Annual Report

Tuba Bach
2016 Annual Report
Beethoven said, “In the quiet of my living, music comes to fill my soul.” We believe that the creation, appreciation, and sharing of music and the performing arts
is what makes us truly human. Music and the arts transcend the practical aspects
of life and uplift our spirits to what is inspirational, beautiful, and truly important.
We are grateful for your support as we share the best of our musical, cultural, and
spiritual heritage with all those in the Big Rapids community.
It was great to see so many of you throughout this milestone year for Tuba Bach.
Wow! Who would’ve thought? Ten years and still going strong! As we began
planning for this milestone season, looking back on what made the first nine
years so special, looking ahead to what new lies in store, and trying to celebrate all of that, it became increasingly clear that there was no way to fit everything we wanted to do into six weeks in September and October. So we did
the only logical thing: scheduled a full year of Tuba Bach – something for every month of the year!
Thank you for supporting this special year with us.
2015 Tuba Bach 10th Anniversary Season Calendar
January
Friday 30 Guitarist Fareed Haque and Ed Mallett perform at the opening reception for the
2015 Festival of the Arts, along with a multi-media presentation designed by Jeff Gabalis (free
admission) Audience comment, “Best opening reception the Festival of the Arts has had so far!”
After the festival of the Arts, Fareed and Ed had a chance to play at the Grand Rapids Art Museum to reach new audiences members from Grand Rapids. Too bad their concert coincided
with the main blizzard for the year!
February
Thursday 26 Tuba Tales, featuring Ed and his wife, Adriana, are the featured event at Eastwood Early Childhood Center’s Family and Friends Night - Eastwood Early Childhood Center
In conjunction with the Festival of the Arts. We were able to reach many families with young
children.
March
Saturday 28 Comedic genius/singer/songwriter Heywood Banks teamed up with Ed in a one-of
-a-kind concert presentation. Attendance: 160. Heywood enjoyed the “Elk Horn” and it was
good to bring Heywood back to share laughter!
April
Friday 10 Original plans for Testimony were changed when one of their members ended
up in the hospital and many thanks to Mike, & Gwen Dease, and Jim Alredson and the Reed
City United Methodist Men for being able to make this a spectacular event! Attendence: over
600.
May
Friday 8, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10
Award-winning Broadway show Pump Boys & Dinettes,
starring Ed & Adriana Mallett, Chris & Jeanna Lamar, Andy Kirby and Zach Potter, presented a dinner theater. The reception from the community was positive and great food from CK and
many thanks to the performers.
June
Friday 12 Tuba Bash Dessert-Auction-Concert Extravaganza featuring the music of guitarist Fareed Haque and Venezuelan flute virtuoso Marco Granados, with superb desserts catered by FSU dining services, and auction items created by area artists and craftsmen. It was
good to use to the FSU University Center Ballroom and thanks to many community member
who donated and bids on auction items.
Wednesday evenings throughout June and early July – Ed will perform as featured soloist and composer with
the FSU Summer Band – 7:00pm, Big Rapids Band Shell, Old Jail, Canadian Lakes, Centennial Park
(free) Always great for Ed to have a chance to solo with the Summer Band. Good to work with other arts organization in town as well as good promotion for Tuba Bach.
July
Wednesday 15 Ed and Alvin Waddles performed as part of the Big Rapids Band Shell Summer Concert Series Fun concert performing tun-of –the-century music with Alvin Waddles
and son, Noah Mallett. Super attendance—300 + (largest attendance of all of the concerts).
August
Friday 14−Saturday 15
Marathon Tuba Concert – Ed played a non-stop continuous program of solo tuba music. This event drew attention to Tuba Bach from way beyond Big Rapids. He
not only broke the existing record, but met his personal goal by playing 30 hours, 7 minutes,
13 seconds. It was a big inspiration to Ed to keep going, knowing that wonderful folks like you
were praying for his endurance and cheering him on.
September & 2015 Tuba Bach Chamber Music Festival
October
See complete listing on the next page (free admission)
November
December
Friday 13
Alvin Waddles, piano and Ed, tuba and euphonium, presented a program of
classical music – Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and more. A great chance to hear Alvin’s classical
training and dig into serious classical repertoire. A definite success and looking forward to
continuing this type of concert in future years.
