David Post Quartet: Making Spirits Bright Holiday Jazz Show

David Post has had a rich musical journey, blending early classical training with a deep dive into jazz improvisation as a vocalist and pianist. His summers spent performing in the vibrant jazz scene of Saint Petersburg, Russia have shaped his ability to deliver songs in a way that resonates with the human heart. Though reminiscent of artists like Chet Baker and Mel Tormé, David’s sound is unmistakably his own– “a unique voice with pathos, depth, and control” (Ann MacDonald).

David Post is a jazz vocalist whose musical journey blends early classical training with a deep dive into jazz theory and improvisation. His summers as part of the vibrant jazz scene in Saint Petersburg, Russia have enriched his expressive style, earning comparisons to Chet Baker and Mel Tormé, yet maintaining a unique voice with pathos, depth, and control. He has studied and performed with notable artists including John Stowell, Dave Holland, Bobby McFerrin, George Russell, Kenny Wheeler, and Barney McClure. His influences encompass jazz greats such as Shirley Horn, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Annie Ross.

Alan Jones is a 21-year-old bassist and composer from Denver, Colorado, focused on honoring Black American Music. He has performed with Matt Wilson, David Sanchez, Ed Simon, and others. Alan studies with Matt Brewer and Scott Pingel at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Matthew Kesecker is a 21 year-old San Francisco-born jazz drummer inspired by Philly Joe Jones, Billy Higgins, and Elvin Jones. Raised in a musical family, he has performed at venues like Kuumbwa and Yoshi’s Oakland, playing with Smith Dobson Jr., Graham Messer, and Eric Markowitz.

Graham Messer, 21, is a bebop pianist influenced by Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, and Barry Harris. He views their music as both soul food and a source for intellectual exploration akin to European masters.

David spent the past five years (2015-2020) mostly gigging in the vibrant jazz scene of Saint Petersburg, Russia, teaching at the J&M School in the bustling center. He completed a concert tour of central Russia with the Old-Fashioned Trio in September of 2019. David is grateful for his life. From early training in Classical music to studying jazz improvisation as a vocalist/pianist to poignant philosophizing with many wonderful artists, the whole mix has helped David to communicate songs in a way that speaks to the human heart. His sound has been compared to Chet Baker and Mel Torme, but David’s sound is “a unique voice with pathos, depth and control” (Ann MacDonald). David studied and/or played with trumpeter/arranger Ray Brown, Dave Holland, Bobby McFerrin, George Russell, Don Thompson, Kenny Wheeler, John Stowell, and Mark Levine. He was named outstanding male vocalist at the Pacific Coast Jazz Festival. He recorded with Grammy-nominated arranger Phil Mattson, singing the title track of Mr. Mattson’s album Here’s to Life. Influences include Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross, Shirley Horn, Mark Murphy, Nancy King, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. David is also a musical theatre director for children, having founded and run a successful company and theatre facility in Bellingham, Washington from 2005-2010, called the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth, which remains a force in that town's education of children today.