Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Jeno Beamter was born on August 7, 1912 in Budapest, Hungary. Graduating from high school in 1930 he was already trained as a drummer at the age of seven, although he was taught to play the violin. He completed his musical studies privately. From 1930 , he was taught to play the drums by Vilmos Roubal, a member of the Opera House. He soon began to play the vibraphone.
From 1933 he played in various bands, Bubi Vibraphone Ensemble, Solymossy–Beamter Duo, Ernő Vécsey Ensemble, Martiny Band, and Szabó–Beamter Duo. He made his first recordings with the Smiling Boys band.
The various jazz formations of Jenő Horváth’s Radiola Band, the Herrer band, the Durium band, Tabányi and its soloists, János Gaál Gyulai’s small band, and the Deák Big Band were the prominent bands in which he played. He made guest appearances in Austria, Switzerland, the GDR, England, and Yugoslavia.
In the 1970s, he performed with Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra in a joint show at the Kennedy Center. Jeno performed live with Tabányi on Hungarian Radio for fifteen years, almost every Sunday.
Drummer, vibraphonist, composer and educator Jeno Beamter, who performed in the traditional, modern and was one of the legendary figures of Hungarian swing music, died on January 11, 1984 in the city of his birth.
More Posts: composer,drums,educator,history,instrumental,jazz,music,vibraphone
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.
More Posts: bandleader,composer,educator,history,instrumental,jazz,music,piano
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Edward Simon was born July 27, 1969 in Punta Cardón, Venezuela and when he was ten years old came to the United States to study at the Performing Arts School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating, he attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he studied classical piano, then the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied jazz piano.
In 1988, he recorded as a sideman with Greg Osby, then worked as a member of the band Horizon led by Bobby Watson. For the next eight years he was a member of Terence Blanchard’s band. He has also worked with Herbie Mann, Paquito D’Rivera, Bobby Hutcherson, Jerry Gonzalez, John Patitucci, Arturo Sandoval, Manny Oquendo, and Don Byron.
Simon recorded Beauty Within in 1994), his debut album as a bandleader, with Horacio Hernández and bass guitarist Anthony Jackson. That same year, he was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Then the following year he composed Rumba Neurotica for the Relache Ensemble.
In 2003 Simon formed Ensemble Venezuela to combine jazz with the music of Venezuela. Given a commission by Chamber Music America to write Venezuelan Suite and recorded the album in 2012 with musicians from Venezuela, Colombia, and the U.S. He has played on several Grammy-nominated jazz albums. Besides his trio he leads the Sexteto Venezuela, the Afinidad Quartet, and the group Simon, Simon, & Simon with his brothers.
Wearing his educator hat he has taught at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City and has been artist in residence at Western Michigan University.
Pianist and composer Edward Simon continues to perform, compose and record.
More Posts: bandleader,compose,educator,history,instrumental,jazz,music,piano
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Gary Tole was born on July 26, 1951 and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and began playing the trombone at the age of twelve. By the age of sixteen, he was working with all the shows that came into the Pittsburgh area. After attending Duquesne University School of Music, he was offered the first trombone position with the world renowned Glenn Miller Orchestra. After four years of world tour he then toured with Harry James, Tex Beneke, Les Brown and Jimmy Dorsey, the latter he served as road manager and featured trombonist.
By 1978 he relocated and made his permanent residence in Southern California. Whether on stage or in the recording studio, Gary’s smooth, dynamic style has him in constant demand having performed with Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Bernadette Peters, Kenny Rogers, Rita Moreno, Melissa Manchester, James Ingram, and Phil Collins. He has backed television appearances of Diana Ross, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Pia Zadora, Sheena Easton, Peabo Bryson, The Pointer Sisters, and many more.
As an active clinician for Yamaha, he finds time to participate in music education programs as a judge for jazz festivals, band and orchestra festivals, private teaching of the low brass instruments and traveling throughout the country conducting various clinics.
Trombonist Gary Tole, who also plays bass trombone and euphonium, continues to perform, compose, tour and record.
More Posts: educator,history,instrumental,jazz,music,trombone
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Alan Gaumer was born on July 25, 1951 in Bethelehem, Pennsylvania. He began playing the trumpet when he was eight and was a member of Kal’s Kid’s that appeared on the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour as well as numerous other television shows. Throughout elementary, junior and high school he participated in band, orchestra, and stage bands and graduated from Freedom High School in 1969.
He studied with John Nero and Willard Schissler and performed with the Allentown Band before attending the U.S. Navy School of Music. Upon graduation he spent the next three years living in Gaeta, Italy touring Europe, Africa and Asia with the Navy Show Band. Offered the jazz trumpet position at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis before his discharge, from 1973-75 he toured first as trumpeter and later as drummer with the well known group KATO.
Settling back in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania he was an integral part of a popular group P.F. & the Flyers and his own A.G.Q. After attending Rutgers University, Alan spent two years touring South America and West Africa with the U.S. Navy Show Band. When he got out in 1982, he worked for several years at well known hotels and resorts.
He has performed with a long list of jazz musicians which include Randy Brecker, Phil Woods, Al Cohn, George Young, Bob Dorough, Tom Harrell, Bill Watrous, Urbie Green, Kim Parker, Vic Jurris, Charles Fambrough, Bill Washer, John Swanna, David Leonhardt, Steve Gilmore, Bill Goodwin, Bobby Routch, Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra and others.
As an educator Gaumer has been the jazz trumpet Artist/Lecturer at Moravian College since 1994 and served as Fusion ensemble director in 1998-99, 2003-04 and 2005-06. He is Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Jazz Collective, a Lehigh Valley based non-profit jazz organization.
Trumpeter and educator Alan Gaumer continues to perform, teach and produce jazz events.
More Posts: bandleader,educator,history,instrumental,jazz,music,trumpet