Artist description The Geoffrey Hicks Quartet features the always swinging vocals and piano stylings of Geoffrey Dana Hicks, one of Boston's most respected musicians and music educators. The Quartet plays jazz standards and original jazz instrumental and vocal compositions by Mr. Hicks and alto saxophonist Willie Sordillo. Mr. Hicks has been compared to Nat King Cole by noted Boston deejay Ron Della Chisa of WGBH, but Hicks has developed a style all his own. Many of the arrangements and compositions offer a decidedly Latin approach, but if there is one unifying factor in the Quartet's music it is this simple maxim: "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!"

Music Style Jazz

Musical Influences Nat Cole, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Duke Ellington

Similar Artists Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra

Artist History A gifted pianist who swings hard whether playing Waller, Ellington or Sinatra, Geoffrey Hicks has been compared to Nat "King" Cole by WGBH's Ron Della Chiesa- a compliment which, though flattering, doesn't quite do Mr. Hicks justice for his own very personal style. Perhaps more to the point is John Robinson's comment in the Boston Globe that Geoffrey Hicks "can swing a crowded room into a state of bliss", especially when accompanied by his current quartet of Manny Santos, Doug Rich, and Willie Sordillo. A seasoned performer, recording artist, composer, teacher, arranger and conductor, Mr. Hicks shared the stage with Stevie Wonder in 1990 to play for Nelson Mandela and Senator Edward Kennedy at the Kennedy Library in Boston and was honored by Governor Michael Dukakis when he proclaimed December 14 "Geoffrey Dana Hicks Day". His numerous awards include a Horace Mann Grant and the Brookline Foundation Grant for commission of Sing it on the Mountain. Mr. Hicks has performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, at the White House, Carnegie Hall and at most of the major concert halls, hotels and jazz clubs in the Boston area including Symphony Hall and Scullers. He has performed before congressmen, presidents and international dignitaries. His recordings include Take Me Away and My Favorite Swings. Drummer Manny Santos has been playing professionally for over 25 years and is a long-time associate of Mr. Hicks. A proficient conga drummer as well as a master of the trap kit, Mr. Santos is well-known to patrons of Boston's fine hotels. In addition to his contributions to Mr. Hicks' quartet, Manny has accompanied such luminaries as Jackie Byard, Ricki Ford, Toni Lynn Washington, Donald Harrison, Rebecca Parris, Ran Blake, Sabby Lewis, Andre Ward and Webster Lewis. Manny's rhythmic sensibility contributes greatly to the shape and feel of the group's interpretation of all the music they play. A composer as well as a player, alto saxophonist Willie Sordillo's songs and arrangements have reached Billboard Magazine's top ten list in the World Music category and aired on television's ER. As co-director of the Latin ensemble, Flor de Caña, Willie toured throughout North and Latin America, Singapore and Hawaii and recorded two CDs for the Flying Fish Label. His two solo albums for Folkways are distributed by the Smithsonian Institution. He has shared the bill with Rubén Blades, Tito Puente, Richie Havens and Pete Seeger. When not performing with The Geoffrey Hicks Quartet, Willie leads his own jazz groups and freelances. With over fifteen years of experience in performance and studio work, bassist Doug Rich is a cum laude graduate of the Berklee College of Music and has studied with Avery Sharpe. Doug lays down the low end for such groups as the Voices of Myrtle, the Worcester Mass Choir, The Patrick Mottaz Trio, Dr. Ming and Greff, Shaw & Rich. He has worked with Lionel Hampton and has opened for the Winans with Vanessa Bell Armstrong. His recordings include I Have Prayed For You (1994) with the Myrtle Baptist Church Choir, Greff, Shaw, and Rich Live (1990), and The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow (1988) with the New Jerusalem Mass Choir.The Geoffrey Hicks Quartet has been playing primarily in the Boston area for the past three years in all kinds of venues, including sold out shows at the prestigous Scullers Jazz Club, and Geoff has been heard on WGBS's "Eric in the Evening", hosted by Eric Jackson.

Group Members Geoffrey Hicks: Piano and vocalsWillie Sordillo: alto saxophoneManny Santos: drums and percussionDoug Rich: acoustic bass

Instruments piano, alto saxophone, drums, bass

Albums Cartagena (Altima International KMA - 2010); also by Geoffrey Hicks: My Favorite Swings

Location Boston, MA - USA

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