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 Marc
J. Ross |
Tim McCall - Tenor Sax |
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| MARC J. ROSS '98 - BASS
Although Marc has been playing a bass of one kind or another for over fifteen of his twenty-five years, his first musical experiences were vocal -- singing in school plays in elementary school, the Sabbath dinner table with his family, and The Boys Choir of Westchester in Westchester County, New York, where he grew up. In fourth grade, Marc began to study the contrabass in the school orchestra for no other reason than it was the biggest instrument he could find -- and being one of the tallest kids in his class, it seemed the logical thing to do. It was also unknowingly foresighted, since by the time he was in seventh grade, his voice had dropped two or three octaves effectively putting an end to any hopes of a singing career. In eighth grade, he began doubling on electric bass and in high school he discovered an interest in jazz. By age 18, Marc had placed third in the McDonald's Tri-state Jazz Combo Competition, pursued AP music theory and received Horace Greeley High School's "Music Honor Award" for accomplishment in music. Since that time, Marc has managed to keep busy. Taking a few years off from school, he freelanced on the New York scene, performing with numerous groups and musical theatre productions in such Village venues as The Bitter End and Terra Blues. He has studied music at SUNY Purchase, Berklee College of Music, and is currently completing a minor in Jazz Bass Performance at Clark University under the instruction of his mentor and friend, Richard Falco. Locally, he has performed with The Clark University Jazz Workshop, The WPI Jazz Ensemble and Stage Band, and The Bob Monroe Big Band, among others. His primary instructors include local legends Rich Falco and Dick Odgren, and New York bassist Steve Marks. After graduation, Marc plans to freelance as a studio musician, performer, and educator in the New York tri-state area. |
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| TONY D'AVENI - TRUMPET
As a recording artist for Worcester's own Brownstone Records label, Tony D'Avani has recorded two CD's entitled "Broken Hip" and "Hip Displacement." Among his other recording projects are two CD's he recorded with the Artie Barsamian Boston Big Band entitled "Everything Happens To Me" and "Boston After Dark." He has performed with many jazz notables including George Garzone, Les Arbuckle, Art Farmer and Rob McConnell, among others. The winner of two National Endowment for the Arts' study grants, Tony enrolled in at North Texas State University to pursue the study of music. Over the years he has studied with jazz masters John McNeil, Bobby Shew, Hal Crook, and Mike Metheny. Currently, Tony teaches trumpet and jazz improvization at his studio in Worcester, MA. |
| TIM McCALL- TENOR SAXOPHONE
Born in Pittsburg, PA, in 1967, Tim switched from clarinet to tenor saxophone as a sophmore in high school. In the summer, he studied at the Eastman School of Music and as a senior in high school he played with the McDonald's All American Jazz Band. This group gave him the opportunity to play with jazz greats Maynard Ferguson, Lou Rawls, and Spyro Gyra. Graduating from North Texas State University, Tim went on the road with Woody Herman's Band in July of 1989. In January of 1990 he signed on with Artie Shaw's Band which he has played with for eight years. Since 1990, he has performed with Billy Eckstine, Helen O'Connell, J. Geils, Al Gray, Lou Columbo, and the White Heat Swing Orchestra. Winning a Nation Endowment for the Arts Study Grant in 1992, Tim had the opportunity to study with jazz pianist Barry Harris. Over the years, he has studied with Joe Viola, Lee Konitz, James Moody, and Eric Kloss. Currently, Tim teaches jazz saxophone here at Clark University. Tim will be performing at Turner Fisheries Jazz Club, Weston Hotel, Boston on May 16th. |
| ULY MILLAN - GUITAR
Uly Millan has studied composition and arranging at The Maria Eugenia School of Music in Caracas, Venezuela and studied cello at the school of the Valentia Symphonic Orchestra, Valentia, Venezuela. Uly is a seasoned session player who has recorded for CBS-Columbia of Venezuela, Sonographica, and Sonorodven record labels. Among his credits are several albums he recorded with the top selling pop group, Pentagono, which produced several number one hits as well as three nationwide tours, performing to audiences of 40,000 people. Since moving to the states in 1990, Uly has studied with such New York guitar gurus as Tania Maria and Alex Adrian. Last year, he wrote, recorded, and produced the soundtrack for the film "Laura". In addition to running his own HEY STUDIO in Ossining, New York, Uly currently works as a session player, producer, and teacher throughout the New York tri-state area. "I am very grateful to the Lord for all he has showed me and given me through life, music being one of them. I am most grateful to my wife Polly and my daughter Bianca for their unconditional love and support." -Uly Millan |
| DICK ODGREN - PIANO AND KEYBOARD
Local jazz pianist and Auburn native, Dick Odgren received his initial piano instruction from his uncle, the late Roland E. Provost. Shortly after graduating from Auburn High School, Dick signed on with the United States Navy Band as both a pianist and an arranger. Completing his tour of duty in 1971, Dick enrolled at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music in Composition. From 1979-1990, He performed with trumpeter Mike Metheny, recording four albums (some including guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist Rufus Reid, and guitarist Bill Frisell) which featured numerous original compositions -- one being the title track of the CD "From Then Till Now." In the eighties, he performed and recorded with David Mash's fusion band "Ictus" and, in 1982, began a sixteen-year collaboration with Worcester's own trumpeter/vocalist Emil Haddad. Last year, Dick and Emil were voted "Best Jazz Act" by the readers of the Worcester Phoenix. Dick has been recognized for his excellence as a jazz educator, receiving the Henry "Boots" Mussulli Jazz Educator Award from the Jazz Worcester Society in 1990. As a Berklee College of Music faculty member, Dick taught classes in ear training, harmony, arranging, ensemble and piano, as well as performed in numerous "Berklee On The Road" clinics and master classes in Japan & California with vibraphonist Gary Burton. In 1990, Dick began teaching jazz piano at Clark University. Currently, he has an extensive private teaching practice in his studios in Auburn, MA, where he lives with his wife, Patricia, and two children, Michael and Jill. Dick can be seen performing live with Emil Haddad every Saturday night at O'Flatery's Piano Pub, 1541 Main Street, Worcester, MA. |
| RJ RABIN - DRUMS AND PERCUSION
RJ Rabin, our drummer for the evening, has been prepared in a lemon dill sauce, slightly broiled and served on a bed of lettuce with a pickled cabbage garnish. While a student at The New England Conservatory of Music he performed and recorded with Boston notables Randy Roos, Steve Hunt, David Buda, Gene McDaniels, Kevin Barry, Mark Lucas, Bruce Katz, Steve Drury, and Debris. RJ's most recent projects include a CD with The Randy Roos Band called "Spirit Jazz", Narada/Virgin, 1998, and the soundtrack for the soon to be released "Say You'll Be Mine" starring Justine Bateman. RJ currently resides in New York where he teaches and performs, and is consistently bothered by young girls convinced he is Leonardo DiCaprio -- that, or Ricardo Montalban… |