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Artist Faculty Biographies

(In Alphabetical Order)

James Argiro
John Blake
Gregory Caputo
Bruce Diehl
Bob Ferrier
Hal Galper
Jeffrey W. Holmes
Chip Jackson
Andy Jaffey
Catherine Jensen-Hole
Steve Johns
Sheila Jordan
Dana Leong
Conor Meehan
Toru "Tiger" Okoshi
Dave Pope
Genevieve Rose
Dr. Frederick Tillis
Ralph Whittle

James Argiro
(Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Producer)
Website

James received his training at The Hartford Conservatory of Music, The University of Southern California at Los Angeles (UCLA), The Institute of Audio
Research in New York and film scoring with Albert Harris. His studies with Robert Fritz into the nature of structure and the creative process bring a valuable
dimension to his teaching. He is currently on the music faculty at Westfield State College.

His professional career began at age 14 and at age 16, led a popular R&B/Blues band during the latter half of the 1950's, providing backup for many of the top groups of the period: The Moonglows, The Caddilacs, Lavern Baker, The Drifters, and Ruth Brown, among others.

With over fifty-five year's experience in all phases and aspects of music creation, production, and the performing arts, he has been affiliated with dozens of stars in all media. As Music Director and arranger, he has been associated with many celebrities such as: Bernadette Peters, Leslie Uggams, Frank Sinatra Jr., Carole Channing, Mickey Rooney, Joan Rivers and Juliet Prowse. As a jazz pianist and arranger, he has performed with Mel Torme, Marlena Shaw, Ernie Andrews, Lionel Hampton, "Cat" Anderson, Red Rodney, Ernie Watts, Jeff Hamilton, Shelly Manne and Louis Bellson, among many others. His big band credits include Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Bill Holman, Count Basie, Richard Maltby and Alvino Rey.

Musical Collaborations with Nelson Riddle, Neal Hefti, Henry Mancini, Fred Karlin, David Rose, Peter Matz; Former Chairman and host for Monday Night Jazz, the longest running continuous jazz series in the nation; Nationally published arranger; Arranger and Jazz/Pop pianist for the Hartford Symphony; Arranger and pianist with The Hartford Symphony Classical Jazz Quartet; Former board member of The American Society of Music Arrangers; Music Director/Arranger for Dave Brubeckʼs, The Real Ambassadors, featuring Jon Hendricks and Kurt Elling; Jazz Vocal instructor, Jane Hansonʼs Summer Vocal Music Academy.

James is a composer and publisher member of the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP).

John Blake
(Violin)
Instrumental Ensemble Program
Website

"To try to bridge the gap between classical music and jazz by showing their similarities in materials used."

Performer, composer/arranger, teacher, producer. Four-time winner, downbeat's Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, one of top two jazz violinists in the publication's 49th-51st Annual Readers' Poll. Called "the best new jazz violinist of the decade" by Billboard magazine. Four albums, with his second Twinkling of an Eye (Gramavision) number one for four consecutive weeks. Performed on more than twenty recordings with McCoy Tyner, Cecil McBee, James Newton, Jay Hoggard and Bob Thompson. National tours with the John Blake Quartet.

Gregory Caputo
(Drums)
Vocal Program
Website

"Improvisation is the ability to create musical ideas spontaneously. I introduce techniques to build a musical vocabulary of essential rhythmic patterns and melodic motives to stimulate creativity."

Gregory Caputo specializes in "versatility within 'traditional' drumming styles" according to Modern Drummer. He's a Hamilton College National Jazz Archives Inductee (1998); a National Drum Association's "Gene Krupa Drummer Search" finalist; a solo performer on the recent video release of "Legends of Drumming: Live Concerts of the Jazz Era"; and he conducts frequent clinics and master classes.

A graduate of the Hartford Conservatory of Music Jazz and Pop program, Greg studied with Jim Chapin, Alan Dawson, and Joe Morello. He has numerous professional drumming credits, including performances with Sammy Davis, Jr., Clint Holmes, Nnenna Freelon, Barry Harris, as well as the big bands of Count Basie, Les Brown, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Harry James.

Bruce Diehl
(Saxophone)
Instrumental Ensemble Program and Teacher Training Program
Website

"Helping students unlock their creative potential through various practice techniques, listening to all kinds of music, and playing everything in all keys are the ways I use to empower each musician as they become more independent in their own approach."

Bruce Diehl is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at Amherst College. In this capacity, Bruce directs the Amherst College Jazz Ensemble, the jazz combos, and teaches jazz improvisation, jazz theory, and two history-based courses: the History of Jazz and the Birth of Bebop.

