The Ravens A Jazz & Swing Band Bios
Evgeny Chernonog, piano
Evgeny Chernonog is a graduate of the Khabarovsk Institute of Culture and Fine Arts.
He is classically trained in the traditional Russian music system but, in his youth, was mesmerized by the
sounds of jazz heard on the Voice of America radio broadcasts.
He served as Methodologist for the Music Society of Russia for many years, producing a musical history
lecture series for the Magadan schools.
As a jazz pianist he took part in numerous Siberian jazz festivals and for more than ten years prior
to moving to Alaska, he was rated as the best jazz pianist in the far east of Russia.
He is the driving force and sets the pace for the Ravens.
Presently, both he and his wife, Alla, teach at Washburn Pianos in Anchorage.
Karl Wilhelmi, bass
Early in his music career, Karl played jazz and symphonic bass, but his focus soon changed to guitar,
specifically finger picked ragtime and blues styles on acuoustic string guitar.
This talented and versatile musician sometimes performs as a solo guitarist, however, he is also a member of two local bands.
He can be heard with the Roadhouse Ramblers playing rock, blues, zydeco and pop music.
He is also a valuable member of the Ravens where his backup bass and
energetic solos contribute greatly to the band's lively musical offerings.
Charlie Hawkes, clarinet
Charlie was the original clarinetist for Bill Borcher's Oregon Jazz Band and played with that versatile
group through the 60's and 70's.
He appears on an early album titled "Euphonic Drocomania."
With an eye for playing more locally in the Salem area, he formed his own group, the Mission Street Jazz Band, and played
for many events such as the Salem Arts Festivals and the Governor's Inaugural Ball held on the River Queen in Portland.
This group later refined its style and became known as the Capitol City Jazz Band.
Charlie also played with the group, Ragtime 3+1+2.
They produced another album, "The First Time Around".
To further his career as an architect, Charlie moved to Alaska in 1981, and played lead tenor sax with a local 15 piece band.
He has played occasionally with local groups, the Snapping Turtles, and with the Fireweed Jazz Society,
but now devotes his talents to the Ravens.
Iryna Dunaevna, vocalist
Iryna Dunaevna is a graduate of Kiev State Music Conservatory where she received a degree as teacher,
accompanist, and chamber ensemble soloist.
She taught piano at the renown Zaporozhye Music School in Ukraine.
She also accompanied and coached at Kalish Music Theatre and Kalish University in Poland.
Iryna was the featured vocalist of the folk rock group, Alisa, in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, India, and Nepal.
She has performed several international jazz festivals in Ukraine and Poland.
She has resided in Anchorage since 1997, where she teaches and performs.
Iryna's repertoire ranges from classical masterworks to jazz standards and easy listening.
Her jazz vocalizations highlight the swinging jazz style of the Ravens band.
