Cubby Bones Bios
Steve Wiest
Steve Wiest is a multiple Grammy-nominated trombonist, composer, author, and cartoonist. The former soloist and writer for Maynard Ferguson, Steve went on to perform on the road with Doc Severinsen and the Old Tonight Show Orchestra as well as many other artists. Steve has numerous recordings out as a leader, the most recent of which is the debut album from the critically-acclaimed all-star horn band Vinyl Hampdin. Along with being the trombonist with the group, Wiest has composed and arranged all eleven tracks for their new recording titled “RED.” Joining Steve in Vinyl Hampdin is an all-star assemblage of Grammy and Juno winners: Lisa Dodd, Frank David Greene, Ray Herrmann, Sly5thAve, Stockton Helbing, Ryan Davidson, Eric Gunnison, Art Bouton, and Gerald Stockton.
Steve Wiest is a clinician for Edwards Instruments and plays the custom “Excalibur” version of the T302 and the Griego-Steve Wiest Mouthpiece (gold plated) exclusively.
To learn more about Steve, please visit his website at steve-wiest.com
Steve Wiest on the Chicago Cubs:
Man, for as long as I can remember, I have been a Cubs fan. It was already in my DNA as my father was an avid fan and even as a child he and some buddies crawled over the fence (at that time) to get into Wrigley to see the 1945 World Series! Growing up in the 1960s (elementary school years) my father took me and my brothers to Wrigley often. Getting to see Ernie Banks hit a home run in person was a regular occurrence for me in those years. I thought of that 1969 team (Ron Santo, Ernie, Billy Williams, Glenn Beckert, et al) as some kind of Justice League of America–and Wrigley was my ultimate temple of Super-Heroes!
Like all lifelong Cubs fans, I am STILL thrilled that I lived to see our 2016 World Championship–in truth, I still wake up occasionally in a cold sweat thinking that Cleveland somehow won that game...a perfect "Goat Curse" moment would have been KB slipping and then throwing over Rizzo's head as the winning run scored. But that did NOT happen! Kris did slip (so did my heart) but big-and-tall Rizz grabbed the high toss and WE WON THE WORLD SERIES!)
To write for and play in the Cubby Bones is a dream come true for this Cubs Blue-Bleeding young man! As part of our original visit to Wrigley recently with the Manager of Cubs entertainment Max Berman, I actually got to stand in the same on deck circle where "Mr. Cubs" Ernie Banks stood all those years ago. Such is the power of music, such is the passion of being a Cubs fan!
Dave Dickey
Dave Dickey is a trombonist, educator, clinician, and band leader. He currently directs and performs in the 18 piece Dave Dickey Big Band, Mosaic Jazz Sextet, and co-directs the Cubby Bones. While living in Miami, Dave toured Europe, Canary Islands, South America, Central America, Mexico, and United States with Latin artists such as Celia Cruz, Rey Ruiz, Arturo Sandoval, Nestor Torres, Huey Dunbar, Tito Nueves, and Charlie Cruz. During that time, Dave was an musician and actor for 2 DVDs: Arturo Sandoval’s HBO movie “For Love or for Country" (with Andy Garcia, Charles S. Dutton, Gloria Estefan, Mia Maestro, and Jose Zuniga) and perfored and soloed in a documentary DVD/CD on Cuban music called "La Cuba Mia" performing with Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino, Miliki, and other Cuban artists.
Dave has also performed with David Sanborn, Louie Bellson, Dave Liebman, Bobby Shew Randy Brecker, Vic Damone, Johnny Mathis, Four Freshman, Roberta Flack, Temptations, and others. Dave was also the creator and programmer of a popular trombone internet radio show called Groove Bone from 2004-2013. This was a radio show featuring the trombone on small group and big band jazz, Latin jazz, and funk recordings. The show also featured interviews with well-known jazz trombonists and autographed CD contests. Dave was also a jazz DJ at WDNA - Miami for 5 years and at WEFT - Champaign for 4 years.
