Kenji Bunch, violist / composer

Performance:

Monday, May 7, 2012

7:00pm DSA Concert Hall  

Master Class:

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

1:05pm – 2:35pm

DSA Orchestra Room

Kenji Bunch enjoys a multifaceted career as both a violist and composer. The founding violist of the Flux Quartet (1997-2002), and the performing composer group Ne(x)tworks (2003-2011), Bunch now appears frequently in recitals, master classes, and as a regular guest at chamber music festivals and tours. He has also been widely recognized for the performance of his own groundbreaking works for viola, which were recently recorded on his debut CD “Unleashed!” on Bulging Disc Records.

Comfortable in many musical styles, Bunch has collaborated extensively with many prominent non-classical musicians, and performs regularly as a bluegrass fiddler. As a composer, his works have been performed on six continents by over forty orchestras, and have been broadcast and recorded worldwide on numerous labels, including Sony Classical, EMI, and RCA.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Mr. Bunch studied viola with Toby Appel and composition with Robert Beaser at the Juilliard School, and currently teaches viola at the Juilliard Pre-College. 

For a detailed bio, press releases, recordings, and concert information, visit: http://www.kenjibunch.com/

Mr. Bunch will be performing on the DSA Chamber Music Series, hosted by Erik Peterson, Monday, May 7, 2012, in the DSA Concert Hall at 7:00pm. He will also be giving a master class on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 during the school day, during which he will be working with selected student composers, chamber groups, and violists. Contact Mr. Goodrich if you are interested in performing for this master class. 

 

Visiting Artist Series

 

John has served as the musical director of several jazz festivals including the Sarasota Jazz Festival and the Santa Fe Jazz Party. As Artistic Director of the Vail Jazz Workshop, he participates in choosing talented students from across the nation in an intensive week of learning jazz. Last year, he was also appointed as Artistic Director for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival. Clayton’s serious study of the double bass began at age 16 when he studied with famed bassist, Ray Brown. At age 19, John was the bassist for Henry Mancini’s television series “The Mancini Generation”. Later he completed his studies at Indiana University in 1975, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass. Touring with Monty Alexander and the Count Basie Orchestra followed. He held the principal bass position in the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for more than five years.

For a detailed bio, press releases, recordings, and concert information, visit:http://www.johnclaytonjazz.com/

This year, the DSA Jazz Program and the DSA Vanguard chamber ensemble will be collaborating on several performance projects, the purpose of which is to explore jazz styles and genres. It is important for musicians to be adept at playing as many styles and periods of music as possible. Jazz is an important musical genre which classical musicians often overlook. John Clayton is the perfect guest artist to launch our Jazz exploration, as he is a ‘cross-over’ artist who is both classically trained and has a depth of experience as a Jazz composer, arranger and artist.

Mr. Clayton will be working with the Jazz Ensemble and a few selected students during our time with him.  DSA Vanguard will send at least one bass student to perform for Mr. Clayton; further information will be shared the first week of school.

John_Clayton_master_class_Sam_Liddell

 

Katie Glassman, jazz violin 

 

Performance:

DSA Jazz Symposium

Thursday, October 21, 2011

6:30pm

tickets: $5

DSA students attend free, with ID

Master class: tba

 

Katie Glassman, Denver native, began playing and fell in love with the fiddle at age nine. Inspired in the world of Texas Oldtime music, she grew up in the culture of learning fiddle by ear and traveling to countlessfiddle competitions throughout Colorado and the Western states.

 

In 1998, she was the National Junior Fiddle Champion. In 2000, she was the National Young Adult Fiddle Champion. In 2002, she placed 5th place in the National Grand Champion Division . In 2001 and 2010, she was a certified judge for the National oldtime fiddle competition. Katie is the 2011 Colorado State Fiddle Champion.

 

But, aside from contests, Katie traveled to study with legendary fiddle players such as Wes Wesmoreland, Jimmie Don Bates, Carl Hopkins, Tonya Hopkins, Paul Anastasio and many other of her heroes. To be a part of an aural tradition so intricate, diverse and treasured, built a lifetime connection between Katie and her fiddle.

 

In 1994, Katie began the Fiddle Parlor Studio. Shehas continued teaching private lessons to inspired fiddlers of all ages. The studio is currently located in the Hill Top area of Denver.

 

Katie graduated high school from the Denver School of the Arts and continued on to University of Colorado at Denver. There she joined the Claimjumpers and apprenticed at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee with Dixieland bands: Night Blooming Jazzmen, Chicago Six, Queen City Jazz Band and Hot Club of San Fransisco.

 

Katie then studied jazz and classical (University of Colorado Boulder), under jazz pianist Chip Stephens and violinist Jennifer John. There she played in the top jazzcombo and was awarded Outstanding performer award at Abilene Texas Jazz festival and 1st runner up for the IAJE International Sisters of jazz group. In 2004, she graduated (as the 1st violinist to graduate University of Colorado) with a Certificate in Jazz Studies and a Bachelor’s in Performance.

 

Over this time period, Katie performed with the Sidewinders, Gypsy Swing Revue, Lannie Garret, on E-town with Hazel Miller and Dave Alvins and several other groups.

 

While in college, Katie discovered the playing of French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood (the protégé of Stephane Grappelli). In 2006, she traveled to France to study for one year in Dammarie-Les-Lys at Centre Musique Didier Lockwwod. The jazz school hosted 60 students per year. Katie was the 2nd American to study there. In 2007 she was awarded a Certificate avec Mention Bien from C.M.D.L.

 

In 2007, Katie returned to the music scene in Denver. She has played with the Gypsy jazz group Impromptu, Gypsy Swing Revue, Charlie Provenza, Randall McKennan, The Quiet American (Aaron Keim), Sean McGowan, Andy Stein, Liz Masterson, Mike Music Band, Grant Gordy, Swing Chicks, David Williams, Justin Donovan, Pickin’ on the Porch, Kernel Mustard, Bill Nershe, Boulder Acoustic Society, Katie Glassman Trio and the Bloomers.

 

Katie currently teaches and performs with the Katie Glassman Trio and The Bloomers.