Berklee Today
 |
|
| Hal Galper '57 |
Pianist Hal Galper of Cochecton, NY, released the CD Agents of Change with his trio featuring drummer Billy Mintz and bassist Tony Marino. The music is a mixture of Galper's compositions and standards given an ultramodern approach. Visit www.halgalper.com.
1963Trumpeter Howard Rowe of Fairport, CT, has released the CD Hot Sauce! with the Studio A Big Band. The disc features 17 of Rowe's jazz compositions. His music is published by C. L. Barnhouse Company.
1970Tenor saxophonist and bandleader James Dean of Haledon, NJ, has released Swingin' at the Whiskey Café with his big band. Various tracks are getting national airplay on jazz stations.
1971Saxophonist Greg Abate of Coventry, RI, wrote an article on improvisation that appears in the online publication Keynotes. Visit www.keynotesmagazine.com/article.php?uid=126.
Michael Haydn of Vineyard Haven, MA, has been playing as a solo performer on Martha's Vineyard.
Composer Randy Klein of New York City wrote the music for a new musical titled The Thing About Joe, which was previewed at the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop in November.
1972Dr. Paul Stomper of East Amherst, NY, has authored the book Come Sunday: Inspiration for Living with Heart. The book contains stories and quotes of inspiration and faith gained over the past 25 years working as a cancer physician. Visit www.comesunday.net.
1974Pianist Roger Friedman of Westlake, OH, performed recently with the Eddie Henderson Quartet, and was featured on the CD What's What with Cleveland-based saxophonist Dave Sterner. Visit www.rogerfriedman.com.
Keyboardist Jon Hammond of New York City has released the CD NDR Sessions Projekt on City Hall Records. Visit www.jonhammondband.com.
1975Keyboardist Dave DeGrand of Worcester, MA, released the CD Midlife Crisis. DeGrand wrote eight of the disc's nine songs. Rob Adams and Lisa Brumby appear as guest vocalists. Visit www.degrandmusic.com.
Drummer and vibraphonist Charles Xavier of San Francisco, CA, has released the CD The XMan Cometh: Expect the Unexpected on his own label. The disc features 10 original songs with a host of guest singers and instrumentalists. Visit www.happynoterecords.com.
1977Anthony Corman of Berkeley, CA, has bounced back from a battle with focal dystonia that forced him to stop playing saxophone. He is currently playing gigs as a guitarist in the Bay Area.
 |
|
| Ken Field '78 |
Pianist Tod Cooper of Woodland Hills, CA, was the creative supervisor for the international dubs of the film Dreamgirls. Cooper played piano for the Broadway production of the show from 1983 to 1985.
Saxophonist and composer Ken Field of Cambridge, MA, composed a dance piece titled Under the Skin that was premiered in New York in October 2006 and released on CD. He wrote the score for the short film Sensorium that was animated by his wife Karen Aqua and premiered at the Denver International Film Festival. Visit http://kenfield.org.
Jazz guitarist and composer Rich Richbourg of Orlando, FL, is playing live gigs and doing jingle sessions in the Orlando area. His new instrumental CD is titled Life Is for the Living. Visit http://rickrichbourg.com.
1979Arranger, composer, and keyboardist George Candreva of Cortlandt Manor, NY, operates C-Note Music, Inc., a teaching and recording studio in his hometown. Visit www.cnotemusicschool.com.
Neil Levine of New York City has been hired by EMI Music to oversee an artist and label development division for Imperial Records, which specializes in new urban artists.
Guitarist Bern Nix of New York City has released a new CD titled Low Barometer on the Tompkins Square label. Nix was a member of Ornette Coleman's original Prime Time band and has worked with numerous top jazz artists. Visit www.myspace.com/bernnix.
1980Wilson Bent of Austin, TX, is performing in and around Austin playing the folk, rock, and country tunes featured on his new CD, Core Sample. Visit http://haus.org/coresample.
Saxophonist and composer Frank Macchia of Burbank, CA, released the CD Emotions featuring 10 works composed and/or arranged by Macchia performed with the Prague Orchestra. Macchia did orchestrations for the scores of the films Superman Returns and The Guardian, and scored the independent film, The Axe Man. Visit www.frankmacchia.net.
