2009 Artist in Residence: Rubén P. Alvarez, Percussionist
Rubén P. Alvarez is a Chicago based Latin percussionist, drum set artist, author, composer, and educator. His performance and recording credits include movie soundtracks, radio and television jingles and performances and recordings with Grammy nominees Junior Wells, John Mayall, Dennis De Young, Sones de Mexico, Guitarra Azul, Dave Valentín, Chuchito Valdés, and Ramsey Lewis. He currently performs with Guitarra Azul, Lake Effect, Chicago’s premier Latin jazz ensemble Chévere, Orbert Davis and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, John Faddis and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and he is the leader and musical director of El Trio Tropical and the Raices Profundas Latin Music Ensemble. Rubén is on the faculty of Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, and Columbia College Chicago. He serves as a mentor for the Chicago Jazz Institute Jazz Links Chicago Public Schools residency program, and he is an internationally recognized clinician and keynote speaker and has presented at numerous national and international educational conferences including PASIC and the South African Jazz Educators Conference. His educational articles have been featured in Down Beat magazine, Latin Percussion’s Reading, Writing, and Rhythm education newsletter, and the Zildjian Score, and he is the co-author of Rox Media’s Sheddin’ the Basics™ Latin Jazz/Part One instructional CD-ROM. He is a member of the Latin Percussion educational advisory board, The Vic Firth Educational Team, and serves on the board of directors of The Jazz Education Network. Rubén endorses Latin Percussion, Vic Firth sticks, Zildjian cymbals, and Remo drum heads and percussion.
Featured Guest Artists and Adjudicators
Mark Taylor, Composer
In 2001 Mark retired as chief arranger for The United States Army Band ("Pershing's Own"), where he was on staff for 24 years. During that time, he composed extensively for the Army Blues, writing all of the material for their album A New Beginning and much of the material for Scream Machine. His arrangements and compositions have been performed by the US Army Blues throughout the world including concerts at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland. Prior to joining the Army, Mark was fortunate to write for Stan Kenton who recorded many of his compositions and also gave him his start in music publishing. He has a large publishing portfolio and has influenced thousands of student musicians, many of whom were first exposed to big band jazz through his music. His latest project is “The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band” which is co-led with Washington, DC drummer Steve Fidyk. They released their CD “ A Perfect Match” in 2002 to rave reviews.
“Their CD is powerful, fresh, & honest…the playing is superlative and the writing is great. Mark Taylor, Steve Fidyk & company are indeed a “Perfect Match.” –Peter Erskine
A new CD “Live at Blues Alley” in Washington; DC has just been released on the OA2 record label.
"The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band is a well-rehearsed, powerful big band. Mark Taylor's arrangements and Steve Fidyk's drumming spark excitement throughout the entire album."-Louie Bellson
Mark is a highly regarded clinician presenting many workshops on arranging for the jazz band, most recently appearing at the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago. Mark is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a master's degree in music. Mark is currently a staff arranger for Hal Leonard Corporation and resides in Cape Coral, Florida.
Stefan Karlsson, Piano
A native of Sweden, Stefan Karlsson came to the United States in 1984 on a scholarship to study at the University of North Texas. Stefan spent six years at UNT and became, for three years, a member of the world renown "One O'clock Lab Band." Karlsson is currently an Associate Professor in the Jazz Studies Division of the College of Music at the University of North Texas.
In 1990, Stefan signed a three-CD recording contract with Justice Records Houston, Texas. His latter two recordings were a great success on the national jazz radio charts, GAVIN and R&R, with a first place, on both charts, for his second release "The Road Not Taken." Stefan’s fourth release, “Live at Vartan Jazz,” was recorded in 1997 by Vartan Jazz Records in Denver, Colorado. The album is a live recording and features bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund. His latter three recordings as a leader have been recorded and produced by Troppe Note/Cambria Recording Company (TNC Jazz). His last two recording features the music of Kurt Weill and late-pianist Russ Freeman.
