Teacher Biographies

		HARVIE S – composer, arranger, basssist, educator and produceris continually challenging himself and his peers, expanding the borders of musical direction. As a bassist he has performed and recorded with the greats in music including Ray . He can be heard on several hundred CDs as a sideman, 12 as a leader and another ten as a co-leader. These recordings include his work with a panoply of artistic voices such as James Brown, Chick Corea, Sheila Jordan, Steve Kuhn, Mike Stern, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Tom Harrell, Ray Barretto, Kenny Barron, Ingrid Jensen, Pat Martino, Dr. Billy Taylor, Joe Lovano,David Mathews,Virginia Mayhew and Mark Turner. The 14 year duo project of Sheila Jordan and Harvie S set the timeless standard in bass and voice performance. In addition to his performance career, Harvie is an active educator. He has held the jazz bass instructor position at The Manhattan School of Music for both undergraduate and graduate divisions since 1984. His latest CD in duo with Kenny Barron "Now was the time" on High note records was on the national Jazz charts for 14 weeks.

		Vic Juris - Guitar - Steeple Chase Recording Artist. Performed with Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Sarah Vaughan, Davel Liebman, Eddie Jefferson, Nancy Wilson and many more. On staff at New School University, Rutgers University and Lehigh University. Vic’s teaching roster includes Paul Simon and many other recording artists.

		Ralph LaLama -grew up in West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, graduated from The Dana School of Music of Youngstown State University (Ohio) and was recognized there for his remarkable talent by the legendary Thad Jones, who encouraged him to come to New York. Since that time, Lalama has reached a dignified status as a widely respected master of the tenor through his achievements in the big bands of Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Carla Bley and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra - now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra - with whom he is a featured soloist on Monday nights at New York's Village Vanguard. His experience is vast and varied and includes appearances with Barry Harris, Harold Danko, Mel Torme, Carmen McRae, Tom Harrell and Joe Morello. He has recorded with Joe Morello, the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band (under the direction of Jon Faddis). He appears on two Joe Lovano nonet releases on Blue Note: the 2001 Grammy Award-winning, "52nd Street Themes," and the 2003 release, "On This Day...At The Vanguard."

		KATE BAKER – Vocalist – Internationally renowned Jazz singer and vocal coach. Currently teaching at the New School University, and Veneto Jazz Workshop. Has performed at the Carini Jazz Festival, The North Sea Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz Festival and many others. Private practice for 15 in Vocal Technique for recording artists in all styles of music.

		Don Braden – A native of Cincinnati, Ohio (and a former Harvard University Engineering student), saxophonist Don Braden has toured the world with jazz greats Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Tony Williams, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Haynes, and many others. He has recorded on nearly fifty CDs as a sideman and has produced twelve CDs as a leader, the latest of which is "The New Hang", on the HighNote label. He has composed music for countless concerts, for all of his CDs and for a number of independent films; plus he spent four years as composer for the CBS sitcom “Cosby” and has written for "Little Bill." In 2000, he was one of the recipients the Doris Duke Foundation New Works composer's grant.

		Gregory Rivkin - Trumpeter - Stepping into the phase of his artistic maturity, trumpeter and jazz artist Gregory Rivkin is on his way to become one of the most recognizable musical stylists of his generation. The International Trumpet Guild Journal describes Gregory Rivkins improvisational style as lyrical, nicely -flowing and hard swinging lines in true-bop fashion, very reminiscent of Freddy Hubbard, Lee Morgan and Woody Shaw. However, being classically trained, Gregory Rivkin is able to make a complete turn around and perform classical repertoire, when needed. Such versatility allowed Gregory to feel comfortable on stage of Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall or Aspen Music Festival during his previous performances. Continuing to establish his carrier as an artist performer and educator, Gregory Rivkin collaborated with jazz artists such as: Elvin Jones, Don Braden, Ralph La-lama, Harvey S (formally known as Harvie Swarz), Hal Galper, Mike Karn, Bill Goodwin, Donald Harrison, David Schnitter, Eddie Henderson, Claudio Roditi, Valery Ponomarev, Virginia Mayhew, Kirk Lightsey, Johnny Griffin, Tim Armacost, Misha Piatigorsky, Dmitry Kolesnik, Ed Howard, Vic Juris, Roy Hargrove,Ralph Bowenand other internationally acclaimed musicians. His Big-Band experiences include: Ricky Ford Band in Paris, France, The Brooklyn Big-Band, The Mingus Big Band, Ray Charles Memorial Band, and Richie Coles Alto Madness Orchestra in the United States
		XAVIER DAVIS is an accomplished musician, composer, arranger and educator. He began his career as pianist with the legendary vocalist Betty Carter for nearly two years. Around that same time, Xavier was working with drummer, Carl Allen. Xavier¹s debut recording ³Dance of Life² was released on Metropolitan Records in 1999, with originals and arrangements of standards. His second album ³Innocence of Youth² was released in April of 2002 on the Spanish label Fresh Sounds New Talent. Both recordings have received outstanding critical reviews. In the Fall of 2008 Xavier began teaching at The Juilliard School of Music. Xavier has performed and/or recorded with Abbey Lincoln, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Lovano, John Faddis, Nat Adderley, Stefon Harris, Bobby Watson, Al Foster, Nicholas Payton, Steve Turre, Russell Malone, The New York Voices and Billy Hart, among many others
		QUINCY DAVIS In 1995, Davis graduated from IAA and began college at Western Michigan University. There he studied with drum master, Billy Hart. After graduating in 1999, Davis taught elementary and middle school instrumental music in the Grand Rapids area for one year before moving to New York City. In the summer of 2000, Davis moved to New York City. He quickly became one of the sought after “young cats” on the New York jazz scene. Since being in New York, Davis has played with many great musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Frank Wess, Russell Malone, Eric Reed, Paquito D’Rivera, Lew Tebakin, Marcus Printup, Warren Vache, Ron Blake, Jon Faddis, Stefon Harris, Peter Berstein, Roy Hargrove, Randy Johnston, Laverne Butler, Paula West, Nicholas Payton, New York Voices, Ryan Kisor and Wessell Anderson. - born on August 27th 1977 in Grand Rapids, MI, comes from a very musical family. He picked up the drums from an early age and often would play with his older brother in their basement. In his elementary and middle school bands, he also played trumpet and tuba. His formal musical studies began during his 11th grade year at Interlochen Arts Academy (IAA). There he studied classical percussion as well as trap-set drumming. IAA is where he received his first experience playing with a jazz band. IAA proved to be an important contribution to Davis’ future successes.