Sunday 20 A Tuba Bach Christmas with jazz vocalist Sunny Wilkinson, pianist Ron Newman and drummer Larry Ochiltree joined Ed for this jazzy celebration of the Christmas season and fun-filled end to our 10th anniversary year of Tuba Bach!
2015 Tuba Bach Chamber Music Festival
All concerts 4:00pm, Big Rapids High School Auditorium
No Admission Fee
September
Sunday 13
The Tuba Bach Quartet with Ein Prosit and Alpentraum
Phil Sinder, Charles Guy and Gail Robertson join Ed in a program of German music, and also
welcome internationally acclaimed German-style band Ein Prosit and alphorn ensemble Alpentraum to open the 2015 Festival Season and also kick off a week of German celebration in
Big Rapids, culminating with St. Peter’s 10th annual German Fest on Friday, September 18.
Sunday 20
Songs of a Dream
Tuba Bach favorites Rod Dixon, tenor and Alfreda Burke, soprano present an autobiographical
program, telling the stories of their lives through music ranging in style from operatic to Broadway
to gospel and Motown. Ed teams up with pianist Alvin Waddles, bassist Marion Hayden, drummer David Taylor and the Big Rapids High School Choir as they join Rod and Alfreda in this celebration of song.
Sunday 27
Harlem String Quartet
Violinists Ilmar Gavilan and Melissa White, violist Jaime Amador Molina and cellist Matthew
Zalkind join Ed in a program featuring a wide variety music, including selections from their
recent CD project with Tuba Bach and White Pine Records. The Harlem Quartet will also be performing Friday, September 25 in Canadian Lakes at a formal event.
October
Sunday 4
Dem Bones, Dem Bones!
A one-of-a-kind concert spectacular, with international trombone superstars Wycliffe Gordon, Tom
“Bones” Malone, Marshall Gilkes, Megumi Kanda and Michael Dease, along with an all-star
jazz trio of Glenn Zaleski, piano, David Rosin, bass and Ulysses Owens, Jr., drums join Ed and the
Michigan State University Jazz Trombone Ensemble in a celebration of brass.
Sunday 11
No Absence of Mallets (or Malletts!)
Internationally renowned percussionist Gwendolyn Dease, Big Rapids native Kramer Milan, Tia
Harvey and Noah Mallett join Ed in a percussion (and tuba!) extravaganza and sonic exploration,
including premieres of newly commissioned compositions and arrangements.
Sunday 18
Raymond McLain & Mike Stevens
No strangers to Tuba Bach, award-winning Canadian harmonica virtuoso
Mike Stevens and bluegrass legend Raymond McLain make their fifth appearance joining Ed
as part of the festival, and while we’re not really sure exactly what Mike and Raymond may come
up with, it’s always amazing and always loads of fun to see what happens. Join Raymond, Mike and
Ed for this final concert of the 2015 Tuba Chamber Music Festival.
For more information on all events, visit www.tubabach.org or call 231-796-0712
2015 Tuba Bach Performers
The BIG RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS are directed by Katie McInnis and accompanied by Mary Zook.
Currently there are over 80 students involved in the BRHS
Choir program. BRHS Choristers study vocal technique,
sight-reading, keyboarding, and music theory.
Singers in the BRHS
choirs perform music of
many styles, historical
periods, cultures and languages. BRHS students
consistently excel in district and state sponsored vocal
events.
The BRHS Choirs are thrilled to be performing once again
with Alvin Waddles, Roderick Dixon, Alfreda Burke and Ed
ALFREDA BURKE’S vocal artistry has been described as
“voluptuous, creamy and luxuriant” (Howard
Reich, Chicago Tribune). She has appeared
in concert throughout North America and
in Europe. Ms. Burke made her Carnegie
and Orchestra Hall debuts in Strauss’
Elektra with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by Daniel Barenboim. Highlighted performances include the Chicago
Symphony at Ravinia under Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops
Symphony Orchestra and May Festival Chorus, Detroit
Opera House/DSO/Rackham Symphony Choir, Prague
Philharmonic, Umbria Music Festival (Italy), TodiMusicFest
(USA), Miss World (China) event and judge, Holders Season
Gala (Barbados), Lancaster Festival, Grant Park Music Festival, Millennium Park Gala, Kennedy Center, Auditorium
Theatre, Chicago Opera Theater, Chorus Angelorum, Chicagoland Pops Orchestra, Siamsa na nGael, NATO Chicago
Summit, Duo Concert Series with tenor Rodrick Dixon,
among others.
