Douglas Yates is a Californian who found his way to the east coast jazz scene about 20 years ago.  Upon graduating from Berklee College of Music on a full tuition Alma Berk talent scholarship, he began recording and touring. As a member of the Mingus Orchestra, he has played jazz festivals throughout the states and Europe, and his work with Jon Ballantyne's Quartet ("Round Again" for N.Y. Jam Records) and Thor Madsen's Quartet ("Metal Dog" for Red Giant) have brought him to festivals in Canada, Germany, Italy, Copenhagen, and Israel.  Douglas is the featured soloist on "Moten Swing," which was nominated for a grammy in 1993 for "Best Arrangement on an Instrumental,"and plays on "I Am Three" with the Mingus Orchestra which was grammy nominated in 2006 for "Best Jazz Album, Large Ensemble."  Recent performances with Dave Douglas'Nomad and a 2006 spring tour in Spain and Portugal with Jamie Baum's Sextet ("Moving Forward, Standing Still") have also been highlights.  Residencies with the Kenny Wheeler Big Band have brought him twice to Birdland.  He also plays with George Garzone, one of his greatest mentors, at clubs in the city and on George's "Moodiology" for NYC records.  Other performances and recordings include Medeski/Martin/Wood, Elvis Costello, Cab Calloway, Dewey Redman, Sam Rivers, Julius Hemphill, David Binney, Gary Burton, and Carla Blely, to name a few.  His playing can be heard on over 40 CD's, and he has been teaching ensembles and master classes for The New School, New York University, and New England Conservatory.