Patricia McKinney of Brooklyn, NY, is the musical director for East Flatbush Ecumenical Community Choir in Brooklyn.
Trumpeter Neil Stalnaker of Tokyo, Japan, is playing with his own quartet and other groups in Tokyo. Visit www.neilstalnaker.com.
 |
|
| Ray Boyland '81 |
Saxophonist Raymond Boyland of Lawrenceville, GA, released the CD 3rd Is a Charm, a smooth jazz recording of his group Boyland Point. Visit www.boylandpoint.com.
Stan Munslow of Coventry, RI, released the instructional CD Onstage and in Control: Ten Easy Ways to Clobber Stage Fright. Visit www.musictipsonline.com.
1982Flutist Mark Huffman of Cincinnati, OH, released the CD Deep Flute Dulcinea, a collection of Latin jazz, Broadway, and sacred pieces arranged for alto flute. Guitarist Phil Sheeran contributed guitar tracks and one arrangement. The disc is available through Amazon.com.
Vocalist Lenora Zenzalai Helm of New York City received a 2007 Chamber Music America New Works grant to present her composition Journeywoman at a jazz festival at North Carolina Central University in Durham.
Drummer Zoro of Chatsworth, CA, is a spokesman for Compassion International, an advocacy group for the well being of children in 20 countries.
1983Saxophonist Mark Hollinsworth of Los Angeles, CA, is heard on the new album by American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, and is featured on the song "The Deal." Hollingsworth is also working on his own solo album.
Guitarist Jonathan Keezing of Amherst, MA, released Tap Touch, a collection of solo tap-style guitar pieces. Visit www.jonathankeezing.com.
Bassist Tommy MacDonald of Nashville, TN, is working with songwriters Jeffrey Steele and Tom Hambridge '83. MacDonald is doing sessions and has toured with top Nashville acts. Visit www.myspace.com/ tommymac_bassinyurface.
1984Drummer Chris DeRosa of New York City is playing with rock, reggae, and Latin groups at New York clubs and festivals and can be heard on the new CD by the reggae-pop group Kite. Visit www.chrisderosa.com.
Guitarist Pete Huttlinger of Nashville, TN, and singer LeAnn Rimes performed Christmas songs for Macy's Christmas tree lighting ceremony that aired on ABC-TV. Visit www.petehuttlinger.com.
Drummer Guillermo Nojechowicz of Jamaica Plain, MA, performed with Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira at the Telluride Jazz Celebration in Colorado. Visit www.elecomusic.com.
Pianist/composer Skip Wilkins of Macungie, PA, released Skip Wilkins Quintet Volume I, featuring nine of his compositions. Visit www.skipwilkinsjazz.com.
1985Drummer Tim Cozens is living and working in Toronto, Canada.
Guitarist Scott Schroen of Hazel Park, MI, and his band Ugly Radio Rebellion perform the music of Frank Zappa. Visit www.uglyradiorebellion.com.
Trumpeter Chris Kase of Moralzarzal, Madrid, Spain, penned the book Twenty-first Century Technique: Modern Technical Studies for Trumpet, distributed by Carl Fischer. Kase teaches at Musikene, a conservatory in San Sebastián, Spain. Visit www.chriskase.com.
Bassist/composer Ed Spargo of North Billerica, MA, released his second CD, Playroom. Berklee faculty members Dino Govoni '83 (saxophone) and Steve Hunt '80 (keyboards) as well as drummer Tom Brechtlein and percussionist John LaMoia played on the disc. Visit www.edspargo.com.
1986Vocalist and composer Susan Botti of Ann Arbor, MI, was a featured soloist with various ensembles at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT, in December. Visit www.susanbotti.com.
 |
|
| Aaron Comess '87 |
Ed Broms of Chestnut Hill, MA, was appointed the music director and organist at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Boston in August. His organ symphony titled Ainulindale, will be premiered this later year.
Drummer Aaron Comess of New York City has released the CD Catskills Cry, a trio outing with Tony Levin (Chapman Stick and bass) and Bill Dillon (guitar). Comess is a founding member of the platinum-selling band Spin Doctors.
