Los Angeles based guitarist Graham Dechter is one of the most promising young jazz musicians on the scene today. At age 19, Dechter became the youngest member of the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO), which was named best big band in Jazz Times magazine in 2006. Through his association with CHJO and other playing experience, he has had the opportunity to perform with jazz greats Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Jeff Clayton, Nancy Wilson, John Pizzarelli, Ernie Andrews, Barbara Morrison, Red Holloway, Les McCann, Regina Carter, Stefon Harris, Marlena Shaw, Kurt Elling, Roy Hargrove, Russell Malone, Roberta Gambarini, Gilbert Castellanos, Clark Terry, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Phil Woods, John Faddis, Billy Taylor, Quincy Jones and Snooky Young, to name a few. He has played in prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center and The Hollywood Bowl and in major jazz festivals including the Playboy Jazz Festival, the Brubeck Festival, the Detroit Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. Dechter's musical education is also impressive, having studied at the Idyllwild Arts Academy, the Eastman School of Music and California Institute of the Arts. His list of teachers include guitarists Larry Koonse, Jim Fox and Peter Bernstein, as well as saxophonist George Coleman and bassist Marshall Hawkins, both veterans of the Miles Davis Quintet. As well as being an accomplished guitarist, Dechter also arranges and composes for different ensembles including his own trio, a group that sheds new light on well known standards. Graham Dechter's playing style is forward-thinking yet firmly rooted in swing and the straight ahead jazz tradition.

(up-dated 12.26.07)