Last Updated: Mar. 22, 2003
Following is only a starting point. Please send the information of the Marimba players tohere.
Keiko ABE,
Born in 1937, Maestro Abe is one of the first person to make Marimba a solo instrument and received the award from the Ministry of Culture for four times. Her repatoir spans Solo, popular, classic, Japanese folk songs to concerti. In 1981, she played “Lauda Concertata” with America Symphony (Dir. Comissioner) at the Carnegie Hall, and in 1988, she appeared at the Berlin Philharmony Hall.She is also famous for her composition such as “Dream of Cherry Blossoms”. Numerous CDs has been published.She currently teaches at Toho Gakuen University. (Modified 1999.7.12)
LUDWIG ALBERTLudwig Albert graduated with distinctions at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Antwerp, Belgium and obtained a first prize for percussion with Prof.L.Cauberghs.
After his study as musician and pedagogue , he cooperated with several orchestra’s and teached at the Conservatory and the State School for art in Antwerp.
In 1993 he specialised in solo-marimba and recieved with distinctions the Honours Diplome of solo-marimba (prof.L.Ouderits) and participated several International Masterclasses( R.von Sice , Michael Roosen…) In 1994 , he was the first Belgian marimbist admitted to the Toho Gakuen Music School in Japan and studied with the world-famous marimba-virtuoso Ms.Keiko Abe.
Afterwards he was invited to perform with her in Japan and Belgium.
Starting 1995 he searched for new sound-combinations and founded the duo marimba-soprano, nowadays called Patrasche , embellished with percussion . By this combination of singing and marimba , they developed a style of their own , performing own compositions (L.Albert), creations, arrangements of songs and improvisations based on International traditional folksongs. Their musical combination evokes a fascinating world. For their first album “Japanese Impressions” ( label Digi-classics) they recieved International outstanding critics by press and media and they were guest of several
special dedicated radio-broadcastings. During 1996-97 , they performed abroad and were invited to perform several concerts in Japan. Afterwards they performed succesfully the INternational Concert-production “Dialogue in Nature ” with Keiko Abe.
Starting 2000 they will release new albums with mainly improvisations , creations and arrangements of Belgian and European folksongs.
Aside his various marimba-recitals he’s working intensively to promote the marimba as a solo-concertinstrument and is organising several marimba-projects. During 1996 he recieved the Europalia Cultural award , which has given him the possibility to continue his collaboration with Keiko Abe.
Recently he founded the first Belgian Marimba Society with mainly the purpose to increase the knowledge of the marimba and to organise several events.
In recent Years , aside performing and composing , he’s working intensively to commission new pieces by Belgian composers. During 1999-2000 he will produce several new CD-albums in different musical styles by the label Talent Records, also to introduce the marimba to a general audience.
-The Dancing Marimba (own classical arrangements May 99′)
-Marimba Freeze (techno Jazz, new-age July 99′)
-Marimba Paraphrases ( masterworks for solo&duo marimba dec.99′)
He will also publish a serial of his compositions , arrangements and a marimba-methode .
During 1999-2000 he will perform aside solo-concerts several new
concert-production:
-Wooden Conversation (with Kamiya Momoko,Shinsuke Ishihara-Japan)
-Dialogue in Nature (with Keiko Abe)
-Marimba Sounds (new CD-collection)
-Japanese Impressions (trio Patrasche-Japanese folksongs)
-Clanck & Sanck (trio Patrache – Belgian folksongs and creations)
-Het Quamen drij Coninghen (Patrache – Christmas songs)
-concert for children (Patrasche)
(Added 1999.4.11)
Thomas Alexander
Thomas Alexander is currently one of the only British players giving regular full length solo marimba recitals, and is also the Musical Director of the chamber music group Melange. Thomas studied at the Royal Northern College of Music (UK), Rotterdam Conservatorium & the Sweelinck Conservatorium (Netherlands), and his teachers have included Ian Wright, Graham Johns, Robert Van Sice & Peter Prommel. He has given masterclasses at a number of institutions including the RNCM, Welsh College of Music & Drama, and the prestigious Chethams School.
As a chamber musician Thomas has worked with a wide variety of musicians from the solo trombonist Christian Lindberg, to the Super Tramp saxophone player John Anthony Helliwell. He has performed full recitals in Britain, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy & Mexico. He has premiered over 30 solo & chamber works for marimba.
2003 will see the completion of his first solo CD and the launch of his website. To add yourself to the launch mailing list please send e-mail melangeensemble@yahoo.ca Subject: “subscribe” (Added 2003.1.11)
Shoko ARAYA,
Actively playing around Japan as duo with Christopher Hurdy.
Tomoko AZUMO,She is currently a music student at the Unversity of Delaware, studying under Harvey Price, who is also the Relache percussionist.She also has studied with Ms. Abe. (Added 1998.11.15)
Saulius AuglysSalius Auglys was born in 1969, in Ukmerge, where he began his music studies. He is a graduate from the Vilnius J. Tallat ü Kelpša Music College. In 1988 he started his work at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and since 1993 he is head of the percussion section with the symphony orchestra of the theatre. S. Auglys studied the art of marimba with the marimba player from USA, Linda Maxey. S. Auglys plays Duglas De Morrows handmade marimba.
(Added 2002.05.03)Daniel BergDaniel Berg was born 1971 in Stockholm, Sweden. He graduated, May 2000, and received a soloist diploma from Musikhogskolan, (the University College of Music) in Gothenburg. With this Daniel is the first student in Sweden who has graduated with the marimba as a solo instrument. Previously he has studied at the Music Conservatory in Rotterdam, Holland, where he received a soloist diploma 1997. His main teachers during the studying years have been Anders Astrand, Einar Nielsen and Robert van Sice.
Today, Daniel is teaching the marimba in the University College of Music in Gothenburg, and is frequently invited to the Nordic Music Conservatories as a guest teacher.
In his passion to promote the marimba as a solo instrument, Daniel has worked intimately with a number of composers, mainly Swedish, who have written original music for the instrument. Earlier this year, he performed with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and played for the first time a marimba-concerto composed by Anders Nilsson.
Daniel has made several recordings for the Swedish radio and television, and has recently finished the recording of a solo CD, which will be released in December 00.
Email: daniel.berg@hem.utfors.se (Added 2002.05.03)
Joby Burgess
At only 25, Joby is already one of Britain’s most diverse percussionists. He is a member of the internationally renowned percussion quartet Ensemble Bash (who have collaborated with artists including Joanna MacGregor, Django Bates, Steve Reich, Nitin Sawhney, Stewart Copeland, Hilliard Ensemble and the Pan African Orchestra), the new music group Ixion, the drum n bass influenced Couptone and a co-founder of new noise.
The unique ensemble new noise was born late in 1999, and comprises the ‘beautiful sounds and effortless pyrotechnics’ of oboist Janey Miller, with the ‘dramatically explosive and virtousic playing’ of Joby. New Noise are currently ensemble in residence with the Goldsmiths University Electronic Music Studios, artists for ‘Live Music Now!’ and have performed at festivals including; ‘Rhythmsticks, at the South Bank Centre’, ‘Hoxton New Music Days’, ‘Warwick and Leamington’, ‘Chichester Festivities’ and the BMIC’s ‘Cutting Edge Series/Tour 2001’.
Joby also performs and records with ensembles and artists including; London Sinfonietta, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Endymion Ensemble, Composers Ensemble, Sculpted Sound, Sinfonia 21, ECAT Ensemble, Sarah Leonard, John Kenny, Robert Tear, National Theatre Ensemble and The Ministry of Sound.
As a soloist Joby has made several broadcasts for BBC radio, and given performances at the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall, London. Joby’s next major solo project is the premiere of a specially commissioned percussion concerto, at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh in May 2003.
As an educator Joby currently teaches at Radley College Oxford – previously Bedfordshire County Music Service (1998-2002). Joby has also lectured at Dartington International Summer School, been heavily involved with the Wigmore Hall’s education department, and adjudicated for the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.