Randy Heddon of Encino, CA, has released the CD, The Road to Santiago, featuring a variety of L.A.-area musicians, including saxophonist Eric Marienthal '79. Visit www.cdbaby.com/heddon.
Songwriter and pianist Bob Malone of Los Angeles, CA, was named Male Artist of the Year, and his album Born Too Late was named Best Male Singer/Songwriter Album at the Just Plain Folks Music Awards. Visit www.bobmalone.com.
Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree of Brooklyn, NY, has released a new CD, Tenor of the Times: Jazz and Political Discourse 2004, with his trio. Visit www.dennismitcheltree.com.
Paige Stroman of San Antonio, TX, released her second CD titled Christmas Lullabies. It was part of a children's photo-with-Santa package offered at malls nationwide. Visit www.lullabyland.net.
1988Guitarist Steve Herberman of Chevy Chase, MD, released his second CD, Action: Reaction, featuring nine original compositions, on his own label. Herberman is an active performer and teacher. Visit www.steveherberman.com.
Drummer Joe Majorie of Point Pleasant, NJ, plays classic rock around the Jersey Shore area with his band Funhouse.
Guitarist Torben Waldorff of Malmö, Sweden, released the live disc Brilliance with the Torben Waldorff Quartet. The musicians include Donny McCaslin '88 (saxophone), Matt Clohesy (bass), and Jon Wican (drums). Visit www.waldorff.com.
1989Rob Disner of Burbank, CA, played guitar on singer Beth Thornley's CD, My Glass Eye. Rob Cairns '90 produced the disc. Visit www.beththornley.com.
After winning a life-threatening battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, David Seaman of Framingham, MA, has returned to his position as the musical director at the Medford, MA, public schools.
1990Guitarist John Baldwin of Viginia Beach, VA, received the Best Blues Artist award from PortFolio Weekly magazine in Norfolk, VA. His music has been used for the TV show American Idol, and his band has opened for many top names. Visit www.johnbaldwinmusic.com.
Vibraphonist Tom Beckham of Brooklyn, NY, released his second CD, Center Songs. Visit www.tombeckham.net.
Neil Goldberg and Dave Fraser operate Heavy Melody Music & Sound Design, a production company creating original music and sound design for video games and jingles. Visit www.heavymelodymusic.com.
 |
|
| Pamela York '91 |
Allen Hoist of New York City won first prize in the jazz category of the USA Songwriting Competition for his song "Just Before Spring." Katie Miner '99 of Nashville won honorable mention for her song "Blessed," and Christina Jade Karam '02 of Boston was a finalist.
1991Joe Bush of Southington, CT, provides audio services for theater, corporate, and broadcast events, including Versus Network's coverage of the National Hockey League.
Producer and multi-instrumentalist Elie Massias has released a new CD titled Brooklyn Days, which was among the top 15 entries from the Northeast at the 2006 Independent Music Worldseries. Massias also produced and played on a new CD by Debbie Deane '91. Visit www.eliemassias.com.
Pianist/vocalist Pamela York of Kingwood, TX, has released The Way of Time, a CD of standards and originals. Visit www.pamelayork.com.
 |
|
| Ivan Bodley '92 (left) and Sting |
Bassist Bryan Beller of Nashville, TN, released a DVD of WesFest, a concert held to raise funds to create a scholarship in memory of fellow bassist Wes Wehmiller '92. All proceeds go to the scholarship fund. Visit www.bryanbeller.com.
Bassist Ivan Bodley is featured on the new CD Overnight Sensational by singer Sam Moore. Guests include Sting, Travis Tritt, and Brenda Russell. Bodley, Moore, and guests have performed together on TV shows. Visit www.funkboy.net.
Guitarist Peter Curtis of Riverside, CA, is collaborating on a romantic musical comedy satirizing the academic world with award-winning writer Joel Yanofsky. Curtis teaches music at Riverside Community College.
