Bios Page - The Music of Ginger and Scott

Scott Whitfield (trombonist, composer, arranger, and vocalist) is rapidly gaining international recognition for his work with contemporary big bands, including the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra and the new edition of Johnny Griffin’s Big Soul Band, as well as his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestras (East AND West). In addition to Whitfield’s own recordings, his compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by such artists as Diva, Maurice Hines,The Pied Pipers, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, and Pete Petersen’s 23-strong Collection Jazz Orchestra. The discography of Scott Whitfield includes 7 recordings as leader and more than 50 recordings with other artists.

A frequent clinician and guest artist for Bach Stradivarius trombones, Whitfield has appeared throughout the world, from Australia to Zurich, sharing his expertise on trombone technique, improvisation, composition, arranging, and jazz history. His “The J.J. Johnson Collection” (published by Hal Leonard) has inspired many trombonists, young and old.

Upon settling in New York in 1993, Scott became a member of the Nat Adderley Sextet, which also included Jimmy Cobb, Walter Booker, Vincent Herring and Rob Bargad. The group’s engagements at Sweet Basil led to fruitful associations with Nnenna Freelon, Frank Wess, and Lionel Hampton, among others.

From 1998 to 2002, Whitfield served on the jazz faculty at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, teaching trombone, composition and arranging, and improvisation, while also coordinating the school’s combo program. During this period, one of Scott’s composition students placed third in a worldwide field of contestants in the Thad Jones International Jazz Composition Competition.

The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra (first founded while Scott was pursuing his Master’s degree at North Texas State University) now has TWO incarnations: the SWJO East, based in New York; and the SWJO West, based in Whitfield’s new home of Los Angeles. Both of these aggregations feature some of the top players in the business. Plans are in the works for a large project featuring the combined, bi-coastal orchestra.

For more than a year, the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra East was in residence at New York’s Birdland, the Jazz Corner of the World, culminating in the exciting “Live at Birdland” CD, released in April 2004 on Summit Records. “The Minute Game,” featuring the SWJO West, was released in February 2005, and features Whitfield’s groundbreaking composition “Hiccups.” More recently, “Diamonds For Nat,” released in February 2006, is a special 75th Birthday tribute to Scott’s mentor, the late Nat Adderley, featuring the SWJO East once again. The CD skyrocketed to number FIVE in jazz radio airplay in its THIRD WEEK!

Although Scott now makes his home in Los Angeles, he continues to commute to New York for appearances. His writing has been compared to that of some of his biggest influences, including Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Bill Holman, Rob McConnell, Bob Florence, and Ernie Wilkins.

Jazz gem Ginger Berglund has been crafting a multi-faceted career since her earliest days as cornerstone of her church's children's choir. Ginger has sung with the St. Olaf Choir, Kenny Rankin, recorded for Steve Allen with pianist Paul Smith, and worked with the great Brazilian jazz vocalist Flora Purim and premier percussionist Airto Moreira. She is a featured singer with the Jumpin' Joz swing 'n jive dance band, Pasadena Pops Big Band, Bruce Eskovitz quartet, and the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra. Whenever she's in Los Angeles, Ginger stars with the Tracy Wells Big Band at Alpine Village in Torrance, CA every second Monday of every month.

The Artios Group has just released (Jan.’08) a duo album called “Dreamsville” with Ginger and the great trombonist, Scott Whitfield. The reviews are glowing, and the airplay is growing. It also features a stunning interpretation of the Fran Landesman/Tommy Wolf song, “Listen, Little Girl” with the Grammy award winning pianist and arranger, Bob Florence. Ginger was admitted to the Screen Actor's Guild for her work in the comedy movie "Kiss My Grits." She also appeared in the Martin Scorsese film "The King of Comedy" with Jerry Lewis and Tony Randall. Along the way Ginger has worked and sung with one jazz great after another: Jennifer Leitham, Danny Gottlieb, Mark Egan, Kei Akagi, Roy McCurdy, Shelley Berg.

In addition to her gigging life, Ginger's talents have led her to have been concurrently involved in other interesting business endeavors such as for Jane Fonda's Workout and the UCSD's new Rady School of Management. While at UCLA's Anderson School of Business, her work with international schools of business afforded her opportunities to sing in many cities around the world during PIM (Partnership in International Business) conferences. She's worked in commercials (acting and singing), and recorded for many songwriters. Her image is permanently etched into the artwork of the Pasadena Gold Line, Lake Metro station west. An avid rider herself, she says "Go Gold!"

Ginger got her first break at 15, debuting with Pasadena's favorite choral director, Jim Coday, and singing with his group Vanity Fair at Ronald Reagan's Gubernatorial Inaugural Ball. Other dates quickly followed, including performances at the Dodger Stadium Fourth of July Family Show and Mitzi Gaynor's Christmas Show at LA's Shrine Auditorium.