For more information on Joby’s future activities visit www.newnoiselondon.com and www.ensemblebash.com
‘Against a backdrop of taped fuzz and Latin American effects, and with a sense of dramatic ritual, Burgess improvised rhythms one would not have thought possible on the grain-filled lollipops (maracas)’ Evening Standard
‘Joby demonstrated his versatility as he switched deftly between hand percussion and stick work, creating wonderful dynamics with a wealth of expression. My Imagination has truly been ignited’ Rhythm Magazine
‘Percussionist Joby Burgess preyed on the tam-tams and vibes like a panther at bay – for my money, a star in the making’ The Scotsman
<joby@newnoiselondon.com> (Added 2002.2.16, Modified 2003.1.11)
Micheal Burritt
Michael Burritt is currently Associate Professor and Director of Percussion Studies in the School of Music at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where he has developed a program of international distinction. He previously held the same position at Kent State University from 1985-1995. Mr. Burritt is also a permanent guest professor at the Musikhogskolan in Pitea, Sweden and a member of the faculty for the Chautauqua summer music school. Mr. Burritt received his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees as well as the prestigious Performer¹s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. His teachers include John Beck, Gordon Stout, Paul Yancich and Herbert Flower.
Michael Burritt has become one of the world¹s leading percussion artists and pedagogs, specializing in the area of marimba. He is in frequent demand giving concerts and lectures throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia. He has released two solo recordings, Perpetual and Shadow Chasers, comprised of his own compositions as well as works commissioned expressly for him. Mr. Burritt is currently working on his third solo recording titled Waking Dreams, with the Resonator Records Label. He has been a featured artist at six Percussive Arts Society International Conventions and presented his New York debut in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Michael Burritt is also an active composer having written two books of etudes as well as numerous solo and chamber works for solo marimba, solo percussion and percussion ensemble. He is published with C. Alan Publications, Keyboard Percussion Publications, Ludwig Music Publishing, and Innovative Percussion. Mr. Burritt is an artist/clinician and product design consultant for Malletech where he has developed his own line of signature series mallets. He is also a Zildjian performing artist and educational consultant. Mr. Burritt is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Board of Directors and a contributing editor for Percussive Notes Magazine.
(Added 1997.6.12, updated 2002.5.3)
Gary Burton
Born in 1943 and raised in Indiana, Gary Burton taught himself to play the vibraphone and, at the age of 17, made his recording debut in Nashville, Tennessee, with guitarists Hank Garland and Chet Atkins. Two years later, Burton left his studies at Berklee College of Music to join George Shearing and subsequently Stan Getz, with whom he worked from 1964-1966.
As a member of Getz’s quartet, Burton won Down Beat magazine’s Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition award in 1965. By the time he left Getz to form his own quartet in 1967, Burton had also recorded three albums under his name for RCA. Borrowing rhythms and sonorities from rock music, while maintaining jazz’s emphasis on improvisation and harmonic complexity, Burton’s first quartet attracted large audiences from both sides of the jazz-rock spectrum. Such albums as Duster and Lofty Fake Anagram established Burton and his band as progenitors of the jazz fusion phenomenon. Burton’s burgeoning popularity was quickly validated by Down Beat magazine, which awarded him its Jazzman of the Year award in 1968. During his subsequent association with the label (1973-1988) the Burton Quartet expanded to include the young Pat Metheny on guitar, and the band began to explore a repertoire of modern compositions. In the ’70s, Burton also began to focus on more intimate contexts for his music. His 1971 album Alone at Last, a solo vibraphone concert recorded at the 1971 Montreux Jazz Festival, was honored with a Grammy Award. Burton also turned to the rarely heard duo format, recording with bassist Steve Swallow, guitarist Ralph Towner, and most notably with pianist Chick Corea, thus cementing a long personal and professional relationship that has garnered an additional two Grammy Awards.
Also in the ’70s, Burton began his career with Berklee College of Music in Boston. Burton began as a teacher of percussion and improvisation classes at Berklee in 1971. In 1985 he was named Dean of Curriculum. In 1989, he received an honorary doctorate of music from the college, and in 1996, he was appointed Executive Vice President.
Burton began recording for GRP records in the ’80s and ’90s. In 1990, he paired up again with his former protégé Metheny for Reunion, which landed him the top spot on Billboard magazine’s jazz chart. Burton is now recording for Concord Records. Departure (Gary Burton & Friends) was released in 1997 by Concord Records as well as Native Sense , a new duet collaboration with Chick Corea, which garnered a Grammy Award in 1998. Also in 1997, Burton recorded his second collection of tango music, Astor Piazzolla Reunion, featuring the top tango musicians of Argentina, followed by this year’s Libertango, another collection of Piazzolla music. His 1998 Concord release, Like Minds, an all-star hit featuring his frequent collaborators Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Roy Haynes, and Dave Holland, was honored with a Grammy, Burton’s fifth. Gary’s vibraphone tribute CD, For Hamp, Red, Bags and Cal, will be released in March 2001 on Concord.
For 2001, Gary Burton plans to continue his dual careers as premier jazz vibraphonist and college vice president, performing concerts in South America, Europe, Asia, and the United States, and working closely with Berklee’s college community.
Pedro Carneiro
Now at the age of 25 the percussionist Pedro Carneiro is a rapidly rising star on the international circuit. Graceful, vivacious playing and extraordinary technical mastery mark his personal style and captivate audiences worldwide.
Pedro studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His studies were sponsored by the Gulbenkian Foundation. Since his concert debut at the age of 15, Pedro Carneiro has performed at a numerous of prestigious venues and festivals, including the CitEde la Musique, London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Capital Theatre in Beijing, the Festival d’Avignon and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
Keen on championing a wide range of styles, Pedro Carneiro has collaborated with composers such as Brian Ferneyhough, Tan Dun, Simon Bainbridge, Steve Reich and James Dillon.
In his quest to expand the repertoire of works for marimba, Pedro Carneiro will give the world première of a marimba concerto by Erkki-Sven TEr with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in January 2002, as well as the world première of a marimba concerto by Ian Wilson with the London Mozart Players in March 2002. A tour of Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand is scheduled for the spring of 2002, culminating in a concert at the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts which will include the world première of a work for marimba and ensemble by John Psathas.
Future chamber music projects include a tour with the Chilingirian Quartet and concerts with harpsichordist Elisabeth Chojnacka. Pedro is also collaborating with visual artist João Penalva for the Venice Biennale and composing a ballet score for the Henri Oguike Dance Company, to be toured in the UK and Portugal.
Pedro is the artistic director of the international percussion festival ‘Festa do Ritmo’, in northern Portugal. (Added 1999.6.22, Updated 2001.1.4)
Owen Clayton CondonBorn 1978, Mr. Condon is a graduate of the New England Conservatory in Boston where he studied with marimba artist Nancy Zeltzman, and Boston Symphony Percussionists Frank Epstein and Will Hudgins. He won the 1999 NEC solo concerto competition and performed the Paul Creston Concertino with the NEC Symphony Orchestra. He is also a recipient of the Louisville Orchestra’s Young Artist Soloist Prize. Currently, he is attending a Master’s program at Northwestern University while studying with Michael Burritt and Chicago Symphony member James Ross. (Added 2001.7.7)
Orlando Cotto
Orlando Cotto is the first percussionist to receive the Artist Diploma in the 100-year history at Peabody Conservatory of Music. He has made solo marimba appearances in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and throughout the U.S. As a percussionist, he has performed with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Puerto Rico Symphony and the Festival Casals Symphony Orchestra. He is a Visiting Artist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Arts Excel program and an artist with Barry Dove Global Percussion Trio. Additionally, Cotto teaches percussion at Morgan State University, Loyola College and The Music School of New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore. Cotto’s first recording of Latin American music for the concert marimba features violinist José Cueto, percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo and flutist Alison Potter. Stephen CrawfordDr. Stephen Crawford is a marimba performer and conductor in Texas. He is the Director of Bands and Percussion Studies at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX. He holds degrees from Minot State University (ND), University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He has studied marimba with Mike Blake, Randy Hogancamp and Laurence Kaptain and has taken masterclasses with Leigh Howard Stevens and Dave Samuels.
Along with his marimba performance, Crawford is the principal percussionist with the Temple Symphony Orchestra, and music director/founder of the Ritmo y Mas Percussion Group. Crawford is in constant demand as percussion performer, clinician, and guest conductor having performed throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Ireland. He is a recipient of a Texas Percussive Arts Society Performance Grant and is the host of the Central Texas Percussion Festival held annually in February. Dr. Crawford represents the Ross Mallet Instrument Company as performing artist and clinician, and is the author of “Building a Better Percussion Section: Methods and Motivation” (published by Ross/Jupiter Education Services) and has appeared as a clinician at the Kentucky MEA, the South Carolina MEA, the North Dakota Day of Percussion, and the Concordia University Day of Percussion in Nebraska. His marimba compositions are available through HoneyRock Publishing.
