ABOUT THE GROUP
Co-founded by Matt Musselman and
Brian Keegan, the Celestial Sliphorns is a hot jazz quintet
featuring a snappy two-trombone
frontline and killer rhythm section. Playing interesting
arrangements of standards, transcriptions,
and original compositions by its members, the group
has a sound all its own but a sound
that everybody digs!
The brain-child of trombonists Matt
Musselman and Brian Keegan, the group is reminiscent of
the bop trombone quintets of Kai
Winding and J.J. Johnson from the 50s and 60s. These "K & J"
recordings were inspirational to
both Musselman and Keegan early in their careers as musicians.
Thus the Celestial Sliphorns were
founded.
Now, with the help of pianist Rory Cowal, bassist Glen Oliff, and drummer Steve Helfand, the Celestial Sliphorns are well on their way!
ABOUT THE PLAYERS
Matt Musselman began playing the trombone and writing music at the age of 12 under the instruction of Bill Anthony. Since moving to Maryland in 2000, Matt has played with the Federal Focus Jazz Band, the Difficult Run Jazz Band, the Tom Cunningham Orchestra, the Great Expectations Band, Backstage, King James and the Serfs of Swing, and others. Matt graduated from Walt Whitman HS in 2003 and currently attends Montgomery College.
Brian Keegan has performed with the Federal Focus Jazz Band, the Difficult Run Jazz Band, the SingCo Rhythm Orchestra, among others, and has toured with the Washington Symphony Orchestra (1998) and with the Bud Forrest Big Band (2002-2004). Brian received a National Communicator Award for his original jazz soundtrack to the documentary film "U Street Sounds." He was also a recipient of the Woody Herman Jazz Award. After graduating from Chantilly HS, Brian studied at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and Northern Virginia Community College.
Rory Cowal plays piano and is a jazz studies major at Univeristy of MD.
Glen Oliff has been playing bass in the DC area for the last 10 years with a variety of groups including the James Bazen Big Band, the Greg Jenkins Quartet, and the Brett Lemley Quartet, to name a few. He has opened for Maynard Ferguson, performed in clinics with both Stefon Harris and Allison Miller, and performed with Jamey Abersold. After graduating from Sherwood HS, Glen pursued a computer science major at University of Maryland.
Steve Helfand commenced his study of drums with local percussionist Walter Salb. He currently attends the University of Maryland where he holds the drum chair for their 5:30 jazz ensemble with whom he has opened for the US Army Jazz Ambassadors among others. Steve has performed with the Federal Focus Jazz Band, the James Bazen Big Band, the Greg Jenkins Quartet, the Brett Lemley Quartet, the Catholic University Jazz Ensemble, the Michelle Walker Quartet, Bob Tublin's Jazz Progression, and many others. Steve currently studies with Steve Fidyk of the US Army Blues.
(THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
MORE MEMBER PICS FORTHCOMING...)
