Asheville Jazz Collective brings together the performing and composing talents of recent transplants Alan Hall (drums, founder) and Josef Butts (basses) with UNCA professors Steve Alford (woodwinds and bass) and Bill Bares (piano and keyboard). A.J.C. has an open-ended policy regarding the styles of jazz we choose to compose and play. Our musical influences range from Ellington to ECM, "The Bad Plus“ to Bach, Tomasz Stanko to Tito Puente, and Ornette Coleman to Olivier Messiaen. We always aim for a richly felt performance of originals and standards for our audience.

Founder Alan Hall's previous California group “Ratatet”, has released two albums on Ridgeway Records (Arctic and Heroes, Saints and Clowns), and has recieved rave reviews. “Kwirkestra” his most recent group formed at the beginning of Covid, has released three music videos on YouTube and includes an international cast of his musical peers in a virtual musical format.

Alan Hall: Drums
Will Boyd: Reeds
Bill Bares: Piano
Josef Butts: Bass