Jazz Festival 2006 Guest Artists

Lewis Nash, percussion

"Rhythm Is My Business" (Evidence Records) is the title of his debut recording as a leader, and rhythm is a booming business as far as Lewis Nash is concerned.  As the drummer of choice in the studio and on the bandstand for an incredible array of artists-from the masters of the music to some of the hottest young players of today-Lewis is undoubtedly one of the most in demand drummers in jazz.

Born December 30, 1958 in Phoenix, Arizona, Lewis developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age 10.  At 18, he was performing with local jazz groups, as well as top named artists appearing in the Phoenix area.  By the time he was 21, Lewis had become the "first call" jazz drummer in Phoenix and had performed with Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Red Garland, Lee Konitz, Barney Kessell and Slide Hampton.

In 1981, Nash moved to New York and joined the trio of jazz vocalist Betty Carter.  For nearly four years, Lewis toured internationally with Ms. Carter.  He is featured on three of her recordings, including the Grammy-award winning “Look What I Got.”

World-renowned jazz bassist Ron Carter was the next to seek Lewis’ services and in 1984 Lewis began touring extensively with Carter’s quartet, quintet, and nontet and is featured on several of Carter’s recordings.

In the fall of 1986, saxophonist Branford Marsalis asked Lewis to join his group.  The active association spanned two years and several continents, and is documented on Marsalis’ Grammy-nominated “Random Abstract,” as well as two videos: “Royal Garden Blues” (directed by Spike Lee) and “Branford Marsalis-Steep”.

1988 marked the return to the jazz scene with  J.J. Johnson, the master of the modern trombone.  Johnson frequently asked Lewis to provide rhythm duties for his band, including tours in the U.S. and Europe.  That same year, Lewis joined the Don Pullen/George Adams Quartet, succeeding the late Dannie Richmond, and toured Japan, Europe and the U.S. with the group, until it disbanded a year later.  1989 proved to be an even busier year for Lewis, touring with the legendary tenor saxophonist  Sonny Rollins and working with Stan Getz, Art Farmer, Clark Terry and Milt Jackson.

Since 1990, Lewis has been a member of the Tommy Flanagan Trio and is featured on seven CD recordings with the piano master, including the recent Grammy-nominated, “Sea Changes.” Both Wynton Marsalis and Jon Faddis, in their capacities as orchestra conductors, have asked Lewis to be a part of live performances and recordings by both the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, respectively.  Lewis continues to tour and record with the greatest names in jazz.  Along with those mentioned above, his impressive discography includes projects with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson and Benny Carter as well as today’s brightest new names, including Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, and Roy Hargrove.  Lewis can also be found on projects by pop divas Bette Midler and Melissa Manchester.

Outside of his may touring and recording accomplishments, thanks to the sponsorship of Sonor Drums, Sabian Cymbals and Regal Tip Drumsticks, Lewis has become a sought after jazz educator.  His lectures, clinics and workshops at conservatories, music schools, colleges, elementary and high schools, and community centers throughout the country are as much in demand as his bandstand and studio work.  Lewis Nash: Rhythm is indeed his business.

“His swing, his sense of color, the intelligence of his drum solos and his ability to put a groove on almost anything account for his popularity.”  --Stanley Crouch

Brian Grivna began performing at age 12 as Young Artist clarinet soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra. He added saxophone and flute the following year and by age 15 was subbing for his teacher in commercial dance bands. After receiving his B.A. in English literature from Dartmouth College, he worked in jazz, commercial, and theater music before joining the Buddy Rich band in 1971. He toured with Rich for almost two years, recording four RCA albums and several television shows.

Grivna was the staff woodwind performer for the Guthrie Theatre from 1973 to 1983. He left the Guthrie to freelance and teach, recording numerous CDs with both the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. Brian was privileged to tour Japan and Europe with Minnesota Orchestra under Eiji Oue, and Europe under Osmo Vänskä. In 2002 he toured the West Coast with Bobby McFerrin and the SPCO, performing in the orchestra and jamming be-bop tunes with Bobby during his solo concert segment.

Brian Grivna, clarinet/saxophone

Mr. Grivna teaches at the University of Minnesota and in his home studio, performs jazz at local clubs and plays saxophone and clarinet for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra and the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis. He also plays in pit orchestras for traveling musicals such as The Lion King, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Victor/Victoria.

Nachito Herrera, piano

Nachito Herrera (piano) - Widely recognized as a young genius, Ignacio "Nachito" Herrera stunned Cuban audiences at the age of twelve, performing Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 with the Havana Symphony Orchestra. His love of classical music quickly combined with traditional Cuban rhythms under the instruction of the Cuban masters-Rubén González, Jorge Gomez Labraña, and Frank Fernández. In his twenties, Nachito became the musical director at the famous "Tropicana" in Cuba where he continued to deepen his repertoire. In the late 1990's, Nachito joined the famed Cubanismo as its lead pianist, arranger, and musical director while cultivating a passion, talent and reputation in Latin Jazz; a striking influence in his music today.

Nachito has toured, performed, and shared the stage with exceptional musicians: Michel Camilo, Michael Tainer, Tata Quines, Carlos de Puerto, Tito Puentes, Oscar de Leon, Giovanni Hidalgo (Mananguito), Emilio del Monte, Jesus Alemany, Yellowjackets and many others.

Learn more about Nachito Herrera at his web site:
http://www.nachito.net/

Michael B. Nelson (trombone) has distinguished himself as the leader, composer, arranger, and trombonist for the internationally acclaimed, 5-piece, a cappella jazz horn group, the HORNHEADS. From 1991-2001 Nelson and the Hornheads recorded and toured worldwide with Prince. Nelson also composed horn arrangements for Prince and co-wrote a song on his Grammy-nominated "Gold Experience" CD. In 1996 Nelson received the McKnight Fellowship through the American Composers Forum. He has appeared on over 100 CDs including 3 Hornheads solo releases, "Fat Lip", "5 Heads Are Better Than 1", and "Hornheads" and 20 recordings with Prince and his associated Paisley Park artists. Nelson also performed and/or recorded with Doc Severinsen, Chaka Khan, Lenny Kravitz, Sammy Davis Jr., Mandy Moore, Jimmy Jam, Larry Graham, Ben Sidran, Babyface, Maceo Parker, and many others.

Michael B. Nelson, trombone