Meet the Pros

Introducing the Professional Jazz Musicians

For more on our visiting pros, visit: LA6jazz.com, clayjenkinsmusic.com, dickweller.com, iranepus.com, ragsdale-music.com, mattharrismusic.com

Clay Jenkins, trumpet: Clay's performing career began at an early age playing with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. He moved to Los Angeles in 1978 and toured with the Buddy Rich Band and Count Basie Orchestra. Since moving to Rochester, NY to join the Eastman School of Music faculty in 2000, Clay has remained active throughout the U.S. and abroad. He continues to perform and record with the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, of which he is a charter member. Clay has released 8 solo recordings including his latest release, “Good Signs.” He’s played with many jazz greats including Milt Jackson, Lyle Mays, Billy Childs, Ray Brown, Kurt Elling, John Pizzarelli, Karrin Allyson, Diana Krall and Gene Bertoncini. Clay is in the finishing stages of writing a book about the great trumpet player, Eugene “Snooky” Young, who he was close to for 26 years on the “Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.” The book is to be published in early 2026. 

Ira Nepus, trombone: Ira grew up in Los Angeles, the son of one of the founders of the Hot Club of France in the 1930s. He played his first jazz concert at age 15. He, too, is a charter member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. He has recorded with Paul McCartney (Kisses On The Bottom), Elton John, Leon Russell (The Union), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (all albums), Elvis Costello, BB king (2009 Grammy Winner) and has also performed and recorded with many of the jazz greats: Benny Carter, Woody Herman, Johnny Mandel, Quincy Jones, Gerald Wilson, Nelson Riddle, Lionel Hampton, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, Spongebob: Band Geeks episode, and Cab Calloway to name a few.

Dick Weller, drums: With influences spanning jazz, classic rock and Dixieland, Dick Weller is a dynamic drummer and composer, celebrated for his rock-solid groove and deep musicality. He has performed with a variety of acclaimed artists including the big bands of Bob Florence and Ladd McIntosh, the Percy Faith Orchestra, Billy Vaughn Orchestra, and with legends like Florence Henderson, John Davidson and The Four Freshmen. Currently, he performs with the LA6 Jazz Ensemble, the Side Street Strutters and the Sinatra Tribute Band. In addition to his performance career, Dick was an affiliate faculty member at the State University of New York and California State University, Northridge for 20 years.  He has recently been teaching as a guest artist in both the Newberry Park and Oxnard school systems in Ventura County, California.   

Chris Symer, bass: A Southern California native, Chris Symer was well established in the L.A. jazz scene before moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2002. He has since become one of Seattle’s top-tier bass players, highly regarded for his versatile and sensitive musicianship. Equally comfortable in the classroom, stage or recording studio, Chris applies his training in classical and jazz performance so as to fit into almost any musical situation. He has recorded, performed and toured with such jazz artists as Ramsey Lewis, Tierney Sutton, Roger Kellaway, Robbin Ford and Bennie Maupin - and has toured South America several times with Bill Anschell and Johnaye Kendrick. Chris plays around with an unusual tuning of his double bass, in fifths an octave below the cello, for a fascinating tonal palette.

Steven Ragsdale, saxophone: is a jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger from Southern California. He has performed

with a variety of groups including the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and big bands led by Bill Cunliffe, Ladd

McIntosh, Pete Meyers, Luke Carlson and Buddy Rich. He has also worked with many other projects and studio

sessions with pop artists, composers and orchestras. An adjunct professor of music at Riverside Community

College and jazz director at Vista Murrieta High School, Steven also works with young students, both privately

and as a school clinician.

Matthew Harris, piano:  From Southern California, Matt Harris is a clinician, conductor, composer and jazz piano instructor. He

currently teaches combos and private lessons at California State University Northridge and Loyola Marymount

University in Los Angeles. Matt has been commissioned to write music for bands all over the world: Denmark,

Germany, New Zealand, Japan, China, Turkey and schools and orchestras/bands throughout the U.S. He has

played with jazz legends including Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Jimmy Cobb, Bobby Shew, Bob Sheppard,

Peter Erskine and Joe Morello, as well as playing with or writing for such jazz vocalists as Karrin Allyson, Kevin

Mahogany, Diane Schuur and Kurt Elling.