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Dr. Stephen Crawford
Director of Bands & Percussion Studies
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
900 College St. Box 8012 Belton, TX 76513
Ph: 254.295.4618 Email: scrawford@umhb.edu
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(Modified 2001.7.7)
Rich Dart
Rich Dart is currently a freelance percussionist living on the southern Connecticut shore. He performs solo marimba recitals on a regular basis. He is a graduate from Keene State College in New Hampshire where he studied under Bill Hanley and John Kelley. He has also studied under Ernest Centoscudi, David Smith, and Al Lepak. He is currently studying with renowned marimbist, Nancy Zeltsman. He has given masterclasses throughout the state of Connecticut. He is currently performing as part of the critically acclaimed duo, Anne Donohue and Rich Dart as well as performing with the Meridan Symphony and Wallingford Symphony where he served as principal percussionist. Rich is also known for performing with many pop, rock, and jazz groups. He currently teaches at his home studio in Clinton, Connecticut, as well as many area schools. (Added 1999.4.11)
Mark Ford
Mark Ford is the coordinator of percussion activities at The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. A marimba specialist, Ford has premiered a variety of new works for solo marimba and regularly performs concerts and clinics around the country. He has been a featured performer/clinician at music conventions such as the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, The College Band Director’s National Conference, the National MENC Convention, the Mid-West Band Directors Conference and Brazil’s International Music Festival. Mark’s latest CD, Motion Beyond, was released by AUR in November of 2001 featuring David Maslanka’s Variations on Lost Love, Daniel McCarthy’s Chamber Symphony No. 1 for Marimba and Winds, Lynn Glassock’s Off Axis, as well as his own compositions Afta-Stuba! and Motion Beyond. Percussive Notes CD review of Motion Beyond stated that “Ford’s stylistic interpretation is unquestionably among the world’s finest solo musicians.” His first marimba solo compact disc in 1996, Polaris, received excellent reviews from music publications including The Instrumentalist which stated Ford’s performance is “superb and Ford’s compositional style is equally outstanding.” Other CDs by Mark Ford include Athletic Conveyances: Music for Tuba and Percussion, with Jeff Jarvis.
As a composer Mark Ford has written several popular works for solo marimba and percussion ensemble including Head Talk, Polaris, Motion Beyond, Stubernic, Afta-Stuba!, One-Eyed Jacks, and Standup Shadow. His compositions have been performed at universities and concert halls throughout the world including the Taipei International Percussion Convention, The Eastman School of Music and PAS International Conventions.
Mark serves on the Executive Board of the Percussive Arts Society as president-elect. An author of numerous percussion pedagogy articles, Ford served ten years as associate editor for the PAS publication, Percussive Notes. Mark Ford represents the Pearl Corporation of America, The Zildjian Company and Innovative Percussion as performing artist and clinician.[photo] (Added 1998.12.31,modified 2002.3.3)
Greg GiannascoliGreg Giannascoli was top prize winner of the 1997 Patrons of Wisdom international young artist competition held in Toronto, Canada. He has also won a grant for a custom marimba from the Philadelphia Music Foundation, the National Music Teachers Competition, the Montpeliar Cultural Arts Society Recital Competition, and others. Greg has studied with William Moersch, Dean Witten, Donald Bick, and Leigh Stevens. He has also had coachings with Gordon Stout, Nancy Zeltsman, and Machiko Takahashi. Greg performs exclusively on the Yamaha 6000 and uses Innovative Percussion Mallets. He represents the Percussion Marketing Council, which supplies matching funds for his educational appearances. He is a faculty member at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Reviews of Greg’s performances include: “Here was music played so well it would capture and hold anybody’s attention indefinitely.”-Classical New Jersey, “With great mastery and two mallets in each hand Giannascoli gave a true lesson with what can be done with that singular instrument.”-The National of Mexico City, Reviews of his first CD ‘Concertino’ : “…elegantly phrased and sensitively performed…sails confidently through the most challenging technical passages.”-Percussive Notes. Greg’s second CD ‘Velocities’ will be out summer 1999. (Added 1999.6.21)
Evelyn Glennie
Check out her web site to see all the current informatin about this famous percussionist. She is a pupil of Keiko Abe. Tomoko IIDA,Graduate of Senzoku Music University, Tokyo. A member of Ensemble Historia.
Shinsuke ISHIHARA
Born in Tokyo in 1975, he started to study music at age of four. In 1998, he graduated Toho Music University with the first prize. In 1999, Ishihara won the first prize in the All Japan Solist Competition, Marimba division. Also, he received “Grootste onderscheiding” from Belgium Royal Music Antwerpen Conservatorium.
Since then, he has been giving numerous concerts, and recordings. He appears in “Marimba Dancing”, which is going to be released in March 2000. In April 2000, he will do recording with Momoko Kamiya and Ludwig Albert . Apart from his solo activigy, he has formed a duo with Ludwig Albert in 1999.
Ishihara studied marimba with Keiko Abe, Momoko Kamiya, Mutuko Fujii, Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic, Katrina Mycka,Gordon Stout, Ludwig Albert, and percussion with Kyouiti Sano,Leo Oudrits,Koen Willmash, and the Vibraphone with Carlo Williams.
Alex Jacobowitz
Alex Jacobowitz was born in New York in 1960, and studied with Gordon Stout, L.H. Stevens and John Beck. He currently resides in Europe, where he performs marimba solo, primarily works of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart.
In recent years, Alex Jacobowitz has played solo on German, Swiss, Israeli and Portuguese and Hungarian television and radio, and sold 50,000 recordings throughout Europe. His newest CD, “The Art of Xylos” (Arte Nova, BMG distribution) is a collection of highest-quality transcriptions, and is to be released worldwide on February 4, 2002. Although in 2001 he has performed the solo part to Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with orchestra, he prefers to play unaccompanied.
His book,”A Classical Klezmer: Travel Stories of a Jewish Musician” (1998) sold out its first edition and is now in preparation for the second edition.
1981 – Won the Drum Corps International Competition for Solo Keyboard in Montreal, then premiered Edith Borroff’s Concerto for Marimba and Small Orchestra.
In 1982-3, he played percussion with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, then decided to abandon percussion for solo marimba.
1984 – Two solo concerts at Lincoln Center
1986-91 – Official Street Performer at the South Street Seaport in New York City.
1991- 2001 Street performances & TV, radio broadcasts throughout Europe and Israel.
1998 – Autobiography published in German (A Classical Klezmer), 50,000 recordings sold
2001 – Performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez with orchestra, Record contract with Arte Nova, a classical label within BMG
(Added 1999.2.6, Modified 2002.2.16)
Liessens, Frederick
principal percussionist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Composer/Arranger, specialist in Marimba, Vibraphone, Steel Drums. (Added 1997.6.12)
Rebecca Kite
Rebecca Kite has been performing as a marimba soloist for twenty years, appearing in concert and in clinics across the United States and in Europe and Japan. Her music may be heard on her two solo marimba recordings, Across Time (1993) and Prism (1996). Kite has received two Master Fellowships as a marimba soloist from the Indiana Arts Commission and was a finalist in the 1986 Pro Musicus Competition.
Recent premieres of solo marimba works include Recurrences by Bruce Hamilton (1999), Jazz Suite for Marimba by Joan Griffith (1998) her own composition For Alice (1998) and Ilijash, by Nebjosha Zivcovic (1996). She has performed in such venues as Suntory Hall in Tokyo, The Kennedy Center, Vredenberg Hall in The Netherlands, and Sundin Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota as well as numerous colleges, high schools, art museums and Indiana state parks!
Kite is the author of “Reading Mallet Percussion Music”, a method book for teaching music reading to young adult drummers. Other publications include “Which Mallets Should I Use”, Percussive Notes, April 2000, “Keiko Abe: Her Quest for Marimba Sound” Percussive Notes, April 1998, “Tuning Your Marimba Resonators”, Percussive Notes, December 1992, and “Using Calf Timpani Heads”, Percussive Notes, December 1992.
Kite has been Artist in Residence at the Cultural Foundation for the Arts in Rio Negro Patagonia, Argentina (September 2000), The University of Miami School of Music (Fall semester 1999) and at SUNY Fredonia. She has appeared as both a marimba and timpani clinician and guest artist at numerous high schools and colleges in the United States and Japan, including Toho Conservatory, Interlochen, Indiana University School of Music, Ball State University, The University of Missouri at Kansas City, The University of Chicago and Kansas University.
