Band Members
Christopher Caliendo/Guitarist, Composer was born in Queens, New York City, Christopher started playing jazz guitar professionally at the age of 9 with the Mike Morris Quintet. At 16 he developed his first quartet “The Enchanted Pilgrimage” which performed his original jazz fusion compositions throughout the New York and Long Island area. A chance discovery by legendary drummer Charles Moffit led to performances with his group and the first record recordings on the CAT label. After completing his Masters’s degree in classical composition Mr. Caliendo chose to concentrate his artistic time on the development of original works, both orchestral and chamber that combine classical and jazz influences. His latest recording, “Torbellino”, combines the classics, jazz, and pop idioms all within the tango.
Sheridon Stokes/Flutist – Mr. Stokes has pursued an active career as a Soloist, Professor (UCLA 1972-present), Clinician, Author (“Illustrated Method for Flute”, endorsed by Rampal), Composer, and Hollywood Studio Musician (performing in hundreds of movies, TV and record sessions including 9 that won an Oscar for best score). In 1993 he won the coveted MVP Emeritus Award in flute from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Mr. Stokes currently divides his time between his home at Bodega Bay in Northern California, recording commitments in Los Angeles, and various solo appearances and master classes.
Rachel Robinson/1st Violinist is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. She has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony, Opera Pacific, Los Angeles Opera, and the Capistrano Symphony. Before moving to California, Ms. Robinson studied with William Steck, Concertmaster of the National Symphony at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. As an active studio musician, Ms. Robinson has recorded music for motion pictures, television, and records.
Jean Hugo/2nd Violin – Jean Hugo was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she attended the University of Utah on full scholarship. She has studied with Eudice Shapiro and Peter Marsh. Ms. Hugo has been a soloist with the Utah Symphony, The Seal Beach Festival Orchestra. She has also recorded with Brazilian jazz artist, Moacio Santos. Ms. Hugo is currently playing in the Los Angeles production of Miss Saigon. She works extensively in the motion picture and television industries along with phonograph recordings.
Sebastian Toettcher/Cellist – In 1971 Mr. Toettcher came to the U.S. from Berlin, Germany on a grant to continue his studies in cello performance. He was awarded the Performers Certificate from Indiana University and also received the Hammer/Rostropovich Award at USC. He has been assistant principal cellist with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and has given recitals in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Toettcher has recorded extensively for German radio and on the Bay Cities label. He is currently teaching at Loyola Marymount University and works as a recording artist for the motion picture industry.
Amanda Walker/Clarinet – Amanda Walker has performed extensively as a soloist both in the Los Angles area and England. She is currently a freelance player and has performed with various groups including the Los Angeles Opera Company, Pacific Symphony and a the Santa Barbara Symphony. Ms. Walker has appeared on various Chamber Music Series including Bach Camerata and the Henry J. Bruman Summer Chamber Music Series. Her recent studio recordings can be heard on such movies as City Slickers II and Blown Away.
David Young/Double Bassist is currently principal bassist with the Long Beach Symphony, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, the Japan America Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Opera and the Opera Orchestra of Los Angeles and active in the recording studios. He avidly teaches bass at the Colburn School for Performing Arts and is an adjunct teacher at USC. Impassioned to bring the joy of music to children, Mr. Young continues to produce videos about music for children and narrates concerts for children in effort to improve their understanding of music and the arts.
Jeff B –
“Audiences for classical music are graying and will eventually become extinct. It will take a breed of composers, comfortable in several musical styles to turn things around. Caliendo is one of their intrepid pioneers. Chamber Jazz is a musical marriage.” — Jeff Briton – Mega-Scene
John Santana –
“Christopher Caliendo has really done it: come up with music whose style, charm , grace and excitement are not only “Caliendo ” but also have the intangible and elusive quality we think of as American. Its Gershwin meets Copland meets Duke Ellington. Yet it is authentically Christopher himself. In it you’ll find jazz and classical, wit and depth, rhythm and lyricism played by a virtuoso ensemble who really understand what music means to the soul.” — John Santana – KKGO-FM
Henry Mancini – Composer –
“Christopher Caliendo was the recipient of my film music scholarship in 1987. Since then I have been following his progress with interest. His horizons have widened and I see him as developing into a most important composer.” — Henry Mancini – composer