In 1995, Bruce completed his Master's Degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging from UMASS Amherst. While there he studied composition with Jeff Holmes, Yusef Lateef and Frederick Tillis and saxophone with Lynn Klock and Wayne Tyce. Bruce completed his undergraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music, earning degrees in Saxophone Performance and Instrumental Music Education while studying with Ramon Ricker and Albert Regni. A lifelong student of the saxophone, Bruce enjoys yearly studies with Bill Street at the University of Southern Maine. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by various groups across the country, and he enjoys composing and/or arranging new pieces and transcribing recorded pieces for his student groups to perform.

Prior to his work at Amherst College, Bruce was Director of Instrumental Music and Jazz Studies at Northfield Mount Hermon School, a private boarding school serving grades 9-12. He taught there from 1996-2000. From 1991-1993, Bruce taught instrumental music in the Castleton (VT) Schools, and directed the Castleton State College Jazz Ensemble.

Recent performances have taken Bruce to Fryeburg Maine, Atlanta Georgia, Spokane and Ellensburg Washington, Southern Vermont, and throughout Western Massachusetts. He has directed District Junior and Senior High Festivals in Vermont and Massachusetts.

Bob Ferrier
(Guitar)
Instrumental Ensemble Program

"My approach to teaching jazz improvisation always leaves room to experience what each individual really sounds like."

Freelance guitarist and teacher, Ferrier has performed with Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Eddie Bert, John Fedchock, Claudio Roditi, Yusef Lateef, Peter Erskine and others. He holds a B.M. degree in Performance from Berklee College of Music, M.M. degree in Jazz Composition/Arranging from UMass Amherst, and has studied with John Laporta, William Leavitt, Herb Pomeroy, Bill Pierce, George Garzone, and others. He is an assistant professor and coordinator of jazz studies at Holyoke Community College, and is the applied jazz guitar instructor at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Hal Galper
(Piano, Composer)

With over 82 recordings to his credit, 20 as a leader in his own right, pianist, composer, publisher, educator, author and touring artist, Hal Galper is best known for his work with Chet Baker, Connonball Adderley, John Scofield and the Phil Woods Quintet. His recordings as a leader with Mike and Randy Brecker are considered among the best.

Graduating from the Berklee College of Music at the height of the be-bop era, his reputation grew steadily in the changing environment of jazz. He anchored such bands as The Slide Hampton Quartet, The Lee Konitz Duo, The Stan Getz Quartet and many others. His biography is listed in the National Encyclopedia of Jazz and he has 100 original compositions recorded and published.

Galper is internationally known as an educator. His theoretical and practical articles have appeared in six of Down Beat Magazines editions and his scholarly article on the Psychology of Stage fright, originally published in the Jazz Educators Journal, has subsequently been reprinted in four other publications. Fast becoming the last word on the subject, his new book “The Touring Musician, A Small Business Approach to Booking Your Band on the Road (Billboard Books) is now into it's second printing. Hal is on the faculty of Purchase Conservatory and the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. He extensively travels the College lecture-workshop circuit.

He has won a Grammy nomination and a Grammy for his recordings with the award-winning Phil Woods Quartet and Quintet, was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Berklee College of Music, musltiple awards For outstanding Service to Jazz Education from the IAJE and has been a recipient of grants from the National Endowment of the Arts, The Lila Wallace-Readers Digest Foundation and the New School of New York.

Hal Galper‘s music displays some of the best qualities of mainstream jazz. Hal's ability to select and arrange rarely heard tunes from the standard repertoire, his penchant for lyrical improvisation and his commitment to a dancing, deeply swinging beat, makes his music accessible to a broad range of listeners.

Jeffrey W. Holmes
(Trumpet, Piano)
Associate Artistic Director, Vocal and Instrumental Programs
Website

"What I strive to do is to listen, assess and suggest new direction in a student's improvisational vocabulary."

Professor of Music and Director of Jazz & African-American Music Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; nationally published and commissioned composer/arranger, multiple recipient of National Endowment For The Arts Jazz Composition Grants; music written for Ernie Watts, Max Roach, Yusef Lateef, Doc Severinsen, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, as well as numerous works for military, college, high school/junior high school jazz, concert and marching ensembles. He currently directs award-winning UMASS Jazz Ensemble I and Studio Orchestra. Featured on the Jazz at Kennedy Center Series with the Billy Taylor Trio; subs regularly with the Paul Winter Consort; member of 11 piece classical ensemble Solid Brass and lead trumpet New England Jazz Ensemble; leader Jeff Holmes Big Band; drums with Amherst Jazz Orchestra. Former panelist for National Endowment For The Arts and columnist for JAZZPLAYER Magazine. Current reviewer for I.A.J.E. Journal; world tours, recordings, guest conductor/clinician/adjudicator. Performances with Dizzy Gillespie, Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Bellson, Vanguard Orchestra(Thad Jones/Mel Lewis), Sheila Jordan, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Mel Torme, David Goloschokin, Bob Mintzer, Slide Hampton and numerous NYC Broadway shows.

