Tim Kobza is a Los Angeles based guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and producer, who writes and records music with attitude, movement, and authenticity inspired by an extensive career playing jazz, funk, latin, soul, R&B and improvised music.
Born in Omaha he made his way to Denton Texas to study Jazz Guitar Performance at the acclaimed North Texas State University. Living in Dallas after college he embarked on an international touring and recording career that began while playing with Carlos Guedes and Desvio. This was followed by working for several years as a sideman with Jazz artist Joe McBride.
The West Coast beckoned, Tim was offered a full scholarship and relocated to the west coast to pursue a Masters Degree in Studio-Guitar Performance at USC’s Thornton School Of Music.
His touring and recording continued with R&B artist Jon B., Jack Herrera, Debbie Gibson, James Torme, Francis Yip (China) Lee Seung Hwan (South Korea) to name a few.
Tim formed Modereko, a band he co-founded with drummer John Molo The band was signed to Verve records Blue Thumb imprint under the tutelage of Tommy LiPuma, ultimately recording 2 albums (a self-titled album and the 2nd release Solar Igniter) the group toured for several years.
“Much of this project came together during covid, the pause from live music allowed for creativity and collaboration on a different level, constructed from virtually assembled performances from some of my most formidable and admired musicians/friends, I am so grateful for their contributions”.
Though mostly instrumental, this project has one Bossa Nova inspired vocal track, ‘The Song That Is In Your Heart ‘ is a collaboration with singer extraordinaire Amanda Achen.
Other featured players on this project include Wayne Bergeron and John Dearth (Trumpet), Arlan Schierbaum (Keys), Matt Wallace (Sax and EWI), Wes Smith (Saxes), Jake Reed and Herman Matthews (Drums).
Tim’s passion for all things music, flows into his teaching at USC’s Thornton school of music where his professorship in the Guitar and Popular Music departments has been practiced for over 2 decades.
1) Tranquilo
Drums - Herman Matthews
Keys- Brian Hargrove
Mix -Joey Messina- Doerning
2) Jungly Vibes
Drums -Jake Reed
Matt Wallace- Flute, EWI, Tenor Saxophone, Shaker, Tambourine.
Jim Schweigert- Trumpet Solo
Mix-Jon Hegg
additional Engineering Omaha location- Greg Ahl
3) Cafe Cantante
Drums- Jake Reed
Saxophones and Flutes -Wes Smith
Keys, Rhodes, Mellotron- Kait Dutton
Mix -Joey Messina Doerning
4) The Song That Is In Your Heart
Lyrics and Vocals -Amanda Achen
Trumpet-Wayne Bergeron
Drums- Aaron Serfaty
Keys-Barb Catlin
Mix-Martin Walters
5) Oh Well Funk it
Drums -Jake Reed
Bass- Andrew Hill
Saxophones and Flutes -Wes Smith
Mix- Tim Kobza
6) La Vida Mysteriosa
Drums- Jake Reed
Keyboards- Arlan Oscar
Mix- Tim Kobza
7) Note Poetry
Drums -Jake Reed
Keys- Kait Dutton
Mix -Joey Messina Doerning
8) Lockdown Fatigue
Drums -Jake Reed
Keys- Kait Dutton
9) Fluffy
Drums -Jake Reed
Guitar Synth -Tim Kobza
Mix -Joey Messina Doerning
10) Retro Fusionista
Drums -Jake Reed
Keys- Kait Dutton
Mix -Martin walters
11) Identity Meditation
Drums -Jake Reed
Mix- Tim Kobza
12) Beats 93
Drums-Herman Matthews
Keys- Brian Hargrove
Mix -Joey Messina Doerning
13) Slow Your Roll
Tenor saxophone, EWI, Shaker, Tambourine, Flute, Claves, First Tenor solo- Matt Wallace
2nd Tenor solo -Cole Palensky
Trumpet textures -Michael Campanelli
Harmon mute Trumpet- John D’earth
Additional keyboards, mixing engineer- Jon Hegg
Additional Omaha location Engineer -Greg Ahl
Written and produced by Tim Kobza
Tim Kobza: All guitars, Bass , programming
Mastered by Larry Goetz, The Lair Recording Studio
Album artwork Design -Derik Nelson
Photo- Tim Kobza
