Alumni News for February-March 2008

Gregg Fine, BFA '97 recently launched a new music production Venture called Hidden Tiger Music, Inc. (www.hiddentigermusic.com). Hidden Tiger Music is a boutique commercial music production collective, focused on creating innovative musical solutions that will complement and enhance the visual concept of a client's brand. Since graduation, Fine has written & produced hundreds of spots for clients such s Cotton, Inc., Coca Cola, Joe Boxer, Mennen,Discovery Channel,Ford,Old Navy,etc.. He has rovided scoring & sound design for the “Daredevil” and “Shield” DVDs ,MTV’s “Gamekillers”, the Zoolander soundtrack,VH1’s “Concert for New York”, and many others. Gregg has also co-written & produced singles for Astralwerks/Virgin, Naked Music,V2 Music and Wave Music. As a producer, Gregg has been featured in Shoot Magazine, Flaunt, Billboard, DJTimes,Creativity, and Future Music magazine. An ccomplished and versatile guitarist, Gregg has performed throughout Europe, Canada, South America, Africa, the Caribbean and the United States with artists such as Harry Belafonte, Richard Bona, Les Nubians and Hugh Masekela.

Paul Hemmings ’05 recently released a new CD, Letter From America (Leading Tone Records) with saxophonist John Tchicai and had a CD release party at the Knitting Factory. To hear sound clips from his CD, visit www.paulhemmings.com.

Alumni News for January 2008

David R. Adler ’90 writes about jazz for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, Jazz Times, Downbeat, and other publications. His cover story on Keith Jarrett appeared in the January/February 2008 issue of Jazz Times.

Andy “Action” Markham ’93 has spent his varied career touring, producing and managing in every aspect of the music industry. To find out more about what he’s been up to, visit www.MySpace.com/AndyAction.

Stefan Schatz ’95 is touring in the Balkans and the Middle East with the Chris Byars Quartet, as part of "The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad" program, presented by the US State Department and Jazz @ Lincoln Center. This is the second time that the group is representing the Unites States of America as cultural ambassadors. Last year, they toured Russia and Central Asia. The quartet will play at the Village Vanguard in March and will release their debut album, "Jazz Pictures at an Exhibition of Himalayan Art", in mid-April at the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/stefanschatz.

Arun Luthra ’97 has led his group, The Arun Luthra Quaret, in performances in New York and California. He has also recorded and performed with numerous groups nationwide and recently worked with the Phil Sparks Trio in Seattle, WA. He recently recorded his latest project, a duo album with Arizona based pianist Rachel Eckroth, which will be released in Mid-2008. He has appeared on 4 albums that were released within the last year. They include, Billy Fox’s “The Uncle Wiggly Suite”, “Chimera” by the Russ Spiegel Sextet, “Enjoy” by The Björkestra and “Carols for a Cure” Volume 9, which was released by the Broadway theatre community to raise money for and awareness of prevention, treatment and cure of HIV/AIDS. Visit his website at www.ArunLuthra.NET.

Drew Anthony Carrano ’98 lives in Las Vegas and is performing at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. He is also in the hit show, The Rat Pack is Back as “The King of Cool”, Dean Martin.

Christopher Pistorino ’98 is a part of two successful bands based in Brooklyn, New York, Lapis Luna and The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn. Along with his wife, Pistorino is the co-leader of Lapis Luna, which plays jazz, swing and bossa nova regularly in and around the New York City area, as well as venues nationwide. The group also includes guitarist, John Merrill '97 and drummer, Brian Floody '93. Visit www.lapisluna.com to find out more!

The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, an acoustic Dixieland band, features Thom Abbott, who plays the saxophone and the clarinet and also studied at The New School. The band recently won the nationally televised contest, “Subway Idol” and were featured on FOX’s The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet for a month. As a result of winning the contest, the band recorded and released their second album, Forty Days and Forty Nights. In June, The Blue Vipers will perform at The Rochester International Jazz Festival in Rochester, New York. For more information on The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, visit www.thebluevipersofbrooklyn.com.

Anne Mette Iversen, BFA, Jazz & Contemporary Music '01 is currently touring throughout Scandinavia and Germany with her quartet. For more information please visit www.annemetteiversen.com.

Craig Yaremko '01 recently released his third CD, Sync, on Jazz Excursion records.