Jay Jennings of Burbank, CA, edited sound effects for the movies Flags of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Jude Reveley of Billerica, MA, owner of Absolute Piano Restoration, LLC in Boston, made a presentation at the 2006 Piano Technician's Convention.
 |
|
| Nimbit staff members (from the left): Phil Antoniades '88 (COO), Patrick Faucher '93 (CEO), Josh Cirinna, Matt Dunn, Brittanie Delava, Kat Burke '02, Mike LoPresti, Scott Feldman '01, and Tom Rossbach. |
Keyboardist James Dower of Marlborough, MA, has toured with Richard Street, the Temptations, and Sam Moore, and has backed Maxine Nightingale. Visit www.jamesdower.com.
Dyne Eifertsen of Roseville, CA, played trombone and didjeridu on the CD Riverrun by the Kairos Quartet. Trombonist Steve Lishman '69 is also on the disc. Visit www.kairosquartet.com.
Patrick Faucher of Framingham, MA, is founder and CEO of Nimbit, a Web hosting and CD/DVD duplication company. Visit www.nimbit.com.
 |
|
| Kira Small '93 |
Rafael Klotz of Medway, MA, has been named cochair of the Commercial Finance Committee of the Boston Bar Association's Bankruptcy Law Section. Klotz is an associate at Goulston & Storrs in Boston.
Composer Tyrone Lancaster of Las Vegas, NV, has been active in writing for film. His score for the movie Barrymore's Dream is available on CD. Visit www.tyronelancaster.com.
Steve McAllister of Austin, TX, is the moderator of a monthly, on-line, songwriter's challenge. Visit http://womb.mixerman.net.
Singer/songwriter Kira Small of Nashville, TN, has released the CD Love in a Dangerous World.
Guitarist Christian Ver Halen of Brooklyn, NY, has released a CD titled The Rooftop. Proceeds will go to New Orleans musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina. Visit www.therooftopmusic.com.
1994Steve Kercher of Manchester, MA, took his band to Turkey last summer, and signed license agreements to distribute his recordings in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Visit www.skband.net.
1995Jordi Cristau of Figueres, Spain, has produced, arranged and engineered two recordings for multiplatinum artist Manuel Carrasco. He plays keyboards and is the music director for Carrasco's 2007 tour. Visit www.jordicristau.com.
Kasson and Melissa Crooker of Cambridge, MA, and their band Universal Hall Pass, released a new EP titled Subtle Things. Visit www.sneakyrecords.net.
Jared Cruz of San Francisco, CA, plays drums for Mud. The group recently signed with Talking House Productions. Visit www.mudsf.com.
Saxophonist Nicolas Gross of Geneva, Switzerland, plays in Switzerland and France. He recently played with Vincent Bourgeyx '98, Nicolas Meier '98, Denis Jusseaume '97, and Ludovic Tirelli '03. Visit www.nicolasgross.com.
Drummer Takanori Niida of New York City released his CD Life in the Big City in Japan. Guest players include keyboardist Adam Holzman, bassists Will Lee and James Genus, guitarists Jon Herington, Jinshi Ozaki '89, and Tomo Fujita '93, and saxophonist Aaron Heick '81. Visit www.takanoriniida.com.
Emil Temeltas of Miami Shores, FL, was nominated for a regional Emmy Award for Best Audio Post for his work on the reality show MIS 15.
1996Singer/songwriter Michael Hayes of Cambridge, MA, and his band Vinyl Skyway released the CD From Telegraph Hill. The group includes bassist Rob Pevitts '96, drummer Booth Hardy '95, and keyboardist Dave Lieb '92. Visit http://vinylskyway.com.
Lisa Hearns of Staten Island, NY, recently opened for Chris Botti, and was named a Berklee trustee. Elliot Scheiner produced her new jazz CD.
Bassist Stefan Held of Brooklyn, NY, completed a national tour of Brooklyn: The Musical. He also serves as the music director of the band Kelly King. Visit www.stefanheld.com.
1997Jeff Parks of Philadelphia, PA, was named deputy director, External Affairs for Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts in Camden, NJ.
Filmmaker Tintin Wulia (Maria Clementine Wulia) of Bali, Indonesia, premiered her new work, How the World Began, in Singapore. Wulia's work has been shown at film festivals in several countries. Visit www.tintinwulia.com.
1998Jazz organist Pat Bianchi of Denver, CO, released his debut CD, East Coast Roots, featuring Mark Whitfield '87 on guitar and Byron Landham on drums. Visit www.patbianchi.com.
