Ross Margitza, piano

About the Artists

Ross Margitza

Dr. Ross Margitza is a distinguished pianist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and educator. Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, he began his musical journey under the guidance of his father and grandfather, both professional pianists. He started playing piano at age six and trumpet at age ten. Inspired by Oscar Peterson's recording of “West Side Story,” Ross pursued a career in jazz.

He holds a Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University, a Master of Music from Northern Illinois University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.

 Diego Rivera

A world-class musician, composer, arranger and educator, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Chicano background and heritage.  Since 1999 he has performed at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble, Rivera has performed with The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, and Kurt Elling. Rivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader for Posi-Tone records. He also has several other credits to his name as a recording artist, composer and arranger on the Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. A passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: The Christian McBride Big Band, Birdland Big Band, and The Count Basie Orchestra.

John Fremgen

Bassist John Fremgen grew up in the Chicago area where he studied classical bass with Harold Siegel.  He received a BM in Commercial Music from Millikin University and a MM in Jazz Studies from The University of Southern California where he studied with Brian Bromberg and Shelly Berg.  He has played bass for a wide variety of artists across the United States and internationally, including jazz artists Butch Miles, Kat Edmonson, Shelly Berg, Kirk Covington and Jamie Findlay, as well as pop/rock artists PJ Olsson, Libby Kirkpatrick, Eric Johnson and five-time Grammy Award winner, Christopher Cross.  He has performed in Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico and Canada. As an educator, he has taught, given masterclasses, conducted, and performed at The Rimsky Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, The Conservatorio di Musica di Perugia in Umbria, Italy, The Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Aarhus, Denmark, The Guatemalan American Institute in Guatemala, The North Sea Jazz Festival, The Guatemala Jazz Festival and The Montreux Jazz Festival.

His bass playing can be heard on dozens of jingles, TV shows and movies, including Dawson’s Creek, Party of Five, Shorts, Down to You and The Late Show with David Letterman. He has also recorded as a sideman for numerous artists, including PJ Olsson, Eric Johnson, Christopher Cross, Abra Moore, Ruthie Foster, Rick Trevino among many others. He has three albums on Viewpoint Records: Meanwhile with Peter Erskine and Mitch Watkins, Pieces of String with Peter Erskine and Shelly Berg and If Not Now with various artists. 

Daniel Dufour

Native to the greater Houston area, Daniel Dufour is a musician with extensive performance and teaching experience across Texas. While he has planted roots in Austin, his work carries him to national and international appearances alike. Since 2012, Daniel has had the opportunity to share the stage with renowned musicians such as Aubrey Logan, Seamus Blake, Andre Hayward, Diego Rivera, Alex Claffy, Joel Frahm, Rotem Sivan, Lynn Seaton, Pete Rodriguez, Carmen Bradford, Michael Dease, Adi Meyerson, Benny Benack III, Luther Allison, Chase Baird, and Randy Brecker.

As a sideman, Daniel has contributed on many recordings over his career and is in high demand as a session musician. Notable albums include Pete Rodriguez’s Caminando Con Papi (2013), Elias Haslanger Meets Mike Sailors (2024), and Aubrey Logan and Her Bigger Than Average Band (2024). Daniel has also performed on multiple television broadcasts for PBS, such as the South Texas Jazz Project and Jazz Tonight. Daniel is a bandleader and composer in his own right, and has released four albums under his name that are available for streaming worldwide.

Daniel’s credits include many festival appearances, including the Elkhart Jazz Festival, the Corpus Christi Jazz Festival, Jazz'S Alive Festival (San Antonio), the SHSU Bill Watrous Jazz Festival, Utopiafest, the Five Points Jazz Festival (Denver), LuluFest, the Syracuse Jazz Festival, and the Festival De Arte Nuevo (Chihuahua, Mexico). Dufour's performance schedule takes him across Texas and beyond, with stops in major cities such as Los Angeles, and New York City.

He is currently the Lecturer of drum set at The University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches applied lessons and studio class. Daniel also instructs privately and has worked as a clinician and adjudicator for higher education throughout the country since 2015. He is an artist for Vic Firth Drumsticks and Zildjian Cymbals. 

Soha Quartet

Formed in 2024 at the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin, the Soha Quartet has rapidly distinguished itself as a prize-winning ensemble celebrated for its vibrant musicality and deep commitment to community engagement. The quartet won first prize at the 2025 Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition and earned second prize plus the audience prize at the 2026 Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. Deeply invested in education and connection, the Soha Quartet has represented the Butler School of Music as community representatives for the Austin Chamber Music Center since spring 2025, performing recitals across Austin and leading coaching sessions and masterclasses for public school students. Beginning fall 2026, the quartet will continue its professional ascent as the Young Professional String Quartet in Residence at the Butler School of Music, studying under the Miró Quartet; an exciting next chapter for an ensemble already making a marked impact on stage, in education, and within the community.
 

Back to Program

Upcoming Events

Jazz Combos @ Mozart's

Catch The University of Texas Jazz Combos Wednesday nights at the Loft at Mozart's Coffee Roasters.  

See dates
 

NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Halloween “Pops” Concert
Free Admission
Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall
 

AIME
Free Admission
Thursday, November 5, 7:30 p.m.
Recital Studio
 

JAZZ ORCHESTRAS
with Ulysses Owens Jr., drums
Friday, November 13, 7:30 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall
 

JAZZ ORCHESTRAS
with Wycliffe Gordon, trombone
Friday, February 19, 7:30 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall
 

Back To Program ^