The G2 Project Trio

$10 Cover | 6:30pm | The G2 Project is a modern jazz performance collective located on the Central Coast of California. Their somewhat ambiguous moniker encourages musical experimentation and harmonic exploration both in the studio and on stage. Whether it’s solo piano or a trio format, The G2 Project is constantly pushing the accepted boundaries of this American art form known as Jazz.

Pianist, composer, and performing artist George Garcia (G2) has been a member of the west coast jazz and music scene for decades, and is recognized for his inventively unique and borderline disruptive approach to arraigning and performing all manner and genre of musical standards as well as original compositions. During his formative years, George was fortunate to study with a number of incredible jazz mentors including Richie Cole, Dr. Billy Taylor, Bobby McFerrin, and Kenny Kirkland, while his professional career has enabled him to open for notable headliners such as The Yellowjackets and Trio Kait.  In addition to numerous gig dates on the west coast, his international travels have allowed him to perform in a variety of European venues such as the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, The Berlin Ritz Carlton, and The Hotel Manzoni in Milan. Back at home, George and The G2 Project constantly seek to push the very definition of modern jazz by incorporating unconventional voicings and poly-rhythms while simultaneously re-interpreting standards from the American Songbook and beyond.

Ken Hustad is a freelance musician, bass player and instructor, and has been working on the Central Coast for over 30 years. His musical vocabulary includes orchestral and chamber music, as well as jazz, rock, blues, Americana and Country, and also include working in theater as well as numerous audio recordings. Hustad is currently principal string bass for the San Luis Obispo Symphony, and also plays with San Luis Obispo Master Chorale, Orchestra Novo, The Santa Maria Philharmonic, Symphony of the Vines, and Opera SLO. Ken also performs with many jazz and commercial groups in a wide variety of styles and settings. Besides maintaining an active private studio, he is an academic bass instructor for the Cal Poly State University and Cuesta College Music Departments.

Drummer, Percussionist and Educator Darrell Voss has been active as a professional for over 30 years. He has been teaching at Cuesta College since 2000, and is a key member of the jazz faculty and applied music program. He has been co-director of the Summer Jazz Workshop for 8 years at Cuesta College. He has performed or recorded with hundreds of musicians. Most recent performers include The Starlight Dream Band, Jim Barnett Trio, John Proulx, Rick Jarrett, Jeff Babko, Andy Martin, Charlie and Sandy Shoemake, Randy Brecker, Pat Kelley, Doug McDonald, Robert Alberts Quintet and Kathryn Loomis. Darrell continues a busy schedule of performing and educating on the West Coast. He received his undergraduate degrees from Cuesta College and a Bachelors Degree in Music from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo in 1994. He has been fortunate to study with jazz greats Jeff Hamilton, Charlie Shoemake and Steve Houghton, classical teachers Ross Sears and Paulene Soderholm. Darrell has rounded off his music education by participating at Stanford Jazz Workshop, USC Masterclasses, PAS, and Jazz Educator Network events.