Eric Mullins ’03 and his wife Marina recently founded Mullins Music, a non-profit community music school in the Tampa Bay area. In addition he will be releasing his first album of entirely original material this year entitled "Me/We" on which he plays saxophone, bass and keyboards. For more information on Eric and Mullins Music, please visit www.mullinsmusic.org.

Alumni News for July 2007-December 2007

Kevin Frey ’99 was recently appointed to the post of director of Student Development and Campus Life for the Middlesex Campus of Berkeley College in Woodridge, NJ.

Andreas Altmann ’02 is the lead guitarist for the pop-rock band, 45 High. Last December he and his band performed at the inaugural benefit concert for The Ali Forney Center, a NYC-based non-profit organization that provides emergency housing and clinical support for homeless LGBT youth. According to Altmann, the band’s mission “is to do much more than perform amazing music, it is to harness and properly channel human energy toward a positive cause, that we might all be lifted to a higher, more loving place within ourselves. When this happens art has served its most noble purpose.”

Alumni News for January-June 2007

David Adler '90 writes for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, Jazz Times, Downbeat, and other publications-mostly about jazz, but also other areas of music and culture.

Rafi Malkiel '98 originally from Israel, is an active composer and trombonist in both the Jazz and Latin scenes in New York City. Leading his quintet, Rafi plays original compositions, as well as unique arrangements fusing Jazz and Latin-American standards with Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The
Rafi Malkiel Quintet performs extensively in venues such as the 92 Street Y, The Corcoran Gallery of Arts in Washington, D.C. and The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Rafi is releasing his debut solo album titled My Island in May 2007. The album features him as a composer, arranger, band leader, trombone, and euphonium player. It also features some of the best Jazz and Latin musicians in New York City, including legendary bassist Andy Gonzalez, percussionist Anthony Carrillo, tuba player Howard Johnson, clarinetist Anat Cohen, New School current student Jack Glottman, and many more. Look for the group's upcoming performances at The Brick Theater, Brooklyn and in Manhattan at Makor and Small's. Please check the website, www.Rafimalkiel.com, for future performances.

Anne Mette Iversen '01, a bassist and composer, has released two CDs of original music, On the Other Side and This Is My House. (This Is My House has been added to the playlist at radioIO.com.) Her regular quartet consists of: saxophonist John Ellis, pianist Danny Grissett, drummer Otis Brown III and herself. A third CD, Best of the West is under way, with music for her (jazz) quartet and string quartet. For more info visit www.annemetteiversen.com. Anne Mette is a member of Brooklyn Jazz Underground, a new collective of band-leaders being launched at The Brooklyn Jazz Underground Festival at Smalls, Jan 11-14, 2007, during the IAJE. Learn more at www.brooklynjazzunderground.org

Ari Joshua Zucker '01 has released several records including Swampdweller, which features Reggie Watts. He is currently working on another CD with the Benevento/Russo Duo. His most recent record, Chapter One, is to be released nationwide in August 2007 on Wax Orchard Records (NYC) with his trio "AriSawkaDoria" a.k.a. ASD. The CD was produced by legendary drummer Michael Shrieve. Ari also appeared on American Idol backing collaborator Blake Lewis as part of his homecoming week to the tune of 60 million viewers. Ari continues to collaborate with New School alumni and recently recorded with bassist Jason Fraticelli and pianist Robert Glasper. For more info visit www.arijoshua.com or www.arisawkadoria.net.

Alumni News for October-December 2006

Brooks Giles, III '90 is a vocalist and saxophonist. He began his "current journey" in 2001 when he began touring Asia with his own ensembles and as a featured performer. His most recent groups have featured vocalist Angela Stribling, pianist Roberta Piket, pianist/organist Oliver Von Essen, bassist Tom Hubbard, and drummer George Gray. Brooks released his debut CD "Somewhere on Earth, the Bangkok Sessions" in 2002 and in 1999 appeared in the film, Sweet & Lowdown, starring Sean Penn and Uma Thurman. He also performs on the DVD and soundtrack of the 2005 play, written by Gregory Charles Royal, It's a Hard Bop Life.

