Kevin Deitz

Education:

Private studies in classical bass with Royce Lewis and Jeff Bradetich, Robert Hladky at the University of Oregon, Edward Rainbow at North Texas State University, Larry Zagonc at Portland State University. Cello Studies with Hamilton Chefitz at Portland State. Studies in composition with Bryan Johansen and Thomas Svoboda at Portland State.

1990: Bachelor of Science in Arts and Letters, Portland State University. 1994: Master of Science in Teaching, Portland State University.

Teaching Experience:

1979-1980: Ludwig/Zilgian sponsored college jazz clinics series with University of Oregon professors, Charles Dowd and Edward Kammerer; 1983- 1986: Oregon Young Audience Association: “Jazz: the American Art Form” with Warner Bros. author/guitarist, Don Latarski; 1989-1993: Tigard- Tualatin Public School Distric. Taught 5th through 12th grade string orchestra, general music, electronic keyboard; 1993-1994: Undergraduate teaching assistant at Portland State University: teaching duties included theory I/keyboard I, assistant conductor of band and orchestra; 1993-2005: Adjunct professor of string bass, electric bass, low string techniques for educators at Willamette University. Adjunct professor of string bass at Lewis and Clark College. 1993 to present: Instructor of string bass/electric bass at Mt. Hood Community College, Reed College and Clackamas Community College. Presently active as a teacher at CCC for History of Rock, Music and the Media, Music Theory 1 and 2, Aural Skills 1 and 2, Music Fundamentals and at Reed as coach for jazz combos. Kevin is also an artist/clinician/adjudicator appearing throughout the northwest. Includes adjudicating duties for the Oregon Music Educators Association state music competition (3 years).

Jazz/Classical Performance:

1977-2006: Music Festivals include appearances at the Oregon Bach Festival, Eugene Celebration, Sokol Blosser, Hinman, Rex Hill, Adelsheim Winery jazz festivals, the Bite of Portland, Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, Blue Lake Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Water series, the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, Berkley Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle, Washington, Du Marier Jazz Festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Parnu Jazz Festival in Parnu, Estonia, Tivoli Gardens Jazz Cabaret in Stockholm, Sweden. Solo and duo performances at the NAMM show in Los Angeles, California for Conklin custom guitars and basses.

1977-2006: Orchestral work includes section bass with the Eugene Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, St. Joseph's Chamber Orchestra, Portland Opera Company, Moody Blues World Orchestra. Co principal bass: American Strauss Orchestra, Oregon Festival of American Music. Principal bass: Festival Chorale Oregon, Portland Symphonic Choir Orchestra, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus Orchestra, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Salem Chamber Orchestra and Portland's Sinfonia Concertante. Touring Broadway shows include “Evita,” “Grease,” “Big,” “The Sound of Music,” “Victor/Victoria,” and “My Fair Lady.” Section Cello work with the Portland Festival Orchestra and Kevin’s own Skyline String Quartet.

Jazz and pop concerts with national recording artists: Mose Allison, Art Blakey (Bluenote), Blue Sky (Bannerworks), Chris Botti, Mel Brown, Dave Brubeck, Freddie Cole, Richie Cole, Brenda Dickey (Warner Bros.), Herb Ellis, Sheena Easton, Dave Frishberg, Mick Gillette, Robert Goulet, Benny Golson, Tom Grant, Benny Green, Marvin Hamlisch, Michael Harrison (Sheffield Labs), Jeff Kashiwa (of The Rippingtons), Nancy King, Kevin Mahogany, Alan Paul (of Manhattan Transfer), Moody Blues (World Orchestra), Joe Piscopo, Bernard Purdy, Kenny Rankin, Diane Schurr (GRP), Bud Shank, Dan Siegal (Columbia), Janis Siegal (of Manhattan Transfer), Richard Smith (Heads Up), John Stowell, Ron Steen, Sally Struthers, Toni Tenille, Leroy Vinnegar, Mason Williams, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys).

Album/CD credits:

Luis Artega - “Collage” (Inner City); Stan Bock - “Of Fathers and Sons” (OA2); Steve Cannon Blowhard Big Band-Full Blown (brocan records), Kevin Deitz “Skylines” (soon to be released); Cheryl Fisher- “Too Late to Hurry” (Royalty Records); Don Latarski - “Lifeline” (Pausa); Don Latarski - “Sittin' In” music minus one series (Studio PR - Jamey Abersold); Jimmy Lott-Jimmy Lott; Dana Lutes - “East of the Sun....West of the Moon” (Lutesongs); Terry McGraw - “Rearranged” (DB records); Rikki Wright - “Rikki Wright” (TVR records); John Gilmore - “For My Father and Frank” (Fellini Records). Barbara Lusch-Barbara Lusch; Stephanie Schneiderman-The Children’s DVD Songbook, Carey Simms (with Nathan East), Ellen Vanderslice. Other recordings include extensive commercial studio/demo projects for clients including Fred Meyer/QFC Foods, Nike, and Roland Musical Instruments.

Compositions:

Orchestra: Arrangement of Sonatina for Piano by Dimitri Kabalevsky for string orchestra; string orchestra arrangement of Beau Soir by Claude Debussy; original composition for full orchestra, Columbia Suite. Movement for Strings and Brass and Percussion: Conestoga.

Small group: Original work for brass choir, Conestoga.; works for four- handed piano, solo string bass, Sketches for Small Combinations of Winds and Brass; jazz arrangement of Danny Boy and original composition, Ice Sculptures, for Conklin 7-string electric bass; original composition “Helen Ann” recorded on Los Angeles Guitarist, Richard Smith's CD's “Puma Creek” (CMG) and “Inglewood” (Blue Moon” [Japan release]. Received “heavy rotation” in Japanese markets and in San Francisco, Dallas and Boston; incidental music for Arthur Miller's The Crucible directed by Oregon Shakespeare Theater's Pat Patton. (Feb '94)

Memberships:

International Society of Bassists, American Federation of Musicians, American String Teachers Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, Oregon Jazz Society, Austin-Healey Club of America.

Endorsements:

Artist/clinician/consultant for Conklin custom electric basses and Conklin “Sidewinder” bass strings.