was awarded second place at the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition in Pasadena. The following year she won first place at the 1995 MTA Solo Competition, a statewide event. Maria was the winner of the Fresno Organizers Scholarship Award in 1996. In 2000, she obtained her DMA from Moscow Conservatory, Russia, where she studied under Yuri Hayrapetian. After serving as a piano instructor at CSU Fresno, Maria joined the faculty of Gavilan College Music Department in the Fall of 2006. In addition to teaching, Maria is the coordinator for Bach to Blues Concert series and the Marian Filice Piano Competition.
Dahveed Behroozi (featuring Gavilan student Deborah Parks):
Pianist and Composer Dahveed Behroozi is a Bay Area based musician primarily devoted to the independent jazz and classical scenes. Dahveed’s playing has been described as highly expressive, lyrical and colorful by numerous publications nationwide. Dahveed has recorded and performed as a leader, as well as a sideman with Thomas Morgan, Tim Bulkley, Billy Mintz, Dayna Stephens, Ed Neumeister, Todd Neufeld, Aaron Lington, John Shifflett, Jason Lewis, Bob Kenmotsu, Cuong Vu and Jeff Denson. Originally from San Jose, CA, Dahveed studied with pianist Hans Boepple at Santa Clara University. He received his BA in Jazz Piano from The Manhattan School of Music in 2002 where he studied under Fred Hersch. He then received his Master’s from The Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College where he studied classical and contemporary piano literature under Ursula Oppens. Dahveed is currently on the faculty at Gavilan College where he teaches courses in music history, composition, world music and theory. He is an active performer on the west coast, where he leads several different groups and also plays in other musicians groups.
Albert Marques:
From the time he received his first guitar at the age of seven, music has been an important part of Albert's life. After getting his first lessons in the classical Flamenco style from his father, his friends introduced him to the electrical guitar, and by the age of twelve he played in his own rock band. But he always returned to the Flamenco style, taking lessons with the legendary guitars players such as Mariano Cordoba, Chicuelo while in Spain, and with Juan Serrano at Fresno State. Winner of numerous guitar competitions, Albert Marques has performed with some of the greatest Flamenco artists living today. Albert Marqués was born and raised in California. When he was seven his family moved from Santa Clara to Gilroy, where he attended El Roble and St. Mary's primary schools, followed by Palma High School. After graduating from Palma he started at Gavilan, including Spanish. In 1988 his family moved to Spain where he attended the University of Barcelona. After returning to the US, Albert went to CSU Fresno to continue his education. In 1996 he received his MA in Spanish with emphasis in Linguistics and he joined the Gavilan faculty the same year. From the time he received his first guitar at the age of seven, music has been an important part of Albert's life. After getting his first lessons in the classical Flamenco style from his father, his friends introduced him to the electrical guitar, and by the age of twelve he played in his own rock band. But he always returned to the Flamenco style, taking lessons with the legendary Mariano Cordoba in San Francisco, with the world renowned guitarist Chicuelo while in Spain, and with Juan Serrano at Fresno. Besides teaching Spanish and playing guitar, Albert also coaches soccer at Christopher High School.
Hollister High School Director of Bands, Joey Fortino:
(Above photo from here: https://sanbenito.com/new-band-teacher-to-start-on-positive-note/).
Joey Fortino is a graduate of Gilroy High School and San Jose State University where he earned a degree in music. Starting at his alma mater, Gilroy High, he has taught school music programs for 26 years from TK through high school and is now the Band Director at Hollister High School. His life is filled by his amazingly patient wife Renee who lovingly endures not just Joey, but a dancer and choreographer in his daughter, Jenna and fellow musician in his son Daniel.
Grace Zendejas and the Kit Kat Klub dancers:
(Above photo is from here: https://sanbenito.com/recent-graduate-directs-san-benito-stage-company-footloose/).
Musical Director Matthew Fitch:
(Above photo is from here: https://gilroydispatch.com/childrens-business-fair-will-showcase-young-creators/).
Buy your tickets now! Space is limited! Go HERE: https://gofan.co/event/1331396?schoolId=CA87775. People can buy tickets at the Gavilan College Bookstore, the Hollister Gavilan College site, BookSmart, online and at the door. Ticket holders: Subject to change based on current public Health Guidelines. Bach to Blues is a fundraising concert that showcases regional talent, and features Gavilan College faculty and students. All proceeds will benefit the Gavilan College Music Program. For more ticket and event information, please contact Maria Amirkhanian: mamirkhanian@gavilan.edu or 408-848-4796.
About Gavilan College: Gavilan College is one of 116 California Community Colleges, a part of the largest system of higher education in the world. Gavilan serves 8,600 students across Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. At Gavilan College you can prepare to transfer to a university, get training in a skilled career, build your academic skills, or attain needed classes for career advancement. As a relatively small community college, Gavilan offers a more community-oriented and personalized experience than you might find at a larger school, with high educational quality and access to technology. https://www.gavilan.edu.