Rob Reddy '90 recently launched his Reddy Music label with A Hundred Jumping Devils (Reddy Music RED-001), the debut release from his new sextet, Rob Reddy's Gift Horse. Featuring Mark Taylor (French horn), Charles Burnham (violin), Brandon Ross (acoustic and electric guitars), Dom Richards (double bass), and Mino Cinelu (percussion), the group explores a hauntingly eclectic mix of Reddy originals inspired by hymns, processionals, threnodies, ballads, sambas and more.

Stafford Hunter '94, a trombonist, is currently on tour in Japan with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. In December he will be back in Nagoya, Japan with his quintet and in January he will be at the IAJE with the Charles Tolliver Big Band.

Satoshi Inoue '94, a guitarist, has a new album, Melodic Compositions (What's New Records), which includes nine of his jazz originals. The album is available in the U.S. from Cadence. For more information see www.SatoshiInoue.com.

Ori Kaplan '95 had a great two-month world tour with his band, Balkan Beat Box, which included playing Central Park Summer Stage, the Bonaroo Festival in Tennesse, Roskilde in Sweden, and many big festivals around the world. The band is now on a European Union tour November 1-19. December 7 they will play with Goran Bregovitch in Israel and December 10-21 the band tours the U.S. "spreading the electro arabo gypsy brand they created." See www.balkanbeatbox.com for more information.

Ari Joshua Zucker '01 has released several records including "Swampdweller", which features Reggie Watts. He is currently working on another CD with the Benevento/Russo Duo.

Valerie Troutt '02 sang in Brooklyn in December at No Name Cyber Cafe. Fusing together a diverse palate of Jazz, Folk, Rock, Electronic and Soul music, Valerie Troutt is one of few young modern singers creating stylistic change in the Vocal Jazz Tradition. For more info and music visit www.valerietroutt.com.

Igor Lumpert '03 is a saxophonist and composer. His band, Igor Lumpert & Innertextures featuring Tommy Crane on drums and Matt Brewer on bass will be touring Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia in November and giving a workshop at the Bruckner Uni in Linz. They played at the opening of the European Dream Festival in September at the New York Public Library. In addition, Igor performed with John Abercrombie in August.

Woody Shaw, III '04 is currently pursuing a master's in music at Indiana University, where he is also an associate instructor. Woody is also heavily involved in the (re)production of his father’s music and the promotion of the Woody Shaw legacy. His most recent project is the reissue of one of his father’s most accomplished recordings, Stepping Stones: Live at the Village Vanguard (first time on CD), in which he participated as co-producer and as author of his first liner notes. Woody has also worked since 2004 as a freelance web designer and developer for several artists and has created an extensive website in his father’s honor, www.woodyshaw.com. He is currently working on a number of other projects to reissue various recordings, and intends to publish the first Woody Shaw conceptual and instructional book, to be released in 2006-2007.

Jennifer Vincent '06 is currently touring Japan with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Alumni News for June 2006

Aaron Nevezie '01 and fellow Jazz alumnus, John Graham Davis have recently opened a recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Bunker Studio has already recorded numerous alumni including David Mason, Josh Mease, Tatum Greenblatt, David Burnett, Kris Bauman, Abe Seiferth, Mike Effenberger, and others. Upcoming projects include Brandon Owen's debut album for New Line featuring Darren Beckett. For more information visit www.thebunkerstudio.com. Also, other news includes album releases for Aaron and David Mason with Spielerfrau - "The Sad Part" on Black Freighter Records and John with Phonograph 'LP.'

Gregoire Maret's '98 trio, Gaia, which features Gonzalez Pena on piano and keys, Gene Lake on drums, and himself on harmonica had its debut performance at the jazz gallery at 290 Hudson Street.

Alumni News for May 2006

Peter Bernstein '90 released the DVD, "Live from Smoke" (Mel Bay), a collection of live performances from the New York City club. The footage captures Bernstein in action with his long-standing trio with alumnus Larry Goldings on organ and Bill Stewart on drums. A review of the DVD by AllAboutJazz says the trio has "fashioned a sound that's a heady evolution of the kind of soulful jazz for which the late Jimmy Smith was renowned, albeit with a stronger modernistic bent and progressive sense of swing..."

Assif Tsahar '98 released "Solitude," the 25th CD on his independently run label, Hopscotch. Tsahar, who founded the label in 1999, performs on over half of the releases as a soloist and group leader for several groups including the large NY Underground Orchestra.

