FOR BOOKINGS CALL GEORGE TORRELLA: 484-866-1748
GT3 - JAZZ STANDARDS
ABOUT US
GT3-Jazz Standards is a jazz trio specializing in Broadway's Jazz Standards. George Torrella, resident percussionist and founder of GT3-Jazz Standards, has created a super-group comprised of professional musicians from the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Although the group (usually) performs as a trio, the musicians alternate to accommodate a wide range of genres, and could include Upright Bass, Keyboard(s), Guitar, Piano, Vocals and more!
RESIDENT MUSICIANS
George Torrella
Professional Percussionist, Founder of GT3-Jazz Standards
George’s interest in music was influenced by his mother who sang and performed opera at the New York Academy of Music. George studied and graduated from Power Memorial Academy, where he played trumpet and studied under Professor Eugenio Morra, noted Italian opera composer and arranger. George went on to graduate from St. John’s University, where he began listening to the rhythms and roots of traditional Jazz. George continued private study in Bass and Percussion and credits much of his musical education to sessions playing alongside top local professionals. Upon relocating to the Pennsylvania in 2002, George formed GT3-Jazz Standards, bringing top local musicians and the feel of New York’s late night Jazz to the Lehigh Valley community.
Bill Washer
Professional Guitarist, Educator
Bill began taking guitar lessons at the age of 10; at 17 he began studying with Mick Goodrick at Boston's Berklee College of Music. He would frequently sit in when New York jazz musicians were in town, including Elvin Jones and Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke and Curtis Fuller, and worked with Stevie Wonder, among others. Bill moved to New York in 1971 and a phone call from a friend ended in a job with the Joffrey Ballet. After the ballet, Bill's work took to the road as he toured with the Liza Minelli orchestra; upon realizing that New York life was no longer a priority, Bill decided to move his family to Pennsylvania. Bill continues performing, both in eastern Pennsylvania and New York. He also teaches jazz guitar at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as well as giving private lessons to students.
Greg Eicher
Professional Bassist, Educator
Greg Eicher's professional music career began in Kansas in 1980 when he got the opportunity to play with Dizzy Gillespie, Mose Allison, and Eddie Harris, among others. After touring the U.S and Japan with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Greg settled in Los Angeles in 1988 and continued performing with well known Jazz musicians and dabbled in some studio and television work. His film and TV credits include The Tonight Show, The Frank Sinatra Story and The Rat Pack Tribute. Greg relocated to the Lehigh Valley in 2006, where he continues to perform; Greg also teaches at the Charter School for the Arts and maintains a private teaching studio. A tremendous supporter of music education, Greg has performed lectures and demonstrations at the Los Angeles Jazz Society and The Charlie Parker Foundation based out of Kansas City.