Dick Morgan has over 60 years experience as a jazz pianist, recording artist and vocal coach, thanks in part to the early direction and encouragement from Duke Ellington and Tommy Dorsey.
A child prodigy, Morgan could immediately play anything he heard. At age 10, he had his own 15-minute radio show in Petersburg, Virginia on station WPID, and later had a half hour TV program on WTAR in Norfolk, Virginia. He learned jazz playing with the jazz artists stationed at Fort Lee during the Second World War. As a teenager, he drew the attention of Duke Ellington who came to hear him play and provided him great encouragement. In 1957, Tommy Dorsey bought him to Las Vegas and in1961 Cannonball Adderley laid the groundwork for Morgan to record 3 albums with Riverside Records. He has recorded over 15 albums and CDs for various labels over the years.
Dick Morgan has performed at home and abroad, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Greenland and Puerto Rico. Engagements in the United States include performances in Las Vegas, New York, Miami Beach and Chicago. He has played numerous concerts at the Kennedy Center, Corcoran Gallery, Constitution Hall as well as the Smithsonian in concert with the noted singer Joe Williams. He has also participated in many of the recent Jazz Cruises.
Longtime fan Bill Cosby persuaded him to return to school at age 45. Dick received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Antioch University and in1983 he received the Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. Mr. Morgan has served as Adjunct Professor at Antioch University teaching "The History of Jazz", and conducted seminars for music educators at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He has also lectured on music and arts law at Georgetown University. In addition, he conducted vocal training for many artists, including Phyllis Hyman, Terri Bryant and Margie Day.
Dick was honored as a "Legacy Keeper" at the Visionary Heritage Fellows Program's Leadership and Training Conference from July 21 to July 25, 2007. Legendary elders are interviewed by outstanding university fellows from many colleges and universities. While learning about the Legacy Keepers’ contributions to society and the African American community, students also benefit from hearing about the elders’ life experiences, as one generation's knowledge and wisdom is conveyed to another.
Some of the past Legacy Keepers have been Maya Angelou, Ray Charles, Shirley Chisholm, Ossle Davis, Ruby DeeT Katherine Dunham, Dick Gregory, Dorothy Height, Quincy Jones, Coretta Scott King, B.B,King, Eartha Kitt, Gordon Parks, Sidney Poitier, Delia Reese, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Andrew Young and Buck Hill.
Dick Morgan and his quartet perform at least once per year in the Montpelier Jazz Series. Dick also teaches a lecture course on the History of Jazz for the Montpelier Arts Center’s class program.
Steve Abshire is a jazz guitarist, teacher, and clinician based here in the Washington, D.C./ Baltimore area. His mainstream style comes from years of study with Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Joe Pass and rhythm guitarist Steve Jordan. Abshire has played with jazz giants such as Gene Bertoncini, Charlie Byrd, Joe Byrd, Tal Farlow, Keter Betts, Scott Hamilton, Frank Vignola, Milt Hinton, Louie Bellson, and Marian McPartland. He has also accompanied legendary vocalists: Della Reese, Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Ernie Andrews, Etta Jones, Diane Shuur, and Ronnie Wells.
Steve has also appeared in concert with the "Great Guitars" sitting in for Barney Kessel.
With Navy for 24 years, Steve was the guitarist/featured soloist with the Commodores, the Navy's premiere jazz band, for 18 of those years. He retired in 1997. Twice he went to Europe to perform at the famed "Jazz In Marciac" jazz festival in Marciac, France.
Steve can be found on numerous recordings, including three of his own. His first, "Big Brass Bed Blues" received a 4 1/2-star rating from Downbeat Magazine, which called him "...fluent, assured, directly communicative...definitely one to watch." His latest project, "Live at the Mainstay", is another magical collaboration with guitarist Vince Lewis, released on the Noteworthy Jazz label.
Steve plays frequently in the D.C. area, especially with Joe Byrd, vocalist Sue Mathews, and as a member of the Dick Morgan Quartet.
David Einhorn
Bassist
Over a 30-year career, bassist David Einhorn has performed with Paquito D’Rivera, Mose Allison, Hank Jones, Etta Jones, Ira Sullivan, Al Gray, Susan McCorkle, John Gary, John Hicks, Monty Alexander, Scott Hamilton, Eddie Higgins, Gap Mangione, Johnny Hartmann, Anita O’Day, Kai Winding, Doc Cheatham, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Nat Adderley, Buddy Tate, Mark Murphy, and numerous other jazz and pop artists.
He has recorded with dozens of artists over the years, including three CDs with jazz pianist Dick Morgan. He also was the producer, arranger/composer, and bassist on an award-winning CD with legendary jazz multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan entitled “Strings Attached.” His original composition “The Kingdom Within You” was selected in 2005 for inclusion on the CD “Gilles Peterson Digs America,” a series of compilation recordings by the renowned London DJ. Mr. Einhorn has also recorded with renowned Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin.
Mr. Einhorn was a section bassist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida from 1981-84. He has a B.A. in Applied Music from the University of Miami.
Bertell Knox
Drums
Drummer Bertell Knox has over 50 years experience playing with some of the country’s greatest musicians including Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Frank Wess, Arnett Cobb, Keter Betts, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Heath, Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, and, of course, Dick Morgan.
He leads his own group at many Washington area venues including the Kennedy Center, where he presented a tribute to Count Basie in 2004. He also conducts jazz appreciation classes in the Prince George’s County Public School System.
Knox received intense training as a drummer while in the service during World War II. After his discharge, he joined the Washingtonians, the Howard Theatre house band, led by Frank Wess. He moved on to the Howard University Swingmasters in the 1950s and subsequently began accompanying vocalists including Pearl Bailey and Ella Fitzgerald. He worked with Charlie Byrd and Keter Betts many times over the years starting in 1957 at the Showboat Club.
Bertell has retired from his federal government position to devote all his energy to playing and teaching jazz.
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