The Wolverines Trio

Classic Jazz and Swing

The rhythm section of the Wolverines Big Band, now in their 50th year, featuring the classic swing of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and others.

Rick Carlson, piano

Steve Pikal, bass

Jendeen Forberg, drums, leader

Rick Carlson has been the pianist for the Wolverines Big Band since 1980. He has performed on concert stages in London and New York City, and has appeared with Count Basie drummer Butch Miles, horn stars Warren Vaché, Delfeayo Marsalis, Evan Christopher and Wycliffe Gordon. His credits as musical director, arranger and pianist include the Guthrie Theater presentation of “Coward’s Women”, the Capri Theater “Legends Series” and in various concert and cabaret presentations internationally.

Steve Pikal has backed legendary performers such as Cab Calloway, Bob Hope and Margaret Whiting. Some of his additional playing credits include the Jim Cullum Jazz band, Butch Miles, Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Barbary Coast Dixieland Show band, Dick Hyman, Carl Sonny Leyland, Delfcayo Marsalis, John Weber, Danny Coots, Brian Holland, The Wolverines Big Band, Jeff Barnhart, The Midiri Brothers, and the Bill Evans New Orleans Jazz band.

Jendeen Forberg is a Minneapolis-based transgender drummer for Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra Inc., drummer for Apocalypse Theater, and co-founder of “Harsh Reality”. Jendeen also works for BeechWood, Inc., serving persons experiencing mental and physical disabilities. On Sundays, Jendeen can often be heard drumming for All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church under the direction of Mike Hasse.