Vinyl Night

RANDY KERBER is a composer, orchestrator, and keyboard player, who has had a prolific career in music.
He began his first national tour with Bette Midler in 1977, at the age of 19. Kerber was nominated for an Oscar in 1986, along with Quincy Jones and others, for Best Original Score for the motion picture, "The Color Purple". He was nominated for a Grammy for his arrangement of Over the Rainbow for Barbra Streisand. As a studio keyboardist, he has worked on over 800 motion pictures including "Titanic", "A Beautiful Mind", and "Harry Potter I, II, & III". The piano in "Forrest Gump" which features a feather floating in the wind, was played by Randy Kerber. The celeste theme in "Harry Potter", composed by John Williams, is also played by Randy Kerber. Most recently, Randy has performed piano solos on Steven Soderbergh's "Behind The Candelabra" for which he also trained Michael Douglas. As a studio keyboardist, Randy has been an orchestrator on over 50 films, including work with Academy Award winner James Horner. He worked with Eric Clapton as keyboardist, orchestrator, and conductor on the film Rush - playing on the Grammy Award-winning song "Tears in Heaven". During his career, Randy Kerber has worked with a wide range of artists such as Michael Jackson, Paul Anka, Leonard Cohen, Rickie Lee Jones, Whitney Houston, Michael Bolton, Rod Stewart, B.B. King, Bill Medley, Annie Lennox, Art Garfunkel, Celine Dion, Natalie Cole, Al Jarreau, Ray Charles, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Don Ellis, Ricky Martin, Bette Midler, Kenny Rogers, Donna Summer, George Benson, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra and Dionne Warwick…Recently, Randy Kerber has performed piano solos on Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, Robert Zemeckis' "Flight", “Fragments de Amor”, Star Wars, “The Force Awakens” and “LA LA LAND”.

Charles B. "Chuck" Findley (born 13 December 1947 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania) is an American session musician. Most widely known as a trumpet player, he also plays other brass instruments such as flugelhorn, slide trumpet and trombone. His technical abilities and versatility are renowned even among other session players, with the celebrated session horn player and arranger Jerry Hey saying "Chuck Findley can play anything".
After graduating Maple Heights High School in Ohio in 1965, he attended the Cleveland Institute of Music. Findley's first professional work was with the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band before joining the Buddy Rich Band on a world tour. In 1989 he joined the Tonight Show band led by Doc Severinsen. He was also a member of the band on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno from 1994 to 2001. Chuck’s playing can be heard  with B.B.King and Steely Dan, he has also played and/or recorded with Nancy Sinatra, Miles Davis, Stanley Turrentine, Toto, Pat Boone, Christopher Cross, Jaco Pastorius, Lee Ritenour, Jackson Browne, George Benson, George Harrison, Elton John, Carole King, Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Tina Turner, Al Jarreau, Sarah Vaughan, Narada Michael Walden, Robert Palmer, Herbie Hancock & Buddy Rich, to name a few. Chuck won NARAS M-V-P- Player award 7 times.
 

Lenny Castro is in a handful of the greatest percussionists of all time. He has an unbelievable list of sessions and live gigs. He is currently playing with Joe Bonamassa and is also well known for playing with Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks and his lifelong family—Toto. Lenny has recorded and toured the world with artists Melissa Manchester, Rolling Stones, Elton John, U2, Joe Sample, Toto, Boz Scaggs, Ricky Lee Jones, Sadao Watanabe, Boney James, Wayne Shorter, Adele, Glenn Frey, The Eagles, Dan Fogelberg, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, George Benson, Steve Lukather, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Brian Culbertson, Eros Ramazzotti, Noel Gallagher, Kid Rock, Micheal Lington, Peter White, Liza Minelli, Maroon 5, Dave Koz, Michael Bublè, Justin Beiber, Justin Timberlake, Dave Sanborn, Amy Grant, Kirk Whalum, The Crusaders, Cecilia Noël, The Wallflowers, Tom Petty, Dolly Parton, Clint Black, Dwight Yoachum, Rod Stewart, Al Jarreau, The Rockettes, Bette Midler, George Duke, Mars Volta, Peter Criss, Joe Cocker, Joe Bonamassa, Neil Larsen, Larsen Feiten Band & Karizma.
He has also worked on films such as Close Encounters of a Third Kind, Hancock, The Fugitive, 9 to 5 and commercials Toyota, and Burger King and animations like Family Guy, American Dad, The Simpsons, Phineas and Ferb & Sofia the Great.