Ms. Burke’s body of work also includes recordings, music
video, television, radio, film, commercials and education. She
performed in Show Boat, directed by Harold Prince, with her
son, Dean at the Auditorium Theatre; Kennedy Center/
National Tour. Her recordings include her solo CD, From the
Heart (2002) and Chicago Olympic 2016 Bid Anthem, I Will
Stand (2008) (Arts & Culture Advisory Council), Auditorium
Theatre & DiBurke, Inc. co-produced new duo show, Songs of
GWENDOLYN DEASE is associate professor of percussion and area chair of brass and percussion at the Michigan
State University College of Music. Passionate about educating the next generation of young musicians, she regularly
gives master classes at universities throughout the United
States and has been an instructor at the Interlochen Arts
Camp since 2005.
Dease began her musical career at the
age of two, studying piano and violin. As
a percussionist, Dease maintains a full
career as an active solo, chamber, and
orchestral musician, having performed
recitals throughout the U.S., Asia and
South America. She is an advocate for new music and has
participated in groups to commission new works. She currently serves as principal percussionist with the Lansing
Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the numerous orchestras throughout the country.
Dease released her first solo CD in October of 2007 of all
six Cello Suites by J.S. Bach arranged for marimba. She released her second CD "Boomslang" of new works for the
marimba in the fall of 2011.
She studied with world-renowned professors Robert van
MICHAEL DEASE has emerged as one of the premier
jazz trombonists of his generation.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, the “Deep South,” Dease played
the saxophone and trumpet before choosing the trombone.
He was a self-taught high school senior, when he moved to
New York in 2001 to study at the Juilliard School where he
earned his Bachelor and
Master degrees.
Dease quickly established his reputation as
a soloist and sideman,
recording 4 albums as a
leader and logging over 100 sessions as a sideman, all before the age of 30. His latest album, Coming Home, to be
released on D Clef Records, May 21st.
Dease’s unique blend of curiosity, hard work and optimism
has helped him earn worldwide recognition, The New Face
of Jazz: An Intimate Look at Today’s Living Legends
(Random House).
2015 Tuba Bach Performers
RODRICK DIXON possesses a tenor voice of extraordinary range and versatility that has
earned him the respect and attention of
leading conductors, orchestras and
opera companies throughout North
America.
Notable operatic engagements include
Los Angeles, Michigan Theater, Portland, Columbus, Virginia, Cincinnati
and Southwest Operas.
On the concert stage, he is a regular guest as soloist of numerous symphonies, orchestras and festivals around the
globe and also a gifted recitalist. As a part of “The Tenors:
Cook, Dixon & Young,” he has appeared across the nation.
The Duet team has co-produced and recorded a new show
called “Songs of a Dream” with the Auditorium Theatre of
Chicago. Rodrick Dixon’s also has extensive television
credits including several PBS specials and appearances on
nationally televised talk shows and news programs and
widespread musical theater credits. Mr. Dixon has performed Too Hot too Handel at the Detroit Opera House and
the Auditorium Theatre under the baton of Suzanne Acton
for 12 years.
EIN PROSIT and ALPENTRAUM, “the band that only
plays happy
music,” is a
group
of
musicians
from Michigan, Indiana
and Illinois who enjoy playing and entertaining with a variety of German, Austrian and Bavarian "Oktoberfest" style
folk music. The band was founded in 2002 by John and
Christine Griffith and currently has over 60 members. Members of the band dress in traditional German
trachten and strive to preserve a rich German musical heritage while providing entertainment for the entire family! A
very special feature of Ein Prosit is our Alphorn Section,
the largest known Alphorn Ensemble in North America.
