Album Notes

Introducing
The Rebecca Zapen / Gary Starling Group
aka ZapStar

Rebecca Zapen - violin and vocals
Gary Starling - guitar
Chelsea Chason - double bass
Peter Miles - drums

Rebecca Zapen is a violinist/vocalist whose singing is reminiscent of Astrud Gilberto and Chet Baker, and whose violin playing draws upon the traditions of jazz violin greats Stephane Grappelli and Regina Carter. She is a magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the School of Music of Florida State University, and also holds a degree in biology. She has performed throughout the United States, and in destinations abroad including the UK, France, and Switzerland, gracing concert stages, intimate jazz clubs, and big band dance halls. She has released several albums: ZAPSTAR and HUMMINGBIRD, which are comprised of bossa novas, ballads, standards, and Rebecca’s original compositions (in Hummingbird), and JAPANESE BATHHOUSE, featuring all original songs by Ms. Zapen and showcasing her diversity as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. To learn more about Rebecca, visit her online at www.zapen.com.

Gary Starling: Synonymous with jazz on the First Coast, Artist in Residence and professor of guitar at Jacksonville University, Gary Starling has inspired and broadened the horizons of hundreds of aspiring musicians and has played with performers such as Bob Hope, Diahann Carroll, Rita Moreno and Skitch Henderson. The Gary Starling Group has made multiple appearances at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Gary has appeared with the Jacksonville Symphony Pops Orchestra and with jazz artists Eddie Harris, Nat Adderley, Joshua Breakstone, Carla White, Jim Snidero, Ben Tucker, and more. To learn more about Gary, visit him online at www.garystarling.com.

Chelsea Chason (bass) is a graduate of the jazz studies program at University of North Florida. She has studied under Blue Note recording artists Kevin Bales and Ricky Ravelo. She has appeared with Benny Green, Marcus Printup, Cyrus Chestnut, The Heath Brothers, and Doug Wamble. She has performed with the Gary Starling Group since 1999. Chelsea is also the founder of the Awkward Pause Ensemble and a mainstay of the North Florida local music scene.

Peter Miles is an exceptional performer whose sought-after versatility keeps him busy all over the world. His current touring finds him with the Doug Wamble Quartet on the Marsalis Music label. Peter plays Sabian cymbals exclusively.