Ben van Gelder Quintet "Among Verticals" CD Release


A native of the Netherlands, alto saxophonist Ben van Gelder grew up in a family with a penchant for music. In 2006 Ben moved to New York to study at the New School University. He took lessons from revered jazz laureates such as Lee Konitz, George Garzone, and Mark Turner.

He has since played or recorded with many contemporary jazz luminaries including David Binney, Ambrose Akinmusire, Nasheet Waits, Mark Turner, Aaron Parks, John Escreet, Ben Street, Thomas Morgan, Rodney Green, and the Metropole Orchestra.

The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts selected him for the Stan Getz/Clifford Brown fellowship. Ben was also winner of the Deloitte Jazz Award, which is considered to be the most prestigious jazz award in the Netherlands. Most recently he was selected as a semi finalist for the Thelonious Monk Competition.

"Among Verticals", the latest of his three recordings as a leader will be released in January 2017.

http://www.benvangelder.com/


Peter Schlamb is a vibraphonist based in Kansas City, MO. Peter spent several years in New York where he graduated from New School University. He recently released his debut album “Tinks”, featuring his group Electric Tinks.

Peter has recorded and performed with artists including David Binney, Mike Moreno, Alan Ferber, Adam Cruz, Thomas Morgan, Doug Weiss, Logan Richardson, Jochen Rueckert, and Ben van Gelder.

http://www.peterschlamb.com/


Brooklyn based pianist Richard Sears possesses an original voice as an improvisor and composer. His composition has been recognized by grants from the Aaron Copland Fund and the Los Angeles Jazz Society. As a performer, Richard has appeared with Chick Corea, Mark Turner, Joshua Redman, and Billy Hart.

In April 2016, Richard performed a solo piano concert in Tangier presented by UNESCO in celebration of International Jazz Day. Most recently, Richard released “Altadena” on Ropeadope Records, with his sextet featuring the legendary drummer, Albert “Tootie” Heath.

Richard serves on faculty at the New School for Contemporary Music in New York, and the Stanford Jazz Workshop in California.

http://richardsearsmusic.com/


Bassist Garret Lang studied at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary music in New York City.

Garret has been fortunate to study and perform with many of his heroes such as Reggie Workman, Junior Mance, Andrew Cyrille, and Bernard Purdie. He has played the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Playboy Jazz Festival, and has performed at venues including Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, and the Jazz Gallery in New York City, and LACMA, the Dorthy Chandler Pavillion, the Blue Whale, and Disney Hall in Los Angeles.

http://garretlang.com/


Drummer Adam Starkopf is a native of Los Angeles. He began playing drums at the age of 9, and started his jazz studies at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Adam received a scholarship to attend The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City and graduated in 2010.

In 2013 Adam moved to Oakland California where he leads one of the Bay Area’s premier brass bands, Brass Magic, and performs with the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra.

Adam is also very involved in the dance community in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He has collaborated with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Edge Performing Arts Center, David Herrera Performance Company, and Bay Area Dance Collective.


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