April 13, 2007
Danny SLAPJAZZ Barber, Master Body Percussionist, 4-13-07
Danny Barber performs “Body Percussion”, known traditionally as "Hambone". He has chosen to call his music "SLAPJAZZ" due to the advancement of his art form over the traditional forms. Danny has taken SLAPJAZZ to the mainstream performance level, gaining the respect and interest of all age categories.
Danny’s sounds are generated through a series of beats or slaps on the inner and outer thigh and upper chest cavity. The chest produces a bass thud effect, and the thighs produce a snare drum-like effect.
Beatboxing sounds are used from the mouth to enhance the overall effects, and live and recorded music are also used during performances.
Danny has performed at the SONY Company 25-year anniversary celebration; The New World Africans stage show; the First Annual San Felipe Jazz Festival; the "Just Ellington" Concert (Palm Springs, CA); and "Artist On the Cutting Edge" (La Jolla Museum of Contempory Art), featured with local jazz trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. These are a few of the many venues/events at which Danny has perfomed.
Posted by David Lemberg at 08:47 AM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2007
Victoria Robertson, Singer, Songwriter, Performer, 2-9-07
Victoria Robertson is that rare performer who is truly multitalented. With seven years of recording experience to her credit, Victoria is a creative artist by nature, continually looking for new musical territory to conquer. Her first full album of original compositions, On My Mind (2004), earned her an San Diego Music Awards nomination for “Best New Artist” in 2005 and a LA Music Awards nomination for “Best Record of the Year” in 2006.
Her second album, Celebrating America (2005), showcased her classical vocal abilities, covering well known patriotic songs. Embracing the world of recording technology, Victoria co-produced, with renowned engineer, Alan Sanderson (Rolling Stones, Weezer, Elton John), her most recent album of refreshing energetic original music, Say New You (2007).
The result of Victoria’s ambitious journey is a career that’s multifaceted. Originally from New Jersey and graduating from UC San Diego with a Visual Arts degree, Victoria immersed herself in the arts and music scene nationally and in her home-base, Southern California. Currently a Mezzo-Soprano singer for the San Diego Opera, Victoria made her first impact back in 1998. That year she entered and won the Miss San Diego Pageant which enhanced her modeling career, public speaking skills, and brought to light her talent as a vocalist.
Music being the strongest of all her passions, Victoria began to perform her original songs with a five-piece band. She took a great interest in the USO and performed for the troops in locations as varied as aircraft carriers and desert training grounds, and for distinguished personnel, such as the Governor of California. Because of her efforts, Victoria was awarded the title of Miss USO, San Diego. She continues to tour the world, performing before thousands in England, the Netherlands, Germany and Greenland, with much more on the horizon.
Posted by David Lemberg at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2006
Leo Eylar, Music Director and Conductor, California Youth Symphony, 12-15-06
Founded in 1952 the California Youth Symphony has taught thousands of students and includes two full symphony orchestras — the CYS Orchestra and the CYS Associate Orchestra, as well as a percussion ensemble and six additional groups for younger musicians.
The 2006-2007 membership of the California Youth Symphony includes almost 500 of the greater Bay Area's most promising young musicians ranging in age from nine to 18 and representing more than 100 elementary, middle and high schools.
Under the direction of Leo Eylar, the CYS Orchestra is the most advanced ensemble reserved for outstanding players whose technical level and musicality is highly advanced. The orchestra has established an international reputation for its outstanding performances. The orchestra performs a seven-concert series between November and May, plus an annual Holiday Concert in conjunction with other CYS ensembles.
In June 2006 the CYS Orchestra toured China. They have also toured Italy, Japan, Taiwan and to Central Europe, where CYS won the Grand Prize at the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna.