Kite recently moved to the DC area of Northern Virginia from St. Paul, Minnesota where she lived for nine years and taught at the University of St. Thomas and Hamline University. In addition to her activities as a marimba soloist and teacher, she performed as a free-lance timpanist and percussionist with the Minnesota Opera, the Plymouth Music Series Orchestra, and other Twin Cities musical organizations.
Kite attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City where she received the BM degree in percussion performance. Her graduate work was done at the Indiana University School of Music where she studied with George Gaber and received the MM degree. She did advanced study in timpani with Cloyd Duff and in marimba with Keiko Abe.
Rebecca Kite served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Percussive Arts Society from 1994 through 1997. She is chair of the Marimba Committee and was co-leader of the WPN/PAS Web site Project for which she was awarded the 1999 PAS Outstanding Service Award. Kite is a member of the Educational Advisory Board of Pro-Mark Corporation and is a Yamaha Performing Artist. (Added 2001.11.22)
Mutsuko FUJII
Mutsuko Fujii, a percusionist, a marimbist, and a Sanukite player (Sanukaite is a marimba like instrument made of a type of stone called Sanukite), graduated Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku in 1970 and since then, she has been actively playing as a percussionist as well as a solo and duo marimba player. Her duo group (Fujii/Kikuchi Duo : Kikuchi=Tomoko Kusakari) commisioned over 40 peices of works, and is slated to have created “new sound” for the marimba duo. Since 1985, her solo activity gained momentum and this resulted in premiering many well known pieces like Keiko Abe’s Prism Rhapsody. Naturally, she appeared in TV and Radio many times. She is also a composer and many works are published.
On the academic side, she teaches at Senzoku Gakuen University.
She also spend a lot of effort for music education of children, and is the Chiar of All Japan Children’s Education League.(Added 1999.7.12)
Andy Harnsberger
Andy Hanrsberger completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Performance and Literature at The Eastman School of Music, where he also received the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. He has presented numerous recitals and clinics throughout the United States. A member of the marimba duo PARAGON with partner Greg Giannascoli. Director of Percussion studies at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Dr. Harnsberger is a performing artist and clinician for the Pearl Corporation and performs on an Adams Artist Series marimba exclusively. He is also an artist/endorser for Innovative Percussion mallet company. Website: members.aol.com:/ahparagon (Added 1999.2.6)Mike HAMNETA graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.UK,Mike’s career has covered pretty much every musical base possible.From world premieres of several concerti,most notably Paul Mitchell-Diavidson’s “Aficana” broadcast on national television,to free-wheeling jazz and salsa,via many West End shows (Pirates of Penzance mallets chair,Lion King African and mallets,and assistant conductor,amongst others) and contemporary and orchestral concerts and recordings with,amongst others,the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra,BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra,Halle Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata,Mike’s virtuosic musicality always brings a smile to the listener. Currently working on Disney’s production of the Lion King in London,future plans include recording a new album of original compositions with his new group “Project One”,followed by a tour around Europe in summer 2003. Mike can be contacted at:mikeymd@btinternet.com (Added 2002.8.31)Laurence D. KaptainHe is a concert Cimbalom player who is also a marimba player. He has an impressive array of CD appearance. Visit his site to see them.
Momoko KAMIYA,Graduate of Juliard Music School. Winner of the 1995 Luxemburg International Percussion Competition, Marimba section.Since 1990, she is giving the recital series “Kamiya Momoko Marimba Recital – Oto * Sorekara (Sound – and then…)”. She has also played with Yomiuri Nihon Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmony Orchestra, etc. Has appeard in such programs like “NHK FM Recital”, “Best of Classics (NHK FM)” etc. Her CD includes “Childrens of Dyonisis (Dyonisia)”, “Marimba Coctail (Phillips)”, “Arabesque (Phillips)”. She is currently actively playing mainly as solo marimbist.Apart from giving performances, she also teaches at Senzoku Gakuen University, Okinawa Kenritsu Geijutsu University, Aichi Kenritsu Geijutsu University. (Last Modified 1998.5.6)
Kazuko KISHIDA,
Internationally well known Solo Marimba & Percussion Player. = Graduated Master course of Tokyo University of Arts. Many successful concerts at New York Carnegie Hall, Vienna = Musikverein Sall, Beijing Concert Hall. (Last Modified 1997.6.20)
Jasmin Kolberg
A most promising newcomer, Jasmin Kolberg has rapidly established herself as a marimbist in the international concert scene. Her musical sensitivity, expressive phrasing and technical brilliance make each concert a lasting experience.
Born into a musical family in 1974 in Stuttgart (Germany), she began at the age of seven to play piano, violin and percussion. As a percussionist she earned first prizes in “Young Musicians” competitions from early on.
In 1994 she began her percussion studies with Prof. Klaus Tresselt at the “Hochschule fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst” in Stuttgart, and was accepted into the soloist class in the year 2000. From 1999 to 2001 she studied at the “Conservatoire Superieur de Paris” in the marimba-solo-classes of Professors Eric Sammut and Frederic Macarez.
Since 1996, she has been working with the marimba virtuoso Leigh Howard Stevens in New York, and with the famous solo percussionist Robyn Schulkowsky in Berlin. She also participated in numerous master-classes with Gordon Stout and Michael Burritt (USA) and Keiko Abe (Japan).
Jasmin Kolberg was awarded the 3rd prize in the “2nd World Marimba Competition” in Okaya, Japan in 1999. She was the winner of the “Yamaha Competition 2001” and was granted a scholarship from the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe. Interested in expanding the repertoire for the marimba, she composes music for her instrument. In addition to her teaching activities, she performs regulary in diverse chamber music constellations, including her own ensemble, and the Percussion Ensemble Stuttgart. She has recorded often for the german radio. (Last Modified 2001.5.6)
Rodrigo KANAMORI
Rodrigo Kanamori was graduated at the University of Chile-Faculty of Arts.In 1996 and 1998 took Marimba Summer Seminar Leigh Howard Stevens.In 1995,he participated in the 1st INTERNATIONAL MARIMBA COMPETITION Leigh Howard Stevens. He got the first prize YOUNG TALENTS in Chile.In 1998,he participated in the 2nd INTERNATIONAL MARIMBA COMPETITION in Okaya,Japan. in 1994 and 1996,he participated in the LATINAMERICAN MEETING OF PERCUSSION organized by the Federal University of Santa Maria,Brazil.In the same year,gave concert in the PERCUSSION WEEK held in Mexico city. In 2000 participated as a marimba solist in Lima-Peru.During the same year,he played with the Chile Simphonic Orchestra,the CONCERT FOR MARIMBA AND ORCHESTRA by Ney Rosauro. in 2002,gave concert at Akron University,(Ohio) Ashland University(Ohio) and ,University of Miami (Miami-Florida). Since 1998 he has a Duo of Saxophone and Percussion VILLAFRUELA-KANAMORI.With this duo he recorder his first Cd SECUENCIAS.This Cd consist in music of Chilean composer all composition was dedicated for this Duo.This Cd was awared in 2002 like THE BEST CONTEMPORARY DUO in Chile. Today,he is the principal timpanist of this Orchestra and a percussion Proffesor of University of Chile. (Added 2003-03-22)
Kunihiko KOMORI,Mr. Komori is active in promoting new music written for the marimba, captivating the audience with his dazzling performance skills. He has given numerous world premiere performances of composers in the United States and Japan. He is currently commissioning a series of new works from award-winning composers Kohei Mukai, Shafer Mahoney, and Tonika Ichinose.
Mr. Komori has received the Individual Artist Award in Instrumental Performance from the Maryland State Arts Council in 1998, was selected as a recitalist of the 1998-1999 Fairfax county recital series in Virgina State, and has performed extensively in the Baltimore-Washington area.
Mr. Komori received his Bachelor’s degree as well as the prestigious Performer’s Certificate at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with John Beck. He continued his studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he earned his Master’s degree, with William Moersch, a marimba virtuoso. He is currently a full-schalorship student of the Graduate Performance Diploma at the Peabdy Conservatory of Music with internationally well-known marimbist, Robert Van Sice. (Added 1997.6.13, updated 1999.02.28)Tomoko KUSAKARI,Actively playing all around Japan. Famous for the commissioned works like “Divertiment” by Seiji Yokoyama. Several CDs as well. Miyoshi’s Etudes Concertante was premiered by her duo (Fujii/Kikuchi Duo : Kikuchi = Kusakari) (updated 1997.11.18)
Filippo LATTANZI
FILIPPO LATTANZI was born in 1971 in Bari where he completed his musical studies at the “Niccolo Piccinni” Conservatory, graduating in Percussion Instruments with maximum marks and honors. He continued his studies with Gastone Sylvestre at the Conservatoire National de Region in Paris where he was awarded the gold medal and the g1er prix de la musique a lfunanimite et felicitationsh for four consecutive years.
