Welcome to Blue Orchid Jazz
Whether it's dinner, brunch, cocktails, special events, or on the main stage, Blue Orchid's tasteful approach, provides the perfect musical setting.
Myrick Crampton : Flute and Saxophone | Composer
After studying mathematics and computer science at Indiana University and the University of Texas at Austin, Myrick enjoyed a long career developing software in domains as diverse as aerospace, supply chain optimization, and finance. He retired and received a degree in Jazz performance at VCU and now is a freelance musician and composer in the Richmond area playing saxophones, flutes, and clarinets. Myrick has released two solo albums: "Blew Stew" and "Angels from on High" which are available on Spotify, Amazon Music, and other streaming services. He lives in Goochland, VA with his wife, three children and Menagerie!
Kyffin Salter : Bass | Composer
Kyffin Salter’s bass career started in 2007, but by 2009 he had begun extensive study of the upright bass with Cameron Ralston and Zack Pride. By the end of high school, Kyffin had experience with a variety of bands, including the symphonic, marching, and swing big band. Kyffin discovered his passion for composing music through an elective course taught by Christopher Johnston at Fairfax Academy in 2012. In the Fall of 2016, Kyffin graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.M. in Performance - Jazz Bass. While there, he developed professional level skills in classical bass, jazz bass, music theory, and music composition, with semi-professional skills in jazz piano. Kyffin’s contribution to Blue Orchid Jazz Trio is not solely laying down smooth and rhythmically intricate bass lines. He shares a large responsibility in writing or arranging much of the music that Blue Orchid performs. He compares writing music to completing a puzzle; the framework leads the body of the piece to fill itself in.
Nathan Hittle : Keyboards
Nathan Hittle began performing as a professional jazz pianist at a young age. The son of two collegiate jazz professors, he grew up in Wichita, Kansas surrounded by music. He graduated college from Friends University in 2009, where he performed in award-winning big band and small ensemble groups. A fixture in the Central Kansas music scene, he performed professionally with numerous jazz legends, including Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jerry Hahn and Matt Wilson. In 2012, he graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law. While attending UVA, he performed in the University Jazz Ensembles, as well as professionally with John D'Earth and Jeff Decker. Since graduating from law school, he has resided in Richmond. In addition to his work with Blue Orchid, he continues to perform locally alongside well-known stalwarts such as Jason Jenkins, Michael Hawkins and Emme St. James. Whether as a band leader or trusted sideman, Nathan stands ready to tastefully provide an elevated jazz experience from an experienced hand for your next event.
Patrick Zampetti : Drums and Percussion | Manager | Composer
Patrick’s journey to Blue Orchid Jazz began with his initial instruction on drum set at the age of 9. Soon after, he joined a Drum Corps and began a lifelong focus on percussion performance and instruction. This intensive experience included back-to-back World Championships and induction into the prestigious Cadets Hall of Fame. He has studied at New York City’s Drummers Collective under the late Kim Plainfield. He taught and composed/arranged for percussion for 8 years at the University of Virginia. He believes in “passing the torch” to a new generation of performers and has instructed hundreds of Middle School, High School, and College students. He is the owner and Principal Architect at Studio Z Architecture, Inc and has served an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at BrightPoint Community College. Patrick resides in Short Pump with his wife Lorrie: a percussionist, Music Therapist, and Preschool Director. They are blessed with four musically and artistically talented children and three beautiful grandchildren.