Leo Eylar is currently a professor and conductor at California State University Sacramento, a position he has held since 1988. Since 1990 he has been Conductor and Music Director of the California Youth Symphony. Under his masterful and spirited direction the orchestra soon enhanced its reputation as one of the finest youth orchestras in the world and won first prize in the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria, in July 1994. Over the past 16 years of his tenure, the orchestra has performed to great critical acclaim across four continents. He has also guest-conducted extensively throughout Europe and Asia, including prestigious music festivals in Japan, Austria, France, and Australia. Eylar has also been a frequent guest conductor of the San Jose Symphony. With a repertoire of over 250 symphonic works conducted, as well as numerous operas, Eylar brings a vast range of expertise and depth to his conducting.
Posted by David Lemberg at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2006
Robert Korda, Concert Violinist and Leader, Monseigneur Strings, 11-3-06
Robert Korda was born in New York. He was on the faculty of Immaculate Heart College. Also, Mr. Korda was a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra for 20 years playing under directors Sir George Solti, Zubin Mehta, and Carlo Maria Giulini. In 1986 he was a guest member of the Israel Philharmonic on it’s United States tour.
Mr. Korda has performed for six U.S. Presidents and other world leaders. Currently, he is a soloist for concerts, films, television, and chamber music. Mr. Korda also is the leader of the Monseigneur Strings, a group of strolling violinists, as well as his society dance orchestra. He also performs different styles of international music.
Posted by David Lemberg at 08:12 AM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2006
Annie MacManus, Host of the Annie Mac Show, BBC Radio 1, 9-15-06
The Annie Mac Show on Radio 1 began in July 2004, when, working as a production assistant on Zane Lowe's show, she impressed Radio 1 bosses with her demo's and her determination.
Since then her show has gone from strength to strength, attracting a host of loyal followers from around the world, and Annie has established herself firmly as part of Radio 1's “In New Music We Trust” evening output.
Annie is also a talented club DJ and is booked regularly to play the UK’s most credible clubs. She has just completed a DJ tour entitled Annie Mac Presents, where she personally chose DJs, both established and up-and-coming, and brought them to play in her favorite clubs. 2006 will see another UK tour, as well as dates all over the world.
Annie is a regular contributor to BBC2's The Culture show, reviewing new music releases. She has also done work for MTV2, presenting the cult program Gonzo.
Since her show began, Radio 1 has been working Annie hard. This year has seen her stand-in for Jo Whiley, Zane Lowe and Pete Tong on their respective shows and she is the official DEP for the Early Breakfast Show.
Here's Annie's page on MySpace.
Posted by David Lemberg at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)
September 02, 2006
Dr. Elaine Chew, Assistant Professor, University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, 7-7-06
Dr. Elaine Chew is an Assistant Professor in the Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, where she is also a key investigator at the Integrated Media Systems Center. In 2004, Elaine was honored with an NSF Career award for her proposal on performer-centered approaches to computer-assisted music making, in which she stated that her purpose was “to establish engineering music research as a core academic discipline” and to “promote the use of computational research in music processing by humans as a basis for creating and improving human-computer interaction in computer music systems”.
Elaine's thesis, completed under the supervision of Jeanne Bamberger, with OR co-advisor Georgia Perakis, proposed a mathematical model for tonality, the system of relations that serves as a framework for our hearing of tonal music, and computational methods for abstracting tonal structures. Her Spiral Array model and associated algorithms introduced an “interior point” approach to the problem of key finding in computational music cognition.
At USC, Elaine's foray into mathematical modeling of music flourished and expanded to include collaborative projects in music information retrieval, distributed immersive performance, and musical expression synthesis. She also developed a course on computational methods for music perception and cognition.
Apart from creating computer models to analyze and manipulate music, Elaine also performs frequently as an articulate proponent of post-tonal music. Her performances can be heard on NPR and WGBH’s Art of the States program.
Posted by David Lemberg at 03:47 PM | Comments (0)
Eric Lewis, Composer and Pianist, 8-18-06
One can only wonder where Eric Lewis's music comes from. From an early age he had regular lessons and clearly showed an aptitude. But plenty of people study music. Eric Lewis inhabits it. Devours it. Transforms it. His command of the things that can't be taught has made him one of today's most sought after musicians, with Cassandra Wilson, Wynton Marsalis, Elvin Jones, and Roy Hargrove just a few of the artists tapping the young talent to sit at the piano and infuse their music with his skill and passion.
