Our Mission
The North State Jazz Orchestra & Ensemble is dedicated to enriching the cultural tapestry of Redding, California, through the vibrant art of jazz. As a non-profit organization, we strive to present exceptional musical experiences while fostering community engagement and educational outreach. Our concerts not only showcase remarkable talent but also aim to inspire and connect with audiences of all ages.
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Join us in our mission to elevate the jazz experience and support the cultural landscape. Through various performances and educational initiatives, we celebrate the beauty and versatility of jazz music.
Cleveland Boney
Co-Founder / Director / Conductor
Cleveland Bonéy is a musician, producer, and arts advocate based in Northern California and the founder of the North State Jazz Orchestra (NSJO). With a deep passion for big band jazz and live performance, he is dedicated to preserving the tradition of the jazz orchestra while creating new opportunities for musicians and audiences in the region. Through NSJO, Bonéy is helping build a vibrant, community-centered platform for swing, classic jazz, and contemporary big band music.
The Team
Kimberly Boney
Marketing / Event Director
Kimberly N. Bonéy is a writer, copy editor and marketing and event coordinator with a passion for bringing stories to life. As the owner & designer of HerStory Vintage, a handcrafted jewelry company based in Redding, California, Kimberly works to tell stories not only with words, but with jewelry-making materials and repurposed elements. Both her father and her husband are Jazz musicians and Jazz music has been a beautiful soundtrack for much of her life. She is dedicated to working with the North State Jazz Orchestra to help create more opportunities for the community to experience Jazz music. She looks forward to seeing the profound impact music can have on every life it touches.
Rebekah van Tinteren
Concert Master / String Coordinator
Rebekah has played violin crossing genres from classical to playing/
singing in folk, jazz, gypsy and worship bands. She has played on live
tv, radio, film score and at cabaret and arts festivals. Rebekah has toured
Australasia/South Pacific, Germany and the USA with various groups
performing in the Beijing Concert Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie and the
Grand Ole Opry. Rebekah played with the Adelaide Symphony and
Adelaide Art Orchestras before moving to the USA in 2009. She has
played with North State Symphony since 2014 and enjoys collaborating
with artists and art forms, and making music with children. She has
recorded her own original instrumentals and songs since 2011.
Rebekah studied Violin Performance at Elder Conservatorium
(Australia) and in Basel (Switzerland), holds a B. Ed. (Flinders
University) and holds an Advanced Suzuki Dip. (Aust).
Greg Takemoto
Co-Founder / Woodwind Coordinator / Financial Manager
Greg Takemoto is a passionate musician, saxophonist, and the founder of Redding Music School, where he teaches students of all ages and fosters a lifelong love of music. He has been deeply involved in the North State’s music community, shaping programs that help students grow academically, socially, and creatively through music education.
A lifelong player himself — having begun playing saxophone at a young age — Greg brings years of performance experience and teaching insight to his work as an educator and mentor. Before launching his school, he performed in diverse music settings and has been active in supporting live music in the region.
Greg’s vision for community engagement extends beyond private lessons: he co-organizes events like the Fall into Jazz Festival in downtown Redding, designed to showcase local jazz talent and revitalize interest in the genre across generations. This festival reflects his belief that jazz and live performance are vital cultural assets and powerful tools for community connection.
As a small business owner and music advocate, Greg leverages his enthusiasm for teaching and performance to create inclusive spaces where students build confidence, artistic expression, and lifelong relationships through music.
Paul Senn
Co-Founder / Brass Coordinator / Managing Director
Paul Michael Senn is a lifelong Redding musician, trumpet player, and teacher with 37 years of experience performing and mentoring musicians throughout Northern California. His performance credits include collaborations with The Four Tops, Lynn Anderson, The Temptations, and Ingrid Jensen, along with local groups such as Swing City, OneSol, the Shasta Symphony, and the Straight Ahead Big Band. Outside of music, Paul works in non-profit healthcare, reflecting his deep commitment to community service—an ethic that shapes both his musicianship and his involvement in the arts.
1st Rehearsal
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