In 1997 at the same Conservatory the Jury composed of George Aperghis, Carlos Alsina and Jean Pierre Drouet unanimously awarded Lattanzi a special prize for virtuosity as a marimba player.
Moreover, he perfected himself as a marimba player with Michael Rosen, Robert Van Sice and Leigh Howard Stevens.
Lattanzi has presented Italian and world premiere performances of works by George Aperghis, Richard Rodney Bennett, Luciano Berio, Carlo Boccadoro, Mauro Cardi, Riccardo Dapelo, Jean Pierre Drouet, Petr Eben, Eric Ewazen, Marie Helene Fournier, Vinko Globokar, Gerard Grisey, Evan Hause, Raymond Helble, Peter Klatzow, Peer Norgard, Steve Reich, Roberto Sansuini, Joseph Schwantner, Flavio Emilio Scogna, Toru Takemitsu, Andrew Thomas, James Wood and many others.
He performed for the first time in Italy the Concerts for Marimba and for Percussion and Orchestra by Richard Rodney Bennett and Joseph Schwantner. Moreover, he has commissioned different works for marimba solo and with the orchestra, to Carlo Boccadoro, Riccardo Piacentini, Biagio Putignano, Flavio Emilio Scogna, some of the most famous Italian composers.
Lattanzi performes as a concert soloist in Italy, France, Greece, Germany, Poland, Turkey and the United States. In 1996, he was selected by the gAssociazione Romana Amici della Musicah, to represent Italy in the most prestigious European exhibitions of contemporary music, playing in some of the most important concert halls, such as the gMusik Halle Hamburgh, the gChopin Musical Academyh in Warsaw, gThe Praha Concert Academyh, the gTeatro Comunale di Bolognah, the Auditorium of the gRAIh in Turin, the gTeatro Comunale di Ferrarah, the gTeatro Comunale di Firenzeh and the gPiccolo Teatro alla Scalah in Milan..
In addition to his work as a soloist Lattanzi has been involved with a number of orchestras working with musicians such as Pierre Boulez, Vinko Globokar, Roger Bobo and Luciano Berio. Mr. Lattanzi is the official Keyboard and percussion player of “Orchestra della Radio e Televisione Svizzera Italiana”.
He tours the best theatres of the world with the Dance Company “Aterballetto”, playing music by authors such as Iannis Xenakis, Steve Reich e John Cage.
Lattanzi has recorded for gKoch-Schwann-Aulosh, for “FORLANE”, for “DAD RECORDS”, for gRadio e Televisione Svizzera Italianah, for gRAI” Italian Radio and Television and for gEuroradioh concerts. His solo record project FIELDS, contain some of the most significant passages of the American repertoire for marimba written by various authors, including Richard Rodney Bennett, Evan Hause, Raymond Helble, Joseph Schwantner, and Andrew Thomas. His last CD “O Golpe Suave” XVIIIth Century Italian Music in Guatemala, collaborating with the Meridies ensemble, with historical instruments, performs new discovered vocal Italian music. The research showed the use of the marimba in the Cathedral since early XVIIIth century, thanks to Juan Joseph de Padilla, the earlier known guatemalan virtuoso of this instrument.
He holds master classes for the gAssociazione Percussionisti Italianih, for the gInternational Music Teacher Associationh (Los Angeles), for the “Oberlin Percussion Institute” (USA) for the Percussive Arts Society International Convention PASIC and for the Accademia Musicale of Emilia Romagna at the “Fondazione Arturo Toscanini” in Parma. He teaches at the Conservatorio di Musica gNiccolof Piccinnih di Monopoli (BA). (Added 2003-03-22)
Jeannine Maddox-Vögele
Before coming to America Jeannine performed as a solo artist at the Konzervatorium Zurich and with the Salonorchester Zuricher Oberland. Jeannine was a founding member of Conton Percussion Ensemble of Zuriich and she has performed with the Swiss Percussion Ensemble, Opera Orchestra of Zurich, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and the Swiss National Youth Wind Ensemble.
Jeannine received her bachelors and masters degrees from the Konservatorium Zurich. She studied with Horst Hofmann and in Japan with Kieko Abe. Jeannine has performed in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Washington, DC., Germany, Scotland, Japan, Luxembourg, Denmark and Switzerland. (Added 1999.02.28)
Linda Maxey
Linda Maxey began studying piano at the age of four and marimba at age six. Her first major performance was in Madison Square Garden in New York at the age of eleven when she performed for the Kiwanis International Convention. She was the first marimbist to be added to the prestigious roster of Columbia Artists Management in New York. She has been a featured soloist at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in Philadelphia and San Antonio. An accomplished arranger as well as performer, many of Ms. Maxey’s transcriptions have been published by Southern Music Company. During the past 17 years, Linda Maxey has performed on hundreds of Community Concert series in almost every state of the union and has concertized in Canada and Europe. Her New York debut was in 1990 at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall. She toured Lithuania in May, 1996, playing concerts with orchestras as well as performing at the Lithuanian Academy of Music in Vilnius.(Added 1999.11.12)
PJ MerolaAn alumni of The North Carolina School of the Arts and the Mannes Conservatory of Music in NYC, PJ Merola maintains an active career and is one of the few solo percussionist/marimbists working today. He received an exclusive award in Solo Percussion Performance from the National Endowment for the Arts (USA) in 1997 and collaborates/performs/composes extensively with many groups and organizations. He is a large advocate of multi-media expression and new music, while maintaining a focus on classical transcriptions and adaptations within the medium.(Added 2002.05.03)
Nanae MIMURANanae Mimura is being hailed as one of the most significant marimba players of her generation. Still in her mid-twenties, Ms. Mimura is the winner of three prestigious competitions. At the 1999 Concert Artists Guild Competition, she received the Nathan Wedeen Management Award. In 1998, she won first prize in the Settimane Musicale di Lugano Solo Competition. She received first prize at the Percussive Arts Society Marimba Competition in 1997. Other awards she has received include first prize in the Japan Percussion Society’s 13th Percussion Competition and the NTT DoCoMo Award. While in Switzerland in 1998 performing several solo recitals, she became the youngest recipient of the Premio Alosi given by the Associazione Lirico Orchestrale della Svizzera Italiana.
Ms. Mimura recently performed in Europe and Japan. She performed at the World Drum Festival in Hamburg, Germany; Percfest in Laigueglia, Italy; and at Canora Hall in Okaya, Japan. Recent performances in Massachusetts include the world premiere of a marimba concerto by Kenji Kikuchi with the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, and a concert at the Berklee College of Music Mallet Keyboard Festival at which she has been a member of the faculty for two years.
Nanae Mimura was born in Japan in 1974. She began to play the marimba at age three, the piano at five, and percussion instruments at thirteen. She graduated from Kunitachi College of Music at the top of her class in 1997, receiving the prestigious Takeoka Award. She is currently a student at The Boston Conservatory working toward a Master of Music in Marimba. Her teachers include the acclaimed marimbist Nancy Zeltsman and Boston Pops percussionist Patrick Hollenbeck.
With a wide repertoire that reflects her interest in many styles of music, Ms. Mimura’s warm and soulful performance style has been enthusiastically received by critics and audiences alike. She performed her Boston debut recital at The Boston Conservatory Theater on October 3, 1999, and New York debut recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on October 19, 1999, sponsored by Concert Artists Guild, Asahi Breweries, Ltd. and Yamaha Corporation of America. She will perform her formal Tokyo debut at Kioi Hall on January 12, 2000, sponsored by Japan Arts Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment, Asahi Breweries, Ltd. and Yamaha Corporation. Ms. Mimura will perform a marimba concerto with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra at Orchard Hall in Tokyo on December 31, 1999. Her first solo CD for Sony Classical will be released during 2000.