We are proud to feature Alphorngruppe "Alpentraum" with
the Ein Prosit Band at all our events and festivals. The
Violinist ILMAR GAVILAN, a native of Havana, Cuba,
has had a remarkable performing career that has taken him
all over the world. This fascinating journey range from performing for world leaders such as President Obama at the
White House and Queen Sofia of Spain at The Royal Palace
of Madrid to performing with top stature artist of diverse
styles such as Itzhak Perlman and Chick Corea.
As a soloist and recitalist, Mr. Gavilan
has traveled the globe. He is an experienced educator to private students and
chamber music groups and he has given
master classes worldwide.
Ilmar Gavilan, was born to a prominent
musical family. His father Guido is a
widely recognized composer and conductor, his mother Teresita is a respected pianist and pedagogue. Aldo, his younger brother, is a celebrated pianist and
composer, particularly known for his phenomenal improvisations in Classical and Jazz styles. Ilmar Gavilan’s unique,
MARSHALL GILKES was born September 30th, 1978 in
Camp Springs, Maryland.
Marshall’s father was a musician in the Air Force, which
meant growing up in many
different parts of the country. He currently calls Brooklyn, New York home.
He is a graduate of The Juilliard School as well as Interlochen Arts Academy. Currently, Marshall is a member of the internationally acclaimed
Edmar Castañeda Trio as well as the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and David Berger's Sultans of Swing.
During the fall of 2001-fall of 2002 Marshall played for the
National and Japanese tours of the Broadway show Swing
His album credits include the Marshall Gilkes Quartet
"Edenderry," Edmar Castaneda "Cuarto de Colores," David
Berger "Marlowe," Ryan Keberle "Double Quartet," Maria
Schneider "Sky Blue," Big 3 Palladium Orchestra Live at
the Blue Note and John Fedchock "Up and Running." Mar-
2015 Tuba Bach Performers
CHARLES GUY is Professor of Tuba and Euphonium
at the Crane School of Music at the
State University of New York at
Potsdam. He performs with the
Potsdam Brass Quintet, Orchestra of
Northern New York, and the Northern Symphonic Winds. Annually he
performs at the Tuba Bach Chamber
Music Festival in Big Rapids, Michigan. Dedicated to the
development of young students, he teaches at camps such
as Crane, Interlochen and New England. As a soloist, he
has performed many university recitals, International Tuba
and Euphonium Association conference recitals and in
1999 he won the prestigious Leonard Falcone Festival
artist division solo tuba competition. He has published
articles and reviews in the International Tuba and Euphonium Association Journal and has been recorded on the
Madstop, Mark and Bernel Labels. He earned both the
Masters of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees
from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Music
Performance degree from the University of Akron. When
not teaching or performing, he enjoys time with his wife,
Lorie, and two boys, Ethan and Miles.
The
HARLEM
QUARTET, praised
for its “panache” by
The New York Times,
is “bringing a new attitude to classical music, one that is fresh, bracing and intelligent,” says the Cincinnati Enquirer. The quartet’s mission
is to advance diversity in classical music, engaging young
and new audiences through the discovery and presentation
of varied repertoire that includes works by minority composers.
Each member of the quartet is a seasoned solo artist, having appeared with such orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, Juilliard, New World, and Pittsburgh symphony
orchestras. In 2009 they performed for President Obama
and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House and
appeared Christmas morning on NBC’s Today Show. They
made their European debut in October 2009 performing at
the residence of the U.S. ambassador to the U.K., and returned to Europe as guest artists and faculty members of
the Musica Mundi International Festival in Belgium. Har-
TIA HARVEY currently lives in Michigan where she attends Michigan State University in East Lansing and studies
with Gwen Dease. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in percussion performance. Since moving to Michigan three years
ago, Tia has worked to build a presence in the community
through teaching at local Community Schools, as well performing chamber music in non-traditional environments in
the Greater Lansing area. Tia desires
to create and promote the music of
living composers. In addition to developing a performing career in the central
Michigan region, Tia is on faculty at the
MSU Community Music School, the
Jackson Symphony Orchestra Community Music, and a teaching assistant at
Michigan State University.
