7893 W. Quarto Ave, Littleton, CO 80128, us
About Us
The Band
Jazz Hands Foundation Band was founded by Brian Dee Counterman, who is also the Principal Musician, in January of 2016. The band is made up of Denver Area Musicians that have chosen to give back to their community by providing music for 501c3 Non- Profit events throughout the year. (See Mission Statement for Focus Groups) The band currently has done Performances for Seeds of South Sudan, a Colorado 5013C, as well as Integrated Family Community Services, and The Action Center in Lakewood Colorado, helping raise needed dollars for their Organizations. The Bands Goal is to have as many as 30 to 40 Denver area musicians on board that will either donate their time and talents, or be paid for their efforts by the Foundations Fund Raising Efforts. Jazz Hands can provide from a 2 to a 7-piece Jazz Band depending on what is needed. The Band currently plays straight ahead Traditional Jazz.
Brian Dee Counterman
Brian’s music career in Denver has spanned for more than 40 years. Brian Graduated from High School in 1978 from Englewood High School in Englewood Colorado. Englwood's Music Director at that time was Dr. Jess Girardi, who was also the head of Entertainment for 21 Years for the Denver Bronco Football Organization. Brian was part of the Colorado All State Jazz band, as well as the Colorado All State Wind Ensemble. That same year Brian received the Outstanding Musician Award for the State of Colorado from the United States Marine Corp. After attending Metropolitan State College and the University of Colorado at Denver as a Music Performance Major, Saxophone, and the Lead Alto Sax Player in the University of Colorado at Denver Jazz band, Brian joined the Denver based Jazz Band Pentacle. Pentacle dazzled the Denver jazz scene for more than 10 years. Brian then changed from working at 8:00 at night to 8:00 in the morning, playing Jazz and Gospel Services for his Church , as well as much of the Bb Trumpet Parts for Handel's Messiah and the Hallelujah Chorus. Brian has also done volunteer gigs for the Metro Denver Realtor Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis and The Scleroderma Foundation. Brian has played with Bo Diddley and Claire Fisher, and has led on for Firefall and 38 Special, as well as worked in the Denver Studio Scene for many years. Brian's long time dream to put together a group of Denver Area Jazz Musicians to help small non-profits raise money for their cause came true in 2016 with the formation of the Jazz Hands Foundation Band.
Tom Capek
Tom is an accomplished studio and touring musician and has been a resident composer/producer and mastering engineer at Colorado Sound for over 25 years. He is a credited session keyboardist on hundreds of albums and CDs, and has performed at many jazz festivals across the country. He has mastered hundreds of albums for release. Tom is well-known for his arranging and production work with songwriters. He truly values the collaborative relationship. “There’s nothing like working one on one with songwriters and hearing the songs evolve and reach their true potential. It’s one of the true joys of my life to have the opportunity to be a part of that process.”
Deon Kuhl
Deon is a Colorado based drummer/percussionist who currently performs and records with several different groups covering multiple genres of music. Bands include the contemporary jazz sounds of New Latitude, the German/Austrian music of the Austrian Connection, 1920's swing from the Olde Town Swing Band, original and deep track rock with Fleeting Matters, the electric jazz of the Dave Erickson Project and Rick Brough’s funky bass experience. A musician for over 50 years, Deon enjoys giving back through the Jazz Hands Foundation, fishing, hunting, hiking and living life to its fullest.
Rick Brough (pronounced Brō)
Rick is a Colorado bassist and singer who enjoys performing and recording with a number of groups ranging from funky blues, traditional jazz, rock, fusion and pretty much anything he can get his hands on. Though he enjoys playing other instruments such as guitar, harmonica, saxophone and brass instruments, his heart has always been with the bass. Electric, acoustic, fretted or fretless basses are all his favorites! In his spare time he loves activities such as hiking and skiing but mostly playing the bass for great causes such as the Jazz Hands Foundation Band!
Gerald Brister
Gerald is a Tenor / Alto saxophonist that has played jazz ,blues and rock around South Louisiana and Central Illinois. After moving to Denver in 2002 he got into the big band jazz scene with the Colorado Jazz workshop and is currently the lead Alto player for Zing the Great Big Band. Joining the Jazz Hands Foundation ban is a highlight for him simply because the caliber of musicians is top of the line and a great way to give back to the community.
