THE MADS MEN

Colin Hogan

Colin Hogan was born in San Francisco to a very musical family. He began studying drums in the 1st grade, started experimenting with the guitar in middle school, and finally discovered his true passion for piano in high school. Colin was a member of the world renowned Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble alongside “young lions” Ambrose Akinmusire, Justin Brown, and Thomas Pridgen while also studying with the Jazzschool’s founder, Susan Muscarella. He then attended Cal State East Bay (Hayward) where he earned a BA in piano performance.

Colin has performed on five continents playing everything from jazz, funk, salsa, and hip-hop to tango and Balinese gamelan. He has performed with many legendary jazz musicians including James Moody, Peter Erskine, Bob Brookmeyer, Roy Ayers, and Maria Schneider. In 2004 he performed with electric bass revolutionary Larry Graham of Sly and the Family Stone at the California Music Awards which was nationally televised.

Colin is currently involved in many projects including Hip-Hop/R&B group Dynamic, local jazz/groove/experimental collective the Jazz Mafia, international cafe music group Trio Zincalo and jazz/funk/fusion band The Hog Bros. with brothers Steve and Julian. He currently lives in Oakland, CA.

Sam Bevan

Since moving to San Francisco in 1999, Sam Bevan has established himself as one of the most versatile and creative bassists in the Bay Area. Bevan is able to canvas a large musical landscape where jazz, funk, R&B, folk and Afro-Cuban disciplines joyously intermingle. His sound is in response to the history of modern jazz, yet it’s his composer’s ear which informs his overall concept. Bevan explains, “Since I began my musical life as a pianist, including experiences composing and arranging for pop/rock, jazz and salsa bands, I have gained a much broader sense of the role of the bass. I am very content providing support and feel as a part of the rhythm section, as well as listening for appropriate moments to push the music into new territory. My goal is to introduce interpretations of the music which are interesting and creative without compromising the lead melodic instrument.”

The foundation was laid for Bevan’s career where he began classical piano lessons at the age of four. Sam’s adoption of the electric and acoustic bass followed periods playing jazz and classical piano, singing professionally and getting a BA in French. After attending college in Salt Lake City, he now resides a few miles from where he was born in Oakland, California.

Throughout his professional life, Sam has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of artists including: David Grisman, Roswell Rudd, Joshua Redman, Kenny Washington, Stacey Kent, Jim Kweskin, Maria Muldaur, Geoff Muldaur, Joe Craven, Houston Person, Zigaboo Modeliste, Joe Locke, Jackie Ryan, Jacqui Naylor, Jesus Diaz, Fito Reinoso, Louie Romero, Karl Perazzo, Carlos Caro, Jackie Rago, The VNote Ensemble, Marco Granados, Matt Flinner, Scott Nygaard, Roberta Donnay, Meklit Hadero, Lisa Engelken, Industrial Jazz Group, Mamadou Sidibe, Monk’s Music Trio, the Kin, Stevie Coyle, Calaveras, Telepathy, Mercury Falls, Mestiza, Nathan Clevenger Group, New Pickle Family Circus, Chelle & Friends, Bjorkestra, Fil Lorenz Orchestra and the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra.

“Bay Area jazzman Bevan is a bassist for all occasions, as his quintet session bounces easily from hard-bop to groove-oriented jazz rock. It’s Bevan’s combination of tone, swing and chops that makes this line so fine.”
– JD Constantine, Guitar World’s Bass Guitar

“Articulate, focused and highly musical, Bevan’s sense of melody and rhythmic thrust showcase his talent. Tight arrangements and well conceived writing goes to show that Bevan is a multi-dimensional artist with much to offer.”
– Randy McElligot, Jazzreview

“Bassist Sam Bevan does not disappoint…Bevan’s heavy bass work provides a strong foundation not only on this track, but throughout the entire album.”
– Jonah Berman, Jazz Times

“Sam Bevan was out-of-sight. His bass-playing was steady, yet extremely snappy, upbeat and somehow exciting as hell. His distinct style is a combination of his unconventional phrasing and his tendency to play the bottom end in a higher register than most funk players.”
– Rob Winkler, Jambase

Eric Garland

Eric Garland has been playing drums and composing music in the bay area for over 20 years. Moving from the Sierra Nevada’s in the early 90’s to attend SF State University, Eric quickly became immersed in the local bay area music scene playing everything from jazz to drum n’ bass.

Eric has worked with many great artists from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond including Roy Ayers (with Jazz Mafia Symphony), Bobby McFerrin (with Brass Monkey Brass Band), hip hop artist Lyrics Born, singer songwriter Anais Mitchell, and in 2005, 60’s icon Donovan.

Current musical projects revolve around Karina Denike, Realistic Orchestra/Treat Street Social Club, accordionist Rob Reich, Tin Cup Serenade, Bay Area Composers Big Band and Brass Monkey Brass Band and violinist Mads Tolling.

Eric co-leads the band Klaxon Mutant Allstars with trumpeter Henry Hung and his own sextet, Eric Garlands Hodge Podge Ensemble, and every Wednesday he leads the jazz jam session at Amnesia in San Francisco.