Tia holds a master’s in music performance from Michigan
MARION HAYDEN is one of very few female jazz bassists, in her case deciding to stay close to
home while becoming one of the more
enduring instrumentalists in the Midwestern United States. Born in Detroit,
MI, in 1952, she is the daughter of Marion and Herbert Hayden, her father a
jazz pianist himself. Growing in the
Motor City, she took up piano at the age of nine, followed
by the upright acoustic bass at 12. In the summer Metro
Arts program she met Wendell Harrison and Marcus Belgrave, who would become teachers, and in time lifelong collaborators. graduated from University of Michigan with a
liberal arts degree and a minor in entomology. At this time,
she also entered the jazz music scene.
She became a professor of bass instruction in the jazz department of Tri-C College in Cleveland, OH, and was in-
New York-based jazz trombonist CONRAD HERWIG is
considered one of the world’s complete jazz musicians, atop
both the performing and jazz educational fields with an
abundance of composer and arranger credits, as well. To
date, he has released 20 recordings as a leader in addition to
contributing to nearly 200 other recording sessions with
some of the most notable artists in jazz.
2015 Tuba Bach Performers
Born November 1, 1959, in Lawton, Okla., Herwig is an
inductee of that state’s Jazz Hall of
Fame. He spent his formative musical
years in Hawaii. The gifted trombonist
then went to the University of North
Texas, performing as a member of the
famed One O’Clock Jazz Lab Band.
Later in his career he would complete
his studies at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt., where he
received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Afro-Caribbean
ethnomusicology. Herwig’s formal studies came to a close
with a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from Queens
College, a branch of City University of New York.
Educationally his reputation matches his technical prowess
and musicality. Herwig continues to draw the attention of
his academic colleagues, so much so that he receives ongoing requests to serve as an “Artist-in-Residence” as well as a
“Guest Artist/Soloist” at college and university jazz festivals
MEGUMI KANDA has been the Principal Trombone of
the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
since 2002. A native of Tokyo, Japan,
Megumi began to play the trombone at
age ten.
Megumi came to the United States in
1994, and received her Bachelor of
Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Prior to joining the Milwaukee Symphony, she previously served as a member of
the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, faculty member of
the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and the Eastman
School of Music Community Education Division, and Principal Trombonist of the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
Megumi has performed in recital and as a soloist across the
United States, Europe and Asia, including with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the US Army Field Band, and the
Prague Chamber Orchestra. Megumi has recorded three
solo albums: Amazing Grace, Gloria, and Mona Lisa. She
also can be heard on Magnifique Live, a live recording.
Worldwide, her solo CD sales number more than 10,000.
Megumi is a Conn clinician, and she is very proud to perform on a Greenhoe Conn. In her spare time, Megumi enjoys gardening, going to Brewers games, and taking walks
with her husband Dietrich and sons Hans and Max.
Percussionist and composer NOAH MALLETT has been
immersed in the performing arts all of his 13 years. His
debut performance was with Tuba Bach in 2008, performing with renowned drummer, Bernie Dressel. Noah has
also performed with his dad, Ed Mallett, Alvin Waddles,
Rick Hicks, Larry Ochiltree and has soloed with the Ferris
State University Summer Band. He regularly shares his talent with his church, high
school band, F.S.U. Summer
Band and his family. Noah
is currently studying under
M.S.U. Professor Gwendolyn Dease and doctoral student Tia Harvey and is a
current performing member
of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony. He delights in writing arrangements and composing original pieces for a wide
variety of instrumentation and recently, his Etude Sonata for
marimba and vibraphone were chosen to be performed at
the Honors Composition Concert for the Michigan Music
Educators 2015 Conference. When he is not practicing or
TOM ‘BONES’ MALONE, trombonist, multiinstrumentalist, arranger & producer is among the most
experienced professionals in the business. Tom is best
known for his work with The Blues Brothers, David Letterman Show and Saturday Night Live. Tom has played on
4,000 television shows, 3,000 radio & television commercials, over 1,000 recordings and thousands of live performances throughout the world. Tom has written over 1,600
arrangements for television.
