The Grand Trine

Music:

Member Since: 9/1/2006
Band Members: ORITH FOGEL (vocals & acoustic bass) Orith is an experienced and enthusiastic acoustic and electric bassist as well as a lyrical jazz singer with a clear and expressive voice. She is a graduate from Capilano College’s Jazz Studies Degree program. Orith has studied bass with some of Canada’s finest musicians including Jodi Proznick, Laurence Mollerup, and Darren Radke. On voice, this includes Mary Jo Bischoff. Orith loves to reinterpret jazz classics in arrangements that make full use of the harmony between the members of the Grand Trine. ............................................................ .................................................... MELISSA HAMMER (trumpet & flugel horn) is a talented, well-rounded trumpeter and pianist. Having obtained her Bachelor Degree in Jazz Studies from Capilano College, she is both accredited and knowledgeable, with over 10 years performing and teaching experience. She has shared the stage with the likes of Cedar Walton, Phil Nimmons, Regina Carter and Dee Daniels among others. Melissa performs both locally and on tour in a variety of settings. These include The Grand Trine jazz trio, Orquesta Kol salsa band and El Mariachi Flores De Alegria, the first all female mariachi in Canada. Melissa also performs with other various salsa bands, show bands, and orchestras. She cites Chet Baker, Art Farmer and Ruben Gonzalez among her influences. ............................................................ .................................................... CATHERINE TOREN (piano) is beginning to make a name for herself as an aspiring composer, bandleader and a talented new voice on the piano. Toren, who began as a classical pianist, graduated from the Capilano College Jazz Studies Program in Vancouver, Canada, the city she calls home. She is the pianist for a number of jazz groups in Vancouver, including two years with the college’s A-Band, The Grand Trine Trio, and Four Eyes Quartet. Toren lists composition as one of her main passions, having written many works for her own piano trio, Cat Toren Band, as well as works for string quartet, piano quintet, solo piano and solo bass clarinet. She has been studying composition for three years with Dr. Lisa Miller. As part of her education, Toren has also attended the Vancouver Creative Music Institute 2006 where she studied with musicians such as Marilyn Crispell, Mark Helias and Mats Gustafson; the Time Flies Workshop 2006; and the Banff Center for the Arts Jazz Orchestra Workshop 2007 where she worked with Hugh Fraser and New York composer/orchestra leader Maria Schneider, whom Toren also lists as a major influence. During her time in Banff, Toren wrote, arranged and conducted a piece for large jazz ensemble. Toren is looking forward to releasing a new album in the spring with her trio and attending the Banff Centre’s Jazz and Creative Music Workshop 2008.
Type of Label: Major