“TEAM ICONS”
Meet the filmmakers of “Icons Among Us : jazz in a present tense”
JOHN W. COMERFORD is an award winning writer and producer of independent film and media. He is President of PARADIGM STUDIO, a film and television production company in Seattle and serves on the board of The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder where he studied under experimental filmmaker Stan Brakhage, graduating with dual degrees in Psychology and Film Studies.
LARS LARSON is an award-winning director of photography, who uses his exceptional skills to capture images for independent productions and commercial clients. With his first film, With All Deliberate Speed, Larsonused the power of visual imagery to develop a passion for cinematography. He was 2nd Unit Director of Photography for the seminal rock documentary HYPE!, covering the Grunge music scene in Seattle, working with artists such as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains throughout the 1990’s filming their performances and studio sessions. Larson has also worked for AOL, ABC/Disney, Safeco Insurance, The Seattle Symphony, Wrangler Jeans, Target, and the Washington State Dept. of Health. Larson also feeds his musical passion as a respected drummer who toured extensively in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. The sense of timing and rhythm that comes from years behind the kit adds immeasurably to his work behind the camera.
Filmmaker MICHAEL RIVOIRA finds inspiration from the exceptional artists in his midst. He began working with film and video, formulating plans for a documentary about living jazz artists, talking with bassists Eric Revis (Branford Marsalis’ band), Avishai Cohen ( Chick Corea, Avishai Cohen Trio ) and Christopher “CT” Thomas ( Joshua Redman,, Betty Carter, etc.). He teamed up with Lars Larson and John Comerford to bring Icons Among Us: jazz in the present tense to fruition. Rivoira has conducted all of the interviews for the series, as well as working as researcher, and artist contact. By mixing the mediums of music and film, Michael hopes to convey his belief that music is a spiritual experience and the jazz icons among us, if given a chance, can make that experience more tangible and relevant for us all.
PETER J. VOGT has been working in films since 1987. He co-produced the film Hype! which premiered at Sundance and won the Seattle Film festival’s award for best feature documentary. Directorial credits include: Nuts&Bolts (Seattle Film Festival special jury award), Blue Moon People (PBS), October (Premiered at New York Film Festival). He will premier 2 films besides Iconsamongus in 2009; High&Outside and Paramount Duty.
KRISTIAN HILL has worked in film and video since 1994. His emmy nominated editorial work can be seen on NFL Networks, HBO, SITV, as well as music projects too numerous to mention. His first documentary project American Noir in Paris premiered at the Johansson Art Gallery in Detroit in 2002 and is available on line.
B DAHLIA is a writer and manager of PARADIGM STUDIO. He is involved in all Studio productions, and is currently working with the company to bring Icons Among Us: jazz in the present tense and The Wild to fruition. He also handles the day-to-day operation of the Studio, including maintaining relationships with clients and outside contractors and consultants. With a background in writing, psychology, communications and media studies, Mr. Dahlia’s talents come into play in many of Paradigm’s endeavors. He served as Post Production Coordinator for John Comerford and Tommy Rosen’s freshman feature film, Around The Fire. During the shooting of Around The Fire in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mr. Dahlia remained in Seattle managing Paradigm and working on Hidden Medicines, a documentary of alternative care practitioners and their clients in Washington State.
