ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Christopher Hollyday

Christopher Hollyday began performing publicly in 1983 in the Boston area at age thirteen as a member of his brother Richard’s quintet and in 1988 headlined a week at the historic Village Vanguard in New York City. He toured with Maynard Ferguson as a featured soloist in the trumpeter’s 60th Birthday Big Band, and was featured on the Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau album. From 1989 through 1993, Hollyday toured with his own quartet, visiting every Western European country, Brazil, Canada, and most of the United States. During this period he made four recordings for RCA records. In 1993 Hollyday pursued his desire to teach and study composition and arranging at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. In 1996, he relocated to San Diego where he taught high school instrumental music for 13 years. Hollyday completed a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies at San Diego State University. He now teaches saxophone at San Diego State University and woodwinds from his studio in San Diego. In 2018 Hollyday recorded his critically acclaimed comeback album Telepathy. He recently recorded Dialogue, a follow-up album with the Telepathy Quintet, releasing in August 2019. Hollyday currently performs in San Diego and throughout Southern California as a jazz saxophone soloist and with his Telepathy Quintet.

Louis Valenzuela

Louis Valenzuela is an American jazz guitarist and a leading figure in the San Diego music community. Valenzuela has been featured in countless performances locally and internationally including the Jazz Guitar Series at the Westgate Hotel curated by Gilbert Castellano and The JAM Festival of Montenegro. In addition to guitar, he plays Cuban tres, bass, and oud with bands including JuiceBox, Afro-Jazziacs, The Louis V Trio, and the Persian band Dornob. He is also heavily involved in the San Diego gospel community. Valenzuela is also a co-founder of music school and recording studio Avant Garde Music Company, where he is Chief Engineer and Music Director of the studio’s live production platform, AGMClive. Valenzuela holds a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University and is now on the faculty teaching jazz guitar.

Sean Hicke

A rising talent in San Diego, bassist and composer Sean Hicke quickly found his place in the local jazz scene, frequently playing with several of San Diego’s best and most imaginative musicians. Hicke’s bass playing is informed by a musical upbringing that included punk, funk, jazz, musical theater, and classical music. His years of study on saxophone, clarinet, electric bass, and voice give him a melodic approach and a holistic perspective of music that he takes with him every time he plays the upright bass. Hicke’s original music builds upon the tradition of creative improvisatory music and is characterized by the juxtaposition of folk-like melodies with adventurous harmonic soundscapes. Hicke recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from San Diego State University. He maintains a small private studio and can be found playing at many of San Diego’s beloved jazz venues every week. His debut album, Sunflower Sutra, was released in 2019.

Tim McMahon

Originally from Chicago, IL, Tim McMahon moved to the west coast in 1976. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1986 after completing a Fine Arts degree in music. He was named Outstanding Music Graduate of that year. McMahon served as adjunct studio faculty in the percussion department at SDSU from 1994 to 1998. He has again currently joined the staff on adjunct studio faculty in 2018 at San Diego State University as well as Grossmont College. The scope of his involvement in the percussion world is and continues to be quite broad, and he has performed with Charles McPherson, Peter Sprague, and Hank Jones, among others.