Hilltop Jazz Project  is a quartet ensemble with Jef Veilleux (Guitar), Loren Ihle (Bass), Tim Drewes (Piano) and Scott Nordell (Drums / Percussion.  The group had its genesis of musical discovery in 2016 out of Seattle's Jazz Night School. Their influences range from 1960's small jazz ensembles, blues, Latin, flamenco, and Portuguese styles of music.    As Hilltop Jazz Project, they have collectively found their signature sound, and offer something different and unique to their fans, playing through a wide variety of musical genres.

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In high demand, these musicians play around the Puget Sound area.  They are perfect for your intimate or larger event / venue.

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Jef Veilleux is one of the founding members of Hilltop Jazz Project.  Having a lengthy background in the blues, he has spent the last several years studying and performing jazz.  His influences are his mentor Jay Roberts (son of world renowned Howard Roberts) as well as other notables such as Lee Ritenour.

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Loren Ihle is one of the founding members of Hilltop Jazz Project.  Originally a classical musician, Loren has been a jazz bassist playing in the Puget Sound area for several years

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TIm Drewes is a well known classical and church pianist.    He is an experienced performer on a large variety of keyboards, and is  fascinated by improvisation in any style.  He brings his deep background in classical music to  playing jazz in our small group context.  He has blended that artistry into the unique music of HJP.

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Scott Nordell is HPJ's latest member.Originally from Bear Valley Colorado, Scott started playing drums at around age 3.  After moving to California, he started gigging in all over Northern California 1978 playing genres from country to punk rock.  Scott then moved to Southern California and played gigs with notables such as:  The Shirelles, The Drifters, and Richard Street from The Temptations.  He also played opening shows for some of the greats, including;  The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Stray Cats, and Leon Russell.  He moved to Seattle in 2006, and continued to entertain in venues such as; Bite of Seattle, Taste of Tacoma, with fresh takes on old music.  Scott is now focussed on jazz with HJP, and still playing Gretsch drums and (mostly) Paiste cymbals as he has since 1977.

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