Oles Koonse Duo
BIOGRAPHY
Darek Oles
Born in Wroclaw, Poland, Darek "Oles" Oleszkiewicz first learned to play piano, then tried guitar and electric bass before picking up the acoustic bass. After beginning a successful music career in Poland, Darek arrived in Los Angeles in 1988 with a simple plan: to broaden his musical horizon. Aside from his teaching duties at California Institute of the Arts, Darek has become one of the most sought-after bass players on the West Coast. "Oles" (his American nick-name) has recorded approximately 100 albums, several of them Grammy nominees. He has also toured extensively, performing hundreds of concerts throughout America, Europe and Asia.
BIOGRAPHY
Larry Koonse
Larry began playing the guitar when he was seven years old and, at fifteen, he recorded an album with his father, guitarist Dave Koonse. In 1984, Larry was the first recipient of a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California. He is currently a member of Billy Child's landmark chamber sextet; the group’s album “Lyric” received a Grammy nomination. He has toured and recorded with Mel Torme, Terry Gibbs, Bob Brookmeyer, and was a featured performer with the Percy Faith Orchestra’s tour of Japan. At Nelson Mandela and UNICEF’s invitation, Larry performed with the Steve Houghton Quintet at South Africa’s first annual SAMIX festival.
WEBSITE
www.darekoles.com