Tom plays 14 instruments professionally. Tom "Bones"
Malone has performed,
recorded and/or arranged for the following
artists and bands: Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin,
Ashford & Simpson, B
B King, Barry Manilow,
The Bee Gees, Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Blood Sweat &
Tears, Bon Jovie, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Buddy
Rich, Cab Calloway, Carly Simon, Chaka Kahn, Chuck Berry, Chuck Mangione, Clint Black, Count Basie, Cyndi
Lauper, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, and Elton
John.
2015 Tuba Bach Performers
TOM “BONES” MALONE continued…Gloria Estefan,
Harry Connick,Jr., James Brown, Louis Bellson, Luther
Vandross, Lyle Lovett, Meatloaf, Miles Davis, ‘N Sync, Stevie Wonder, Sting, The Supremes, The Temptations, Tina
Turner, Tom Petty, Village People, Vince Gill, Whitney
Houston, Willie Nelson, Yes and many others.
Kramer is currently in his second year of refinement at The
Yale University School of Music. Previous studies include
receiving his BM from the Peabody Institute of the Johns
Hopkins University under Robert van Sice. As native of
Big Rapids, Michigan, Kramer is an endorsed young artist
performing exclusively with Vic Firth mallets and sticks. In
Tom "Bones" Malone plays Bach trombones & trumpets,
Known for his unique and vibrant sound, violist JAIME
AMADOR has distinguished himself
among the latest generation of musicians to emerge from Puerto Rico.
RAYMOND W. MCLAIN’s future resonated in his ears
as he ran his fingers across his daddy’s
guitar strings when he was 4 years old.
Raymond’s music has both roots and
wings, because it echoes the spirit of
the hills he came from and carries sophistication gathered along the way.
Entertaining thousands in a remarkable
career spanning 40+ years with performances in more than 70 countries and
every U.S. State, Raymond’s music has an inexplicable natural flow and connectivity, as it runs through his veins and
out through his musical spirit as an entertainer using instruments, (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass), his voice,
and as a songwriter.
An advocate for the preservation of Appalachian music
culture, Raymond has touched the lives of countless students in his career in musical education. He helped create
the first Bachelor of Arts degree in Bluegrass, Old Time
and Country Music at East Tennessee State University. He
serves as the Director at the Kentucky Center For Traditional Music at Morehead State University. RayKnown for a “passion for percussion” (Big Rapids Pioneer)
KRAMER MILAN captivates audiences, advocating both the music of our
time and of the cherished classical tradition.
Kramer has performed across the United
States, from his Carnegie Hall Debut to
performances with the Aspen Festival
Orchestra and New Haven Symphony. Understanding the
power of outreach, he has joined forces with the Yale Uni-
Born in San Juan, Jaime Amador studied
at the Juilliard School of Music, the
Manhattan School of Music, and the
New England Conservatory. Before
joining the Harlem Quartet in 2012, Mr. Amador has had a
successful career as a member of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, Mr. Amador has played in prestigious venues in the United States and Europe. In addition to
master classes in Puerto Rico and throughout the United
States, Mr. Amador has made outreach programs a priority,
bringing music to those with limited opportunities and to a
RON NEWMAN was the first Director Jazz Studies at
Michigan State University, a position he
held from 1900 to 1996. Under his direction, the Lansing Symphony Jazz
Band has put together a group of the
most talented jazz musicians from
Michigan. Members of the band have
performed and continue to perform
with numerous great artists, and have
appeared in the bands of Buddy Rich
and Count Basie, among others. Ron is professor of music
theory at the Michigan State University College of Music.
He received a bachelor of music degree from North Texas
State University, and a Ph.D. from MSU. Newman is former director of the award-winning MSU Jazz Bands I and
II, instructor of jazz improvisation, arranging, pedagogy,
and history, and past president of the Michigan Chapter of
the National Association of Jazz Educators. Newman is a
recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Commissioning Consortium Award.