Ms. Mimura is represented by Concert Artists Guild Management in New York, and soon will also be represented by Japan Arts Management in Asia. Ms. Mimura is a Yamaha performing artist. (Added 1998.11.22, Updated 1999.11.29)
William Moersch
Assistant Professor of Percussion (1998) and Chair of the Percussion Division
B.M. (with High Distinction) and M.M. (percussion performance), University of Michigan.wmoersch@uiuc.edu
William Moersch is internationally renowned as a marimba virtuoso, chamber and symphonic percussionist, recording artist, and educator. He has appeared as soloist with symphonic orchestras and in recital throughout North and South America, Europe, the Far East, and Australia. One of twelve international marimbists featured at the World Marimba Festival in Osaka, Japan in 1998, he is perhaps best known for his solo compact disc, The Modern Marimba, and for commissioning over the past twenty years virtually the entire prominent modern American repertoire for solo marimba. Recently appointed Assistant Professor and Chair of the Percussion Division at the University of Illinois, Mr. Moersch also created the graduate degree programs in marimba performance at the Peabody Conservatory and Rutgers University and has presented master classes throughout the world. A graduate of the University of Michigan, where he was a scholarship student of Charles Owen, Mr. Moersch was a free-lance percussionist in New York for over twenty years. He has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, New York City Ballet, New Jersey Symphony, American Symphony, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and as a featured soloist on numerous motion picture soundtracks. Currently, he is Principal Timpanist and Percussionist of Sinfonia da Camera and Principal Percussionist of the Bard Music Festival.
(Added 1997.6.12, Updated 1998.6.21, Update 1998.10.24, Updated 1999.01.10, Updated 2002.08.15)
Katarzyna Mycka
Born in Leningrad, started playing percussion at the age of 16. Fascinated by the weath of different sounds, she began working intensively on the wide ranging percussion instrumentarium and its often very difficult repertoire. As soon as three years later the young musician had her first success – 1st prize in the Polish Percussion Competition in Opole. In the following year she was awarded a special prize as youngest participant at the Concours International dfExecution Musicale in Geneva, in the form of a scholarship for study abroad. Katarzyna Mycka began in time to concentrate on the keybord- percussion instruments, and more particulary the marimba, which she felt enabled her to express her musicality and virtuosity. The wisdom of her choice of marimba as expressiv medium was soon confirmed, with two further first prizes in international marimba competitions: in 1995 she won the “International Percussion Competition for Marimba Solo in Luxemburgh, where she was additionally awarded the Audience Prize, and in 1996 the “World Marimba Competitionhin Stuttgart, Germany. 1997 she was finalist in the ARD Competition in Munich and received in the same year Scholarship Prize for young Artists from Rotary Club in Stuttgart. 1998 Foundation of the Arts from Baden Wiirttemberg aworded her the Promotional Scholarship and 1999 Polish Percussive Arts Society the title – Ambassador of Polish Percussive Arts. (Added 2002.2.16)
Makoto NAKURA
Mr. Nakura is a visiting consultant for Percussion Studies and frequent recitalist at the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts, and he has also given recitals and master classes at the Royal Academy of Music in London, here he has performed as soloist with the Academy’s Percussion Ensemble. Since 1992, Mr. Nakura has been the youngest member of Percussion Group ’72, Japan’s most prestigious percussion ensemble. He was awarded the 1987 NHK Prize for Classical Music and the 1990 Japanese Musician’s Union Prize, which presented him as soloist with the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra.Graduate of Tokyo’s Musashino College (1988). [Exerpt from Young Concert Artists Bio] (added 1997.11.16) Takako NAGANOTakako Nagano started taking piano lessons at the age of five.
She was accepted as a piano major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
An accidental meeting with Robert Rosen, Professor of Percussion made up her mind to shift into the world of percussion, especially marimba which she can show her forte and can use her pianistic background.
Upon graduation from UW, she decided to perform exclusively on the marimba.
She continued further marimba studies with Professor Doug Walter at the University of Colorado where she received the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Award for her musical excellence. She holds BA degree in Piano and Percussion from the University of Wisconsin and MM degree in Percussion performance (Marimba Emphasis) from the University of Colorado. She currently resides in Kyoto, Japan where she actively gives solo marimba recitals, lessons and masterclasses. (Added Feb. 16, 2002)
Moyuru ODA,
A graduage of Kunitachi Colledge of Music. Member of the Okada Tokoyuki Percussion Ensemble and the Ensemble Mallet. (Updated Feb. 16, 2002)
Hiroshi Chu OKUBO
Hiroshi Chu Okubo is Percussionist and Composer, also He is the first MIBURI (Virtual MIDI Body Percussion) Player in the US. He Presented over 200 concert at USA, China and Japan.He is Director of HCO Music Factory Group. He has own Percussion Trio “OKOMOCHI” (updated 1997.11.18)
Rich O’Maera
Rich O’Meara is fluent in a wide variety of musical styles. As a member of One Earth Percussion Theatre, with Joseph McIntyre and Michael Wingo, he took part in innovative multi-media performances. He has performed with the Contemporary Music Forum, the Lenox Ensemble, and the New York based Sky Music. He was featured as marimba soloist with the Women Composers Orchestra and under the direction of Michel Camilo, was a guest artist at the 1998 Latin-Caribbean Festival at the Kennedy Center. With the new music ensemble Amaranth, he premiered Puzzle Piece for three marimbas. He has composed many works for percussion and small ensemble, some of which are published by Music for Percussion and Marimba Productions. His piece for solo marimba, Restless, was required repertoire for the 48th International Competition in Geneva, Switzerland. He took second place in the 1999 Percussive Arts Society Percussion Composition Contest with looking at “r”, for two marimbas. His compositions can be heard on the Audite Schallplatten and the Koch Discover International record labels. He has also spent time playing jazz on vibes, marimba, and MIDI percussion with the Bruce Middle Group and Millennium; and alternative rock as drummer for Kismet. He has served as part time music faculty at Goucher College and the Levine School of Music. He studied percussion with Randy Eyles, Gar Whaley, Ron Barnett, and Leigh Howard Stevens and received a Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. (Added May 6, 2001)
Mie SAITO,
Entered Kunitachi College of Music in 1988. Received scholarship from “Yasuda Seimei – Quality of Life Zaidan”. On graduation, she received prestigeous “Takeoka Prize”. Received Masters degree from the College in 1994.She studied percussion with Tomoyuki Okada, marimba with Junko Shibata and Akiko Suzuki, Timpani with Peter Sonderman.Received “Award of Excellence” at the 8th Percussion Rookie’s Concert. Received the Gran Prix on the 10th Nihon Kan-dagakki Concours (Japan Brass and Percussion Competition) Percussion division. Gave concerts in Berlin, Sofia, Taipei, Seoul, Denmark etc. as a member of the “Percussion Ensemble OKADA of Japan”.In 1994, she gave the “Saito Mie Percussion Recital – Sound Pazzle -“, and subsequently, “Saito Mie Marimba Concert – Wind from the Galia – “, etc. Also appeared in “Marimba Alive! vol.3” with Junko Sakimura.Currently, actively playing as a solo marimbist as well as an ensemble member in chamber music and orchestra. Member of the Miracle Percussion Ensemble. (Last Modified 1998.5.6)
Safri DuoThis Danish duo are not only for marimba but also all ground percussion. Uffe Savery and Morten Friis, they can perform Marimba Spritual just by themselves…2 people! It is called Marimaba Spritual 2 and recorded on their CD. Mostly they transcribe piano music by Bach, Chopin or Ravel for 2 marimbas. Safri version of Alborada del gracioso by Ravel is published from Studio 4 Production, and available their CDs in stores in Japan. (Added 1997.6.12)
Sadro, Peter
Peter Sadlo has been hailed by critics as one of the greatest percussionist of the century.
He began to learn to play when only 5 and started to study at the age of twelve. His exceptional talent has always been recognised by his teachers. The most eminent of these was Siegfried Fink, in whose master classes in WEzburg Sadlo obtained his diploma. But his playing of the timpani is particularly marked by the influence of Sergiu Celibidache.
Sadlo won many of the chief percussion prizes while a student, including the prestigious first prizes at the Geneva Competition and ARD Competition in Munich. He has been far more successful than anyone else in his field. He has received many accolades, but his versatile talent is most clearly proved by the number and variety of the engagements he has been asked to take on.
He was the solo percussionist of the Munich Philharmonic and a teacher and also directs professional chamber groups. Hardly surprising, he is a popular guest performer at music festivals and with various distinguished orchestras. His musical flair is unerring and his dexterity on all kinds of instruments quite dazzling. These have earned him great acclaim from the general public and the critics, and he is now in great demand throughout the world.
Peter Sadlo has an exclusive contract with Koch Schwann. For this CD Percussion in Concert he has been awarded the Echo Prize 1998. Deutsche Grammophon released the Bartok Sonata for two pianos and percussion with Martha Argerich, Nelson Freire and Edgar Guggeis.