In 1993, Stefan signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Equity Music Corporation, Hollywood, California. His music has been featured in the 1994 movie releases "Sugar Hill" (featuring Wesley Snipes), "Twenty Bucks" (featuring Christopher Loyd), and the 1997 Independent film “Strays.” Stefan's music can also frequently be heard on the television series "Melrose Place," "Party of Five," “Wings” and "Homicide."
Stefan stays active playing at festivals, clubs and conferences worldwide as leader and sideman. His discography includes 59 recordings with seven CD’s as leader. Since 1996, Stefan has been a member of the Eddie Gomez Trio and Quartet (including drummers Jimmy Cobb, Nasheet Waits, Duduka Da Fonseca, and flautist Jeremy Steig) frequently touring Japan, Europe and the United States. The group has currently recorded five CD projects. In addition to performing with the Eddie Gomez group, he has also had the opportunity to share the stage and record with such jazz greats as: Jesse Davis, Herb Ellis, Jim Ferguson, Lou Fischer, Carl Fontana, Tim Hagans, Steve Houghton, Clay Jenkins, Marc Johnson, Red Mitchell, Dick Oatts, Rich Perry, Chris Potter, Rufus Reid, Marvin ‘Smitty” Smith, Ed Soph, Marvin Stamm, Harvie S, Mark Walker, Tom Warrington, Jiggs Wigham, Eliot Zigmund, and others.
Stefan has had the opportunity to travel the globe performing in concert halls, at festivals, clubs, and giving clinics at conferences and universities. Internationally, his travels have taken him throughout Japan, Korea, Scotland, Italy, France, Sweden, Holland, Spain, Germany, and Australia.
A sample of international performance venues are: Blue Note Jazz Club (Fukyoka, Japan), New Morning Jazz Club (Paris, France), Fasching Jazz Club (Stockholm, Sweden), Viersen Jazz Festival (Viersen, Germany), Terzo Festival Internazionale Isola D’Elba, Festival des Rencontres (Capbreton, France), Body and Soul Jazz Club (Tokyo, Japan), Star Eyes Jazz Club (Nagoya, Japan), Muroran Jazz Festival (Muroran, Japan), Edinburg Festival (Edinburg, Scotland), Royal Academy of Music (Stockholm, Sweden), University of Adelaide (Adelaide, Australia), Conservatori-Liceu (Barcelona, Spain), Dizzy’s Jazz Club (Rotterdam, Holland), and others.
Jarrard Harris
Saxophonist/Composer/Educator Jarrard Harris currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Columbia College of Chicago and Trinity International University in addition to being the director of jazz studies with the Thelonious Monk Institute/Advanced Arts Education Jazz Studies Program with Chicago Public schools. He maintains an active private teaching studio in addition to serving as a performer/clinician with various colleges and high school jazz programs in the United States and abroad. Jarrard received his bachelor of Music in jazz studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music from DePaul University where he studied with Rick Van Matre and Mark Colby respectively.
He has performed with such notable jazz artist as Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath, Claudio Roditi, Nicholas Payton, Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Dick Hyman, Marcus Belgrave, Kevin Mahogany, Claudia Acuna, Gerald Wilson, and Alvin Batiste. Jarrard currently is a member of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble and performs with his own jazz quartet. He is also a member of the jazz faculty of the Yamaha Bands of America summer institute.
Steve Houghton, drums
Internationally renowned jazz drummer, percussionist, clinician, author, and educator, Steve Houghton initially received acclaim at age twenty as the drummer with Woody Herman’s Young Thundering Herd. Since then he has shared stage and studio with luminaries Gary Burton, Clay Jenkins, Shelly Berg, Toots Thielemans, Christian McBride, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Freddie Hubbard, Lyle Mays, Billy Childs, Rosemary Clooney, Peggy Lee, Pat LaBarbara, Arturo Sandoval, Joe Henderson, Karrin Allyson and Maureen McGovern.