Upon first look, it's hard to reconcile Eric's look with his incredible ability. The quiet artist who lives with music in his head, then gently coaxes it forth, caressing the keys with long tapered fingers — Eric Lewis is having none of it. From the shock of an Afro to the meaty hands with the span of baseball mitts to the athletic stride, nothing about Eric is holding back. When he sits down to play the piano, attacking the keys until they give up, bringing forth pure, unchecked emotion, there's a blue collar ethic to the way Eric makes music, as is evidenced by the small calluses that dot his fingertips. His hard work has paid off, with Mercer Ellington, Robin Eubanks, Jon Hendricks, Shorty Rogers, Donald Byrd, Ornette Coleman, Clark Terry, Betty Carter and Wes Anderson all employing Eric's talent.
Once the Camden, NJ native graduated from high school, Eric decided to make some noise on a grand scale. Within months of his graduation from the Manhattan School of Music in 1995 he was touring with Marsalis and Wilson, reaching out in every direction to make music. With the Marsalis Quintet, the music was classic jazz, while with Wilson Eric experimented with funk, gospel, folk, blues, and classical.
Since Camden set him loose on the world Eric has performed for President Clinton at 1996's Democratic National Convention, and at 1998's live television broadcast from the White House, "Jazz and Democracy." 1999 offered a formal confirmation of what was rapidly becoming clear when Eric won the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. It's a contest that goes beyond simply rewarding musical proficiency to recognizing the elusive combination of knowledge, command, passion and expression. It effectively crowned Eric a piano master. And he was just 26 years old. Straight from the competition he was invited to join the band of one-time John Coltrane collaborator Elvin Jones.
Jones was just one of many music authorities who saw in Eric the future of jazz. During his tenure at the piano for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Eric regularly celebrated the history of the genre. In less than a decade as a professional musician he's redefined what the piano can do in the hands of one man.
Eric's latest CD, "Hopscotch", is available in stores.
Posted by David Lemberg at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)
Chris Christian, CEO, World Digital Media Group, 8-11-06
Chris Christian began his professional music career as a performer in Nashville in 1974. He has been a performer, songwriter, publishing company executive, recording engineer, record producer, and record label executive, all leading up to his current role as founder and CEO of World Digital Media Group, which is the largest record label in Texas. His biggest current project is producing the first album of Ali Lohan, the younger sister of Lindsay Lohan. Ali’s album debuts later this fall, and features the up-and-coming star singing Christmas-themed songs.
Chris coined the phrases “new music paradigm” and “from creator to consumer” to describe how the digital age is changing the music industry forever, especially for young, independent musicians and bands who have more opportunities than ever to be discovered. Chris’s music industry accolades include nine Grammy Award nominations as a music producer, artist and publisher, with Chris winning four Grammys. He has also been nominated for seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards as a music producer, publisher and songwriter, winning five Doves.
Chris launched the music career of Amy Grant, and he has produced more than 60 albums that together sold in excess of 10 million copies. He has written more than 2000 songs, many of which have been recorded by such artists as Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John, The Carpenters, Sheena Easton, and Donny and Marie Osmond. He has had many Top Ten Billboard singles as an artist and producer.
Posted by David Lemberg at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)
Robert Capanna, Executive Director, Settlement Music School, 8-4-06
Robert Capanna came to the Settlement Music School in 1976 as director of the School's Kardon-Northeast Branch; in 1982, he was named Executive Director. Since that time, Settlement has grown from three to six locations serving over 9000 students on-site and 6000 students off-site.
Mr. Capanna is an active and widely respected composer. Originally a trombonist, he received his Bachelor and Masters of Music degrees in composition from the Philadelphia Music Academy. In 1974, he was the Bruno Maderna Fellow in Composition at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood and was awarded the Koussevitsky Prize in composition.
