Although they come from different graduating classes of two different schools, Ryan Leppich, Luis Ross and Emma Howelier hope to spend lots of time together this summer entertaining jazz lovers throughout the Puget Sound area.
The three south Snohomish County young adults played their first summer gig together as the Ryan Leppich Trio Wednesday night before a small crowd of wine and jazz connoisseurs at the North City Bistro in Shoreline.
Leppich is a 2015 graduate of Mountlake Terrace High School and played drums all four years in the school’s top jazz ensemble, MTHS Jazz 1. He met Ross, a bassist who will be entering his senior year at Edmonds-Woodway High School this fall, and Howelier, pianist and 2014 graduate of Edmonds-Woodway, at a summer jazz camp. Together the Trio hope to line up performances throughout the summer at various locales.
“I would love to play every week,” Howelier said.
The three are slated to play the 192 Brewery in Bothell on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 7 p.m., then perform live on KPLU public radio on July 8 at 12:15 p.m.
The Trio isn’t a permanent grouping as the three will part ways this fall. While Ross will stay in Edmonds to complete his senior year of high school, Leppich will be heading to the University of Northern Colorado in late August to begin his college studies in music; Howelier will be returning to Dartmouth College in September to begin her second year at the Ivy League school.
All three were enthusiastic when asked about their upcoming studies in the fall, but for now are glad to share their musical talent to all who will listen. “We are just looking for opportunities to play,” Leppich said.
– By Doug Petrowski
Thank you so much for coming by, Doug!! Was great to see you and glad you could here the trio!!! They sounded fabulous and will be playing at the bistro again this summer!