James Gilyard
The name James Gilyard means many things - jazz bassist, composer, producer and lecturer. Gilyard has performed with Kenny Burrell, James Clay, Red Garland, Barney Kessell, Billy Hart and Roseanne Vitro to name a few and has three of his own recordings under his belt. Gilyard was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1945 and graduated from Langston University with a B.A. in education in 1967. He undertook post graduate studies in Human Relations at the University of Oklahoma and recently retired as a human resource/training manager for a Fortune 500 company.
James's early music career included three years during the Viet Nam era in the 97th United States Army Field Artillery Band. He also served as staff bassist for Benson Sound Studios in Oklahoma City during the early 70's. Gilyard, who is sought out for his solid and sensitive accompaniment, is a favorite rhythm section member in the bands of many Dallas area jazz notables. Gilyard has been featured in articles by the Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Observer and Buddy Magazine.
James's knowledge and experience have been instrumental in the development of many Dallas-Fort Worth area artists. In addition to all of his other ventures, he is the artistic director for the Sammons Jazz series at the Sammons Center for the Arts in Dallas.
Don Ambrose
Inspired by his bandleader father, Don Ambrose, the popular jazz pianist in the Dallas area and leader of the Don Ambrose Trio, began playing professionally at the age of fifteen. Ambrose started his musical career as a drummer and later as a vibe player in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. He studied privately in New York City and performed there, including at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. During his college career, he was a member of the award-winning band at the Wichita Jazz Festival, where he was recognized as one of its outstanding players. He also performed at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival.
In 1992, the Don Ambrose Trio - Ambrose on piano, James Gilyard on bass, and Ted Wasser on drums-recorded their debut album entitled "The Art of Conversation". Their latest album, "The Gift", was recorded in 2000 and features the songs that are most popular in the Trio’s public appearances. James Gilyard produced both of these albums.
In addition to having performed at the Jazz Under the Stars concert series at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) and the DMA Thursday Nights series, Ambrose has appeared with Mel Torme and Ramsey Lewis and at the Sammons Jazz Festival, Ft. Worth Jazz Festival, The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Caravan of Dreams in Fort Worth, World Cup Soccer, The America’s Cup kickoff dinner, The GTE Byron Nelson Classic, Mary Kay cosmetics convention, TACA, and USA Film Festival. Ambrose has enjoyed playing for dignitaries such as President and Mrs. George W. Bush, Ross Perot, Bill Blass, Leeza Gibbons, Ungaro, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Lady Bird Johnson, and Lord Callahan, former Prime Minister of England.
For more information about Don. please visit www.donambrose.com.
Don Ambrose can be reached at ambrosejazz@aol.com
Gregory Slavin
Jazz pianist and composer Gregory Slavin, began playing music at the age of 5, encouraged by his father, a violinist. Discovered to be talented, Slavin was enrolled in the Gnesin Music School for Gifted Children in 1965 and graduated with honorable distinction. He attended the University of Gnesin on Moscow and studied the principles of classical and jazz harmony, instrumental arranging and music theory. He also played in numerous concerts and jazz festivals.
After graduating, Slavin joined various jazz groups which toured the Soviet Union, including Fantazia, Arsenal and Pouchie Serdza, all the while composing his own music. From 1984-1989, he taught "The Origins and Development Of Jazz Improvisation" and Jazz Ensemble Playing" at his alma mater, The University of Gnesin. During this time he became a house musician at a renowned restaurant in the Kremlin area where he garnered favorable reviews. He published many compositions in those days, including "Short Story", "Melodies Of Soviet Jazz" and "Remembrance".
In 1990, Slavin followed a friend to Dallas, Texas. His first stop upon arriving was a local jazz club where he sat in. While at the club he met James Gilyard who later featured Slavin on his 1995 CD release "Speak To My Heart". Most importantly, Gilyard recognized Slavin's talent and produced Slavin's debut CD release, "Inspiration". In 2001, Slavin released his second CD, "Following The Dream", a collection of 8 originals.
"Inspiration" is an eclectic recording that features Slavin's compositions from traditional bop trio pieces to synthesized pieces. Slavin is joined on the recording by bassist James Gilyard, drummer Andrew Griffith and Gale Hess, violinist for the popular Dallas group Cafe Noir. Slavin's piano can also be heard on Josh Alan's CD "The Worst", which is a tribute to movie maker Ed Wood. Slavin has been featured in articles in The Dallas Morning News and The Dallas Observer.