Chip Jackson
(Bass)
Instrumental Ensemble Program

Website

"I'll be teaching three ways: 1. Specifics (technique) 2. Concepts (feeling and internalizing rhythm) 3. By example (demonstrating with my own playing)"

Writer, arranger, teacher, whose playing is represented on over 60 CD's. Attended Berklee College of Music. Toured with: Elvin Jones Jazz Machine ('83-'91), Roy Haynes Quartet, Red Rodney Quintet, Liza Minelli, Stan Getz Quintet, and the Gary Burton Quintet. Recently released collaborative CD with Contempo Trio on Jazzline label, and recorded a series of 26 National Public Radio Broadcasts with Clark Terry, Jon Hendricks, and Milt Jackson. Currently working on his first solo project, "Is There a Jackson in the House?"

Andy Jaffey
(Jazz composer, Performer, Recording Artist}

Lyell B. Clay Artist in Residence and Director of Jazz Activities at Williams College , as well as Artistic Director of the Williamstown Jazz Festival. An active jazz composer, performer, and recording artist, Jaffe has been a leader in jazz pedagogy for over twenty-five years. His 1996 text, "Jazz Harmony" (Advance Music) is now entering its third edition and is widely recognized as one of the most influential in its field. He recently completed work on a new text on Jazz Composition. His numerous original compositions and arrangements are written for a wide range of instrumental ensembles, from piano solo and duo pieces to works for Jazz Orchestra. He has twice won Fellowships in Composition from the Artists Foundation.

Catherine Jensen-Hole
(Voice)
Vocal Program
Website

"Jazz improvisation is like any language; you study the vocabulary and grammar and you learn to construct sentences. The leap of faith begins when you start to musically converse with other musicians and hope that all your study allows you to hold appealing, affecting and eloquent dialogues."

B.M., Western Australian Conservatorium of Music; M.M., University of North Texas. Performed as vocal jazz artist in Australia, Great Britain, Indonesia and the U.S. Received two DOWNBEAT magazine awards. Nationally published vocal jazz composer/arranger. Former faculty member and director of Vocal Jazz, Central Washington University. Director, Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

Steve Johns
(Drums)
Instrumental Ensemble Program
Website

Steve Johns is one of the most dynamic and versatile drummers on the New York City jazz scene today. Since the early 1980s he has performed and recorded with virtually the Who's Who of the jazz world. "Man, does he swing…and he has one hell of a good time doing it says Chris Thompson," in All About Jazz. Johns has played with The Billy Taylor Trio, The Jimmy Heath Quartet, Benny Carter, Stanley Turrentine, Bob Mintzer, and many others. Steve is currently a regular member of the Sonny Fortune Quartet.

As well as having a busy performance schedule, Mr. Johns has taught at the Vermont Jazz Center, Jazz In July, The Thelonius Monk Institute in Aspen Colorado, Williams College in Massachusetts, and he is currently an adjunct instructor at Montclair State University.

Sheila Jordan
(Vocals)
Vocal Program
Website

"Improvisation is putting total feeling into a song, learning the songs exactly as written (melody, chord changes) and then making it your own. Listen, listen and listen some more! Never force improvisation; let it happen naturally."

Performer, recording artist, teacher. Solo CDs include Heartstrings with string quartet and trio, Lost and Found, Old Time Feeling, and One for Jr. with Mark Murphy (all on Muse). Her Portrait of Sheila (Blue Note) has been reissued on CD. Featured on George Russell's classic "You Are My Sunshine." Has performed and conducted workshops all over the world. Nine-time winner of Talent Deserving Wider Recognition in the Downbeat Critics Poll. Recipient of two NEA Grants.

Dana Leong
(Cello)
Instrumental Ensemble Program
Website

Dana Leong is a prodigious anomaly of the highest order. At the age of 1, Dana was already sitting at the piano on a regular basis. He was on an intense traditional path towards the classical music arena. By the age of 8, Dana was already performing and competing internationally on the cello and trombone. When Dana won an audition to perform with the 1997 & 1998 Grammy High School All Stars and Boys II Men, he was introduced to Will Smith, Gwen Stefani and Diddy. "After seeing the magnitude of New York City and the wonderful impact these artists had, I wanted to be a musician for life," he says.