Keyboardist/composer Chely Martinez of Mexico City, Mexico, released a new age CD titled Returning-the first new age recording made by a Mexican artist.
Joe DeRose of San José, CA, presented a drum clinic for San José Pro Drum, opening for Tommy Aldridge. Visit www.JoeDeRoseDrums.com.
Saxophonist Tomas Trulsson of Hoganas, Sweden is teaching jazz improvisation at a Hoganas school.
1999Singer/songwriter Aruna Abrams of Van Nuys, CA, cowrote the song "I Got Nerve" for Disney star Hannah Montana. The song is on the million-selling soundtrack CD for the Hannah Montana show and has been nominated for a Radio Disney Award. Visit www.arunamusic.com.
Theresa Jones-Bailey of Venice Beach, CA, sang backup for Queen Latifah's Sugarwater Festival tour. Fellow alumni Fausto Cuevas, Mike Feingold, and "Lil' John" Roberts were in the band. Jones-Bailey is also co-writing material for Latifah's new CD.
Natasha (Busse) Collette of Boston, MA, released the album Vida, inspired by the works of the French troubadours. Visit www.natashacollette.com.
Pianist/composer No-Kyung Lee of Seoul, South Korea, released the CD Road to You, featuring Lee's original solo, duo, trio, and quartet pieces.
Drummer Sean Noonan of New York City released the CD Stories to Tell with his band Brewed by Noon. Visit www.noonansmusic.com.
 |
|
| Hanneke Cassel '00 |
Violinist Hanneke Cassel of Boston, MA, released Silver, her third CD featuring Scottish and Cape Breton music. Faculty member Andy Edelstein recorded and mixed the music and Casey Driessen '00 (violin) and Rushad Eggleston '01 (cello) played on the disc. Visit www.hannekecassel.com.
Flutist Kathryn Ferris of Marblehead, MA, is the band director at the Village School in Marblehead.
Saxophonist Bob Reynolds and trumpeter Brad Mason '95, both of Astoria, NY, are playing with John Mayer on his current world tour.
Gregg Stein of Woodland Hills, CA, was recently named the director of marketing and communications for Line 6, Inc. Stein will oversee all strategic brand marketing and communications worldwide.
2001Alex Knoll of Fullerton, CA, played guitar for the band Even X for a recent national tour. Visit www.myspace.com/guitaristalexknoll.
Guitarist Matt Konfirst of West Chicago, IL, released his second solo CD, War of Righteousness, a progressive metal album. Guest artists include guitarists Vreny van Elslande '02 and Andrew Bordoni, and trumpeter Christopher Konfirst. Visit www.mattkonfirst.com.
Guitarist Vladimir Vasileski Cetkar of Macedonia, is featured as composer, guitarist, and singer on the forthcoming CD by Jestofunk. Visit www.vladimircetkar.com.
 |
|
| Clara Lofaro '02 |
Jose Brea of La Romana, Dominican Republic, performs with the rock band Auro & Clemt, and is a jingle writer, producer, and mix engineer.
Matthias Bublath of Astoria, NY, leads a jazz piano trio and an organ quartet on his new CD, Matthias Bublath Band. Visit www.matthiasbublath.com.
Clara Lofaro of Brooklyn, NY, was named the winner of Indie Week Toronto 2006 competition. Lofaro's CD black + blue pearl will now be distributed through Addictive Records (Universal). Additionally, she sang "When You Wish Upon a Star" for Disney's Super Bowl commercial. Visit www.claralofaro.com.
Nolan Warden of Chicago, IL, earned his master of arts degree in ethnomusicology from Tufts University. His thesis explored Afro-Cuban ritual drumming and song.
2003Guitarist Tom Burda of New York City plays with keyboardist Joe Hanley '03 and drummer Jed Devine '02 in the jam band Ripplegroove. Their CD Under the Microscope went to number 14 on the CMJ charts. Visit www.ripplegroove.com.
Drummer Yaron Engler of Barcelona, Spain, and his dance and music ensemble Tapeplas presented their show BoomBach in Chicago, IL, Barcelona, Spain, and in Venice, Italy. The group is working on a new show titled Monkeys. Visit www.tapeplas.com.
