JAZZMAN JOE VIDEOS - Tommy Boynton and Robert Espe at Noce in Des Moines on Jan 17, 2019

Tommy Boynton

"Singing 1st tenor and playing bass, Tommy grew up in Aurora, Colorado. His musical journey began in the 3rd grade, singing in a children’s chorus, and studying piano and drums. Tommy’s love for music lead him to Phil Mattson’s prestigious School for Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa. He then graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts in 2012, where he studied with Dominique Eade and Ran Blake. Boynton continued to share his love and passion for music by returning to SMV where he taught for the three years until he joined the Freshmen. Tommy has shared the stage with several Grammy nominated musicians, including jazz pianist Fred Hersch, and critically acclaimed jazz vocalist Kate McGarry. He is an avid soccer player and cyclist and has toured across the midwest and around the Pacific Northwest on his bicycle, and believes there is no better way to explore an area or the world than on a bicycle. He currently resides in Des Moines, IA. While on the road, he misses his kitties, Alice and Little Brother, more than anything."
- from the Four Freshman website

"Robert Espe currently plays violin full-time with Des Moines Symphony as well as the wcfsymphony. He is a member of the Metro Chamber Ensemble and a regular sub with Quartet 515. He plays with several area ensembles ranging from folk and rock to klezmer and tango and is an experienced pit orchestra musician.

Robert grew up in Independence, IA and began his violin studies at the age of three with the UNI Suzuki School in Cedar Falls, IA. He was briefly concertmaster of the UNI Symphony Orchestra during his undergraduate studies, before earning a B.S. in Bioinformatics, Minor in Music in 2011.

In addition to his work as a violinist, he is also a professional freelance saxophonist, regularly appearing with Turner Center Jazz Ensemble and the Des Moines Big Band, and is an on-call sideman for local and visiting artists at Des Moines’ jazz cabaret, Noce. He is also a semi-regular horn section member of the Colorado-based, modern funk, roots, and vintage soul band Euforquestra. He has also performed with numerous musical icons including pop superstar Katy Perry and Motown legends The Temptations. As a mandolinist, he is a founding member of Choro Moingona, Des Moines’ premier choro ensemble."
- from his entry on the Des Moines Symphony website

Jazzman Joe for the videos' YouTube page: "NOCE JAZZ CABARET PRESENTED A JAZZ ON THE HOUSE EVENT FEATURING TOMMY BOYNTON, PIANO AND VOCALS (MEMBER OF FOUR FRESHMAN GROUP), AND ROBERT ESPE ON TENOR SAXOPHONE IN A VARIED CONCERT OF BALLADS."

IMSC Ep 42 - Song 6: "Way Out" (excerpt) by Robert Espe

"Raised in Independence, Iowa, Robert Espe began his musical career at the age of three, when his parents enrolled him in Suzuki violin training. Eventually, he would go on to learn piano, saxophone, flute and clarinet before graduating high school. In college, he played lead alto and lead tenor in the University of Northern Iowa's legendary Jazz Band One, and was briefly the concertmaster of the UNI Symphony Orchestra. He eventually graduated from UNI in 2011 with a B.S. in Bioinformatics, and a minor in Music.

"During his tenure at UNI and since, Robert has performed professionally in venues from NYC to Portland. His extensive pedigree includes performing with many Iowa-bred bands such as Lick It Ticket, Euforquestra, The Uniphonics, Bob Dorr and the Blue Band, Big Funk Guarantee, and Checker and the Bluetones, and ensembles such as the Des Moines Symphony and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Wartburg Symphony, Jim McDonough's Holiday Grande, and Theatre Cedar Rapids. As an educator, he directed the Independence Jazz Band from Independence High School during the '09-'10 jazz season, and has been a counselor for jazz camps at IHS, UNI, and Simpson College He also works with local schools and students as an instructor and advisor."
- from his home page