Biography

Saxophonist and flutist Greg Fishman is an accomplished performer, recording artist, teacher and clinician. Born in Chicago in 1967, he grew up in the northern suburbs, graduated from De Paul University, and got his Masters Degree in Jazz at Northwestern University. He is the foremost expert on the music of Stan Getz, and is the author of three Getz transcription books for Hal Leonard. Greg has performed with such artists as Louis Bellson, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Jackie & Roy, Marian McPartland, Ira Sullivan, Eddie Higgins, and the Woody Herman Band. He is the co-leader of a jazz quartet which has toured the USA and Southeast Asia, and he performs regularly at Andy's with Eric Schneider, and at various Chicago clubs with the Judy Roberts band. Greg was recently featured at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland. He has recorded several jazz CDs, including Roberts' CD "Circle of Friends" and "In The Moment." Greg's newest release, "Two for Brazil Plays The Standards," with guitarist Paulinho Garcia, is receiving rave reviews

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Julie Koidin

A native of the Chicago area, Julie Koidin is a classically trained flutist, and has experience as a classical soloist, an orchestral and chamber musician, as well as a studio musician. In addition to classical music, Ms. Koidin has a keen interest in a little known genre in the U.S. - that of Brazilian choro music. Since 1995, she has been independently researching choro, and since 1997 she has been performing both classical and Brazilian genres throughout Brazil since 1997. These concerts include performances with legendary choro flutists Altamiro Carrilho, Andrea Ernest Dias, and Carlos Poyares. In July, 2000, she was the only American invited to perform with Altamiro Carrilho at the Teatro Municipal in São Paulo, in a gala concert celebrating his career.

Her solo appearances include the National Flute Association's Convention; Chicago radio's "Live from WFMT" program; the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series; and various programs at the Chicago Cultural Center. Since March, 2001, she has been performing in duo with Brazilian pianist, Maria Teresa Madeira, both in Chicago and Brazil, including a special invitation to perform for the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia.

Since 1997 she has been performing with Brazilian guitarist/vocalist, Paulinho Garcia. Together, they have a group in Chicago, Dois no Choro which has two CD’s Carinhoso, and Juntos. The latter has the special participation of Altamiro Carrilho and Maria Teresa Madeira, and was awarded a Special Assistance Grant from the Illinois Arts Council. One of the selections from the Juntos cd – Chorinho pra Nós, received an honorable mention in the “Chorando No Rio” competition for new choro compositions in 2001, and was the only U.S. entry. Juntos was also in the first round nominations for the 2003 Latin Grammy Awards in the Best Album and Best Brazilian Roots categories

Ms. Koidin has lectured on choro at the National Flute Convention in Washington, D.C.; Ohio State University; Northwestern University; the University of Illinois; DePaul University; Lake Forest College; and the Sherwood Conservatory (Chicago). In Brazil she has performed and taught at the FEMUSICA music festival in Campos, the Conservatório Brasileiro de Música, the Pro-Arte Music School (Rio de Janeiro), the Brazilian federal universities of Natal, Recife and Brasilia. In January 2003, she taught and performed at the 25th International Winter Festival in Brasília.

In 2002 Ms. Koidin completed a Fulbright lecture/research grant, receiving the top position in both the U.S. and Brazil. She taught U.S. flute repertoire at the Universidade do Rio de Janeiro, as well as researched current trends in choro for the book that she will be publishing. In April 2003, Julie Koidin was the feature story and on the cover of Flute Talk Magazine. In August 2003, she started work on a documentary film project in Brazil about choro. 

Ms. Koidin has authored the article "Teach Rhythm with Choro," published in Flute Talk Magazine (January 2005) and has co-authored an article on choro with North Carolina School of the Arts professor, Tadeu Coelho, to be published in the National Flute Association's Flutist Quarterly in 2005. 

Ms. Koidin is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Music degree at Northwestern University. She holds a MMus degree in flute performance from Northwestern University and a BMus in flute performance from the University of Illinois. She has studied with Walfrid Kujala and Richard Graef (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), and Alexander Murray (formerly of the London Symphony), to name a few. 

