Mentor Roster

Daniel Barry has conducted concerts of his compositions for large jazz orchestra with professional and student ensembles throughout South America, Europe and North America. He is the recipient of an Artist Trust Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, a 4Culture grant, and Composer-in-Residence appointments in Campinas, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Visby, Sweden, and Chelva, Spain.

20 + years

13 years of playing experience in a wide variety of professional settings. Has performed in jazz, classical, Brazilian, and pop styles as bandleader and sideman. Ensemble direction and arranging, private lesson instruction for students ages 8 and up.

Music educator in the greater Seattle area since 1986.

Clinician and Adjudicator for Festivals and Solo and Ensemble Competitions.

Founder and leader of the Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra and Jim Cutler Quartet.

Performed with numerous national artists including Eddie Daniels, Ray Charles, Dave Weckl, The Manhattan Transfer, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Johnny Mathis. Jim has also performed with both the Harry James Orchestra and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.

I have over 35 years of professional experience as a bassist. I have done thousands of gigs, shows, concerts, and events. As a small business owner, I have a booking agency supplying clients for their entertainment event needs since 1999. I have taught private bass lessons since college and have owned a music teaching service.

Dan retired from teaching in 2019 after a 30-year teaching career, primarily in Auburn and Federal Way. Most of that time was spent teaching band and orchestra at the beginning and middle school levels, including 17 years at Sacajawea Middle School In Federal Way.

Dan has worked as a freelance trombonist in the Seattle area since the 1980s. Dan's experience includes playing everything from Classical to rock and salsa and especially jazz. Dan is currently a member of The Jazz Police big band in Seattle and The Swingin Sixties Orchestra.

Director of Bands, Pullman HS 1990-95

Director of Jazz Studies & Woodwinds, College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls, ID) 1999-2017

Assistant Jazz Director, Snohomish HS, 2017-present

Performed and recorded with a variety of jazz, rock, and classical groups, including some notable artists, such as: Ernestine Anderson, Diane Schur, Rick Mandyke, Don Lanphere, Ray Charles, Brian Auger, Mark Taylor, Brent Jensen, and Dave Peterson. I also performed on bass with the Everett Symphony Orchestra for 25 years. I have composed over 300 registered pieces, and my recordings have been used in films, television, radio, commercials, and internet programs, such as: A Dog's Purpose, Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, Master of None, The Kathy Griffin Show, Tosh.0, John Oliver, The Rob and Big Show, and Desperate Housewives. My music is featured on 3 CD's - Home Run, Daddyo's Double Play, and Sliding Into Third, and on compilations for iTunes and YouTube.

Social Work - adult mental health - 1984 - 1995.
Non-profit agency volunteer management - 1995 - 2019.
Jazz piano performance - solo, ensembles, 1991 - present.
Music mentoring with children and adolescents - 1997 - 2004.
Individual piano lessons - adults and children - 1997 - present.

Jeremy Shaskus is a woodwinds performer, composer/arranger living in the greater Seattle area. He is a graduate of the infamous Roosevelt High School and alumni of William Paterson University’s jazz program. Since moving back to Seattle in 2012 Jeremy has been a featured artist and panel favorite 2 years in a row for Earshot’s Jazz in the 2nd Century festival, recorded with esteemed Seattle bands Picwic and Moondoggies as well as many other things associated with working freelance.