Bios
Matt Rinker (Guitar and Vocals)
Years of experience on DC’s alternative rock circuit with his former band, Graffiti, nurtured Matt’s virtuosity and high-energy bravado. Matt was also a member of the progressive Jazz group Stickman where he contributed his own unique compositional style to the band’s repertoire. He acquired his B.M.E. in 1993 at Howard University where he studied composition with Dr. Thomas Korth. Before entering Howard, Matt attended the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Virginia and also studied composition and arranging with Earl Jackson. In 2005, Matt acquired a Masters in music composition from George Mason University. He has performed for several local shows such as I’m getting My Act Togetherand Taking It On The Road at the Trinity Theater as well as Working at the Duke Ellington School. Matt has also worked with numerous local bands, performing throughout the metropolitan area in venues such as Blues Alley, the Kennedy Center, and at the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival. He can also be heard as a featured composer and performer with the University Guitar Ensemble on the 1990 Howard University Jazz Ensemble CD. Currently, Matt is the guitarist for the duo Entre Nous with vocalist Jeanette Dubois and is part of a duet group with vocalist/bassist Liza Albright. Matt is currently in his 26th year of teaching music for the Arlington County public school system.
Liza Albright (Bass and Vocals)
A lifelong native of the Washington, DC area, Liza has been involved in DC's music scene for over 25 years as a musician and vocalist. After studying classical guitar, opera, piano, percussion, and classical music theory in college, she began to study jazz bass under George Washington University (GWU) professor David Marsh. She has also been a member of several jazz ensembles and workshops at GWU including the GWU Big Band. She studied jazz vocals with nationally known recording artists Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston. Liza has performed as a freelance artist with a number of musicians including former Sweet Honey In the Rock vocalist Evelyn Harris and Grammy Award Winner Terri Lyne Carrington. While with the contemporary jazz group Windspirit, Liza had the honor of performing at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
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