Junko SAKIMURA,
Junko Sakimura, a Marimba and Cimbalom player, is a graduate of Kunitachi College of Music in 1988. She studied under Tomoyuki Okada, Shinichi Ueno, Keiko Abe, Akiko Suzuki etc.Has appeared several times as a soloist in NHK FM and TV such as “NHK FM Recital”, “NHK Saturday Night Orchestra (with Kanagawa Philharmony)”. Since 1994, she is giving “Marimba Alive!” series of recitals. Other appearances includes “Suntory Summer Special < Music of the 20th Century (’91)>”, etc. (Last Modified 2001.7.7)
Mark SheltonMark Shelton is a freelance percussionist living in the Dallas, TX area. He performs on the marimba as part of his solo percussion program for students. Mark is on the Young Audiences rosters in Dallas, Houston, and Beaumont, Texas. Before moving to Texas, Mark served as Visiting Artist at Wayne Community College in North Carolina.
In addition to his work as a soloist, he leads the New Acoustic / World Music ensemble, Tin Roof Tango, and is percussionist with the Calvary Temple of Irving Celebration Orchestra. (Added 1999.2.6)
Rober Van SiceRobert Van Sice, percussion, has premiered over one hundred works, including concertos, chamber music, and solos. He has made solo appearances with symphony orchestras and given recitals in Europe, North America, Africa and the Far East. In 1989 he gave the first full-length marimba recitals at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and has since played in most of Europe’s major concert halls, many of which have been broadcast by the BBC, Swedish Radio, Norwegian Radio, WDR and Radio France. He is frequently invited as a soloist with Europe’s leading contemporary music ensembles and festivals, including the London Sinfonietta, Ensemble Contrechamps, and L’Itineraire and the Archipel, Darmstadt and North American New Music festivals among others. From 1988 to 1997 he headed Europe’s first diploma program for solo marimbists at the Rotterdam’s Conservatorium. Mr. Van Sice has given master classes in over twenty countries and frequently visits the major conservatories in Europe as a guest lecturer. He attended the Cleveland Institute of Music, Toho Gakuen, and South African College of Music and has studied with Cloyd Duff, Keiko Abe, Leigh Howard Stevens and Michael Rosen.[Excerpt from the homepage linked above.] (added 1997.11.16) Kai StensgaardKai Stensgaard was among the first Scandinavian musicians to approach the marimba as a serious solo instrument. Throughout the last 15 years he has toured extensively and given more than 3.000 concerts, masterclasses and clinics in various venues in Northern Europa, Mexico, Puerto Rico, U.S.A. and Japan along with numerous radio and television broadcasts. He was recognized in 1989 as the first recipient of the North Jutland Music Award. He has produced several CDs displaying the marimba’s myriad of textures. (added 2000.11.6)
J.B.Smith
Dr. J.B. Smith is an Associate Professor of Music and the Coordinator of Percussion Studies at Arizona State University. He has performed and recorded with Ensemble 21, The Daniel Lentz Group, Summit Brass and the Phoenix Symphony. He is also an Artist-in-Resident for ASU’s Institute for Studies in the Arts. Smith received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University, where he studied with Dr. Larry Vanlandingham; his Master of Music in Percussion Performance and Literature degree from the University of Illinois, where he studied with Prof. Thomas Siwe; and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas, where he studied with Dr. Robert Schietroma. He has written articles for The Instrumentalist and Percussive Notes and served as president of the Arizona chapter of the PAS. Smith is also active as a composer, with numerous works published by Whole>Sum Productions.
Gordon Stout
Gordon Stout is one of the most prominant marimbist of our time and also known as the composer of Two Mexican Dances. Numerous published compositions (M. Baker Publications, Studio 4 Productions) are present. He is a professor, percussion; chair, Department of Performance Studies at the School of Music of Ithca College. As a Lecturer-recitalist, Percussive Arts Society, he appearing at international conventions.
He studied with James Salmon, John Beck, percussion; Samuel Adler, Warren Benson, composition. He has M.M., B.M., performer’s certificate, Eastman School of Music.
Formerly, faculty, St. Mary’s College in Maryland; music director, Tidewater Music Festival. Also, he is a founding member, Eastman Marimba Band; member, Wilder Duo, with Bob Levy, trumpet.
Numerous recordings for Studio 4, Mercury Golden Imports, Crystal Records, Golden Crest Records, including solo albums, and with Brian Bowman, David Craighead, Eastman Marimba Band, Michael Burritt. gstout@ithaca.edu
. (Added 1997.6.12, Updated 1999.4.14)
Leigh Howard StevensRenowned for his “one-handed rolls,” his complete mastery of mallet independence, his numerous textural sustaining techniques and his use of birch-handle mallets, Leigh Howard Stevens was born in Orange, New Jersey, U.S.A, March 9, 1953. He attended the Eastman School of Music 1971-1975, and graduated with academic honours and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Music.Subsequently, he travelled to Auckland, New Zealand in the 1972 for advanced studies with Vida Chenoweth, with whom he obtained additional coaching in 1975.
From 1975 to 1978, he taught percussion at Nazareth College of Rochester while writing Method of Movement for Marimba, a book which details some aspects of his unique system of four-mallet technique and which is now a standard text in many college percussion programs. This book has been translated into four languages.
In 1976, he performed at the first Percussive Arts Society International Convention , where he introduced to percussionists from around the world his one-handed rolls, birch handled “slap-less” mallets, rotary stroke types, “Stevens grip” and other “revolutionary” techniques that are now accepted as “standard” in many parts of the world.
In addition to performing exclusively on an extended-range Malletech Marimba of his own design, he serves as a consultant and conducts educational masterclasses for Malletech (He has been awarded four U. S. Patents for marimba design).
Mr. Stevens is a Professor of Marimba of the Royal Academy of Music, London since 1997. (Modified 2001.5.30)
Akiko SUZUKI,A pupil of Keiko Abe. Excellent trancking record as a marimba teacher. Her students includes Junko Sakimura, Mie Saito and Nanae Mimura. She lives in Kunitachi, Tokyo. (Modified 1999.2.6) William TriggFounding member of the Manhattan Marimba Quartet. Premiered marimba works by Babbitt, Kupferman, Torke, Ichinaga, Ishii. Performed and recorded with Steve Reich, Philip Glass, PULSE Percussion Ensemble. Degrees from Manhattan School of Music. Faculty at Manhattan School of Music – Prep Division, The College of New Jersey, Rowan University.(Added 1999.7.11) Naoko TAKADA,Naoko Takada:A student of Akiko Suzuki, Karen Ervin-Pershing, and Gordon Stout. Her duet group “Chris & Naoko” was one of the finalists in PASIC Duet Competition 99. She is currently pursuing master degree of percussion performance in Ithaca College of Music where she teaches Percussion Class. (Added 2000.2.11) Norikazu TSUGI,A graduate of Kunitachi Colledge of Music. Studied also in France under Prof. Emmanuel Sejourne.Blake TYSON,Although known primarily as a marimbist, he is committed to the creation and
performance of new music for all types of percussion by commissioning, composing, and premiering new works. Currently on the faculty of the University of Central
Arkansas, he believes that teaching is an important aspect of being a creative musician. For him, teaching is not only a way to share knowledge and experience, but also to create excitement for the percussive arts in a new generation of musicians. His clinics, masterclasses and performances have been received enthusiastically both in the United States and internationally.
Blake Tyson received DMA degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. The faculty of the Eastman School also awarded Tyson the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. He received the Master of Music degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Alabama. His teachers include John Beck, Michael Burritt, Larry Mathis, and Peggy Benkeser. He has also studied derabucca with Halim El-Dabh and has devoted intensive study to El-Dabh’s unique notational system for the instrument.
Blake Tyson has given recitals as both a solo and chamber artist throughout the United States. He has performed and taught in Ecuador as a guest of the National Conservatory. Recently, he visited Egypt where he performed at the Ministry of Culture in Cairo and as a soloist with the Orchestra de Biblioteca Alexandrina in Alexandria. He has performed as a percussionist with many orchestras throughout the United States, and is currently Principal Percussionist with the Conway Symphony. He has also performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Northwest Percussion Festival, the Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar, and has presented clinics and masterclasses at colleges and universities throughout the country. His solo marimba work Anubis will soon be published by Keyboard Percussion Publications.
