Month: January 2015

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Tony Martucci

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This year marks TONY MARTUCCI’S fiftieth year in music. During that time Tony has performed and recorded on stages at home and abroad with some of the greatest names in music. A short list of those collaborations include John Abercrombie, Mose Allison, Paul Bley, Michael and Randy Brecker, Rusty Bryant, Gary Burton, George Coleman, Marc Copland, Eddie Daniels, Dave Douglas, Tommy Flanagan, George Garzone, Danny Gatton, Joe Henderson, Fred Hersch, Lee Konitz, David Liebman, The Jose Limon Dance Company, Joe Lovano, Hank Marr, Donny McCaslin, Grachan Moncur lll, James Moody, Don Patterson, Dewey Redman, Joshua Redman, Sonny Stitt, and Kenny Werner.

Martucci continues to cultivate an original and interpretive drum style that is both supportive and interactive, reflecting his deep understanding of the jazz tradition and his vast stylistic influences. Tony is a skilled accompanist and a soloist of unusual melodic depth.

Tony’s extensive discography includes four critically acclaimed recordings under his own name: “EARTH TONES” (which earned a spot on the Jazz Times Critics Pick Best of the Year), “COLLAGE”, “LONG STREET CHARM” (rated four stars in Down Beat magazine), and the most recent, “LIFE IN HAND,” included by  The Washington Post in its list of the best recordings of 2011. In addition to leading his own ensembles, current projects include The Jazz Update, The Victor Haskins Group, Glenn Wilson, and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Mary Morton Parsons Jazz Masters.

Martucci has been a professor of music at The College of William and Mary and The University of Maryland. Tony currently is an adjunct professor of music at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he teaches drum set, Latin percussion, and small jazz ensemble. Tony is also a teaching artist for the Washington Performing Arts Society, The Capitol Jazz Project, and the Kennedy Center Jazz Outreach program in Washington D.C.

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Jamal Moore

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Jamal      R.    Moore    is    a    native    of    Baltimore    Maryland    whom     is    a    multi-­instrumentalist,    composer/performer    and    educator.      

        His     background   include   California     Institute   of   The   Arts   (M.F.A.   2012),    Berklee    College    of    Music    (B.M    2005),    Eubie    Blake    Jazz    Orchestra    (2000)    under          the        direction     of        Christopher        Calloway        Brooks        and        historical    acclaimed     Frederick     Douglass   Sr.     High   whom   notable   alumni   Thurgood    Marshall,    Cab    Calloway,    and    Ethel    Ennis    graduated    from.  

Some    notable    luminaries    Jamal    has    worked    with    are    Wadada    Leo    Smith   (2013   Pulitzer   finalist)   whom   he   studied   with   at   California   Institute   of    The     Arts,   Nicole   Mitchell,   Sabir   Mateen,   Roscoe   Mitchell,   David   Ornette    Cherry     (Organic     Roots   Nation),     Dr.     Bill   Cole   the     late     George     Duke     and Sheila    E.    

        He       is     a    long-­‐term       member     of     KREation     and     Conference     of     The     Birds    ensembles     directed   by   Kevin   Robinson.   A    member   of   The   Pan     African    Peoples        Arkestra     of      the      late      Horace      Tapscott,      Calvin      Gant     ensemble    directed     by     Calvin       Gant       and    Nicole       Mitchell;       and       Joyful       Noise       Band    under    the    direction    of    Luke    Stewart.    

        Jamal          currently        leads        his        own        groups,        Akebulan     Arkestra,        Napata    Ensemble,    Black    Elements    Quartet,    and    Organix    Trio.    

    “As     musicians     we    are    healers     of     humanity    and    have    a    responsibility    to  

cleanse     dis-­‐ease     through   positive     tones,   frequencies   and     vibrations.   Music    

is   the    nucleus     and    universal     language    of    the    oversoul,     mind,     body    and  

spirit.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Jamal    R.    Moore

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Michelle Acton

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Michelle Acton enjoys an active music life of many styles, including wind band, big band, chamber ensembles, and rock. Her primary job is as a member of the United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.” She also is a member of Great Noise Ensemble, a DC-based group that champions the performance of contemporary music. In addition to these commitments, she has performed on numerous occasions with the Washington Saxophone Quartet and the Chesapeake Orchestra and Big Band, and she has played with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and others. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University and a Master of Music Performance from the University of North Texas.