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Julian Priester is the most distinctive solo voice on the trombone today. Enhancing the colors and textures of his instrument with varied timbre and definitive style, he truly plays music his way. Julian has a career that spans 5 decades, and he has been part of some of the most groundbreaking and important contemporary music to date. Born in Chicago on June 29, 1935, Julian Priester started out playing in the city's thriving blues and R&B scene, playing with artists like Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Lionel Hampton and Dinah Washington, as well as with Sun Ra's early groups in the mid 50's. Priester moved to New York in 1958. As a sideman on many Blue Note recordings, as well as in many other contexts, Julian worked with notables such as Max Roach, Ray Charles, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner and Art Blakey. It was also around this time (1960) that Julian recorded his first two records as a leader: Keep Swingin', and Spiritsville. Always involved with adventurous, boundary pushing music, Julian also worked with Sam Rivers and played in John Coltrane's Africa/Brass ensemble. Julian continued strongly into the 70's, playing in Duke Ellington's Big Band and with Herbie Hancock's Sextet, his most high-profile gig. In 1973, Julian moved to San Francisco and recorded two more records as a leader for ECM, 1974's Love, Love and 1977's Polarization. In the '80s, Julian joined Dave Holland's acclaimed quintet, with whom he recorded 2 records and toured extensively. In the 90's, Julian continued to be a vital voice in jazz music. He continued to work with Dave Holland, and toured with Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, worked and recorded with Wayne Horvitz's 4+1 ensemble, Jane Ira Bloom, Jerry Granelli, and Reggie Workman. Julian also co-led (with Sam Rivers) another session of his own, titled Hints on Light and Shadow. Today, with a new CD (Julian Priester - In Deep End Dance - Conduit Records) and as the leader of a new quartet filled with overwhelming young talent, Julian continues to push forward. His new group features Dawn Clement on piano, Byron Vannoy on Drums and Geoff Harper on Bass (see bios on next page). The sound of the quartet comes from the loose and adventuresome spirit of the players, who are always listening and never afraid to let go. This open approach to playing is evident on Julian's new release, In Deep End Dance, his first release as a leader in over 25 years. The music on this new CD is heartfelt and intensely emotional. It comes from Julian's deep history with this music, and shows a perspective on music that can only come from someone with Julian's vast experience. Adding to the spiritual weight of the record is Julian's appreciation for his second chance at life and at music that he was given by the organ transplant he received in March of 2000. Other Notes of Interest: Julian has received awards from Downbeat Magazine and San Francisco's BAMMIE Awards, received grants from the NEA and King County Arts Commission, and has been a Commissioner for the Seattle Arts Commission and an adjudicator for the NEA. In May of 2001, Julian was honored with a tribute concert that took place in San Francisco and featured such performers as Herbie Hancock, Sam Rivers, Bennie Maupin, Eddie Henderson, Buster Williams, Billy Childs and Christian McBride. In February of 2002, Julian was inducted into the Earshot Jazz Hall of Fame. Julian is currently an associate professor at Cornish College of the Arts, where he has been a faculty member since the 80's. Dawn Clement is active as composer, pianist and teacher in the Seattle area. In 1996 she won the Kreielsheimer scholarship, a 4-year scholarship to Cornish College of the Arts. Dawn was featured in the 1998 “Sister's in Jazz Collegiate Quintet†as part of the International Association of Jazz Educators conference in New York. Currently, Dawn is touring with the “Sabella Consortâ€, doing master classes and workshops that reach from Kansas City to California to Chicago. Dawn is also actively composing and performing in the “Rubin/Clement piano dialogues†with pianist/composer Amy Rubin. This duo recently toured California premiering Dawn's piece “Violet Duoâ€, presented their two piano program in New York City, and performed their Seattle debut in January 2001. Byron Vannoy has worked steadily as a performer and educator on both the East and West coasts of America playing recording and composing a wide variety of music. Byron has performed and recorded with many internationally known musicians such as: Julian Priester, Charlie Haden, Dave Peck, Wadada Leo Smith, Vinnie Golia, Billy Childs, Jeff Johnson, Darek Oles, Larry Koonse, and Hadley Caliman. Byron has studied privately with Ian Froman, Mark Ivester, Bob Moses, and Joe LaBarbera. Byron holds an Associate Certificate in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music, a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance from Cornish College of the Arts, and a Master Of Fine Arts degree in Jazz and African American Music Performance from California Institute of the Arts. Geoff Harper has been one of the Northwest's premier bassists for more than 10 years, performing with musicians such as Jessica Williams, Ingrid Jensen, Kenny Kirkland, Jeff Hamilton, Phil Woods, Jay Clayton, Bill Frisell, and Wayne Horvitz. Geoff studied bass at both The Berklee College of Music and Cornish College of the Arts. He has recorded extensively, including 3 records with Bebop and Destruction, 3 records with The Marriot Jazz Quintet, and recordings with The Real Harper Bros. and Stackpole. For the past couple of years, Geoff has been the bassist and coordinator of The Owl and Thistle Jam Session. He is also a member of Bebop and Destruction, the Jay Roulston Quartet, and Stackpole, who was voted the “Best Outside Jazz Group of 2001†by Earshot Jazz. Check out the artist's website: http://www.conduitrecords.com Track List: 1. In Deep 2. Captured Imaginations 3. Blues Sea 4. Ecumene 5. Thin Seam of Dark Blue Light 6. Mejatoto 7. A Delicate Balance 8. End Dance Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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