2015 Tuba Bach Performers
ULYSSES OWENS Jr is steadily establishing himself as a
leader in his generation of jazz artists, admired for his sensitive, fiery,
and complex playing, vivid display
of textural nuance, and gift for propelling a band with charisma and
integrity. At 16, he played with the
All-State Jazz Orchestra, began running his own jam sessions in addition to playing at church,
and pursued professional gigs in Jacksonville right through
the end of high school.
In 2008, Owens and his family founded the non-for-profit
organization, Don’t Miss a Beat, Inc. (DMAB) with the mission of combining music and art with a focus on academic
achievement, civic engagement, and empowering inner city
students to strive for their dreams. Owens is also a cofounder and curator of the Abyssinian Jazz Vespers, a yearlong series that presents world-class jazz artists at the hisJUSTIN RITO composes energetic and eclectic concert
music that takes inspiration
equally from both the classical
canon and contemporary pop
culture. His music explores
dense, expressionist textures,
rock-inspired groove, lyrical melodies, and the interesting intersections that can result from their combinations.
An active supporter of new music, Justin founded a concert
series called “Unwind” in East Lansing, Michigan, which
includes casual performances of contemporary concert music in bars. He also serves as the musical coordinator for
the Sonic Salon series at the Broad Art Museum in East
Lansing. Justin began his musical training as a classical pianist, and remains an active collaborative performer. Having
always enjoyed popular music, he began exploring composition as a creative outlet through song-writing, and eventually turned to concert music during his undergraduate studies
in music education at Alma College. He went on to study
composition with David Gillingham and Jay Batzner at
Central Michigan University, and is currently pursuing a
doctorate with Ricardo Lorenz at Michigan State University. In addition to his formal training in composition, Justin
received a Masters degree in Music Theory from the University of Western Ontario in 2013. He currently lives in
Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Erika, where his free
time generally includes running, reading, and craft beer.
GAIL ROBERTSON earned her B.A. degree from the
University of Central Florida and a M.M. in Euphonium
Performance from Indiana University. She performed with
the “Tubafours” at Walt Disney
World, Orlando where she served as
musical supervisor/chief arranger
and produced a highly acclaimed
CD, “Tubas Under the Boardwalk.” She
has recently completed her D.M.A.
as a University Distinguished Fellow
at Michigan State University. She
remains active as a teacher, adjudicator, composer, arranger
and free-lance artist, both nationally and internationally.
Robertson currently serves as Visiting Assistant Professor
of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Central Arkansas where she is tubist in the Pinnacle Brass and teaches
the Jazz Ensemble II.
Robertson has toured the U.S., Europe, China, and Japan
with Keith Brion’s “New Sousa Band,” the Brass Band of
DAVID ROSIN performs as a freelance double bassist in
many diverse settings. He has performed across the midwest, primarily in Michigan, and completed a tour in Australia with the Andrew Speight quartet. While there, the
quartet recorded a CD for the Australian Broadcasting
Company.
On the midwest jazz scene, David has performed concerts
with many top jazz artists including; Johnny O'Neal, John
Proulx, Wycliff Gordon, Walter White, Frank Vignola, Barry Harris, Bobby Watson, Charles Mcpherson, Bill Heid,
Wes Anderson, Victor Goins, Claudio Roditi, Greg Abate,
Kareem Riggins, Gerald Cleaver, Ali Jackson, Julien Labro,
Arron Goldberg, Andy Carlson, Casey
Cook, Melissa Morgan, and the Hot
Club of Detroit.
David grew up in the metro Detroit area. He studied double bass with Dan
Pliskow (WSU), Peter Dominguez
(MSU), Rodney Whitaker (MSU), Tom
Kinific (WMU), and Jack Budrow
(MSU). While at Michigan State University, David was able
to study privately with Gary Schunk, Branford Marsalis and
Andrew Speight.
2015 Tuba Bach Performers
MIKE TEASLEY was born and raised in Detroit, MI. He
began his dance training under the Direction of Jeri Sterrett at Jazz and Spirit
Dance Theater of Detroit. In 2009, he
enrolled in the Dance Program at Oakland University where he performed
with Oakland Dance Theatre and OU
Repertory Dance Company. Since then
he has appeared as an apprentice and
guest dancer with Eisenhower Dance
and toured to Poland in July 2014.
