Sandra Dudley - Jazz
Vocalist, Sandra Dudley is a versatile singer that has entertained audiences
for nearly two decades. An educator as well as performer, Sandra has
been on the faculty at several universities including St. Francis Xavier
University in Canada and University of Houston. She is currently Assistant
Professor of Commercial Voice at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee
where she teaches voice, jazz vocal styles, and directs the jazz vocal
ensemble, Jazzmin. Sandra has sung with many jazz ensembles including
The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, The Jazz Orchestra of the Delta, and the
Tennessee Jazz Orchestra. She has performed with Fred Hersch, Marvin
Stamm, Dave Catney, Bobby Militello, Barney Kessel and many others.
In 1998 she was among the winners of the JAZZIZ Magazine’s Vocals
on Fire Songwriting Competition with her song, “Billie”.
She can be heard on the CD “Big Band Reflections of Cole Porter”
with The Jazz Orchestra of the Delta on the Summit Label. Her first
solo album, “Close To You” will be released in September
2003. She can also be heard on a 1994 album entitled, “Last Night
When We Were Young: The Ballad Album” produced by New York jazz
pianist Fred Hersch and put out by Classical Action-a label based in
New York. Sandra can be heard frequently in jazz clubs and in concerts
throughout the country.
BRUCE DUDLEY is a versatile jazz pianist, who plays contemporary music that is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz piano. His music is hard swinging, lyrical, and fresh, capturing the very essence of jazz. "Stunning to listen to." (Halifax Chronicle Herald) Dudley studied jazz piano and arranging at the Eastman School of Music as a teenager with Biff Hannon and Bill Dobbins. At age 16 he won a "Young Talent Search" and was awarded the opportunity to perform with his own trio at the Wichita Jazz Festival. Dudley continued his musical studies at New England Conservatory in Boston, where he worked with George Russell, Jaki Byard, and pianist Irma Wolpe. Further studies at Manhattan School of Music with Constance Keene and John Carisi and at New York University led to a B.S. in Music, Business, and Technology. Studies at the Eastman School of Music with Rayburn Wright, Roland Hanna, and Bill Dobbins led to a Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance. Upon graduating from Eastman, Dudley accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Music and Jazz Studies at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada. There he taught jazz arranging, composition, theory, piano, and conducted ensembles. In addition, he was a founding member of their jazz faculty sextet, JazFX, for which he composed and arranged for three years. Dudley's recording debut was with JazFX on their self-titled album on Mark Records. The group, with Dudley at the helm, recorded for CBC radio and television and toured Canada from Newfoundland to Victoria, B.C. In 1988, Dudley began composing commissioned works for various professional ensembles including the Canadian Saxophone Quintet, the Millar Brass, and the group Cello. The Penfield Music Commission Project commissioned him to write several works for jazz ensembles that have been performed by high school and colleges throughout the United States and Canada. Recent commissions have come from the East Nashville Center for the Creative Arts for arrangements of Thelonious Monk’s music featuring string quartet and jazz quartet. Dudley’s arranging and piano playing are further documented on his own 1997 CD release, “Semblance”, and on his wife, Sandra Dudley’s 2003 CD “Close To You”. He has composed music for television and film. From 1991 until 1995 Dudley taught at San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas. While in Texas, Dudley was heard frequently in clubs and concert halls throughout the Southwest with his trio and as accompanist to such artists as jazz guitarist Herb Ellis, trumpeter Marvin Stamm, and with his wife, vocalist Sandra Dudley. His playing led Tim Carman of the Houston Post to write: "Dudley plays the piano with such grace and authority that he has quietly become the pianist that other pianists go to hear." In 1995 he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee and began teaching at Belmont University where is currently on the music faculty. Dudley was pianist for Grammy winner Crystal Gayle from 1999 through 2001. In 2002 he joined the faculty at Middle Tennessee State University where he currently teaches jazz piano, improvisation, and directs ensembles. In addition he is a member of the jazz faculty quintet and the Middle Tennessee Jazz Orchestra. Recently he has performed with Randy Brecker, Eric Alexander, Charles Mingus repertory group of Nashville, and jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson. Dudley is sought after not only as a pianist, accompanying vocalists, playing theatrical shows and backing up many fine jazz artists, but as a clinician as well. He has conducted clinics in Canada and the U.S. at universities including Brigham Young, Western Washington, Tennessee State, Eastman, Houston Community Colleges, and others. John Birdsong - John Birdsong has established himself as a jazz bassist with a soulful deep sound. His performance history spans the past 15 years with performances with musical talents such as international jazz guitarist, Larry Carlton; roadway star, Melba Moore; and jazz pianist, Donald Brown. He constantly strives to perfect his art and has recently returned from one of his study sessions with his friend and mentor, the internationally known bassist, Rufus Reid in New York. In his effort to add dimension to his playing, he is also currently studying classical bass with Ernest Szugyi, a retired member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and John also performs as a bassist with the Trevecca Symphony Orchestra. John performs on a regular basis at upscale clubs, receptions and conventions in the southeastern part of the country. He continues to promote the art of jazz, by performing his interpretation of classic jazz standards, always expanding his musical abilities as a musician and band leader. Chad Anderson - Born and raised in Mississippi, Chad Anderson functions as both a visual artist and Jazz musician. Chad structures all of his creative output around methods of improvisation. He has studied with Jazz legends, Alvin Fielder and the late Vernel Fournier, and has performed clinics and concerts, both nationally and internationally. Chad currently has several active group projects around the southeastern United States and has just recorded his fourth CD. His debut quintet CD, "People Here," has received international recognition and airplay. Chad has performed with Jazz musicians such as: Miles Griffith, Herman Green, Henry P. Warner, Michael J. Stevens, Ed Finney, Hugh Masakela, Alvin Fielder, Joel Futterman, London Branch, Mark Applebaum, Malcolm Lynn Baker, Ron Myers, Calvin Newborn, Darryl Reeves, and many more. |