Gold Coast Jazz Society 2023-2024 Concert Season

Four Freshmen

An Evening with the Four Freshmen

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

7:45pm

The Four Freshmen are America’s most enduring vocal group. One might think that after 69 years, a multitude of recordings, 6 Grammy nominations to their credit, they would just ride the wave of success through nostalgic renderings of hits like “It’s A Blue World” and “Graduation Day”, but you would be sorely mistaken. One thing THE FOUR FRESHMEN do as the celebrated vocal group has done since its inception in 1948 has been to forge ahead; constantly redefining their sound all the while maintaining the core integrity of their unique and innovative vocal harmonies that have inspired such iconic groups as The Manhattan Transfer, The Lettermen, and the legendary Beach Boys.



While The Four Freshmen happily pay tribute to the history and evolution of the Freshmen sound by way of performing the hits of their predecessors, they are unafraid to break new ground through songs that strike a chord with listeners of ANY generation. Whether it be a reimagining of such classic standards as “Come Fly With Me” and “Stompin’ At the Savoy”; profoundly evocative and energetic interpretations of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s seminal hits “The Girl From Ipanema” and “So Danco Samba”; or the introduction of heart-wrenching originals like “A Little While”, the listener will be taken on a musical journey via the greatest song writers ever to set pen to paper and four accomplished musicians who, from the stage, exude nothing less than the energy, sincerity, and passion deserving of the great music they perform.

Tommy Boynton sings 1st tenor and plays bass. Growing up in Aurora, Co., his musical journey began in the 3rd grade, singing in a children’s chorus, and studying piano and drums. Tommy’s love for music lead him to Phil Mattson’s prestigious School for Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa. He then graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA, where he studied with Dominique Eade and Ran Blake.  Boynton continued to share his love and passion for music by returning to SMV to teach. Tommy has shared the stage with several Grammy nominated musicians, including jazz pianist Fred Hersch, and critically acclaimed jazz vocalist Kate McGarry.

Stein Malvey sings the 2nd tenor and plays guitar with The Four Freshmen. Growing up in Northfield,
Minnesota, he began his musical journey at age four, studying piano. Growing restless with classical
repertoire, he discovered guitar at age 12, and fell in love. Just two years later he was playing guitar
professionally. Stein graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance from Lawrence
University Conservatory of Music. Stein spent years in both the New York and Minneapolis music scenes,
recording and touring with groups in many genres: rock, pop, r&b, soul, funk, jazz, country, and avantgarde.

Jon Gaines was introduced to the world of music at the age of 5 when he began taking
piano lessons from his grandmother in his hometown, Derry NH. By fifth grade, young Jon was expanding
his musical talents to the trumpet, but it wasn’t until Jon first heard a recording of Louis Armstrong that a
passion was sparked and this new found love of jazz set him on a lifelong pursuit for musical excellence. Gaines’s high school years were spent performing with a wide variety of concert and jazz bands as well as several vocal ensembles. After high school, Jon attended the prestigious New England Conservatory where he furthered his studies in jazz improvisation with the likes of educators John McNeil, Jerry Bergonzi, and Frank Carlberg. Jon also continued to advance his trumpet technique through lessons from venerable instructors Steve Emery and Laurie Frink. Along with all his instrumental studies on trumpet and piano Jon also undertook several years of vocal instruction before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in 2014.

Bob Ferreira auditioned for The Four Freshmen in 1992 for bass voice and percussion, while a music student at Central Washington University. The group asked Ferreira to join, presenting him with a difficult decision of whether or not to leave his academics behind in lieu of a career in entertainment. Bob is still pleased with his decision and has not looked back since. He enjoys being part of such an iconic musical legacy having performed in fifty states, ten countries, and on nine Freshmen recordings. When not on the road with The Four Freshmen, Ferreira occasionally freelances as a drummer in Las Vegas.  Outside of his music career Jon is an Eagle Scout and when not performing in his current home town of Boston he enjoys exploring the great outdoors, in particular the woods of Northern Maine.

When he isn’t touring with The Four Freshmen, Stein lives in Los Angeles.

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