Jeff Kamp - Bari Sax

Hometown: Elkhart, IN

Education: Finishing business degree at IUSB; 2 years at Ball State Music Education

Playing Experience: High School and College music ensembles, several church music groups, and some blues bands

Career Highlights: Marching in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Playing in Purdue Jazz festival, Playing in the Elkhart Jazz Festival

Why I Play with TIJ: I love music.  Big bands are becoming fewer and fewer, so having an opportunity to play in one of the few is awesome.  I’m having a blast!!!

Kris Brownlee - Tenor Sax

Hometown: Ft. Wayne, IN

Education: Manchester College (Bachelor’s of Science in Music Performance and Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology)

Playing experience: Performed with many artist over the years including Blues Legend Willie Kent, nationally recognized Keyboardist Vince Willis, top Indianapolis jazz stars Cathy Morris, Mary Moss, and Rob Dixon and many more.

Highlights in Music Career: Being able to call myself a regular musician on the Chicago Jazz Scene.

Why do I play in the Truth in Jazz: It allows me to meet fabulous musicians who all love one thing, “Jazz.”

Jamin Garoutte - Tenor Sax

Hometown: Goshen, IN

Education: BMA in Saxophone studies from Oklahoma Baptist Univ. 2004; Associates in Web & Interactive Design from Ivy Tech in South Bend, IN 2009.

Playing Experience: Indiana All-State Jazz Band 1999, Oklahoma Baptist Univ. Bison Jazz Orchestra from 2000-2004, and the Truth in Jazz  2005-Present.

Career Highlights: Playing with jazz combos in coffee shops… Not really playing for anyone or anything in particular; just there to share the raw experience of live jazz improv.

Why I Play With TIJ: I love the music and it’s a blast playing with such gifted musicians—plus, keeps my axe from collecting dust.

Bryce Cone - Alto Sax

Hometown: I lived in Idaho, Ohio, England, and Germany before to my current residence in Osceola, IN

Education: Bachelors degree in Music Education from Ball state University.

Playing Experience: Played in Jazz Ensembles in High School & College. Played with Dr. Grant Manhart at the Elkhart Jazz Festival 1998 & 1999. Perform with the Grace College Wind Ensemble on occasions. Play various instruments for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Churches.

Career Highlights: Playing in the Elkhart Jazz Festival, especially when I was still in high school. Getting to meet and learn piano from Frank Mantooth.

Why I Play With TIJ: As a teacher, it’s nice to have an outlet and actually get to play my horn. I’m constantly teaching, and performing as a conductor, but otherwise don’t get much of a chance to play Jazz. Having a chance to play and show my students that I actually do know what I’m talking about is fun too. Plus, there aren’t very many big bands in this area, and I’m proud to be a member of one of the few.

Scott Kitzmiller - Alto Sax

Hometown: Elkins, WV 21 years, Elkhart for 21.

Education: B.M.E. – West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1985

Playing Experience: WVWC Jazz Ensemble, Truth in Jazz, A Cut Above, Valleyaires chorus, New Tradition chorus, Northern Union chorus (director), various men’s quartets.

Career Highlights: Opened for Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie. Toured Soviet Union and Romania with College jazz band, played Black Sea Jazz Festival. Barbershop Harmony Society - District quartet champion, International quartet competitor, chorus director, coach, arranger, contest judge. Sang backup at the Hoosier Hayride Opry.  Performed a Barbershop Ballet with American Ballet Theater. Sang the National Anthem at a Bears – Lions game.

Why I Play With TIJ: Because the pay is so great…