ROBIN EUBANKS - Trombone
At the age of 8, Robin began playing the trombone and studied theory, harmony and arranging through high school and college. After graduating cum laude from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he moved to New York. Since then, Robin has had a wide range of musical experiences including being the Music Director for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, arranging, composing and performing for McCoy Tyner's Big Band, and Slide Hampton's Jazz Masters. Recently, he was a featured soloist, composer and arranger on J.J. Johnson's Brass Orchestra.Robin has toured and recorded with such diverse musicians as the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads and Barbra Streisand on her historic 1994 tour.
He's performed on several television shows and specials including The Tonight Show featuring Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, the Grammy Awards and Motown at the Apollo and has worked on several projects for Broadway and film. He has recorded 6 CDs as a leader which have received worldwide critical praise, and he leads his own groups which have toured Europe and Japan. Robin was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Jazz Trombone at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. He is on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music and adjunct faculty at the University of Arts in Philadelphia. He teaches privately in New York and has taught and delivered seminars at universities and colleges throughout the world.
STEVE NELSON - Vibes
This outstanding vibraphonist and composer was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Rutgers University with both Masters and Bachelors degrees in music and his teaching activities have included a position at Princeton University. As a resident of the New York area he has performed and recorded with many great musicians including Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Mulgrew Miller, David Fathead Newman, Johnny Griffin and Jackie McLean.
He has appeared at concerts and festivals worldwide and has made three recordings as the leader of his own group. His recordings as a leader include Live At Acireale (Red Records), Full Nelson (Sunnyside) and Communications (Criss Cross). Recordings with others include Mulgrew Miller, David "Fathead" Newman, Kenny Barron, Jackie McLean and Johnny Griffin.
CHRIS POTTER - Alto/Soprano Saxophone
Chris Potter was born in Chicago on January 1st 1971. He grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, and began playing saxophone at the age of 10 as a result of music the he had heard from his parents record collection. In 1989 he moved to New York City and while attending both The New School and Manhatten School of Music, he joined trumpeter Red Rodney's quintet. He played with him until 1993, and this was followed by a brief period with the group "Steely Dan". Since then he has been involved in a wide range of projects including the Mingus Big Band and Paul Motian's "Electric Be-Bop Band".
In addition to recording 6 CD's as a leader, he has played in "Trio 2000" with Paul Motian and Steve Swallow, and in groups led by musiciians such as Jim Hall, Billy Hart, Dave Douglas, Al Foster, John Patitucci, Mike Manieri and others.
BILLY KILSON - Drums
Since becoming a professional musician Billy Kilson has added his warm and individual style to a large variety of musical settings. In his early years he lived in Boston, studying at the Berklee College of Music, and with the great Alan Dawson, who also taught Tony Williams, one of Billy s drum heros. Since then he has appeared on many records with such artists as Bob James, Dianne Reeves, Terence Blanchard, Greg Osby, Tim Hagens and Billy Childs to name a few. He also played on the Terance Blanchard soundtrack for the Spike Lee film Malcolm X . Concert appearances include performances with Ahmad Jamal, Walter Davis Jr., Mark Whitfield, Cassandra Wilson, Al Jarreau, Donald Byrd and many others.
Dave Holland Quintet Links