GENE BERTONCINI
Gene Bertoncini is one of the pre-eminent jazz guitarists active today. His fluid technique and lyricism have won him international praise and such accolades as the "Sagovia of jazz." An eloquent and versatile improviser, Mr. Bertoncini has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws and Paul Desmond, among others, as well as with such distinguished vocalists as Tony Bennett, Carmen McRae, Lena Horne, Vic Damone, and Edye Gorme.
The Washington Post proclaimed his 1999 solo appearance in New York City the best jazz concert of that year. Mr. Bertoncini's acclaim is not confined to the U.S.. His recent CD Someone to Light Up My Life, his own arrangements of the compositions of the great bossa nova composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, won international raves, including recognition in Brazilian critic's and listener's polls as one of the ten best jazz recordings of the year; those same polls also named him the best acoustic jazz guitarist.
Gene Bertoncini has just released a striking new CD on Ambient Records, Body and Soul, which features his own innovative solo arrangements of classic jazz and popular songs. Mr. Bertoncini also gained wide acclaim for his duo performances with bassist Michael Moore, in what The New York Times called "one of the finest pairings of jazz strings." The duo is documented on their Two in Time CD. Recordings by Mr. Bertoncini also include another trio date, this with Bill Charlap and Sean Smith, duos with Jiggs Whigham and Kenny Poole, (released under the title eastmeetsmidwest,) and "All This and Heaven Too" with Check Redd on Arbors Records.
A prolific and popular studio musician, he has also worked with composers and arrangers such as Lalo Schifirin and Michel Legrand, in addition to numerous television appearances. Mr. Bertoncini has also performed with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
In addition to an active performing and recording schedule, Gene Bertoncini teaches at the Eastman School of Music, the New England Conservatory, New York University and the Banff School of Fine Arts. A New York native, Mr. Bertoncini is a graduate of Notre Dame University, from which he received a degree in architecture.
JOHN DOUGHTEN
John's style is firmly rooted in the swing tradition, having been influenced to a large degree by Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Lester Young and Ben Webster. He's got one of the smoothest and mellow sounds you'll find in a saxophone player.
He was born into a family where music (Jazz specifically) always played an important part in everyday life. He started playing clarinet at age 12. At age 14 he started playing professionally and soon after included the tenor saxophone in his repertoire.
Through the years, John has performed with the likes of Scott Hamilton, Kenny Davern, Ken Peplowski, John Allred, Warren Vache, Phil Flanigan, Eddie Higgins and The Charlie Byrd Trio.
"The Penguin Guide to Jazz" in reference to his work on the CD "Zoot's Hymns" (Sunnyside Communications, SSC 1064D) says Doughten is "darn good - easy swing, good head for melody and prototyped big tone." John also has another CD on Sunnyside (SSC 1073D), "A Time For Love". Both CD's have Eddie Higgins - piano, Phil Flanigan - Bass, and Danny Burger - Drums.
JOE BYRD
Joe Byrd was born in Virginia, the youngest of 4 brothers with Charlie Byrd being the oldest. He began playing guitar early in his childhood, learning from his brother Charlie and his father who played mandolin and guitar. His first performance experience was playing with the family band on the local radio station in Suffolk, Virginia.
Following military service during the Korean conflict Mr. Byrd entered the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Since guitar study was not available at that time, his brother suggested he study bass so they could play together in the future. He was a bass major with a minor in flute. He also studied piano and voice. While enrolled in school he played in the local jazz clubs in Baltimore. In 1961 he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree and a teaching certificate.
Joe has been a professional jazz musician since graduating from Peabody. For over 40 years, he and his brother Charlie Byrd played together in a variety of musical contexts. Usually the group was called the Charlie Bryd Trio and included Charlie on guitar, Joe on bass and a drummer. There were years, however, when the group expanded to a quintet and included flute and trumpet. Joe recorded with Charlie on over 30 albums. The most popular album, Jazz Samba, featuring Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd, finds Joe playing rhythm guitar and an 1/8 size bass, played to resemble a cello. With his brother, Joe traveled the world performing in over 100 countries. The group was on many occasions selected by the State Department to act as "Goodwill Ambassadors." Their last major tour in 1992 included performances in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Korea and Malaysia. The Trio was the first jazz performance ever given at the concert hall in Seoul, Korea. Several years earlier they were the first western musicians to play in Burma. In addition to performance and teaching Joe has written musical scores for documentary films and is currently the leader of a musical group called the Annapolis Jazz Trio/Quartet/Quintet. This group has been together for 10 years, playing primarily in the Washington/Baltimore area.
With Tune #6 on "The Good Stuff" you get a sample of Joe's blues vocalizing. He's done these fun tunes for years. On the 1978 Concord Recording "Blue Byrd" (CCD-4082,) you get a couple with Charlie, "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" and "Saturday Night Fish Fry." In 2001, Joe released "Basically Blues" where you'll get 14 of these gems with Joe providing vocals along with his fine bass work. With him are Steve Abshire on guitar and Mike Shapherd on drums. This is a JEB Music Company production.
Contact JEB at 91 Tarragon Lane, Edgewater, MD 21037; phone (410) 269-0777.