ED CHERNEY is an engineer, mixer and producer. He’s won Grammys and TEC Awards and just won his first Emmy. He owes success to the musical greats he’s sat behind over the years — giants like Quincy Jones and Bruce Swedien, Don Was and Phil Ramone — listening through their ears, learning how they make great music. Ed’s all up in the tech, but knowing where a song’s heart lies and seeing that it shines through is what he’s known for and maybe why he’s worked with such diverse artists as Bonnie Raitt. The Rolling Stones. Wynton Marsalis. Iggy Pop. Bette Midler. Eric Clapton. Wynonna. Buddy Guy. Jackson Browne. Lenny Kravitz. Ry Cooder. Keb’ Mo. Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Mayer, Elton John, Sting, Bob Seger, Jackson Browne, the Goo Goo Dolls & New Spinal Tap. 3 GRAMMYS. One Best Engineered Album win -Bonnie Raitt’s “Longing In Their Hearts” came in a year that he recorded and mixed three of the five albums nominated in the category.Ed has won 5 TEC Awards awarded by NAMM and was inducted into TEC Hall of Fame in 2015. He has recorded and mixed Willie Nelson’s new “Summertime, Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin,”. Ed founded the Grammy’s Producers and Engineers Wing. And I’m current (and past) governor of the L.A. chapter of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences. I’m also a founding member of the META Alliance, a group of audio industry experts dedicated to the implementation of high-quality standards in music recording and delivery & participates The Grammy In The Schools and Grammy Camp. He’s a guest lecturer for recording programs for Berklee College of Music (which offers an Ed Cherney scholarship), the USC Thorton School of Music, CitrusCollege and CalArts. He’ also on the Board of Directors at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul Minnesota.

http://edcherney.com/

Bobby Watson has a reputation for bringing a solid foundation to any rhythm section, but he particularly shines in 'Rufus', a band he joined forces with in early 1974. BW has been a major contributor in helping create the 'Rufus' sound, not only with his playing, but also as a producer & songwriter on all of the Rufus albums from 1974' til present. Rufus released 11 albums from 1974-1983. Rufus and Chaka Khan also won many awards including 2 Grammys and 10 Gold and Platinum records. His style of bass playing can be heard not only on Rufus, but on other artist's hits as the Pointer Sister’s "Jumping Jack Flash", Michael Jackson's "Rock with You" & Billy Preston's "Nothing from Nothing". Bobby produced four albums with Rene & Angela from 1979-85 the last of which went Gold (Street Called Desire). Bobby also produced Plush featuring Seidah Garrett, and Janet Jackson's debut album titled "Janet". Bobby resided in Japan from 1985-1995, and took part in countless productions, recordings and tours. Back to Los Angeles in 1995 joined up with Steve Harvey. Bobby's symbiotic relationship with Steve has resulted in over 100 songs being written together, as well as numerous recording sessions playing both bass & guitar for artists Brigette McWilliams, Frank McCombs, Cece Winans, The Temptations, N'Dambi, Ledisi & Rachelle Farrell. Shorty thereafter Bobby replaced "Verdine White" in a band consisting of 90% of original EWF members called "The LA All Stars". In 1998 Bobby toured with Chaka Khan, Larry Graham and Prince, playing all over Europe.
Bobby also took part in a Rufus & Chaka Khan Reunion Tour in 2001 as opening act for Earth Wind & Fire. Unfortunately, the tour was cut short by 9/11. In 2002 Bobby joined Earth Wind & Fire original members Sheldon Reynolds, Morris Pleasure, Larry Dunn, Johnny Graham and Kenny Olson (Kid Rock) for a concert celebrating Jimi Hendrix's (would be) 60th Birthday at the EMP Museum in Seattle.
 
