Rebecca Sanborn

Rebecca Sanborn was fortunate enough to grow up in a home with a piano. She began taking private lessons, and subsequently strayed from classical practice to improvise and compose at the age of 5. Being active in many arts, she chose to continue her studies at The College of Santa Fe in New Mexico. There she expanded her musical outlet to compose scores for a stylistically diverse range of student films, including Science Fiction, Horror, and even a documentary on early on-set Alzheimer's. While studying dance in New Mexico, Rebecca also had the opportunity to study closely with Juanita Barry, long time personal demonstrator for the Martha Graham Dance Company.

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre, she returned to her hometown of Portland Oregon to pursue music and performance. In Portland, Rebecca met jazz drummer Ji Tanzer and the two formed a personal and musical alliance. They have since performed Rebecca's music at both festivals and concerts throughout the Northwest.

Ji Tanzer

Tanzer keeps his hands, feet, and heart in many musical worlds. Whether it is fiery yet subtle interplay with Songwriter Rebecca Sanborn, Nigerian afro-beat with talking-drummer Nojeem Lasisi’s group Jujuba, or the earthy call of Portland folk rockers National Flower, Ji knows that it all comes down to communication. As a child he followed and observed his street musician father all around the country playing for tips and communicating with people of every age, race, gender, and class. Through all of those colorful experiences he learned that “music is simply a language used to describe the arc of experience.”

After settling in Portland, Oregon and studying the drumset with jazz luminaries such as Mel Brown, Alan Jones and Joe LaBarbara, Ji was recognized in DOWNBEAT magazine and began performing regularly with many West Coast and National jazz giants, such as pianists Darrell Grant (Tony Williams, Betty Carter, Roy Haynes), and Randy Porter (Charles McPherson, Freddie Hubbard, Dianne Schuur). As his busy schedule deepens and evolves with live dates and recordings, Ji lets us in on his secret to being a musician: “listening and communicating…my job is not to somehow lift people up using music, my job is to help create a space where people can lift themselves up.