Jazz
Christian McBride teamed with his wife, Melissa Walker, to create a school music program in Montclair, New Jersey called Jazz House Kids. Advocating for their program, the couple have become knowledgeable on the importance of music education, and well spoken cheerleaders for arts funding. As an...
Anthony Ortega has been a mainstay on the west coast jazz scene since the 1940s. Growing up in Watts, Anthony went to school with and was exposed to many of the Los Angeles jazz musicians of the era including Charles Mingus. Playing sax, clarinet, and flute Anthony went on to play and tour with...
Branford Marsalis has a deep passion for music that reflects not only in his playing but his music education as well. Branford attributes his skills as a musician through dedicated practice in real life band situations, continually reassessing where he is in his practice and development. This...
Terence Blanchard remembers with pride the special way Lionel Hampton coached and encouraged him. It was his first professional gig and Hamp took the time to share with young Terence, an act of kindness that continues to give to this day. While having a successful jazz career, Terence never...
Ellis Marsalis had a firm idea how to bring out the best music in people, even before his famous sons were born. His understanding of music theory and notation became the cornerstone of his own career as a musician and that of an unofficial music teacher. Just a few years after Hurricane Katrina...
Al Di Meola has long been known for his impeccable technique, perfect sense of rhythm and timing, and lightning fast displays of guitar virtuoso. Al has also become a very unique and multi-faceted composer. Al strives hard to build upon and improve with every album whether they be original...
David Gold created a special formula that became the key factor in the echo chamber of his Hollywood recording studio called Gold Star. The studio was filled with furniture and electronic machines that David built himself. All of the control boards and all modifications of the gear within the...
Herb Holt has thoroughly enjoyed his life in music, both as a musician and as a sales rep! In 1968 he formed the Music Marketing Company to represent the Ovation Guitar line in Minnesota. The company quickly expanded to cover a long list of products for retail stores Herb called on in and around...
Jaime Valle started out playing top 40 hits, but before long grew tired and was looking for something new when he happened upon jazz. It was a match made in heaven. After studying with Howard Roberts among others, Jaime went on to forge a top flight repertoire leading to multiple San Diego music...
Peter Sprague smiled as the audience at the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California continued their applause. It was one of many performances that month in mid-2012 for Peter, but a special one to those who heard music in a different way. Peter’s career is filled with...