TESTIMONY, a spirit-filled quintet of five women, began
their
mission
through song in
2005. Since formation, this bold
ensemble
has
developed a mature,
unique
sound and ministry unparalleled.
Angela Bostic (soprano), Keisha Lanae’ (alto), Chandra
Lewis (mezzo-soprano), Lori Waddles (contralto) and Lori
Wesby (soprano), as individuals recognized their spiritual
gifts early. Singing most of their lives, these women have
performed solo, participated in various choirs and groups as
well as collectively, and have been blessed to work with
many masterful musicians. Since prayerfully accepting the
call, Testimony has ministered in song among a number of
congregations, at festivals and community events across the
50 states and abroad.
While each lady adds their individual style and flavor, the
fusion of their voices in harmony is seamless. This multitalented fivesome appeals to a wide audience, utilizing their
individual and collective rich history of musical genres –
traditional and contemporary Gospel, classical, chamber,
jazz, R&B and soul.
These five women consider it a privilege to spread the Gos-
Pianist, singer, composer, director, ALVIN WADDLES (a
Tuba Bach favorite) began studying
the piano at the age of eight in his
hometown of Detroit, MI. He continued his studies at the Interlochen
Arts Academy and the University Of
Michigan School Of Music after
which he returned to the Detroit
area where he currently resides. After returning home he immediately
immersed himself in the rich musical
culture of the city, benefiting from
the diverse influences that would eventually shape his own
unique style.
Mr. Waddles has worked in the Detroit and Ann Arbor
Public Schools as well as the Music Ministries of several
churches; among them, the historic New Bethel Baptist
Church, Hartford Memorial Baptist and Hope United
Methodist in Southfield, MI. where he has served as the
Director of Music since 1995.
Mr. Waddles has delighted Detroit music lovers with performances in a variety of musical events including the Detroit International Jazz Festival and the Detroit Festival of
the Arts. He is the featured piano soloist in annual productions of "Too Hot to Handel" in Detroit and Chicago and
can frequently be heard performing his own Fats Waller
Revue.
Mr. Waddles' engagements as a soloist and featured artist
have taken him to a variety of destinations including Barbados, Beijing, Paris, Barcelona and Ghana, West Africa. He
has also traveled extensively as musical director/pianist for
Cook, Dixon and Young (formerly of the Three Mo' Tenors).
Alvin is married to Attorney Lori Bobbitt Waddles and they
have four wonderful children.
EMILY ZATURSKY was raised in Killingworth, Connecticut where she received her early
dance training with Starship Dance
Theatre, Eastern Connecticut Ballet and New Haven Ballet. After
graduating high school in 2007,
Emily attended The Hartt School
at the University of Hartford
where she graduated summa cum
laude with a BFA in Dance. Emily
has spent summers dancing with American Ballet Theatre,
Joffrey Ballet School and Alonzo King Lines Ballet
School. Emily danced with Full Force Dance Theatre during their 2010-2011 season. Emily has danced works by
The Pump Boys from Pump Boys and Dinettes rehearse a musical number - May 2015.
Venezuelan flute virtuoso, Marco Granados, Tuba Bach’s Ed Mallett, and guitarist Fareed Haque entertaining the patrons of the 2015 Tuba Bach Tuba Bash on June 12, 2015.
Ed Mallett beats the original Guinness World Record in August, 2015.
Harlem Quartet enriches students at Brookside Elementary.
The Harlem Quartet shares their music at a Tuba Bach reception, September 2015.
Rodrick Dixon and Alfreda Burke
shares Songs of a Dream on September 20, 2015
- FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Financial Activity
Revenue
Earned
Contributed
Total Revenue:
$22,470
$111,100
$133,570
NOTE: Required a Line of Credit Loan for the remainder of expenses.
Expenses
Program
Fundraising
Administrative
Total Expenses:
$78,601
$11,640
$48,255
$138,496
Many thanks to all of the individuals and businesses who contributed to Tuba Bach in 2015. Your
support is vital to our organization and we hope
we can count on you for continued support in
2016.