Album Notes

“the TARABINI’S – A Touch of Classic Jazz” – is a tight acoustical sound that blends Accordion, Vibes, Bass and Guitar into a classic jazz style, reminiscent of the great groups of the past, i.e. Art Van Damne, George Shearing, Ernie Felice, etc…The group plays Classic Jazz with fire, zest and enthusiasm reminiscent of days past, with vocals (both Ballads / Swing) that reminds one of the great divas. This album is worth your listening.

“the Tarabinis” feature Accordionist Al Tarabini, a popular San Francisco Bay Area product, who was influenced by the great jazz accordionists Ernie Felice & Art Van Damne, the George Shearing Quintet, and the big bands of D.Ellington, Q.Jones, B.Goodman, & Count Basie. He has performed both on SF radio and TV and at many of the Top Hotels and nightspots in the area. “the Tarabinis” are a regular on a local PBS station.

Vocalist Gloria Tarabini a former San Francisco TV personality and performer with Del Courtney’s “Search for Songs”, NBC’s Channel 4 “Show of Shows”, a regular with the USO, and numerous SF Bay Area night spots; She is equally at ease with Romantic Ballads, or a Jazz tune.

Vibraphonist Yancie Taylor a product of the SF Bay Area, has traveled the world entertaining jazz fans, especially in the SF Bay Area, where he has been a Sunday afternoon regular at the popular “Fifth Amendment”. Such outstanding musicians as Les McCann, Ramsey Lewis, Milt Jackson, Bobbie Hutchinson, and Cal Tjader have influenced him.

Bassist Terry Hilliard, also a SF Bay Area product, is internationally known for his performances with the Cal Tjader Latin Jazz group (albums – “Soul Sauce” & “Soul Bird”). Has performed with Johnny Mathis, the Mills Bros., and the Virgil Gonzales Sextet, blues legend Johnnie Bassett. He is listed in the “the Very Best of Jazz” with Verve Records, and is a charter member of the “San Francisco Legends of Jazz”.

Guitarist Leigh Wyckoff, grew up in the Wine Country of the Napa Valley, receiving his music degree from Sonoma State University. He is a college professor, a private music teacher, a great Jazz, and R&B guitarist, and has recorded his own record album “Moonlight Café”. Has performed with the likes of Grammy Award winner Paul McCandless, Richie Cole, Bennie Wallace, Mel Graves to name a few, and is a former member of the Serendipity Singers. Leigh plays jazz, classical, R&B, and a composer of his own music.