John Hines
John Hines came out of the successful, state championship student jazz
program at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. After studying
under Ray Smith (Brigham Young University) in Provo, Utah, he played
with the internationally known big band, Synthesis, including opening
for Gerry Mulligan's big band at the 1988 Montreux Jazz Festival, and
for Carlos Santana at the 1988 Antibes Jazz Festival outside Monte
Carlo, France. After building a successful career in advertising and
technology marketing, he picked up his playing pace when he moved to
Denver in 1993. While still doing it on the side, he plays
professionally for several orchestral and jazz groups in and around the
Denver area, including frequent performances with his own John Hines
Quintet/Hines DeVine Jazz.
He was an active supporter of the Colorado Jazz Workshop for several
years, primarily under the tutelage of trumpet virtuoso Hugh Ragin, and
is involved with several efforts to bring more jazz to Denver.
In 2004, John was signed to the Capri Records label, and released his
first major CD, 'In The Pocket,' which was met with significant critical
acclaim. The title song, an original by Hines, was a finalist in the
2005 International Songwriter Competition in the Jazz category. John was
also a featured ensemble player and soloist on the 2005 CD release,
'Pag's Groove,' by composer/arranger/ pianist Michael Pagan (also under
the Capri Records label).
In November, 2005, John was selected to perform with the KUVO 20th
Anniversary All-Star band, with Hugh Ragin, Paul Romaine, Phil Urso,
Kenny Walker, Eric Gunnison, and others, which opened for visiting
artist Marian McPartland.
His playing has been described as being a mix of Curtis Fuller and
Steve Turre, but with an almost “vocal quality” that makes him easy to
access and internalize. And his compositions and arrangements are all
solidly rooted in jazz melodies which feel good to the listener. Think
of him as the “Chuck Mangione of the modern jazz trombone.”
? According to Ann Braithwaite:
“Hines' trombone voice is striking in its tonal clarity, and he
never succumbs to mawkishness. Hines has an attractive musical
personality that's shaped by familiarity with his instrument in the jazz
past and present. His articulate lines suggest those of Curtis Fuller,
the renowned Jazz Messenger and Count Basie sideman, in their pleasing
melodic disposition. Hines's musical ideas draw on swing and bebop but
also on jazz from present times; contemporary trombonists Steve Turre
and Robin Eubanks would join older players Slide Hampton and Bob
Brookmeyer in approving of what results from his creative thought. The
colors and accents Hines tucks into the flow of each of [his] tracks
keep the flow of the music constantly riveting to the ears. Glad to say,
first-rate musicianship goes hand in hand with the carefully managed
emotion at the core of his playing.”
John can be heard regularly throughout Denver with multiple big bands,
as well as his and Donna’s own sextet, Hines DeVine Jazz, which is a
strong, accessible ensemble consisting of Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Bass
& Drums, and featuring the talented and beautiful Donna DeVine on
vocals. This group has gained a following by playing a wide range of
both original and familiar music which is ever-changing and always
surprising.
This is the only group actively playing trombone-vocal jazz duet
arrangements, providing an intriguing combination which connects with
listeners both young and old, and introduces them to a whole new way of
looking at jazz music.
Donna DeVine
Donna DeVine is one of the strongest vocal jazz artists today, but she
didn’t just start there. She started receiving recognition in her home
town of Roseburg, Oregon, by being selected as a freshman to play the
lead Marion the Librarian in the 1982 production of ‘The Music Man.’ It
sold out every show at a large college auditorium, adding additional
shows by request. The show was met with such notoriety that the cast of
University Of Oregon, who was performing it also that year, came to see
the production. She followed by lead roles in multiple musicals, most
notably her stirring 1984 performance as Maria in ‘West Side Story.’
She brought this solid start as a powerful vocalist in the Purduettes
Show Choir; auditioned for in strict competition at Purdue
University. She was selected as one of the three leads in the
Purduettes’ jazz touring trio, singing to 50,000+-sized crowds and doing
alumni tours all over the state of Florida and extensively in Indiana.
She was awarded the coveted title of Purduette of the Year in 1991.
In 1996, after relocating to Denver she took a step to tackle another
musical style by becoming the lead singer in a crossover country-rock
band called Prairie’s Edge, honing her modern country/rock music singing
skills all around the Colorado region.
In 1998 Donna became the lead singer in a Rock band which she
co-founded called Flash Point, where she grew to love and know the power
of performing classic contemporary rock and pop songs with a strong
rock guitar and percussion ensemble in and around Denver.
In 2004, after meeting John Hines, she returned to her jazz roots by
becoming his lead singer. Her ability to absolutely mesmerize a crowd
was instantly recognized, and only grew over time. Because of her
diverse vocal experience over the years she has brought an ability to
sing not only the timeless jazz standards, but also contemporary,
popular songs ranging from Janis Joplin and Tina Turner to Norah Jones,
Queen Latifah, Diane Reeves, Sting, John Lennon, and even Lady Gaga.
The versatility that she brings vocally to the group brings ‘a little
something” for everyone to enjoy. The trombone-vocal duet arrangements
of these songs bring a fresh new twist to melodies which instantly
connect in a whole new way.
She can croon with the best on the jazz ballads that can bring goose
bumps, and in addition you can hear Donna’s strong, clear vocals on more
modern songs like “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” and ‘You & I.’ In an era
where true vocal talent is often overshadowed by quirky, warbly pop
singers, Donna’s pitch-perfect, expressive tonality and remarkable
stylistic range will be a welcome, refreshing addition to any jazz
library.
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