this group is to further the awareness of jazz as the American musical art form. This is accomplished through concert performances, workshops, and presentations for audiences in the metro Atlanta area, Southeast United States and around the world, including performances in Moscow, Beijing, Brazil, and Costa Rica. Many world-renown jazz artists have performed with the Jazztet and include: Conrad Herwig, Randy Brecker, Kenny Werner, John Hart, Marc Copland, Rez Abbasi, Carl Allen, Paul McCandless, Andy LaVerne, Phil Markowitz, and many others. The members of the group have a long list of professional jazz performing credentials and include:
GORDON VERNICK, TRUMPET, DIRECTOR
Gordon Vernick is an Associate Professor and the Coordinator of Jazz Studies at GSU. He received a B.M. from Ithaca College, M.M. from the University of Miami and a Doctor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to teaching he played professionally as a freelance musician in Miami, Kansas City, Denver, and New York. He has received grants from the NEA, Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs, and the Missouri Arts Council. As a jazz educator he is the past president of the Georgia Association of Jazz Educators, past chair of the IAJE Curriculum Committee and also served until 2007 as the Southeast Coordinator of that organization. He was the Director of the NARAS Georgia Grammy High School Jazz Band from 1994 to 1999. He is the co-editor of the book Teaching Jazz: A Course Of Study, published by MENC and co-wrote with Geoff Haydon, the college textbook, Jazz History Overview, published by Kendall-Hunt which has been adopted by numerous universities around the country. As a jazz clinician he served a residency at the Conservatory of San Juan, P.R., the Taipei American School in Taiwan, and the Singapore American School.
KEVIN BALES, PIANO
Kevin Bales received his B.M. from the University of North Florida and M.M. from Florida State. He taught at UNF for 10 years and many of his groups won Downbeat Awards and were invited to perform at IAJE and other prestigious festivals. As a jazz pianist he has performed and recorded with Marcus Printup, singer Rene Marie, Bunky Green, Bob Reynolds, Ira Sullivan, Barry Green, and many others. He has performed at venues from South Florida to Lincoln Center and is one of the most in-demand pianists in the Southeastern U.S. He teaches jazz piano, jazz history, and improvisation.
ROBERT DICKSON, BASS
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Robert received his B.M. from The University of Alabama and a Master of Music from the University of New Orleans where he was a graduate teaching assistant. He performed extensively in the New Orleans area and recently relocated to Atlanta after hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005. In addition to his background in jazz Robert has attended the Brevard Music Camp as an orchestral bassist. He has performed with many jazz greats including Terri Lynne Carrington, Jerry Coker, Dizzy Gillespie, Lou Marini, Jason Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Irvin Mayfield, Davy Mooney, Ed Petersen, Shannon Powell, Lew Soloff, and Johnny Vidacovich.
DAVE FRACKENPOHL, GUITAR
Dave Frackenpohl is an active jazz guitar performer, composer, and arranger in the Atlanta area. Collaborating with such jazz artists as Michael Brecker, Hank Crawford, Bobby Watson, Carl Allen, and Chris Vadala, Dave has performed at such venues as Spivey Hall, Fox Theatre and the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to his Après Diem jazz quartet, Frack & Friends, Dave performs with touring Broadway shows and artists such as Chicago, 42nd Street, Tommy Tune, and Bernadette Peters, as well as with Big Bands such as Moments Notice and Les Elgart. He has also taught at the Interlochen Music Camps.
GEOFFREY HAYDON, PIANO
Geoff Haydon is an Associate Professor of Music at GSU where he is the Coordinator of the Piano Faculty, teaches applied piano, jazz history, and jazz theory. He has a B.M. and M.M. in Piano Performance from the University of Richmond and a D.M.A. from the University of Texas. Dr. Haydon is engaged in a varied professional career as a jazz/classical pianist. He has also been working as a freelance pianist in Atlanta since 1988 and is an expert in MIDI/synthesizer applications. He has also played with many renowned jazz artists including: Joe Henderson, Randy Brecker, Paul McCandless, Eddie Daniels, and John Hart.
MACE HIBBARD, SAXOPHONE
Mace received his Bachelor and Masters degrees in Saxophone Performance from the University of Texas at Austin where he studied with Harvey Pittel. He also taught at U.T. Austin and presently teaches part-time at Jacksonville State in Alabama. An outstanding performer and teacher, Mace has performed with The Derek Trucks Band, The Temptations, The O’Jays, Odd Man Out, The Austin Symphony, and many other world-renowned artists. An outstanding woodwind doubler, Mace is also a composer and has recorded numerous compositions. His latest CD, When Last We Met, was released this past January.
AUDREY SHAKIR, VOCAL JAZZ
Ms. Shakir is THE jazz vocalist in the City of Atlanta. An accomplished performer, she has worked extensively in New York and has studied vocal improvisation with famed jazz pianist, Barry Harris. Also an accomplished pianist, she has performed with many major jazz artists including Kenny Baron, Duke Pearson and Lionel Hampton. She was recently featured with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
JUSTIN VARNES, DRUM SET
A graduate of the University of North Florida, Justin has lived in Atlanta since 2003. He also studied at the New School in New York City. He was a graduate assistant at Georgia State University and received his M.M. in 2006. As a professional he has toured with Phoebe Snow, Earl Klugh, Christian Tamburr, saxophonist/trumpeter Ira Sullivan, and Bob Reynolds. He is one of the most in-demand drummers in the Southeast and also directs the jazz combo program at GSU. |
