Our Special Vocalists

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Kathy Stanton

It was in rain soaked southeast Alaska that Kathy discovered Jazz. In 1990 the Ketchikan Jazz Society Big Band, under the direction of Dale Curtis, asked her to sing up front. With that group she had the opportunity to work with Bobby Shew, Dan Bukvich and perform in Juneau Alaska for the Wally Hickel Governor’s Ball. Kathy moved back to Washington in 1996, and has performed with the Bravo Vancouver Choir, the Grotto Singers, and recorded a tune for Daryl Davis. Currently she sings with The Swing Street Glenn Tadina Big Band, The Black Magic Band, jazz pianist Steve Christofferson.

 

 

 

Ken Willeford

While being a dentist by trade, Dr. Ken Willeford has been involved with music performance for 40 years. In high school, while his contemporaries were listening to the likes of “The Beatles”, Ken was into the sounds of those “Kings of Cool” – Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra.

At age 19, One of his first jazz singing engagements began back in 1971 singing with the Leroy Anderson Big Band at the Hoyt Hotel in Portland. Dr. Ken then spent several years “cutting his teeth” on country music while playing bass & singing with several Portland area Country bands. While he much enjoyed performing country music, Ken has always felt his true passion (and forte’), is singing Big Band style Jazz. After raising a family and selling his dental practice a few years ago, he has become very active in the Portland/Salem Jazz scene.

Ken can be found as a soloist with several bands, and is occasionally a featured performer at clubs, such as Tony Starlight’s Lounge. Regarding Glenn Tadina's Swing Street Band, Ken says, " They are exceptionally special to me - due to their very professional sound and fantastic arrangements".