Singer and actress Kizzy Getrouw of Boston, MA, is the music host for the new TV show Dirty Water. The show will feature on-air performances for new, Boston-area artists. Contact her at www.kizzymusic.com.
Singer/songwriter Dan Gonzalez of Cambridge, MA, has released the CD Public Square. The disc is airing on folk radio programs. Visit www.dangonzalezmusic.com.
Composer Chie Imaizumi of Brooklyn, NY, released the CD Unfailing Kindness, featuring an all-star lineup of jazz musicians playing six of her originals. Visit www.thousandpictures.org.
Justis Kao of San Marino, CA, was named Best Male Singer-Songwriter of the Year for the 2006 Los Angeles Music Awards. Visit www.justiskao.com.
Songwriter Begonia Ramos of San Sebastián, Spain, has been a runner up in two songwriting competitions, and is cowriting with multi-instrumentalist Tony McAlpine, who is producing her debut CD.
Drummer Mauro Satalino of Buenos Aires, Argentina, toured Portugal and Spain with Alexandra Samsonova to promote her latest CD. He also appeared in a video by Latin singer Coral.
Guitarist/composer Hiroya Tsukamoto of Astoria, NY, and his group Interoceanico released a new album entitled Confluencia, featuring Moto Fukushima '02, Franco Pinna '01, and Hiroya Tsukamoto '03. Visit www.hiroyatsukamoto.com.
 |
|
| Tim Pascoal '04 |
Singer-songwriter Rique Colón of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, has released the CD Sentido Tropical. The disc features Aldemar Valentin '03 (bass), Uziel Colon '03, Fernando Mattina '01, Néstor Toro '03, and Luis Javier Santiago '03. Visit www.riquecolon.com.
Chris Cuomo of Andover, MA, appeared in the NBC Christmas special The Year Without a Santa Claus, starring John Goodman. Cuomo wrote and performed the music for two scenes.
Guitarist Marcelo Mendes of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, won a national guitar competition in S?o Paulo, Brazil.
Pianist Vardan Ovsepian of Newburyport, MA, released the CD Voce in November 2006 with the Vardan Ovsepian Chamber Ensemble. The music blends jazz with traditional European music.
Keyboardist Tim Pascoal of St. Louis MO, produced a jazz-funk CD entitled Walk the Walk for 12-year-old drummer Tito Pascoal with guests Dave Weckl, Bob Mintzer, and Tom Kennedy. Visit www.timpascoal.com.
Kevin Sherwood of Rosemead, CA, was the sound designer for the video game Call of Duty 3. He is working on Spider-Man 3 and other games.
Vocalist Kate Smith and her husband Travis of Quebec, Canada, had a son, Alexis Leonard, born on September 30, 2006 in Montreal.
2005Vocalist Aika of Boston, MA, (formerly of Tokyo) released her debut CD ai-wo. The music ranges from acoustic jazz to hip-hop to electronica. Visit http://st-co.jp/aika.
The band Shaimus, featuring Evan Brown '05, Phil Beaudreau '04, Johannes Raassina '03, Dave Middleton '07, and Cam Brousseau '07, recorded a CD entitled Paper Sun. The track "All of This" is featured in the PlayStation 2 game Guitar Hero.
Ryan Hutchison of Los Angeles, CA, is working as an engineer and editor for Playboy Radio at SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Playboy TV, and the World Championship Sports Network.
Jeff Pflaumbaum of Chestnut Hill, MA, and the Wings of Fire Orchestra released the CD Bullfighter Ballet. The quasi-rock opera features more than 20 Berklee alumni and students and a cameo appearance by Berklee President Roger Brown on drums. Visit http://wofomusic.com.
2006Tom Aiezza of Farmington, CT, served as an assistant engineer on Bob Dylan's Modern Times record and has worked with Arif Mardin, Wyclef Jean, John Carter Cash, Stephen Colbert, and others.
Kristen Leigh Cook of Tempe, AZ, and Seth Woodard '06 established the production company Jughead Music to offer music services for film and corporate needs. Visit www.jugheadmusic.com.