“Innovative compositions, unusual instrumentation, impeccable musicianship and interplay between the four performers – all this adds up to make Flounder one of the most interesting and enjoyable jazz bands you’ll ever hear.” 

- Bruce Grelle, “Evening Jazz” North State Public Radio 

"Regardless of mood swings and atmospheric shifts, this California quartet, led by accomplished composer and guitarist David Dvorin, continuously transmits a sense of the pleasure of music-making." 

- Duane Verh, Jazz and Blues Report 

“David Dvorin creates pure musical alchemy with his band Flounder, combining inspired writing with unique instrumental voicing and brilliant musicianship.” 

- Steve Scarborough, “It’s Just Jazz”,  KZFR

 

Combining the freewheeling groove and grit of mid-century blues and jazz with the intimacy and instrumental interplay of chamber music, Flounder was originally formed in 2018 to perform a concert of original works by composer David Dvorin at California State University, Chico, where Dvorin is a Professor of Music. The collaboration proved so successful that the four musicians decided to keep the project going, performing and recording Dvorin’s original compositions and unique arrangements that emphasize rhythmic feel along with the more adventurous exploration of harmony and texture.

Consisting of Dvorin on electric guitar and modular synthesizer, Randy McKean on bass clarinet and tenor saxophone, Clifford Childers on bass trumpet, trombone, harmonica and euphonium, and Tim Bulkley on drums, the quartet combines the retro and the futuristic with traditional acoustic and electric instruments sharing sonic space with the percolating electronic sounds of the modular synthesizer. Sounding like a much bigger band due to the players’ doubling on multiple instruments, the quartet exhibits the swing, swagger, and drive of the best Space-Age Jazz, but distinguishes themselves from your average combo by allowing the low end to be occupied by any member of the group.

Combining tight arrangements with creative improvisation, Flounder thrives in a live setting, performing regionally throughout Northern California, including concerts at universities and music schools such as the California Jazz Conservatory’s “Way Out West” series. Their debut release, I’m The Flounder, was released on Cure-All Records in Fall of 2021.

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A Tribute to Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait Sessions – CD release concert A benefit for The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights

Back in 2019, a year before the pandemic started, singer/songwriter Robert Heirendt got an inspiration to put together a tribute album to Bob Dylan’s 1970 album, “Self Portrait,” an album of mostly covers which was much maligned when it was first released. Robert invited some of his musical friends to contribute tracks taken from the Self Portrait recording sessions. The resulting album included 17 songs and was released on 6/8/20, the exact 50th anniversary of Dylan’s original release. It is not a track by track cover album, but rather a compilation of original versions of tunes that were recorded by Dylan during these sessions. It’s practically a cover album of a cover album.

So now, 2 1/2 years after the release of the album, Robert and many of his musical friends who contributed to the album will be presenting a CD release concert/celebration. This special concert will be a benefit for the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, a non-profit organization which works for the best interests of children who arrive in the United States on their own, from all corners of the world. All of the artists are generously donating their talents to this cause.

Performers include: Anton Barbeau & Julia VBH Boston Ravine (Reunion) Flounder Juliet Gobert & Homer Wills Mark Growden Robert Heirendt The Moore Brothers Michael Roe Tumble

General admission: $20, Premium: $30