NO COVER 4:30pm Show
Photo by Andrea Canter
Band Members:
Dale Alexander - Piano
Jay Epstein - Drums
Gary Raynor - Bass
Growing up in Minneapolis, Dale Alexander's first band was a trio with Prince and André Cymone. He recorded with Prince on the 94 East Street CD project right before Prince signed his solo contract. He then toured with Prince on the Sign ‘O the Times world tour as the drummer for Madhouse. Dale has performed and recorded with many musical legends, including George Benson, Everett Harp, Larry Graham, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Frank Morgan, Billy Eckstine, John Heard, Herb Ellis, Phil Upchurch, Eric Burdon (War), Buddy Miles (Jimi Hendrix), Edgar Winter, Jimmy Smith, Diane Reeves, Barbara Morrison, Glenn Frey (Eagles), Jimmy Buffett, Billy Taylor, the Temptations, Sheila E., Slash (Guns ‘n’ Roses), Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Robbie Kreiger (The Doors), Marilyn Manson, John Denver, Motown recording legend Wa Wah Watson. Alexander is currently a member of the jazz trio StableMates.
Jazz drummer Jay Epstein has had an extensive career as a performing, recording, and international touring artist. He studied with Barry Altschul, the drummer in Chick Corea’s Circle. He has lived in Hollywood, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Miami, and Minneapolis; been on seven European tours; and played in house bands for five years on cruise ship lines. Some of the notable artists he has performed with include the rock band Gypsy, Barney Kessel, Sheila Jordan, Terry Gibbs, Karrin Allyson, Toots Thielemans, Bob Dorough, Marc Ribot, and Sarah Vaughan.
After finishing a master’s degree in classical bass, Gary Raynor moved from New York to the Twin Cities and began playing local jazz jobs and theater, primarily the Guthrie and Chanhassen theaters. From the late 1980s through 2000, Raynor was a first-call bassist for dozens of Broadway touring shows, including the first performances of The Lion King. From 2000 to 2014, Raynor was the bassist for the Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band on “A Prairie Home Companion.” Through all of this, there have been jazz concerts and clinics, State Fair Jazz Bands, a faculty position at the University of Minnesota (1990–2000), and a teaching position at McNally Smith College of Music (2000–2017).
