Daily Dose Of Jazz…
James Benjamin Sherman was born on August 17, 1908 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He played piano in dance bands in the late 1920s and played on and off with Jimmy Gorham in the metropolitan Philadelphia area. In 1930 he began playing on a steamboat in Alphonso Trent’s band, then played in the 1930s with Peanuts Holland, Al Sears, Stuff Smith, Lil Armstrong, Putney Dandridge, Mildred Bailey, and Billie Holiday.
From the mid- to late ’30s Jimmy played in various swing groups but is best known for his hand in composing the jazz standard Lover Man, co-written with Jimmy Davis and Roger Ramirez, and was first recorded by Billie Holiday
He became the pianist and arranger for The Charioteers in 1938, remaining with the group until 1952. Following this he played primarily locally in eastern Pennsylvania. In 1960 he took up a residency at Miss Jeanne’s Crossroad Tavern in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he played until shortly before his death.
Pianist and arranger Jimmy Sherman died on October 11, 1975 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Anthony Dowd was born on August 14, 1957 in Richmond, Virginia and started playing piano by ear at age six. Listening to what he heard on television he figured out on the piano before beginning formal lessons at age 12, studying for about five years. During high school he came across his parent’s big band records and got hooked on swing and looked for more jazz piano.
A few weeks after graduating Benedictine High School, Anthony got a job playing piano with a local big band, The Kings Of Swing, at Kings Dominion Amusement Park. That led to jobs with Busch Gardens and Carnival Cruise Lines. In the early 80s’ he moved to Hartford, Connecticut and honed his solo piano skills at local restaurants, modeling his playing after pianist Dave McKenna.
Returning to Richmond in 1985 he landed a residency leading the house trio at Benjamin’s Restaurant until 1992. In 1994, while playing at the Jefferson Hotel, he hit a high point. Frank Sinatra was in town for some concerts, and after finishing his dinner, joined Dowd at the piano and sang a few tunes. After playing in the mid-Atlantic region, he took a break from playing piano, moved to Tennessee and spent time raising his daughter.
He returned to Virginia in 2003 and found his reputation as an all-around pianist as strong as ever. His style mixes the playing of Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans. His debut release as a leader was Can’t Sleep in 2009. He is featured on bassist Jason Jenkin’s albums and with Roger Carroll on their duet release. He recorded with the Children’s Miracle Network
As an educator he has lectured on jazz piano history for the Retired City of Richmond Employees, Rappahanock Community College and the Northumberland Library System. He formed the Richmond Association of Jazz Artists to promote concerts.
Pianist, singer and songwriter Anthony Dowd, who has composed close to 60 songs, continues to perform, record, compose and sell his tunes to publishers.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Andrew James Quin was born August 12, 1960 in London, England. Not from a musical family, he was offered a scholarship to study classical piano at the Royal College of Music, but turned down the place in order to pursue his growing interests in improvisation, composition and music technology.
He works in TV and film and his music has appeared in Hollywood movies, advertising campaigns, and television programs. His work has appeared in British TV shows such as Coronation Street and Holby City.
Pianist, theatre organist and composer Andy Quin, who has well over one thousand published tracks, continues to perform, compose and record.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Russ Gershon was born on August 11, 1959 and grew up in Westport, Connecticut. He attended Harvard University where he received a degree in philosophy and was a disc jockey, jazz director and station manager at Harvard’s WHRB radio station. He attended Berklee College of Music for a year in 1984 and the following year the Either/Orchestra played its first live show at the Cambridge Public Library.
Founding Accurate Records he has released albums by Morphine, Medeski Martin & Wood, the Alloy Orchestra, Ghost Train Orchestra, the Either/Orchestra, Dominique Eade, and Garrison Fewell. He has been a member of rock bands and has worked as a studio musician as well as performing in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1997 Russ played arrangements of Ethiopian popular music with the Either/Orchestra. This drew the attention of Francis Falceto, who produced the “Éthiopiques” series of albums to document 20th century Ethiopian music. Through Falceto’s connections his band were invited to Addis Ababa in 2004 and became the first American big band to perform in Ethiopia since Duke Ellington’s in 1973.Their principal concert was released as the album Ethiopiques 20: Live in Addis and led to working with Ethiopian musicians such as Mahmoud Ahmed, and appeared with Ahmed’s band at Carnegie Hall in 2016.
Saxophonist, flutist, composer, and arranger Russ Gershon continues to perform with the Either/Orchestra.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Celso Vernon was born on July 28, 1958, in Valencia, Spain, he began his studies in music theory and harmony at the Metropolitan Seminary of Moncada in Valencia and completed his training years later in the private sector. When he turned 16 he became interested in the guitar and contemporary music. For two years, between 1974 and 1976, he began his first steps on the guitar as a self-taught artist. He listened to as much music as he could and found inspiration, especially progressive rock guitarists. He gave his first performances in educational centers and festivals.
He moved to Getxo in the Basque Country of Spain where he began playing guitar with musicians and bands from the municipality and province. During those years, he discovered that the guitar was his greatest weakness and decided to further his studies. Celso delved into progressive rockand by the end of the Seventies he discovered jazz appealed to him, sinking in a few years later. It was through jazz and began his evolution as a usician, guitarist, and composer.
Vernon has trained in modern music and jazz using methods imported from the United States and gained experience performng with various groups and ensembles. Listening to a lot of music, as a self-taught guitarist he learned what musicians in other countries havebeen taught by maestros, universities and specialized schools. He went on to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He studied and analyzed the styles of guitarists Steve Howe, Carlos Santana, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Larry Coryell, George Benson, Pat Metheny, and others.
Returning to Valencia throughout the Eighties he worked as a producer with bands and groups of various musical styles which gave him a wealth of experience as a teacher, guitarist, and composer. In 1993, he joined the Sedaví Jazz Workshop Combos, where he remained for some time. 1995 saw him moving to Ayora, Spain where he founded the Guitar School & Contemporary Music Workshop, working as a teacher of music, guitar and modern harmony.
His study and teaching methods are built on a solid foundation of knowledge and experience acquired over more than 30 years. All students learn through a fun, engaging approach, understanding that the guitar is a simple instrument if practiced consistently and disciplined. His teaching experience dates back to 1991, and he has continued to teach ever since. He doesn’t believe there are bad students, just bad teachers. Under this maxim, he leads classes with simplicity and consistency, placing vital importance on the fact that practice makes perfect.
Self-taught musician, guitarist, composer, and guitar and modern harmony teacher, continues to perform, record and produce.
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