About Octobop

 Cool jazz. Images of the early days on the West Coast when new ideas, harmonies, ensemble playing and great improvisation were all happening. Recreating and updating that experience is the mission of Octobop.  Performing and promoting the music that began with The Birth of the Cool -- and the  innovations of Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Shorty Rogers, Bud Shank, Bob Cooper, Dave Pell, Jimmy Guiffre, and Howard Rumsey among others -- Octobop makes cool jazz hot again. 

The musicians of Octobop:
Brian Brockhouse - Bass
Jack Conway - Guitar
Bill Hazzard - Vibes
Roy Kaufmann - Drums
Matt Kesner - Tenor, Alto, Soprano Sax
Geoff Roach-  Baritone Sax, Tenor Sax and Alto Flute
Jon Schermer - Trombone
Randy Smith - Trumpet and Flugelhorn

Back - Schermer, Conway, Kesner, Brockhouse  Front - Kaufmann, Roach, Smith, Hazzard

After Dark, Octobop's third CD, was released in December 2004. The recording contains more cool music from composers and artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Giuffre, Henry Mancini, Al Belletto, Steve Swallow, and Cy Coleman. Arrangements are by Bill Holman, Marty Paich, Jack Conway, and Geoff Roach. Recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California in August 2004, After Dark will be a welcome addition to your collection. Click here to learn more about After Dark or to order a copy. The week of February 15, 2005, After Dark was number 35 on the national jazz charts at JazzWeek.

Reviews of After Dark - August 2005 - Cadence Magazine and O's Jazz Place Newsletter

Night Lights, Octobop's second CD, was first available in 2002. The title cut is a great ballad by Gerry Mulligan and Judy Holliday. Octobop released its first CD in the spring of 2000.  Too Close For Comfort was recorded with the help of alto sax legend Bud Shank. Both CDs have great reviews. To order a copy or find out more information, contact us

Recent Gigs

San Jose Jazz
Platinum Circle Celebration
Feb 21, 2009
Club Auto Sport, San Jose, CA

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
Annual Gala
March 21, 2009
Doubletree Hotel, San Jose, CA

2008
San Ramon Library Fall Jazz Series

Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose, CA

Jazz on the Grass
Morgan Hill Community Center

Jazz Showcase
City Lights Theater, San Jose
Presented By San Jose Jazz

Savanna Jazz, San Francisco

Cinequest Film Festival, San Jose

Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz, 7 pm

2007
Agenda Lounge, San Jose
Yoshi's, Oakland, CA
Savanna Jazz, San Francisco
Sunset Magazine, Menlo Park, CA
Santana Row, San Jose, CA

Mondo Lounge Atomic Frolic  
Las Vegas, NV