Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker present the clinic "Drum And Bass And Their Role In The Rhythm Section" where they will talk about the importance of musical communication. Allen and Whitaker are co-leaders on the new recording on Mack Avenue Records entitled, "Get Ready."

The pursuit of knowledge, experience, and ever-present swing is a recurring theme in the life of drummer/composer and Milwaukee native Carl Allen. It's a theme that began to take shape when, as a teenager, he performed with such greats as Sonny Stitt and James Moody and it's a theme to which he held fast as his musical quest took him to The University of Wisconsin - Green Bay (1979-81) and New Jersey's William Patterson College (1981-83). While at William Patterson, he pursued his life-long dream -- the drum chair in trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's band. He got the position in 1982 and remained with Hubbard for eight years - also serving as the trumpeter's musical director and road manager.

sponsored by Mel Bay Records

Vic Juris' guitar playing first began to attract attention in the early and mid-70s thanks to appearances and recordings with Phil Woods, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miroslav Vitous. Subsequently, he became part of the jazz fusion movement by joining keyboardist Barry Miles' group and also performing in duets with guitarist Larry Coryell. Vics ability to play in acoustic and electric jazz formats without loss of integrity ensured popular acceptance. Juris has also recorded and performed with: David Liebman, Freddie Hubbard, Gary Peacock, John Abercrombie, Bireli Lagrene and Lee Konitz to name a few.

Vic plays with fluent lyricism, choosing to seduce his listeners with subtle phrasing and engaging harmonies. Not surprisingly, therefore, his playing of ballads is particularly attractive, allowing the romantic element to blossom. In addition to his inventive playing, Juris has also composed many songs, some of which he has recorded on the Steeplechase Record Label. He also has a new album on the Mel Bay Records label entitled Second Look.

Corey Christiansen began playing the guitar at the age of five. He studied with his father, Mike Christiansen, (a seasoned performer, writer, and educator at Utah State University) until he finished his bachelor degree. While at Utah State University, Corey received many honors and awards including the outstanding music student award and outstanding guitarist. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival awarded Corey with outstanding big band guitarist in 1995 and outstanding solo guitarist in 1995 and 1996.

Seeking a masters degree in jazz performance, Corey sought out renowned jazz guitar educator, Jack Petersen and began studies as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of South Florida. He received his masters degree in jazz performance in the spring of 1999. Jack Petersen retired that same year and Corey was hired to take his place as the adjunct guitar instructor. While teaching at the University of South Florida, Corey worked with the jazz guitar students and directed many of the jazz combos.

Corey left USF to pursue a career at Mel Bay Publications, Inc. as their guitar editor. Corey has a musical background covering many styles of music including jazz, blues, classical, bluegrass, folk, rock and popular music.

Rick Margitza, who has long been regarded as one of the « Young Lyons » of the International Jazz Scene, is nowadays one of the most respected musicians of his generation. Excellent tenor and soprano saxophonist, mostly inspired by John Coltrane, Michael Brecker and Wayne Shorter, he has managed to expand and develop his unique voice, highly poetic and sharply incisive.

He started on the violin when he was four. His grandfather was a cellist and his father a violinist with the Detroit Symphony. He then studied classical piano for a bit, and also played oboe before switching to tenor in high school. He attended Wayne State University, Berklee, the University of Miami, and finally Loyola University in New Orleans, where he lived and played for four years.

Back then, Rick was touring with Maynard Ferguson and also Flora Purim and Airto Moreira. He then moved to New York in 1988.

That same year he joined Miles Davis' group and recorded three albums with them: “Amandla”, “Live around the world” and "Live in Montreux". He then cut three sets as a leader for the prestigious label Blue Note during 1989-1991. Since 1994, his career found itself enriched with five more solo albums and collaborations with such artists as Maria Schneider, Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner.

"One of the best kept secrets in jazz...." Chris Hoven, All About Jazz

George Colligan, an award-winning composer (Chamber Music America/Doris Duke Foundation grant recipient) and player (winner, Jazzconnect.com Jazz Competition), draws fans with his zesty sideman work with players like Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Buster Williams, and Lonnie Plaxico, both on the bandstand and in recording sessions (with over 70 sideman credits). He is also prolific as a leader with 16 recordings full of his intelligent writing and impressive technique. His latest CD on the Criss Cross label is entitled Past Present Future . He also has a new CD entitled Realization( Sirocco) featuring his organ trio called Mad Science.

George Colligan has toured, recorded , and/or performed as a sideman with Gary Bartz, Benny Golson, Gary Thomas, Steve Coleman, Eddie Henderson, Ralph Peterson, Vanessa Rubin, Steve Wilson,Richard Bona,a Jane Monheit, Ravi Coltrane, Lenny White, Michael Brecker, Mike Clark, Nicholas Payton, Sheila Jordan, Janis Siegel, Christian McBride, Billy Hart, Charles Fambrough, Mingus Big Band, AL Foster,a Mark Turner, Lee Konitz, Jamie Baum, Michal Urbaniak and Stefon Harris, among others .

“One of the finest vocalists on the scene...” - Dan McClenaghan / All About Jazz

Jeff Baker started at the top. At sixteen, backed by the Lionel Hampton Trio, he won the Vocal Solo Competition at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Though he evinces a strong emphasis in jazz, he has much broader training including classical and theatrical vocal music and contemporary composition, which came during his undergraduate studies at Willamette University. After college, Baker began recording and performing with his group One Way to Where. He has performed to rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences at repeat performances at Jazz in The Canyon (Twin Falls, Idaho) as well as the Gene Harris Jazz Festival (Boise) and the Gene Harris Block Party since 2000. His concert performances are always packed with new and returning fans who like Jeff’s infectious persona, energy, and talent.