The Jazz at the Arsenal series: featuring Berklee faculty artists, continues with a concert that will feature songs that personify the civil rights movement as well as songs that are directly related to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Vocalist Jeff Ramsey and pianist George Russell Jr. will bring in a band to honor the memory of Dr. King. The Band will also include Winston Maccow on bass and Anthony Steele on drums.
JEFF RAMSEY
A graduate from the Berklee College of Music, Jeff has toured the world over for such artists as Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Tina Arena, Patrice Rushen, and Maxwell. In 2011, he added Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Jill Scott on the roster of artists he's sung background for at Mary J. Blige's MJB Honors concert, a benefit for her Ffawn foundation. ...
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The Jazz at the Arsenal series: featuring Berklee faculty artists, continues with a concert that will feature songs that personify the civil rights movement as well as songs that are directly related to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Vocalist Jeff Ramsey and pianist George Russell Jr. will bring in a band to honor the memory of Dr. King. The Band will also include Winston Maccow on bass and Anthony Steele on drums.
JEFF RAMSEY
A graduate from the Berklee College of Music, Jeff has toured the world over for such artists as Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Tina Arena, Patrice Rushen, and Maxwell. In 2011, he added Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Jill Scott on the roster of artists he's sung background for at Mary J. Blige's MJB Honors concert, a benefit for her Ffawn foundation.
Jeff has sung on recordings for artists such as Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, and Barbara Streisand, just to name a few. He’s done commercials in radio and television for Burger King, Levi 501, Dryel, Mountain Dew, and Michelob.
Jeff has lent his voice singing lead for many different projects including famed Tower of Power bassist, Rocco Prestia’s cd entitled “Everybody On The Bus”, DKMA Presents Andrastea - The Ascent as well as a compilation cd released by Plastic City entitled Deep Train 6- Dedication, James Day’s ep “Remember When”, both of James's cds “Better Days” with the latter two garnering the UK hit “Don’t Waste The Pretty”, and "Natural Things". You may check out http://www.myspace.com/jamesdaysongs and www.myspace.com/plasticcity for more info on the latter projects.
Jeff is now an educator and shares his experiences on the road and in the studio with students at his alma mater, Berklee College where he is an Associate Professor in the Voice Department. He continues to sing doing session dates and performing around the New England area.
Jeff released his debut cd entitled"My Best" in 2009. Currently, Jeff is working on his 2nd cd to be released later in 2016. For more info, continue to check his website at www.jefframseymusic.com.
George Russell Jr.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Inspirational Jazz Pianist George W. Russell, Jr. is a performer, a composer, and an educator.
George began taking piano lessons when he was 7 years old. Along with studying formally, he had the fortune of growing up playing at his local church. There was no written music at church, so he was given the opportunity to develop his ear.
As George continued studying music in college, he discovered jazz and the harmonies that were used in jazz. It was then that he began to understand, from a theoretical view point, what exactly he was playing, both in church and from his classical repertoire. In that period of time, George’s unique fusion of Gospel and Jazz was beginning to form.
His performances range from a solo piano, to a groove- oriented jazz trio, to a soulful, fresh-sounding larger ensemble that arouses the listener's intellect and, most importantly, touches their soul. His playing is filled with passion, fire, soul and, most of all, spirit.
George will often refer to himself as "a drummer who happens to plays the piano." This is made clear when you hear the strong sense of rhythm that envelops each and every performance.
George began teaching private piano lessons at the age of 16. This love for teaching encouraged George to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Education at Duquesne University. After graduating from Duquesne, he realized three very important things. First of all, teaching music to grades 1-12 in a school system was not conducive to a performing career. Secondly, He still loved teaching but wanted to do so on a college level. Lastly, He was not satisfied with his development as a musician. This lead him to continue his study of music and pursue a Masters degree in Jazz Studies at the New England Conservatory.
While in grad school, George taught at local community music schools and eventually acquired a job as a piano instructor at Tufts University. He then went on to Chair the Jazz department at the New England Conservatory Extension Division. He also served as the Chair of the Jazz Department at the Pennsylvania’s Governor’s School for the Arts for over 20 years.
Currently George is the Chair of the Harmony Department at the Berklee College of Music. Prior to becoming Chair, He served as a Professor of Harmony and Piano at Berklee. George has been awarded the Ted Pease Award for Excellence in Teaching, along with the Curriculum Development Award for the Writing Division. George has also been recognized with the highest award that Berklee gives to faculty, the Most Distinguished Faculty Award.
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