Jane Dean-Burkhart
Born in Iloilo City, Philippines, Jane immigrated with her mother to Canada when she was 2 years old. At the age of 4, her parents put her in piano lessons and she started training classically. By competing in regional festivals in Saskatchewan and being placed in the top 3, Jane showed immense talent at such a young age. Jane and her family moved to British Columbia where she attended high school and college. When she joined the jazz band and jazz choir in high school she was hooked to that style of music. Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, and Keith Jarrett are just a few of the great musicians that have influenced Jane throughout her learning experience.
Jane started working as a professional musician in high school and it was her calling. With no hesitation, she pursued this as a long-term career. She had the pleasure of studying with Alan Matheson, Ross Taggart, Chris Sigerson, Rejean Marois and Brad Turner. Having completed her Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at Capilano College in 2004, she decided to expand her music geographically by performing on cruise ships. That was where she met Seth and soon after formed their trio, Opus 3.
So far, Jane has shared the stage with such greats as Dee Daniels, Kurt Elling, Ray Brown, Bob Mintzer, Dave Young, Seamus Blake, Pat LaBarbera and Hugh Fraser.
Nelson Cruz
Growing up in Newark, New Jersey. Nelson comes from a family of musicians, his grandfather, father, brothers, and uncles so music was an everyday affair at home with rehearsals, guitar lessons and singing.
At age 10 he picked up his first instrument, an acoustic guitar from his older brother who gave him his first lesson by ear. His older brother had a guitar method book and started to teach Nelson how to read and it was enough to make him thrive in learning everything he could on his own.
While practicing guitar, he notice this beautiful round sound that came from the last strings of the guitar (G-D-A-E) same strings on a bass. He would emulate the bass lines to whatever songs he could hear.
After hearing Nelson playing some bass lines on the acoustic guitar , his brother told his mother that Nelson has some talent for playing the bass, so his mother bought him a bass guitar. At age 14 he then started his first formal bass lessons at a private music school for a ye
ar. Soon after taking lessons for a one year Nelson began playing with many top local acts in San Juan. Today Nelson is one of the top bassist in all of Puerto Rico.
Nelson is a self taught musician, through the years enjoys writing transcriptions, and asking questions and experiences on the road are basically the tools that shaped his skills to make him a musician.
Seth Burkhart
Seth has been immersed in music since he was born. Taking cues from his father, a huge fan of jazz and a professor of art, Seth has always had an inherent connection to music. The Burkhart family moved from New York City to Nantucket Island when Seth was 9. Primarily self-taught at the age of 13, Seth began to work locally on the island with Gary Trainor, his music teacher and mentor. This was an incredible time and Seth continued to perform all through high school. All of this payed off and Burkhart received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. He studied for two years before landing a national tour with the Skatterbrains. Since then Seth has made it as a full time musician, performing, touring and recording with such names as Wally Richardson, Debra Cox, Big Engine, The Untouchables and Greg Baril.
Currently, Seth Burkhart leads the jazz trio "Opus 3," consisting of piano, bass and drums. Over the past few years, this trio has performed throughout North America and internationally. Opus 3 has received sensational feedback from producers, agents and management companies. This trio prides itself on, performance, professionalism and the ability to communicate with the audience. Opus 3 is releasing their self titled CD, this spring 2008. Presently, the trio is set to release there 2nd CD called “This Time Around” by mid April with engineer/musician, Alan Evans from Soulive.
Seth is endorsed by Sabian Cymbals & Vic Firth Drum Sticks, Brushes & Mallets.
