Program Description
Event Details
The Friends of the Coronado Library and Hotel Del Coronado are proud to sponsor the Library's 2024 Summer Festival, which will take place from June through August, featuring concerts, lectures, demonstrations, and more. Doors will open 15 minutes before each performance.
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of be-bop jazz performances with The Ian Harland Jazz Quartet. Don't miss this chance to experience the vibrant sounds of jazz in a lively, community setting!
The Ian Harland Quartet features:
Ian Harland-Vibraphone
John Opferkuch-Piano
Doug Walker-Bass
Tyler Kreutel-Drums
Register to receive reminder emails only; registration does not guarantee seating for this event. Registration is not required.
Ian Harland Born in Carlsbad, CA, Ian Harland is a true native San Diegan. He began playing piano at age seven, taking lessons from his neighbor across the street. However, he quit a year later because he couldn't understand how two people could possibly play together and stay on time. He didn't understand rhythm! Ironically enough, at age eleven, Harland decided to start playing drums. He formed a band with his brother and neighbor called Beyond Recognition. They played rock 'n' roll and wrote their own music. However, the band disolved as his brother and friend developed other interests while Harland remained intently focused on music. Throughout high school, Harland would continue to expand his musical taste and professionalism.
When Harland was fifteen, he began playing African drums with the San Diego group Ho Asogli. They performed throughout the county at venues such as The Neurosciences Institute (now TSRI) and World Beat Center at Balboa Park. Also at age fifteen, the young artist took up lessons with ragtime xylophonist Morris Palter. This was Harland's first exposure to mallet percussion. After high school, he attended San Diego State University (SDSU) where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's of Music in Jazz Studies. During his studies at SDSU, he became increasingly interested in harmony and composition. This led Harland's studies towards mallets rather than drum set. When his teacher, Anthony Smith, moved to New York, Harland bought Smith's vibraphone and set out to become fluent as an improvisor and composer on the instrument.
Now, Harland performs and records professionally throughout the greater San Diego area. You're likely to find him rocking out on drums in Oceanside or swinging on the vibes downtown. He is also an exceptional teacher for all ages and skill levels - not only on drums and vibes, but on guitar, bass, and piano as well!
John Opferkuch
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Opferkuch attended Yale, graduating in 1985 with a degree in Music. While in college he studied privately with pianists Anthony Davis and Harold Danko. He also attended New England Conservatory where he studied with Fred Hersch and Jaki Byard, among others.Opferkuch has performed with a wide range of jazz and popular artists including Teddy Charles (vibraphonist with Charles Mingus), Peter Sprague, Jeff Berlin, Kenny Rankin, and Charles MacPherson. John’s solo CD “The Kennedy Files" features his original compositions performed with guitarist Peter Sprague, drummer Duncan Moore, bassist Dave Enos, and percussionist Tommy Aros.
Doug Walker
Versatile bassist Doug Walker pours his love of music into every performance. He has been on the San Diego scene since 2001, backing up many of the city’s renowned artists across the spectrum of musical genres. His particular passion for modern jazz has afforded him performances with many local legends, and has inspired an abundance of original compositions and arrangements. Whether he’s accompanying the various styles of jazz, earthy blues, funky soul, breakneck bluegrass or folky roots-rock, Walker’s classically trained, jazz-minded approach merges with his stylistic faithfulness—a rare combination that has earned him praise among these intersecting circles of musicians.
Tyler Kreutel
Born and raised in San Diego, California, he took up the drums at the age of 12 in his middle school jazz band and hasn't looked back since. Tyler graduated from The San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts in 2012 and went on to receive his Bachelors in Music Performance at California State University Long Beach. While in college Tyler began playing professionally in both the San Diego and Los Angeles area and has been doing so for the last 7 years. Tyler has had the great fortune of playing with many outstanding musicians including Gilbert Castellanos, Charles McPherson, Henry Franklin, Joshua White, Marshall Hawkins, Steve Cotter and many others.