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Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny calls Fred Haas 'a totally world-class saxophone player.' Fred has performed with Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Clark Terry, Sheila Jordan, Lena Horne, Dionne Warwick, The Mitchell-Ruff Duo, Joe Morello, Milt Hinton, Attila Zoller, Don Cherry, Bob Brookmeyer, Gene Bertoncini and many others. Trumpet legend Clark Terry said, 'You won't find a more capable jazz player and teacher than Fred Haas, and that's a fact!' Thomas Herrick, former publisher of Downbeat Magazine said, 'Fred Haas is a consummate musician with a brilliant chordal sense and great execution...he has a definite identifiable style of his own.' And bassist Milt Hinton said, 'Fred is a great musician and a joy to work with.' Fred Haas, a Dartmouth graduate ('73), teaches saxophone, jazz piano, improvisation, jazz history and other jazz related courses at Dartmouth College. He lives in Hartland, Vermont, and travels throughout New England (and beyond) performing and recording with a variety of musicians, including Paul Broadnax and Gene Bertoncini. Fred's latest CD, Telling Stories is a trio outing featuring Fred on piano and saxophone with support from guitarist Gene Bertoncini and bassist Michael Moore. It is a collection of twelve original compositions. Other recent releases, Friends and Strike Up The Band, are collaborations with pianist and vocalist Paul Broadnax and his trio. 'A stop-time chorus here, an unaccompanied spot there. This is a very well planned date with no slow moments. Strike Up The Band is a gem from four musicians who deserve to be much better known.' Two duo recordings under Fred's name were released in late 1997. The first CD, Interplay is a saxophone and guitar duo featuring inter-nationally renowned guitarist Gene Bertoncini. 'Bertoncini and Haas swing without restraint, and their harmonic insights into both the standards and Haas' elegant original tunes reward careful listening and judicious use of that little button that makes the CD player repeat and repeat again. It's hard to imagine how it could fail to be a hit wherever jazz is spoken.' (Bill Craig - Valley News) The other CD, I Thought About You is a duo with pianist Bob Hallahan. 'Haas and Hallahan have found a balance and communion with one another, as is evidenced by their easy dialogue on this recording. Both performers give of their emotions freely, imbuing each note with tender meaning. The interpretations are so relaxed and open that each tune becomes a personal conversation, like listening to yourself breathe.' (Anneke Toomey - Green Mountain Jazz Messenger) All of these recordings are on Fred's own JazzToons label. Fred brings to each of his performances and workshops a depth of experience and knowledge from almost thirty years as a jazz musician and educator. His goal is to communicate a broad range of emotions through music and share information about the history and techniques of jazz improvisation. Fred founded Interplay Jazz Camp, which provides an opportunity for musicians of all ages to participate in a relaxed and supportive learning environment with an experienced faculty that focuses on key aspects of the improvisational art of jazz. Daily yoga and meditation, combined with marvelous food and a beautiful oceanside setting (Endicott College - Beverly, MA) create the perfect atmosphere for the integration of mind, body, and spirit, thereby giving everyone the opportunity to more fully express themselves through music. 'Fred communicates...he consistently displays not merely a knowledge of his craft, but a sincere dedication to sharing those ideas and ideals with others. As a musician, he is an intelligent and fiery improviser, a harmonic wizard: one who plays music, not just the saxophone (or piano), and all with warmth, wit, and sincerity.' (Peter Bodge)