As a band leader Houghton’s discography includes: The Manne We Love: Gershwin Revisited (TNC), a recent release of John Williams’ charts for big band and quintet, initially recorded by Shelly Manne on Capitol in 1965, the Steve Houghton Quintet Live @ the Senator (JazzCompass), Windsong (SHPERC Records), Remembrances (Warner Bros.), andSteve Houghton Signature (Mesa-Bluemoon). In total Houghton attributes more than one hundred recordings to his credit as a participating artist. As a classical percussionist, Houghton has performed with the Boston and Philadelphia Pops orchestras, as well as the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He frequently appears as a soloist with numerous orchestras and wind ensembles throughout the world.
As an author, Houghton’s publications boast more than thirty educational books, videos and DVDs including Kid's Drumset Course, Essential Styles- books 1 & 2 (Alfred), The Ultimate Drumset Chart Reading Anthology, Play and Teach Percussion (GIA), and The Drumset Soloist, and his latest project, Rhythm Section Workshop for Jazz Directors is a DVD-book series that addresses the entire rhythm section.
Houghton is Professor of Percussion and Jazz at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Along with his professorship, he also serves as Chair of the Department of Percussion. In addition to his academic duties, he presents yearly clinics and master classes to students around the world. Houghton is President-elect of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and endorses Pearl Drums, Adams percussion, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and Remo World Percussion products and drumheads.
Scott Belck, Trumpet
Dr. Scott Belck is Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Capital University's Conservatory of Music in Columbus, Ohio where he teaches the trumpet studio, coaches chamber music, and performs with the Capital Brass Quintet and Spectrum, the faculty jazz ensemble. He is a founding member of the Tromba Mundi contemporary trumpet ensemble and has served as trumpet and cornet soloist with the Air Force Band of Flight in Dayton, Ohio where he also held the post of musical director for the Air Force Night Flight Jazz Ensemble.
He has performed as principal/lead trumpet with the Minnesota Ballet's Festival Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Cincinnati Symphony, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and as section trumpet with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra and the Duluth Festival Opera. His playing credits include recordings lead trumpet/guest soloist with the Cincinnati Pops featuring the Manhattan Transfer and John Pizzarelli, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Van Dells, and jazz soloist with the University of North Texas One O'clock Lab Band with whom he recorded four CDs.
He has performed as lead trumpet for shows of Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, John Lithgow, Donna Summer, Maureen McGovern, Michael Feinstein, Lalo Rodriguez, Sandy Patti, Tommy Tune, Manhattan Transfer, Lou Rawls, The Coasters, Yes, Ben Vereen, Doc Severinsen, the Temptations, Olivia Newton-John, Neil Sedaka, the Blue Wisp Big Band, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, the Ink Spots, the Four Freshmen, The Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Riddell, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Frankie Valli, The Maritime Jazz Orchestra of Canada as well as touring Broadway shows and regional and national recording sessions.
He has performed as a leader, musical director, or sideman with many top jazz players on the scene today including: Fred Hersch, Adam Nussbaum, Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, Jim McNeely, Claudio Roditi, John Riley, Rick Margitza, Bob Belden, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Watson, Tom Harrell, Tim Hagans, Regina Carter, Wes Anderson, John Hollenbeck, Steve Turre, Conrad Herwig, Gordon Brisker, Hank Marr, Marvin Stamm, Gerry Mulligan, Kenny Garrett, John Fedchock, Phil Woods, Ed Soph, John LaBarbera and Diane Schuur.
He has also served as the Artistic Director of the Dayton Jazz Orchestra and the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and the Miami Valley Jazz Camp in Ohio. He has taught on the music faculties of the University of Minnesota Duluth, Miami University, the University of Dayton, Marshall University, Sinclair Community College, St. Francis Xavier University in Canada, as well as Harwood Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas.
Belck holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), a Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Texas, and a degree in Applied Trumpet from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.