STEVE ABSHIRE
Steve Abshire is a jazz guitarist, teacher, and clinician based in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area. Steve's mainstream style comes from years of study with Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, and Joe Pass. He has appeared in concert with notable jazz greats Herb Ellis, Milt Hinton, Tal Farlow, Keter Betts, and Marian McPartland to name a few. Steve has accompanied many legendary vocalists such as Della Reese, Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, and Etta Jones. He has also appeared in concert with the "Great Guitars" as a substitute for Barney Kessel. Twice Steve went to Europe to perform at the famed "Jazz In Marciac" Jazz Festival held in Marciac, France. In 1997, Steve retired from the U. S. Navy Band's Commodores, where he performed as guitarist/featured soloist for 24 years. He was on faculty at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. for five years. In addition to teaching privately, Steve is presently on the faculty at Cedar Brook Academy in Clarksburg, Maryland. As a clinician, Steve has given Master Classes in guitar and rhythm section technique at the Armed Forces School of Music, James Madison University, Elon University, and various other local colleges and high schools. Steve can be found on numerous recordings, including two of his own. His first, "Big Brass Bed Blues," received a 4 ½ star rating from Down Beat magazine. His latest release is "Come In From The Rain." This recording, along with appearance calendar and other information, is available at his website at www.steveabshire.com.
CHUCK REDD
Chuck Redd has proved himself to be a seasoned performer on both drums and vibraphone. He began performing internationally when he joined the Charlie Byrd Trio as their drummer at the age of 21. He began performing extensively with the Great Guitars (Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis.) To his credit are ten extensive European tours and three tours of Japan, including a festival tour with the Barney Kessel Trio.
Redd's career as a featured artist on the vibraphone has also earned critical acclaim: "Check Redd makes an impressive debut on vibraharp; his crisp, resourceful mallet work is invigorating!" -Downbeat Magazine
Chuck was featured vibraphonist with the Mel Torme All-Star Jazz Quintet from 1991 until 1996. While on tour with Torme, Ira Gitler of Jazz Times said: "Redd's vibes were equally notable for vigor and melodiousness." Jazz Times also praised Redd's playing on Charlie Byrd's 1999 release, My Inspiration, calling his vibes work, "Exquisite!". Which Chuck led his own quartet at Blues Alley, the Washington Post said: " . . . he unfurled fluid, swingingimprovisations, showing a flair for creating both sunny and earthy moods. His approach to ballads was warmly lyrical and laced with vibrato."
He has toured and performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, Tommy Flanagan, Ray Brown, Monty Alexander, Laurindo Almeida, Tal Farlow, Red Norvo, Ken Peplowski, Scott Hamilton, Dr. Billy Taylor, Marian McPartland, Bucky Pizzarelli and Terry Gibbs.
Redd is featured on over 35 recordings. The includes Big Band Treasures with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Grenadilla with Ken Peplowski, and My Inspiration with Charlie Byrd and Trio da Paz. He can also be heard on the sound track to the popular PBS television series, The Great Chefs, and the NPR broadcast Jazz Smithsonian.
Chuck's most noteworthy performances include an appearance with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet in Africa for the Namibian Independence Day Celebration, a recital at the White House with the Barney Kessel Trio, concerts at Carnegie Hall with Mel Torme, and the Tonight Show. He is currently a member of the Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the New York based Ken Peplowski Quartet and the Loren Schoenberg Big Band. October of 2000 marked Mr. Redd's fourth tour of Japan where he was featured in the Concord-Fujitsu Jazz Festival.
Chuck's first recording as a leader, titled Stomp, Look and Listen, features Charlie Byrd and Tommy Flanagan. His most recent CD as a leader is "Chuck Redd: All This and Heaven Too" on Arbors Records (ARCD 19257.) This CD has Gene Bertoncini on guitar, George Mraz on bass, plus Ken Peplowski (tenor sax and clarinet) on four of the tunes. Contact Arbors at (800) 299-1930; internet at http://www.arborsrecords.com.
MIKE SHEPHERD
Drummer Mike Shepherd has performed with such nationally known pop and jazz artists as Rosemary Clooney, Roger Williams, Clark Terry, Erbie Green, Lew Tabakin, Charlie Byrd, Bud Shank, Jay McShann, Kenny Burrell, Warren Vache, Dick Hyman, and Marvin Hamlisch. He has also performed with both the Baltimore and the National Symphony Orchestras. Mike was also the Drum Set Percussionist, and toured with the Maynard Ferguson Big Band performing at Carnegie Hall. His recording credits include, "Red Norvo Live From The Smithsonian," with Red Norvo, "Live From Georgetown" and "Drive, Passion and Unpredictable," both with Dick Morgan. Mike was guest artist at the W.C. Handy Jazz Festival for 16 years, the Shreveport Jazz Festival, Blues Alley, Buddy's Place in New York City, and the UMBC Eastern Regional Jazz festival in Baltimore, MD. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Academy Band, Drum Set Percussionist for the U. S. Navy Band Commodores, and Percussion Instructor for the Armed Forces School Of Music. He currently works as a free-lance musician, and is on the faculty of Shepherd College, in Sheperdstown, WV.
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