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Ben |
Benjamin Lewis, pianist, is at the age of 31 a ten year veteran of the Chicago music scene, where he currently makes his home. A graduate of Indiana University, he has performed and recorded with numerous Chicago artists, including vocalists Jackie Allen and Grazyna Auguscik. He has also performed with such artists as drummer Vinnie Calieuta and saxophonist Steve Cole, among others. In 1999 he toured for five weeks as a Jazz Ambassador to West Africa with his brother Matt and guitarist Neal Alger. He also recently complete a two week tour of South Pacific military bases for the USO with a group let by actor/bassist Gary Sinise. Links: zoggo@mac.com | benmusic.net |
Matt |
Matt Lewis, vocalist and trumpeter, has performed with major artists including Bob Mintzer, Vinnie Valieuta, Bryon Stripling, Marlena Shaw, and Nancy Wilson. He has appeared with the Vintage Swing Orchestra, the Swing Shift Orchestra, the Chuchito Valdez Afro-Cuban Ensemble, and Jazzambo. Lewis toured India, Sri Lanka, and West Africa as a 1998 and 1999 Jazz Ambassador.He as also toured extensively throughout the U.S. and overeas with actor/bassist Gary Sinise for the USO. In addition to performing and recording in Chicago with numerous artists, Lewis has been the resident teaching artist at the Ravinia Festival of Music since 2001.
Links: mattmusic@mac.com |
Lorin |
Lorin Cohen, bassist and Chicago native, has played with Monty Alexander, Johnny Griffin, Von Freeman, Danilo Perez, Dave Kikoski, Bob Sheppard, Joe LaBarbara, Chuchito Valdes, and Ed Shaugnessey. In December of 2002, Cohen toured Italy with William Russo’s Chicago Jazz Orchestra and master clarinetist Buddy DeFranco. He continues to tour with Ryan Cohen’s Quintet. As a member of trumpeter Orbert Davis’ group, Cohen performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival and debuted a jazz concerto with Davis and the Chicago Sinfionetta at Chicago’s Symphony Center in the fall of 2003. In April of 2000, Cohen participated in Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center where he worked with Terence Blanchard, John Pattitucci, George Cables, Carmen Lundy, and Nathan Davis. In June of 2000 he attended the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Institute where he studied and performed with David Baker, Rufus Reid, and James Moody. A 1995 graduate of Northwestern University, he has also studied at the Manhattan School of Music. In 1998 he was named a Blue Note Scholar at the Skidmore Jazz Workshop. As a jazz educator, Cohen lectures and performs as a member of Urban Gateways and Musicalive music education programs in Chicago area schools.
Lorin Cohen would like to thank Yamaha for providing him with the SLB 200 "Silent Bass" electric upright bass to use for this tour. Links: lorincohen@sbcglobal.net |
Michael |
Michael Raynor, drummer, is based in Chicago and has worked with legendary saxophonist Von Freeman for 14 years, appearing on his latest release The Improvisor. He has toured extensively with vocalist Kurt Elling and plays on two of his Grammy nominated recordings for Blue Note Records. Other artists with whom Raynor has worked include Freddie Hubbard, Eric Alexander, Ira Sullivan, Steve Coleman, Sam Rivers, Bob Sheppard, Chico Freeman, and Jon Hendricks. He has also performed at international festivals in Holland, Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, the Czech republic, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Jamaica, Canada, and the U.S. Raynor serves as adjunct faculty at Roosevelt University and teaches privately as well.
Michael Raynor would like to thank Precision Drum Company for the custom built 11x18 bass drum that opens to store other drums. Links: michaelraynor.net |
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©2004 by Benjamin Lewis