Blake Tyson is a recital artist and clinician for Malletech marimbas, Zildjian cymbals, and Malletech and Zildjian sticks and mallets (Added 2002.8.31)
Micael UdouMichael Udow is principal percussionist with the Santa Fe Opera (1968-present) and has directed the percussion program at the University of Michigan since 1982. Aside from his work with the dance/percussion duo Equilibrium, Udow performs extensively with Keiko Abe and is a member of Summit Brass. This season, Udow has performed at the Banff Centre, at the World Marimba Festival in Osaka-Swita, Japan, and a two-week Summit Brass tour in Austria and Germany. Udow composed the music to Token City, the multi-award-winning 3-D Animated Video and Installation by Muriel Magenta. His “Shattered Mirror Suite” was premiered by George Manahan and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. His percussion teachers have included Alan Abel, Russell Hartenberger, Robert Lee, Jack McKenzie, Michael Ranta and Thomas Siwe. His composition teachers have included Warren Benson, Herbert Brun, Thomas Frederickson, Edwin London, Paul Steg and Thomas Whirtel.
[photo] Takayoshi YOSHIOKA,
A composer and a marimba player. Studied marimba under Keiko Abe and the composition under Akira Miyoshi. Winner of the 1980 PAS International Composition Competition. ALM Records publishes his CDs and Zen-on publishes his music.
(Modified 2002.7.20)
Andrew WhettamWherever he performs Andrew excites and enchants with his expressive intimacy, dazzlingly virtuosity and zestful playing. Known for his interpretation of major works as much as for popular jazz standards, Andrew’s varied programmes mix attractive new compositions with fresh, innovative arrangements of time-honoured classics.
A feature of Andrew’s communicative performances are his stimulating and informative introductions to both pieces and instruments, opening up an intriguing and fascinating world to the listener. The visual drama is unequalled by any other instrument whilst the aural dimension is haunting, beautiful, rich and captivating.
Andrew’s solo playing has delighted music lovers from Edinburgh to Portsmouth, from the local Village Hall to Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, and from the West End of London to Moscow and China. He has entertained audiences of Ambassadors, thrilled children with special needs and inspired students at major Universities, Colleges and Conservatoires.
Playing for leading orchestras and ensembles at home and abroad, he has appeared many times on national Radio & TV. He has performed in the BBC Proms, and the Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Huddersfield and Salzburg festivals. Arts Council sponsored tours have given opportunities to perform in several world premieres, whilst overseas he has toured in Austria, The Czech Republic, Faeroe Islands, France, Norway, and Sweden. (Added 1999.5.10)
James WalkerJAMES WALKER has received degrees in percussion performance from Ithaca College (BM) and Northern Illinois University (MM, Performer’s Certificate), and his primary teachers have included Gordon Stout and Bill Molenhof. He recently taught in the percussion department at Northern Illinois University near Chicago, and has also taught at Ithaca College. He has presented clinics at numerous colleges and universities around the United States. James specializes in jazz composition and performance (on vibraphone, marimba, and mallet synthesizer), and is a founding member of the Vokes-Walker Duo, a classical ensemble performing works for marimba and soprano. James has recently teamed with percussionist Mark Mahoney, forming an ensemble dedicated to exploring electronic mallet percussion. James has written for Percussive Notes, and he also authored the “Expressive Jazz Techniques” column for Jazz Player Magazine. His debut CD, “Rhyme or Reason,” was released in November 2000, and has received radio airplay on jazz stations around the world. James endorses Mike Balter mallets, and the Xylosynth by Wernick Instruments. He currently resides in Connecticut (US), roughly an hour from New York City. (Added 2000.2.11, Modified 2001.5.30, Modified 2002.10.23)Tracy WigginsTracy Wiggins is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the HARTT School of Music. He is the former instructor of percussion at Samford University, where he directed the marching band, percussion ensemble and steel drum band. Mr. Wiggins holds a Masters Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Oklahoma State University. He has done post-masters work at The Ohio State University.
Mr. Wiggins has performed with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Westerville (Ohio) Civic Symphony and has served as principal percussionist for the Santa Fe Symphony. Tracy Wiggins is active throughout the United States as both an adjudicator and performer. He has also served as pit percussionist for the touring production of “Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan”, the touring production of the Broadway musical “Ragtime”, The Birmingham Operaworks production of “Trouble in Tahiti,” and the Birmingham Theater production of “Kiss of the Spider-woman.”
Mr. Wiggins has performed as a soloist with the University of New Mexico, Oklahoma State University and Ohio State University percussion ensembles, as well as the Oklahoma State University Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a member of the chamber ensemble “Performance 20/20”.
He has twice performed on the Percussive Arts Society’s “New Music” day as a member of the University of New Mexico percussion ensemble. Tracy Wiggins has performed with the Freelancers and Black Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, and has instructed the DCI Divison III World Championship finalist Delta Brigade and Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps. His teachers have included Tricia Bovenschen, Wayne Bovenschen, Michael Bump, Ralph Hardimon, Gregg Koyle, Christopher Shultis, James Snell, Ben Toth, Glen Velez and Nancy Zeltsman.
He is an artist/clinician for Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Innovative Percussion and Sabian Cymbals, and plays on a Marimba OneMarimba.
He is currently listed in the “International Who’s Who of Music and Musicians.” Tracy Wiggins is a member of the Percussive Arts Society, Music Educators National Conference, The College Music Society, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. (Added 1999.9.7, Modified 2002.2.16)
She-e WuShe-e Wu began her musical studies at the age of four in her home town of Tainan, Taiwan where she studied piano. Later, she studied percussion with Ya-wen Lien and Tzong-Ching Ju. As a young musician, She-e performed timpani and percussion in numerous concerts throughout Taiwan. In 1991 she came to the United States to continue her musical education. She now holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas where she studied with Dr. Robert Schietroma and Ed Soph. She has also studied with marimba soloist Leigh Howard Stevens.
In 1995 Ms. Wu entered the first Leigh Howard Stevens International Marimba Competition. Despite being the youngest player in the finals, she won third prize, competing against 62 players from 23 countries. In 1996 She-e was invited to perform on the radio broadcast final concert of the World Marimba Competition in Stuttgart, Germany. She is also a featured concert artist at the 1999 National Percussion Convention of Spain in Seville.
She-e Wu has taught and performed at the University of North Texas and at the Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar. She has been the featured soloist with the Tempus Fugit Percussion Ensemble and performed as guest recitalist and clinician at numerous schools of music throughout the United States. She-e has also performed at the Hawaiian Music Educators Association Convention and is a member of the Bob Becker Ensemble in Toronto, Canada. Ms. Wu was an Assistant Professor of Music at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia in 1997-1998. She is currently a faculty member at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She is also a marimba artist and clinician for Malletech. (Added 1999.4.11)
Nancy ZeltsmanShe is one of the most well known femail marimbists in the States. She is a member of unique duo with marimba and violin, Marimolin. She is now woking on new marimba duo and just held their debut reciatal in Boston. She is marimba instructor at the Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory. Graduate of New England Conservatory. (Added 1997.6.12)
Nebojsa Jovan ZIVKOVICNebojsa Jovan Zivkovic (Neboysha Yovan Chivkovich b.1962) is undoubtedly one of the most eminent and most interesting marimba and percussion soloists currently working in Europe, not least because of his captivating performance and powerful emotional expression, which make his concerts an outstanding experience. His consistent duality, his untiring work – both as composer and performer – account for his unique artistic personality.Zivkovic completed his master’s degrees in composition, music theory and percussion in Germany. His concert tours have taken him through Germany, Austria, Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Greece, Czechia and repeatedly to the USA.Contemporary music is an important part of Zivkovic’s repertoire, and many composers have written works dedicated to him. His own music can best be described as „New Music with flesh and soul? and specially his works for marimba and percussion published in the USA and Germany have entered the standard repertoire of many percussionist worldwide.Zivkovic has also made a number of radio recordings in Germany and abroad, as well as several TV appearances. His creative output is currently captured on three CD’s of marimba and percussion, and one CD with the recording of Darius Milhauds marimba /vibraphone concerto. As a soloist he perform often his own marimba concertos in Germany and abroad, – among others with Hannover Radio Symphony, Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, Münchner Symphoniker, Österreichischer Kammersymphoniker, etc.In 1995 he made his Austrian debut in famous Vienna’s „Konzerthaus? with Milhauds Concerto, and 1997 was marked by world premiere of his own second concerto for marimba and orchestra in Munich’s Herkulessaal, with Munich Symphonic Orchestra. Beside his concert activities he gaves master classes and seminars in allmost all european countries, and at over 20 USA universities so far. In 1996 and 1997 he was Visiting Professor at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and University of Hartford, Connecticut.
(Alphabetic Order)