The Valentines Jazz Trio
GARY TODD
Bass
Gary is a US American institution in the German Jazz scene. In the 60s he toured with the Stan Kenton Big Band, then finally came from California to Munich – and has remained one of the most sought-after bass players all over Europe since. His cooperations read like the ‚Who’s Who‘ of the top stars in Jazz.
DITTMAR HESS
Drums
The drummer (born in Heidelberg) works with several big bands as well as jazz and soul groups, mostly in the Southern German area but also abroad in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. He has contributed to various CD and radio productions. He works as a music teacher and workshop leader.
Dittmar Hess lives and works in Munich.
PETER WEGELE
Piano
The jazz pianist and arranger Peter Wegele, whom the Süddeutsche Zeitung praised as being one of the most creative pianists in the Munich area (Jörg Konrad), studied at the Graz conservatory and attended seminars by Ray Brown, Joe Pass, Wynton Marsalis, Bob Brookmeyer, Chuck Israels, Barry Harris, Clark Terry, Bill Dobbins and others.
He played concerts all over Germany but also in the U.S.A. (New York), Great Britain (Leeds International Festival of Music) as well as Slovenia, Serbia, Kroatia, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, France, Denmark, Finland, Austria and Switzerland.
He has worked with musicians like Mark Murphy, Lee Harper, Klemens Pliem, Omar Belmonte, Edir dos Santos, Philipp Weiss, Nizza Thobi, Luisa Celentano, Raquelle Chavis as well as Grupo Veneno do Brasil, Thomas Bendzko Bigband, Jazztett Forum Graz and many others.
Besides playing several hundreds of concerts, TV and radio shows Peter Wegele has been pianist and arranger for recordings with Philipp Weiss (Bennett Studios New York), Nizza Thobi (Jerusalem/Munich), Thomas Bendzko Bigband, Dox Octet (Jazz), The Funny Valentines (Vocal Jazz Quartet), Posterity (Jazz), Darja Svajger (Chanson), Liz Howard (Gospel), just to name a few.
Hans Albers revue with the actor Tommi Piper. Chanson program with Loretta Stern. Composer for the award-winning film „The Secret Behind“ and first prize at the Benelux Song Award for the jazz song „Taxi“, together with Philipp Weiss. Signature tune for the Spanish TV channel EiTB. In June 2007 CD recording with Annedore Wienert at the RTS Studios in Maribor/Slovenia (Necessarily Two).
In cooperation with Florian Moser composer and arranger for several musicals and cine films as well as the remake of the opener for the TV series „Marienhof“. Since 2009 lectures on film music at various universities.
Arranger of the inaugural hymn of the WCG in Cologne. In 2009 on tour with Charles M. Huber (musical Mandela), in 2010 arranger of the suite „Lippls Traum“ for the film festival in Munich.
„Peter Wegele – remember that name“ (Mark Murphy)
„Peter Wegele – a wonderful pianist“ (Sheila Jordan)
„Peter Wegele gehört zu den kreativsten Pianisten im Münchner Raum“ (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Eric Stevens, our beloved bass player and friend of many years, passed away on September 3, 2022.
May he rest in peace – or set the jazz heaven on fire.