Results for "Berklee College of Music"

Refugee Music in Europe: Migration, Asylum, Soundroutes, and Arab Jams

by Arthur R George
November 5, 2019

World conflicts do not spare musicians. They are among the millions of displaced persons upon the planet. A refugee assistance organization in Europe which has assisted hundreds said an accurate total is impossible to know; one estimate put the number into the thousands. Many had been privileged in their home countries, highly-educated, middle class or more. ...

Iming Lin

Born: December 8, 1989

Iming Lin is a classically trained, jazz saxophonist and composer, from Taipei, Taiwan. His musical journey began when he was six years old, when his parents decided to enroll him for piano lessons in the hopes that music would calm and discipline this boisterous, energetic six-year old boy. Few years later, Lin picked up the saxophone at the age of ten when his music teacher introduced him to wind concert band. Lin went on to study classical saxophone at Chinese Culture University and Shih Chien University. He won the Shih Chien University Concerto Competition in 2009 and performed Paul Creston “Concerto for Alto Saxophone” with Shih Chien University Orchestra at Taipei ZongShan Hall

Jeff Byrnes

Born: September 1, 1983

Jeff Byrnes began his journey in music at the tender age of 11, playing trumpet in his school band. After picking up the euphonium in the eighth grade, Jeff discovered that the deep end is where he likes to swim. Discovering the electric bass his freshman year of high school, he picked up the instrument & taught himself, listening to a combination of Motown R&B and 90’s era rock music.

Playing in the high school jazz band is really where it all happened though, introducing him to the sounds of jazz in all its idioms.

Jeff spent 2002–2007 attending Berklee College of Music as an upright bass principal.

Lauren Desberg

Born: March 12

Lauren Desberg’s songs are not the dated sounds of speakeasies and flappers, nor are they the type to be tucked into small lounges or clubs. Lauren’s voice and music fuse together the past and the present, combining classic jazz standards and measures with today’s popular music and lyrics. It’s meant for iPhone’s- morning train commutes and cocktail party playlists. The Harlem-based vocalist simultaneously pays homage to traditional jazz while adding her own contemporary feel—she embodies the spirit of her generation yet defies expectations all the same. Lauren grew up in Los Angeles, CA—born to a musical family who had her singing from day one

Walter Smith III

Born: September 24, 1980

From an early age, Walter began taking music very seriously. “My first gig was playing at a McDonalds in Houston with another saxophone player. I took a solo on “Blue Bossa.” It was terrible. People clapped, and I figured if I could get away with that and get applause, how could I fail?”

Although it may appear Smith is a new voice on the scene, he is widely recognized as an adept performer, accomplished composer, and inspired educator. Smith’s latest release, In Common III, has been described as “boundary pushing”, and features some of the most important and talked about musicians in the world - Matt Stevens, Kris Davis, Dave Holland and Terri Lyne Carrington.

Walter Smith III Joins Berklee As Chair Of The Woodwind Department

April 4, 2019

Berklee has named saxophonist Walter Smith III as chair of the Woodwind Department. Smith, a Berklee alumnus who recently released his fifth album as a leader, is widely recognized as an accomplished performer and composer, and an inspired educator. Smith takes up the position on May 1. “Bill Pierce has left a strong legacy of excellence ...

Domas Žeromskas

Born: August 29, 2000

The 23-year-old Lithuanian jazz pianist and composer has spent his early formative years on stage alongside prominent native jazz veterans. By the time he graduated high school, Domas was already a sought-after player, known for his technical versatility and soulful, eclectic taste.

At the age of 18 Žeromskas released his debut album “Infinite Itinerant”, showcasing original music composed and arranged during his teenage years, some tunes dating back to 2015. Along with an abundant team of Lithuanian musicians, the album featured guest performances from Braxton Cook & Gustav Karlström. In the following years he has been recording and touring internationally with artists such as Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Gregory Tardy, Naledi Masilo and Eric Williams, among others.

Harvie S

Born: December 6, 1948

Any jazz fan will tell you Harvie S is one of the great bass players on the scene today. He's played with the best and he continues to challenge himself and his peers in new artistic directions. Moreover, Harvie is a producer, bandleader, composer and educator. Harvie S has performed with masters in jazz music and masters in Latin music including Stan Getz, Pat Methany, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, Jim Hall, Michael Brecker, Gil Evans, Arturo O'Farrill, Lee Konitz, James Williams, James Moody, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, Houston Person, Art Farmer, Toots Thielemans, Bob Mintzer, Joe Lovano, Dave Leibman, Vic Juris, Danilo Perez, Paquito D'Rivera, Ray Barretto, Ray Vega, David Valintin and countless others

Juan Dhas

Born: May 4, 1994

uan Dhas is constantly seeking to push his limits and abilities as a guitarist, a composer, and an improviser. Born in Dubai, UAE, to a Colombian mother and Indian father, Juan encountered duality and global influence from a young age. After studying classical piano, Juan began playing Guitar at the age of 12 and went on to attend Berklee College of Music, where he studied with musicians such as Tim Miller, Dave Fiuczynski, and Scott DeOgburn, among many others.

Before graduating in 2014, Juan released his debut album, Embracing Clarity. The album introduced new listeners to his thoughtful, deliberate, and intense approach to guitar playing in tandem with his lyrical and intricate compositional style. Embracing Clarity was described as “very impressive in that Dhas exhibits a distinct musical personality at such an early stage of development” (All About Jazz). The album saw critical acclaim, with numerous reviews and international radio airplay in the US and various countries in Europe and Latin America

Alexis Tcholakian

Born: July 12, 1969

Alexis, born in Paris in 1969, is a pianist currently residing in France where he has enjoyed a fair amount of notoriety over the past decade. He studied classical piano, until his teen years, with Huguette Agédérian (concert pianist / first prize of the Académie Marguerite Long). In 1990, he won a scholarship to study jazz at the famous « Berklee College of Music » in Boston. Back in France, he developed his jazz playing with the well known jazz master Bernard Maury, friend of Bill Evans and Michel Petrucciani. Alexis Tcholakian has played in many venues in France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Algéria, Ukraine, Armenia... and often plays in Parisians jazz clubs (Petit Opportun, Sunset, Sunside, Petit Journal Montparnasse, Jazz Act, Caveau des Légendes, 7 Lézards, Opus Café, Franc-Pinot, Archipel …) Alexis is also a sideman for many jazz singers in France. Under his own name he has recorded 14 different trio and solo CD's and 2 DVD's ​ New recording Alexis Tcholakian Duo " DIALOGOS " issued may 12, 2023 on Camille Productions Label.