Joel Shapira, Mark Asche, Dave
Schmalenberger, Dave Brattain & Bruce 'Pooch'
HeinePooch's Playhouse - Jazz
Quintet
Pooch’s Playhouse is
a modern jazz quintet comprised of five veteran Twin
Cities jazz musicians. The collective performing
experience and resume of the group reads like a who’s
who of the Twin Cities jazz scene and beyond. Shapira
and Heine are known for their work with the highly
regarded jazz trio “Triplicate” amongst
other projects. Brattain and Asche are members of
the “Cedar Ave. Big Band” and work with
a host of different groups. Schmalenberger is a heavyweight
percussionist who taught in Duluth for many years,
and is now a faculty member at McNally Smith College
of Music in ST. Paul, MN.
The band composes and performs a diverse blend of
original music, jazz classics, standards and more.
The Playhouse Players
Guitarist – Joel
Shapira studied at MannesSchool of
Music in New York where he lived and performed
for over six years. For twelve years Joel was
one third of the highly regarded jazz trio Triplicate. Joel has
recorded and performed with internationally known
vocalist Charmin Michelle, has been
a member of the Vic Volare Orchestra for
over ten years, is contemporary music director
at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Maplewood
MN, performs at weddings and private events extensively
as a soloist and freelances with a variety of
local instrumentalists and vocalists.
Pianist – Mark Asche is
an active and familiar performer and composer in
the Twin Cities’ jazz, blues and gospel communities. Mark has
performed with Kenny Loggins, John Lee Hocker,
Viola Wills, Bob Berg and Paul Wertico,
as well as local luminaries Dave Karr, Gordy
Johnson, Phil Hey, Gordy Knudtson, Bobby Peterson,
the JazzMN Big Band and many others. Mark can
be heard on over forty recordings by such artists
as The Senders, Brian Gallagher, Mojo Buford,
Dave Graf and The Hornheads.
Percussionist – Dr. Dave Schmalenberger received
his DMA in Percussion Performance and World
Music from West VirginiaUniversity. Dave currently
teaches at McNally Smith College of Music in
St. Paul, MN as the Assistant Head of the Drum
Department. Dave has performed
with jazz greats John Scofield, Tim Ries ,Larry
Grenadier, Steve Turre and can be heard locally
with the JazzMN Big Band, Vocal Essence and
as a show musician for the Ordway and Children’s theaters.
Saxophones – Dave Brattain has
been performing professionally for over twenty
years with the Cedar Ave. Big Band, Vanguard
Variety Ensemble and has toured the U.S. with Troup
Americas theatrical production of the “1940’s
Radio Hour”. Dave has
been a featured soloist for several groups including
internationally known pianist and composer Ben
Sidran. Dave has a M/Ed degree
from the University of Minnesota and is
currently on faculty at WayzataHigh
School.
Bassist – Bruce Heine teaches
jazz bass and trombone at St. Cloud State University and
has taught privately for over twenty-five years. Bruce received
a music education degree from the University
of Minnesota where he played lead trombone
for Jazz Ensemble 1. Bruce has been
playing bass professionally for over twenty years
with jazz artists Mose Allison, Barret Deems,
Jim Rotundi and also performs with several
local groups including theCedar Ave. Big
Band, George Avaloz Trio and R&B band Jimeo.