Mr. Capanna's works have been performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Concerto Soloists, Penn Contemporary Players, Orchestra 2001, Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, Mendelssohn Quartet and Colorado Quartet and in numerous chamber music and broadcast series. He has received commissions from the Huntingdon Trio, Philadelphia Trio, the Philadelphia Singers and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, among others.
Mr. Capanna is President of the Presser Foundation, Chair of the Music Panel and Planning Committee of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and past President of the Musical Fund Society and Musical Fund Society Foundation.
Settlement Music School, founded in 1908, is the largest community school of the arts in the United States. It is dedicated to providing people of all ages with the highest quality instruction and activity in music and the related arts. With five branches in the Philadelphia, PA region and one in Camden, NJ, the School now serves about 15,000 students of all abilities, and awards nearly $2 million a year in financial aid. There is at least one Settlement Music School alumnus in every major symphony in the United States and Settlement is the largest employer of musicians in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Although many people think of music as a specialist activity reserved for those with “talent”, the experience of Settlement Music School and similar community-based programs across the United States is that every student can benefit from music instruction and activity. Music study encourages self-discovery, self-confidence and self-discipline, and supports cognitive as well as emotional development. It makes stronger individuals and, consequently, stronger communities.
In addition to a Core Program of individual and class instruction in music and dance, Settlement provides a full-time, arts-based pre-school for children from at-risk families; music and dance therapy; day-time programs for seniors; programs for independent pre-schools, daycares and charter schools; and an Advanced Study program for pre-professional high school students.
Posted by David Lemberg at 02:27 PM | Comments (0)
Cho-Liang Lin, SummerFest Music Director, La Jolla Music Society, 8-4-06
As one of Southern California’s leading presenters of world-class performing arts, La Jolla Music Society contributes to San Diego’s cultural vitality year-round through a rich variety of concert series such as Celebrity Orchestra Series, Celebrity Recital Series, Jazz Series, Revelle Chamber Music Series, Discovery Series and North County Series. The Society’s signature event each year is the acclaimed La Jolla SummerFest, a three-week chamber music festival of performances, live broadcasts, open rehearsals, educational encounters, pre-concert talks, and social events. All of the Society’s activities are supported by extensive education and outreach programs, such as artist residencies and music instruction at the Community Music Center, which are designed to enlighten adult and young audiences, as well as aspiring and emerging artists.
Taiwanese-American violinist Cho-Liang Lin, Artistic Director of La Jolla Music Society SummerFest, is lauded the world over for the eloquence of his playing and for the superb musicianship that marks his performances. Renowned for appearances as a soloist with major orchestras, he is also frequently heard in recital and in chamber music. Musical America named Mr. Lin its Instrumentalist of the Year in 2000.
As Artistic Director of La Jolla SummerFest, the Los Angeles Times stated that Mr. Lin “has put together another bracing and provocative series.” An advocate of contemporary composers, Mr. Lin has invited prominent composers to this festival while actively seeking and promoting commissions from these composers. As a solo artist, he has premiered works by Tan Dun, Joel Hoffman, Christopher Rouse, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Elie Siegmeister, Bright Sheng, George Tsontakis, George Walker and Chen Yi. In San Diego and Taipei, he has presented the world premieres of two concertos by the Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin.
Cho-Liang Lin has recorded for Sony Classical, Decca, Ondine and BIS. Some of his albums have won such awards as Gramophone’s Record of the Year, as well as two Grammy Award nominations. On Sony Classical, his discography includes standard violin repertoire such as concerti ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky as well as chamber music of Brahms, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Debussy and Ravel. For Decca, he recorded the Concerto for Violin and Guitar by Aaron Jay Kernis with Sharon Isbin, conductor HughWolff and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. For BIS, he recorded Chen Yi’s concerto Folk Dance Suite. His recording of the concerto by Christopher Rouse on Ondine was recently named one of the best classical releases of 2004 by The New York Times.
Posted by David Lemberg at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)