CJ Shibly (Deceased 06/2019)
CJ Shibly has been playing the trombone since he was in the third grade. He is a Denver native who attended high school at George Washington HS and college at the University of Northern Colorado. Following his college graduation, he became a professional musician, touring with the Glenn Miller Orchestra for two years. He returned to Denver and played in the back up band for many famous performers including Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Nancy Wilson, Jerry Lewis and many others. He taught instrumental music at Isaac Newton Junior High School and Green Mountain High School. He continues to freelance as a musician.
Dave Erickson
Dave Erickson is a Guitarist and Composer from Denver, CO. His musical passion and talents have been influenced by a diverse span of musical genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and latin. In 2013, Dave released the debut contemporary jazz album “Pinnacle” with the Dave Erickson Project (DEP). The second DEP album “City Nights” was released in 2015. In 2014, Dave collaborated with Jim Carr and formed the acoustic group New Latitude. New Latitude released their debut album “Convergence” in 2014 and their second album “Vantage Point” in May 2017.
Michael Obert
My name is Mike Obert a trombone player in the Denver metro for many years playing in the Flagstaff brass quintet, the Joe Peterson orchestra, the Crystal swing band, the Zing big band and numerous other local groups in the Colorado wind ensemble. I have music Ed degree from C.U. and love to play any style of music. The Lord has blessed me greatly.
Corey Saines
Corey is a Colorado based guitarist and pianist who has been playing and writing music since childhood. He’s written hundreds of solo songs as well as having provided the bulk of the material for metal and punk bands Electric Breakfast and Pagan Lust, the latter which he still plays lead guitar for. Recently Corey began focusing more on piano and specifically jazz piano. He plays in a jazz duet weekly, and is always excited to play with high quality veteran musicians like the Jazz Hands Foundation Band, while getting to help their noble causes.
Joseph Tabris (714-654-6730, jtabris@gmail.com)
Before relocating to Highlands Ranch from SoCal to live with his kids and grandkids, Joe Tabris has been a working musician since his teen years.
Joseph has worked with many of the great jazz musicians: Louis Belson, Cat Anderson, Don Mensa, Jay Anderson, Eddie Davis, Paul Cacia, Karen Gallinger. He has also worked with The Impalas, and The Supremes. Joe was, while living in Southern California, the featured soloist in a number of local big bands including Moonlight Express and IVC Jazz Ensemble, also having worked with a number of big bands at Steamers Cafe. At Steamers, Joseph worked with Big Band 2000, John Peace, The Tom Kubis Ensemble, and Arlene and The Guys. Working extensively at local hotels, Joe played piano at The Hilton, The Marriott, The Hyatt, and The County Inn, The Ayres, and others. He has played weddings at Tivolli’s Terrace and performed at Maxwell's Seafood Restaurant and The Pageant of The Masters. While in Orange County, Joseph was a member of The Yachtsmen, The SMART JazzExecs, The Jazz Execs, The Kicks Union Band, 9 Ct Gold, The Smoking Rooster Allman Brothers cover band. Throughout Joe’s career, he has done many solo, duo, trio, and big band projects. Joe has over 40 years of professional teaching and playing experience helping students reach their goals in drum corps, jazz band, orchestra, and praise band. Teaching all ages, he tailors the lessons to fit each students abilities and skill level. Whether for one’s own interest in incorporating music into your life, or for performance improvement, or academic benefits, Joe is able to make it an enjoyable experience. His expertise is in teaching many instruments, including piano and trumpet. Joe has taught in the Orange County Lutheran school system as well as the Orange School District. He directed The Villa Park Community Band and is a professional church musician organist, praise band member, and has directed choir. In SoCal, Joe had been seen performing with many local working groups throughout Orange County.
Permanently relocated to Colorado, Joe is starting to meet and play with local big bands and other groups. Jazz, Rock, Fusion, Funk, Salsa, Polka, and more are all in his arsenal while playing piano, trumpet, bass, guitar, drums, and lending his vocals where needed as well.
Shaughnessy McDaniel - Crunchtronic Media www.crunchtronic.com Phone: 970-313-6429 E-Mail: Shaughnessy.McDaniel@gmail.com Crunchtronic Entertainment is a Colorado-based media company looking to find cost-effective multimedia solutions for artists, entertainers, and non-profits in the Colorado area. Offering everything from graphic design to video services to music/audio production and post-production, Crunchtronic Entertainment’s goal is to offer professional services at DIY prices and find ways to help out Colorado’s creative and philanthropic endeavors.
Greg Curtice - Keyboards - (Deceased-10-2020)
Jack Haynes - Bass - Bio Not Currently Available