Dave on the Chicago Cubs:
Dave Dickey was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa and was always a big Cubs fan. He would attend Iowa Cubs games with his family at Sec Taylor Stadium (which is now the beautiful Principal Park). On school days, Dave would hurry home from school to turn on WGN to watch his Cubs. His favorite player for the Cubs was Ryne Sandberg and would also copy his bat stance. Dave's favorite number growing up and today is still 23 (Ryne Sadberg's and Michael Jordan's retired numbers). Dave tries his best to never miss a game: watching on tv on MLB@Bat listening to Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies, or radio with Cubs announcers Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer, or cheering them on at Wrigley Field.
Tom Garling
Tom Garling’s career started at the age of twenty, when he joined Buddy Rich’s Big Band in 1986. Later, he joined Maynard Ferguson’s band in 1993, and in 1995 became Maynard’s Music
Director until 1998. He maintains a busy performing schedule at premier jazz clubs and large venues in Chicago and around the world. His playing and writing can be heard on numerous albums by Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble and the Chicago Yestet, to name a few. Most recently, he toured with Frank Sinatra Jr. for 4 years, and just completed a 2 week tour of Japan as a guest artist. He has been in high demand in the music scene for over 30 years as a performer, composer, arranger, director, recording artist, and educator.
To learn more about Tom, visit his website at www.tomgarling.com
Tom on the Chicago Cubs:
I can hear Jack Brickhouse as if it was yesterday: "Back, Back, Back....Hey Hey!" The kids in my neighborhood would play baseball every summer starting when I was about bout 7 years old, roughly 1972. Our favorite thing to do was pick a player to be for every game. I remember my favorite choices were Billy Williams, Jose Cardenal, Ron Santo, and Don Kessinger. We would imitate some plays we saw while watching the Cubs, like the Jose Cardenal fake bunt-homer. Or another play when (I think it was) Rick Monday had a fly ball pop out of his glove, and Billy Williams made a diving catch before it touched the ground. I cried when the the Cubs lost to the Padres in the NLCS in 1984. When the Cubs won the World Series, my first thought was how happy Ron Santo would have been if he were still alive, Enough said.......
Andy Baker
Born and raised in London, trombonist Andy Baker was performing professionally at the age of 14 and had appeared on recordings and TV shows by 18.
Andy toured extensively, performing at major jazz festivals and clubs across the world before relocating to Chicago in 2001. Quickly establishing a reputation as one of the most versatile musicians in town, Andy performs and records with many of Chicago’s finest jazz and contemporary music ensembles, is the musical director of the New standard Jazz Orchestra, a member of Fulcrum Point, and leads his own sextet.
Andy’s recorded compositions and arrangements include works for brass ensembles, jazz orchestras, rock bands and commercial television. Andy is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
To learn more about Andy, visit his website at www.andybakertrombone.com
Although I first went to Wrigley in 1999, my love affair with the Cubs really started after I moved to Chicago in 2001. Hanging out in our apartment with very little to do but practice, I watched and listened to most day games that year!
I started going to Wrigley regularly in 2002 (when they were so bad, the team were giving away tickets at my local Jewel..) and have been going ever since.
They’ve broken my heart a few times - 2008 was particularly rough - but I sill love ‘em!”
Tom Matta
Bass Trombonist Thomas Matta is an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at DePaul University, and boasts a body of work as a musician that spans an impressive spectrum of genres, styles, and disciplines. An active performer, Mr. Matta has performed extensively internationally, and is one of the most sought-after bass trombonists in Chicago. His compositions and arrangements have been performed world-wide by top jazz, chamber, and orchestral ensembles. He couldn’t be prouder to be a part of the stellar Cubby Bones!
Tom on the Chicago Cubs:
Tom Matta grew up in Minnesota, and is such, proudly holds the Minnesota Twins close to heart. Hey, who can blame him, growing up watching Rod Carew, Butch Wynegar, Roy Smalley, Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, Burt Blyleven – to name a few. Moving to Chicago in 1992, he quickly adopted the Cubs as his national league team. Matta has never lived more than a couple miles from iconic Wrigley Field – and loves the charm of the park, the neighborhood, and of course the loyalty of the fans. Matta loves the radio broadcasters he’s been transfixed by over the years, especially during the WGN era: Harry, Steve, Pat, Ron. Some of the best baseball analysis and random chatter one could ever wish for!