Album Notes

Along Came Betty was formed in 1998 to celebrate the spirit of hard-bop, a seminal movement of 50s and 60s jazz music. The quintet has become much more than an homage to an important era of jazz history. Pianist and prolific composer Biff Smith's sophisticated yet highly accessible compositions blend elements of that era with modern sensibilities.

The rich sound of harmonized sax and trumpet backed by the classic piano, bass, drums rhythm section result in fun, fresh, straight-ahead jazz.

Along Came Betty opened the 1999 and 2003 Monterey Jazz Festivals and performed at the Big Sur Jazz Festival in 2000 and 2002. The band plays regularly around the Monterey area, and will be performing at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival in September.

The current band members are Patrick Tregenza (drums), Biff Smith (piano), Brian Stock (trumpet and flugelhorn), Paul Tarantino (saxophones), and Pete Lips (bass). Stu Reynolds (sax) appeared on our first two albums, and Storm Nilson (guitar) appeared on our third release.