Ms. Koidin has studied privately or in masterclasses with Paula Robison, Michel Debost, Donald Peck, Carol Wincenc, Arnold Jacobs, David Shostac, and Kate Lucas.

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Grazyna Auguscick

        Singer, composer, arranger, and producer Grazyna Auguscik has won the praise
     and admiration of music critics,  jazz enthusiasts and even non-jazz audiences
     with a singular voice that speaks a universal language.
     She is one of the most intriguing contemporary vocalists on today’s World jazz scene.
     Her elusive style challenges traditional definitions of jazz and show vocalist and
     musician without boundaries. Her unorthodox approach to rewriting classic works
     is at once a tribute to its authors as well as an adventure into uncharted territory.
     Her originals give a fresh taste of uncanny flavor.
     Her professional music career She began in Europe, completed her studies
     in 1992 at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston,
     and has since become a prolific collaborator shearing the stage with such
     jazz notables as Jim Hall, Michael and Randy Brecker, Bobby Enriquez, John Medeski, 
     Paul Wertico, Kurt Rosenwinkel,  Robert Irving III, Michal Urbaniak,
     Terry Callier,  Patricia Barber, Leni Stern, Eric Hochberg, John McLean,  David Onderdonk,
     Ernie Adams, Andrzej Jagodzinski, Jarek Bester and many others.

        Since 1994, Grazyna has made Chicago her home where she performs at the
     legendary Green Mill,  and a most memorable appearances at the 1998 and
     2002 Chicago Jazz Festival among  Nancy Wilson,  McCoy Tyner, 
     Brandford Marsalis,  Randy Weston, Von  Freeman, Roy Hargrove,  Irakere
     and many others.  Amidst  her active schedule of World wild performances,
     Grazyna has managed to record, produce and distribute ten albums, six under
     her own record label, GMA Records, and appearing on as many projects as a guest.
     Her album “Pastels” was one of the best in 1998, chosen by National Public Radio listeners.

        The begining of New Millennium brings her three new albums.
    “Fragile”  in collaboration with one of the best Brazilian singer and guitarist Paulinho Garcia
     was TOP 20 JAZZ ALBUMS of the year 2000 on WBEZ CHICAGO 91.5 FM National Public Radio.

         Her 2002 “River” release  was  a fantastic  surprise for music critics,  jazz enthusiasts and all                        music lovers, and  placed her as one of the hottest young jazz talents in the country.
     In Year 2003 Grazyna is nominated by 22^nd Annual  Chicago Music Awards for Best Female Vocalist of 2002. 
     In month of February 2003, 2004 and 2005 She was awarded as Best Jazz Vocal of 2002, 2003 and 2004
     by a prestigious European “Jazz Forum Magazine”.
     Also 2002 Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival awarded her as TOP VOCAL, and the album “Hamage”
     Three for Brazil recorded for Pony Canyon Records in Japan was on TOP 20 JAZZ ALBUMS in Asia.

        2003 release “Past Forward” by Grazyna Auguscik though it once again resists easy classification
     because of its musical eclecticism, is jazz in all its contemporary potential, pulsating, exhilarating,
     eastern musical origins leading to the past, uncanny impression of wholeness, featuring remarkably
     talented accordion player Jarek Bester, with her alto - warm and hypnotic simply brilliant, it is another
     from “Graz” must-hear experience.
     After many very successful tours in Europe and Japan last year her 2004 appearance at one of Japan’s
     largest jazz festivals, Jazz Elite, with Three for Brazil was one of the highlights next to Jim Hall Trio.
  
         Her next release “The Light” as of the beginning of 2005 is already highly acclaimed. 
     “ Auguscik has assembled a dream band … taking charge of the band she has created, she could make
     a difference in jazz today. Auguscik may be on the brink of innovation as does her new CD The Light “ says
     “Chicago Tribune” critics’ review .
     Find out why the LA Times says “Grazyna Auguscik is doing important work in advancing the potential for
     imaginative jazz singing. She is a singer to be watched. “
     Presently  “The Light” is claiming charts not only Jazz Radio stations all over the U.S. as well as her latest
     Holiday Release “LULAJZE The Lullaby for Jesus” (her 4-th project in year 2005).