Results for "New York City"

Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble

Founded by violinist Meg Okura, the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble “elegantly intertwine(s) elements of classical, jazz and world folk into a new sound,” - Elliot Simon, All About Jazz (2006). Born in Tokyo, Okura toured all of Asia as a solo violinist, making her U.S. debut at Kennedy Center as a teen. Graduate of the Juilliard School, she has appeared on over 50 albums and film scores as a composer, violinist and an erhu player, and has performed with artists from Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Michael Brecker, Dianne Reeves, to Cirque du Soleil and David Bowie, to actor Terrence Haward

Akiko Tsuruga

Born: September 1, 1850

She’s “Sweet and Funky,” she’s “Cute and Bad”. A Composer. A Performer extraordinaire. The legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith describes her this way: “Akiko's playing is like watching a flower blooming, a bird spreading her wings in the music world. Akiko is here to stay. ” Raised in Osaka, Japan, this talented musician began studying the organ at the age of three, at the famed Yamaha Music School. After discovering her passion for jazz very early on in her musical journey, Akiko launched her career immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music. While living and playing in Osaka, she had many opportunities to perform with world-renowned jazz musicians from the United States

Avram Fefer

Born: June 9

Avram Fefer is an American jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader, currently residing in New York City. He has been performing and recording internationally since 1990, with eleven album releases as a leader and many more as a sideman. He has performed with world-class musicians throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and enjoys collaborations with creative artists of all sorts, including poets, dancers, visual artists, DJ's, and digital sound designers, among others. His writings have been published in several books; his music has appeared in a variety of films and television shows; he has been teaching privately for over 20 years; and he has performed in several notable theatre productions —- director Ivo Van Hove's production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Melvin Van Peebles' Sweet Sweetback's Baaadaaaas Song, and BRIC Arts Brer Rabbit The Opera: A Funky Meditation On Gentrification

Deborah Davis

Born: April 3

DEBORAH DAVIS is a gifted singer and consummate performer that captivates audiences throughout the world. A jazz vocalist fused with Texas blues, gospel, and soul, she has a natural flowing charm and flawless stage presence that draws you into her show. A native of Dallas Texas, Deborah’s musical development lead her to NEW YORK CITY, where she has carved out a niche for herself on the U.S., European, Asian, Russian, & Middle Eastern jazz scenes. Deborah’s distinct style of phrasing, extraordinary singing ability and professionalism has earned her invitations to perform with legendary jazz greats, RAY BROWN, LIONEL HAMPTON, CLARK TERRY, and a rare opportunity to substitute for ABBEY LINCOLN

Jesse Lewis

Born: January 17, 1978

"Rebirthing the cool in the 21st century, Jesse Lewis is flipping the script on jazz for a whole new generation," writes Australian music critic Jeremy Balius (Fly Global Music). Hailed as “an articulate ace” (NY Times) and a “poet of the steel string” (Stereophile Magazine), New York City based guitarist Jesse Lewis is a first call collaborator with the finest musicians in the world. Known as an extremely versatile and eclectic artist, Lewis’ distinctive sound can be heard on a wide variety of projects crossing through the worlds of jazz, world music, pop, and electronica. Lewis performs at major music festivals and clubs all over the world and works regularly in New York City at the Blue Note, Birdland, Smalls, Joe’s Pub, and 55 Bar, and has performed at legendary venues such as Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. Born in Boston, Lewis was first drawn to the guitar in high school through the music of rock groups like Nirvana, the Ramones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin; and later, after hearing artists like Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, and John Scofield, he began playing jazz music. Wanting to learn more about the tradition and where jazz music originated, Lewis moved to New Orleans and studied with guitar marvel, Steve Mazakowski at the University of New Orleans

Tim Kuhl

Born: June 24, 1982

Tim Kuhl is a drummer, composer, percussionist, producer, and band leader. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD as one of five boys in a musical household, he studied classical and jazz forms before leaving home for New York City. He has toured and recorded with a diverse range of artists in addition to having been a full time member of many NYC bands like The Izzys, Christian Gibbs, Invisible Familiars, Sean Lennon’s The GOASTT, Margaret Glaspy, and the experimental group Little Worlds, whose Bela Bartok interpretations have garnered international critical praise. As a composer he has released a number of self-produced jazz and experimental records culminating in 2012’s St

Q Morrow

Born: June 8, 1983

Well schooled in many styles of music and guitar technique, Q is a rare breed of guitarist who feels at home in any style of music, on any guitar. Having studied extensively jazz, funk, pop, rock, and classical guitar here in the far West, Carnatic (South Indian Classical) and Hindustani music in the far East, Brazilian and Cuban music on the side, it would be no stretch to say that his versatility is his strongest point. What sets him apart from other world musicians is the fact that his interest in music is spiritual, not technical. To Q, music is an offering. Growing up in Caldwell, Idaho, a suburb of Boise provided Q with ample practice time

Cheryl Pyle

Born: April 9

CHERYL PYLE - MUSICIAN -JAZZ FLUTE BIO The versatile flutist Cheryl Pyle received her BA in music from the University of California at Berkeley in 1976, having received her Associates Degree from Mesa College in 1974. Her teachers included Merrill Jordan, Janet Maestre, Francis Watson, and Jayn Rosenfeld. She took Master Classes with Jean-Pierre Rampal, Julius Baker, James Newton. At Berkeley, she was a member of the school's orchestra, and she possesses an extensive classical solo repertoire. From 1975 to 1976 she served as Musical Director of the Berkeley Shakespeare Festival, and she has performed in orchestras for over half a dozen musical theater productions

Sharel Cassity

Born: February 10

Saxophonist, Woodwindist, Composer & Educator Sharel Cassity (pron. Shah-Relle) is a musician on the New York, Chicago, and international jazz scenes. Listed as “Rising Star Alto Saxophone” in Downbeat Magazine for the past 11 consecutive years, Sharel has appeared on the Today Show, earned her MA from The Juilliard School under full scholarship, won the 2007 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award & has been inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Cassity has shared the stage with jazz luminaries including Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; as well as mainstream artists Aretha Franklin, Natalie Merchant, Vanessa Williams & Trisha Yearwood

Jochen Rueckert

Born: May 13, 1975

Jochen Rueckert is a Jazz drummer, composer, band leader, and Oxford Comma-enthusiast born in Germany in 1975, currently residing in New York City.

Besides a decade of touring with his own quartet with Mark Turner, Lage Lund, and Matt Penman, Jochen is known for his work in 12 years of the Marc Copland trio, the mid-2000 Kurt Rosenwinkel New Quartet, all of Nils Wogram's Root 70, recent work with the Melissa Aldana trio and Fred Hersch, his electronic music programmed under the alias "Wolff Parkinson White", as well as his series of ebooks aptly titled "Read the Rueckert- travel observations and pictures of hotel rooms".