2025 Annual Jazz Concert Celebrating Black History Month – The doRiaN Mode

The doRiaN Mode plays music from the Jazz Age and Swing era. Bob Johns on piano/trumpet, David Scott on sax/flute/vocals, Tony Blake on drums, and Dorian Bartley on vocals/bass. Proud winners of the 2024 Norbay Music Award for Best Jazz Band.

The doRiaN Mode features bass, vocals, piano, sax, and drums, specializing in vintage jazz, swing, and early R&B. Elegance in classic American music.

DORIAN BARTLEY (bass/vocals) formed The doRiaN Mode in 2013 to explore the roots of jazz. Born in Detroit to an African American father and white mother, Dorian grew up in a family that valued music as an expression of art, identity, and politics. She loves jazz’s pull between creative freedom and structure, the fun of swing and vivid phrasing. She also works in other musical styles: Americana, with Foxes in the Henhouse, classical, with Gravenstein Mandolin Ensemble, and freelance groups around the Bay Area. Dorian studied at the University of Michigan and UC Berkeley and taught music in Petaluma’s public schools.

BOB JOHNS (piano/trumpet) Bob’s early piano lessons inspired a desire to improvise like his father, who played jazz trumpet in big bands and small groups. When he arrived in San Francisco after a 4-year Navy hitch, Bob found like-minded players who formed the fusion group Nexus, playing in San Francisco and the East Bay through the 80s. He played keyboard and trombone in the African group, Hedzoleh Soundz. Bob plays each Tuesday night with his jazz buddies at the Comstock Saloon in San Francisco's North Beach. He hosts an Open Mic once a month in Petaluma at the United Methodist Church.

TONY BLAKE (drums) was born and raised in San Francisco. Eclectic in his percussive expression, Tony is comfortable in symphony orchestras, small jazz ensembles, folk, rock, or world music groups. He has developed a playing style that draws on many traditions. Finding the common pulse to support the music inspires him, no matter the setting. Tony resides in Petaluma and is employed as an Environmental Scientist. He uses much of his free time traveling the San Francisco Bay Area, making music.

DAVID SCOTT (sax/flute/vocals) left his hit rock & roll band in Australia at age 18 to board a ship to New Caledonia as a jazz musician. He settled for 10 years in Tahiti, playing jazz, rock, and island music, and learned to speak French. David came to Sonoma County in 1989 and joined Gator Beat, aka Gator Nation, playing Cajun and Zydeco music. He developed a unique style of interwoven horn and accordion and has mastered the technique of circular breathing (sustained tone without interruption) on his saxophone. David is a founder of Collaboration Jazz Band which performs locally.

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Signup page for band eMailer: http://eepurl.com/gnoUuT

Host or Publisher Petaluma Blacks for Community Development