Viva DeConcini '99 left The New School in 1998 to tour with Cyro Baptista's Beat the Donkey, touring Europe, playing Morocco, performing at Central Park Summer Stage, Bonnaroo, the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, etc. and appearing on both albums. In 2003 Peter Apfelbaum invited her to join his New York Hieroglyphics ensemble, which is touring this summer and playing the Monterey Jazz Festival in September. Viva started her own songwriting Americana project last year and is currently touring the coffee house circuit. Catch up with her at myspace.com/vivadeconcini.

Cat Henry '00 has accepted the position of assistant director of Programming and Concert Administration at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Previously she worked as senior production manager.

Sharel Cassity '05, a saxophonist, was selected to be a resident artists at Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead program, presented by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. She took part in the daily workshops and rehearsals that culminated in a concert on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage on April 21.

Michael Kammers '06 is leader, saxophonist, and composer of the MK Groove Orchestra, which recently celebrated the release of the new CD, "Greatest Hits," with a concert at Blue Note. The group, which includes New School alumni and students John Beaty, Joe Beaty, Tatum Greenblatt, Nic Cowles, Abe Seiferth, Myk Freedman, Morgan Wiley, Christopher Tordini, and Tomoaki Kanno will perform at the Rochester International Jazz Festival in June and in New York City in July as part of "Summer in the Square" in Washington Square.

Alumni News for April 2006

Ori Kaplan '95 is the founder of Balkan Beat Box (BBB), an electronic modern folk outfit. In March, BBB was on tour with fellow New School alumnus, Matisyahu (Lang '02), playing for 3,000-8,000 people each night. For more information on BBB visit www.balkanbeatbox.com.

Magnus Nilsson '96 is the Director of Bands at the Smithtown Christian Schools. He conducts Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Bands. He also plays bass with the Point Lookout Community Church Worship Band under Director Joel Beasley. Magnus resides with his wife, Robin, three children, and golden retriever in Freeport, NY.

Roland Schneider '96 is a member of the Brooklyn-based trio, Denominators. The band is embarking on a tour in Germany to promote their self-released CD, "Red Balloons," which is available at www.cdbaby.com/denominators. For more information on the band visit www.denominatormusic.com. For the last six years, Roland has also been a member of the Anat Fort Trio, led by Israeli pianist Anat Fort. In January, the trio performed at the sold-out Tel Aviv Opera House for a crowd of 900. Anat has just been signed by ECM records and the trio hopes to do a recording this year.

Antonio (Tony) De Vivo '01 is a member of the band, JazzSabroson (www.jazzsabroson.com), which is was formed in 2002 to audition for the Jazz Ambassador Program organized by the Department of State and the Kennedy Center in Washington. Of the 46 groups that applied, JazzSabroson was one of the five selected. As co-bandleader, Tony is responsible for drum set, percussion, vocals, composition, and arrangement with JazzSabroson. The band recently toured in Africa. Tony also performs in New York City with the flamenco group, Gazpacho Andalu, Pedro Giraudo's Argentinian Jazz group, Mr. Vivo Big Band, and as a guest percussionist with the Carpentier String Quartet.

Skye Steele '03 recently recorded violin and rabeca (Northeast Brazilian fiddle) tracks for Cyro Baptista's upcoming "Beat the Donkey" CD. He has also recently appeared with vocalist Tessa Souter, and he continues to perform regularly with alumnus Scott Kettner's Nation Beat and Harel Schachal's Anistar, among others. Skye has also begun leading his own quintet and is looking forward to recording this fall. Keep an eye on www.skyesteele.com for details.

Alumni News for March 2006

Brad Mehldau '93 garnered the cover story of the March issue of Jazziz. The magazine reported on Brad's career and took an in-depth look at the art of the piano trio-his ensemble of choice. Brad's trio interpretation of the Radiohead tune "Knives Out" appears in the issue's accompanying CD, "Traditions in Transition."

Alumni News for February 2006

Gregoire Maret '98, a member of the Pat Metheny Group, received a Grammy at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in February. Gregoire's first recording with Metheny, "The Way Up" (Nonesuch), won Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

Rigmor Gustafsson's latest trio with Jacky Terrasson, a tribute to Dionne Warwick, made the "Critic's Choice Best of 2005" CD included with the January/February issue of Jazziz Magazine.

Chris Potter was profiled in the February 2006 issue of Down Beat magazine (www.downbeat.com).

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