Conor Meehan
(Pandeiro/Drums)

Conor Meehan is a versatile and sought after drummer and pandeiro player who has performed internationally and appeared on over 25 recordings. While still working on his bachelor's degree, he began touring with blues guitarist Albert Cummings, hip-hop group Heiruspecs, and singer-songwriter Sonya Kitchell. Conor has performed in Japan , Europe, Brazil and all over the U.S. including the 2007 Bonnaroo Music Festival and has also appeared on several TV shows, including “Late Night with David Letterman.”

In addition to performing regularly, Conor maintains a busy teaching schedule as an adjunct faculty member at Williams College since 2005. He's also taught at the “Chappaqua Rocks” summer workshops in 2008, and will be a faculty member at the 28 th annual “Jazz in July” summer jazz workshop at UMASS Amherst in 2009.

Conor currently lives in New York City where regularly plays with many different artists including, Tessa Souter Band, Brazilian group Nos Daqui, Charles Neville Quartet, Matt Kanelos and also did a recent US tour with Honeyhoney. Conor earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from SUNY Purchase (2004) where He studied John Riley. He's also studied with Matt Wilson, Gary Chaffee, and Randy Kaye among others.

Toru “Tiger” Okoshi

A 1975 graduate of Berklee, Toru “Tiger” Okoshi got a chance to tour as a sideman with Gary Burton's band whose first big gig was at Carnegie Hall opening for the Bill Evans Trio. When exposed to Japanese audiences, Okoshi cultivated his own career and became well-known throughout the Pacific Rim where he plays at least five times each year. While visiting family in Kobe in 1995, Tiger assisted rescuers after a devastating earthquake, which helped him re-examine his life. “I thought of how I had focused on nothing but music-the distance between notes and the relationship between notes, harmony, and rhythm,” he said. “I hadn't paid enough attention to relationships between humans and the distance between happiness and sadness”. Once back in Boston , he made a resolve to try to reach out whenever he could to help those who were struggling. He brought this philosophy to his teaching and has begun devoting time to teaching music to autistic children at the Boston Higashi School . “Jazz improvisation was unheard of for autistic children before,” he said, “but we are succeeding. I tell students at Berklee and elsewhere that there are more possibilities than impossibilities. I tell them not to get caught up thinking I wish I could or I wish I had. You have to think of what you already have and hold onto it. If everyone had the same thing, it would be no fun. It is a long process to become the musician that you want to be. I haven't gotten there yet; it's a long journey.”

Dave Pope
(Saxophone, Composer)

David Pope is a noted saxophonist and composer, holding degrees from UMASS, Amherst and Eastman, with additional studies at the University of Miami . He has toured North America and Europe with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Sax Maniacs, and Saxology. He has publications with Hal Leonard, Dorn, and Ex Tempore. Known for his unique mastery of multiphonic saxophone performance, he has recorded two masterclass CD's and authors a regular column in Saxophone Journal . David has been on the faculty at James Madison University since 2000. His former students teach and perform throughout the country. His teachers include Lynn Klock, Yusef Lateef, Fred Sturm, Gary Keller, and Ron Miller. David Pope plays the Keilwerth tenor saxophone exclusively, and endorses Applied Microphone Technology microphones.

Genevieve Rose
(Bass)
Vocal Program
Website

Genevieve Rose is a freelance acoustic/electric bassist who performs regularly with Jazz, Big Band, Dixieland, Vocal and Latin ensembles. National and International performances and tours include Benny Waters, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Tradewinds, the Benny Goodman Tribute Orchestra, The Sammy Kaye Orchestra and her own trio, quartet and quintet. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Massachusetts , she has been a faculty member of the University of Massachusetts Summer Music Programs since 1997, teaches private lessons at Amherst College and is the music director for Orchard Hill Elementary School in South Windsor , CT. She is also the director of the Smith College Jazz Ensemble.

Dr. Frederick Tillis
(Saxophone, Composition/Arranging, Theory/History)
Artistic Director
Website

"I try to encourage students of improvisation or written composition to find their individual voice in expressing music."

Director, Jazz in July and the Fine Arts Center and Director, African American Music and Jazz Studies Program, Music Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Numerous jazz and classical compositions including orchestral, chamber and vocal works; recorded on Serenus, Columbia, and New World Records labels. Performances/recording with Tillis-Holmes Duo, and the Billy Taylor Trio. Author, Jazz Theory and Improvisation plus five books of original poetry.

Ralph Whittle
(Piano)
Vocal Program

Ralph Whittle has been on the faculty at Westfield State since 1995 teaching jazz piano. Mr. Whittle has taught jazz theory and composition at Holyoke Community College , and has been a regularly-performing keyboardist throughout Massachusetts since 1976. He has a degree in Business Administration from American International College.

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