“We have fun, upbeat arrangements of swinging hot tunes from the great American songbook era, 1920s through 1960s,” says jazz quartet Firefly, who are based near SDSU.
The ensemble is directed by singer Molly Whittaker, who holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from SDSU. She has also performed with the San Diego Opera, Lyric Opera San Diego, Full Measure Carolers, Sacra/Profana, and served as section leader at St. James-by-the-Sea Church in La Jolla. As of 2011, Whittaker teaches music and drama with Pacific Childrens Theatre
The quartet also features pianist Ed Kornhauser, who holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from SDSU. Kornhauser has also played with the San Diego Concert Jazz Band, Maddox Revolution, the Paul Ingram Quartet, and Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels.
Drummer Dave Pschaida teaches band through Paul Effman Music in grades three through eight throughout San Diego County. In 2011, Kornhauser recorded several tracks with Wendy Bailey.