Special Guest: Ali Ryerson
With a career spanning nearly five decades, jazz flutist Ali Ryerson has consistently ranked among the top flutists in the Downbeat Jazz Poll for well over a decade. She has performed and toured worldwide with a wide range of artists including Billy Taylor, Kenny Barron, Stephane Grappelli, Frank Wess, Red Rodney, Laurindo Almeida, Art Farmer, Maxine Sullivan, Roy Haynes, Art Farmer, Mike Mainieri, Joe Beck, as well as a recent guest appearance with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
She has also performed with classical artists Julius Baker and Luciano Pavarotti (when she was principal flutist with the Monterey Bay Orchestra). Ali was musical director of The Hudson River Regional Jazz Festival (2001-’04), Jazz Chair for The National Flute Association, and founder of the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band. As an educator and author, Ryerson published the widely acclaimed Jazz Flute Practice Method, and conducts master classes worldwide....
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Special Guest: Ali Ryerson
With a career spanning nearly five decades, jazz flutist Ali Ryerson has consistently ranked among the top flutists in the Downbeat Jazz Poll for well over a decade. She has performed and toured worldwide with a wide range of artists including Billy Taylor, Kenny Barron, Stephane Grappelli, Frank Wess, Red Rodney, Laurindo Almeida, Art Farmer, Maxine Sullivan, Roy Haynes, Art Farmer, Mike Mainieri, Joe Beck, as well as a recent guest appearance with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
She has also performed with classical artists Julius Baker and Luciano Pavarotti (when she was principal flutist with the Monterey Bay Orchestra). Ali was musical director of The Hudson River Regional Jazz Festival (2001-’04), Jazz Chair for The National Flute Association, and founder of the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band. As an educator and author, Ryerson published the widely acclaimed Jazz Flute Practice Method, and conducts master classes worldwide.
Rich Syracuse
Rich Syracuse has been a mainstay on the New York area scene for more than four decades. He began his performing career at an early age in New York City and then went on to become the winner of the prestigious Congress of Strings Award.
Early jazz groups included work with John Mehegan, Joey Calderazzo, Ted Rosenthal and Bruce Barth. After moving to the Hudson Valley of New York in the in the mid 1980’s, he began a long position as bassist in the Nick Brignola Quartet while playing clubs, festivals and recording sessions.
In addition he has performed with an array of artists including Mose Allison, Kurt Elling, Brubeck Brothers, Michael and Randy Brecker, Warren Bernhardt, and many more. For over 22 years, Rich was bassist for legendary pianist Lee Shaw.
Jeff “Siegel” Siegel, drums
Drummer/Composer Jeff “Siege” Siegel is a veteran of the New York Jazz scene and has worked with a virtual “who’s who” of artists. A member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-’99, Siegel’s diverse career has also led him to perform and/or record with legends such as Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Jack DeJohnette, Benny Golson, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Mose Allison, John Medeski, Arthur Rhames, The Levin Brothers, Hal Galper, John Medeski, and many others. He’s performed over 30 European tours. He has been the recipient of several grants from Meet the Composer as well as United States Artists International (USAI). He is endorsed by Canopus Drums, Beato Bags and Vic Firth Drum Sticks.
Pete Levin, Piano
In a diverse music career spanning several decades, keyboardist/arranger Pete Levin has performed and recorded with hundreds of Jazz and Pop artists – including Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Lenny White, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Robbie Robertson and John Scofield – receiving critical accolades for his work during a 15 year association with the legendary Gil Evans, and his 8 year stint with jazz icon Jimmy Giuffre.
In 2010, Pete continues his organ trio CD series with JUMP!, this time featuring the remarkable Dave Stryker on guitar and legendary drummer Lenny White. They are joined on 5 tracks by percussionist Manolo Badrena. Pete and Dave began playing together relatively recently, but Pete and Lenny go back years to when they both were in Gil Evans’ band.
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