Robert Aberg
Robert Aberg is a guitarist/composer whose musical background lies solidly within the jazz and blues traditions. He cites as his principle influences on guitar bluesmen Lightnin’ Hopkins and Freddie King, and jazz guitarists Jim Hall and John Scofield. After graduating from UT Austin, Robert studied with Jack Peterson at the University of North Texas. Robert has played with a number of area jazz greats, including the legendary Texas tenor saxophonist James Clay. Other long standing musical associates include pianist Steve Sonday, vibraphonist Ed Smith, guitarist Chris DeRose, drummer Ted Wasser, and bassists Stone Savage and James Gilyard. Robert can be heard performing one of his own compositions ("Joe's Beach") on bassist James Gilyard's 1996 release "I Tell My Heart." Robert has led his own trio at several of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Thursday evening concert series and at Jazz Connection. He has twice been the featured performer at the Sammons Jazz Series, most recently to celebrate the release of his first CD, "Degrees of Freedom" in December of 1998.
Robert is a native Dallasite, where he lives with his wife, Sarah, and their two children. Since earning his doctorate from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in 1989 he has worked to balances his musical pursuits with the demands of his "day job" -- that of a clinical psychologist.
Contact Information:
Robert Aberg
8215 Westchester, Ste. 319
Dallas, Texas 75225
214-691-2084
email: rabergphd@aol.com
Simone Jackson-Rodgers
Faith, family and music are the most important things to Simone Jackson-Rodgers.
The singer says that her devotion to family and to helping young people
led her decision to attend Texas Woman’s University where she received
Bachelor of Science & Master of Education degrees in Early Childhood
Education. Simone enjoys dual career, singing in various venues by night
and teaching her third grade class during the day. In addition to her
dual careers, the singer is married to Dwayne Rodgers, a minister.
During her time at the now famous “Dallas Arts Magnet High School”,
Simone was selected by Downbeat Magazine as “Most Outstanding Jazz
Vocalist in North America”. The vocalist was selected by a panel
of nationally known jazz artists/educators who reviewed hundreds of audition
tapes submitted from around the country. The singer has also worked with
all of the top jazz players in North Texas, including: Claude Johnson,
Marchel Ivery, James Gilyard, Andrew Griffith, Arlington Jones, Roger
Boykin and many others. Simone was also featured at the 1992 Arts Jazz
Festival at the Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas, as well as the 2001
“Ultimate Jazz Review” held at the Dallas Convention Center
and sponsored by TBAAL. The singer was also featured in concert at The
University of Texas at Dallas with the James Gilyard Ensemble in 2003.
Simone can be heard in various North Texas venues and has been featured
in articles in various Dallas/Fort Worth publications.
Sandra Kaye
Sandra Kaye is a friendly, plainspoken, down-to-earth lady. She likes to walk, listen to jazz, read good books and frequent the theatre. She is a good chess player and loves the Turtle Creek Chorale. Classified as one of the finest jazz vocalists of today, Sandra prefers the sound of Dee Dee Bridgewater and has an undeniable love for Sarah, Billie, Ella, Dinah, Nancy, Lena and Peggy - women who only need a first name.
Concert appearances include: The Dallas Museum of Art, The Black Academy
of Arts and Letters, Caravan of Dreams, Sammons Center for the Arts, Jazz
in Sundance Square, African American Museum of Art and Culture, The Worthington
Hotel, Mesquite Arts Center, The Bahamian Embassy in DC and crowning the
Fiesta Bowl Queen in Phoenix
In July, 2001, Ms. Kaye released "What Will I Tell My Heart?".
Kelly Durbin
Kelly Durbin is a faculty member at The University of Texas at Dallas, where he directs the Jazz Band program and teaches classes in music theory, MIDI, jazz history and jazz keyboard. He also coordinates UTD’s annual jazz series.
He received his Master of Music degree from The University of North Texas College of Music. Durbin has enjoyed long tenures with ensembles led by Marchel Ivery, James Gilyard, Wayne Delano, and Chris DeRose. In addition to performing at numerous jazz concerts, festivals, and workshops, he has also been invited to lecture on jazz at the Dallas Museum of Art.
A partial list of other artists he’s performed with include: The Woody Herman Orchestra (under the direction of Frank Tiberi), David "Fathead" Newman, James Clay, Chuck Rainey, Billy Hart, Louis Hayes, Ed Soph, Lynn Seaton, John Fedchock, Hank Crawford, Gregg Bissonette, Denis Diblasio, Cornell Dupree, Sebastian Whittaker and Roseanne Vitro, to name a few. Durbin was a music consultant and pianist for the Hollywood film "Daddy's Dying, Who's Got the Will?" and can be heard on recordings by James Gilyard, Wayne DeLano, Chuck Willis, and Freddie Jones.
Andrew Griffith
Andrew Griffith is the youngest member of the ensemble and is currently a student at UNT. He is a graduate of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts that has a rich history of turning out talented young players whose musical maturity is well beyond their chronological age. Andrew's professional credits include work with Marchel Ivery, Joey Defrancesco, Jack McDuff, James Gilyard and Roseanne Vitro.
Karl Lampman
Karl Lampman received a Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas. During his time at UNT, Lampman was a member of the “One O’Clock Lab Band” and has performed with numerous artists including The Supremes, Frankie Valli & The Four Freshmen, Ernestine Anderson, Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Mathis, Frankie Avalon and Buddy Greco.