 

As lead guitarist for the legendary rock band “The Cars”, Elliot has sold over 30 million records worldwide. Elliot’s reputation is a tasteful musician with innovative solos, great tones, and creating unforgettable “hooks”. Elliot has been honored with four different signature model guitars, first in the ‘80’s with a Kramer EE Pro model, and in 2000, a signature model Gretsch guitar which he designed. Recently, he designed two incredible new models that are currently in production: a gorgeous new Gibson “Tiki” model SG Custom and a Martin acoustic guitar. Elliot toured in 1991 with “Hall and Oates” on their acoustic tour, and recorded “Philadelphia Freedom” with them for the Elton John tribute album “Two Rooms”. He also performed on the very first MTV “Unplugged” show with Jules Shear, Difford and Tilbrook (Squeeze)& Syd Straw. Elliot was part of the band “A tribute to John Lennon”, concert in Tokyo with Linda Ronstadt, Peter Asher, Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon. Elliot recorded with Jerry Lee Lewis and Brian Wilson also playing on his first solo album and performing live. Elliot has delved into film work, providing the end title track for Quentin Tarantino’s film “Jackie Brown”, “Monte Carlo Nights”. He has also done music supervision for films, including a Sundance festival award winning film, “Corn Dog Man”. Elliot has produced albums with Amy Rigby, The Ziggens and others. For the last 10 years, Elliot has been lead guitarist for “Creedence Clearwater Revisted”.Elliot has eveloped an all acoustic album and has contributed an “all acoustic orchestra” track for the upcoming cd “My Favorite Martin” celebrating Martin Guitars’ 175th anniversary, as well as several other CD’s for Solid Air Records. In 2011 The Cars released their first new album in 23 years, “Move Like This” with all the surviving original members and are planning to tour as well! Elliot’s new band, “Elliot Easton’s Tiki Gods, “Easton Island” was released 2013 and also The Empty Hearts in 2014.
 

David Paich is an Emmy and Grammy award-winning keyboardist, singer, composer, record producer, and arranger, from the band Toto. With Toto, Paich has released 17 albums and sold over 30 million records. Additionally, Paich has contributed to a host of artists with his songwriting and arrangements including working with Boz Scaggs extensively in the 1970s and Michael Jackson in the 1980s. He is the son of jazz composer, musician, and arranger Marty Paich. Paich wrote or co-wrote such tracks as "Hold the Line", "99", "Lowdown", "Lido Shuffle", "Georgy Porgy", "Rosanna", "Hydra", "Holyanna", "Pamela", "Got To Be Real", and "Lady Love Me (One More Time)". He also performed lead vocals on the Toto hits "Africa", "Lovers in the Night", and "Stranger in Town". He has co-writing credits with Boz Scaggs on the songs "What Can I Say", "Lowdown", and "Lido Shuffle" from the multi-platinum album Silk Degrees. As songwriter he wrote or co-wrote songs for Cher, [The] Jacksons, Andy Williams, George Benson, Glen Campbell, Jon Anderson (Yes), and Chicago. As arranger he worked for Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Patti Austin, Donna Summer, Doobie Brothers and many more. In the early and mid '80s, Paich often worked with well-known producers Quincy Jones and David Foster. Paich was instrumental on MJ’s Thriller. In 1989, Paich produced and arranged the Oscar-nominated song "The Girl Who Used to Be Me", written by Marvin Hamlisch and Alan Marilyn Bergman, for the film Shirley Valentine. As a session musician Paich has played on Bryan Adams' "Please Forgive Me"; Michael Jackson songs "Earth Song", "The Girl Is Mine", "Heal the World", "Stranger in Moscow", and "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" "We Are the World", as well as workAretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Don Henley, Diana Ross, Doobie Brothers, Neil Diamond, Seals and Crofts, Steely Dan, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Cher, RandyNewman, Brothers Johnson Pink. David Paich also composed for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Paich was also involved with the 61stEmmy Awards as a music producer and keyboardist.

Ian Paice was born on June 29, 1948, in Nottingham, England. Ian got his first drum kit by age of 15. Ian neither had any formal education in music. He learned to play drums by trying to imitate what he heard from drummers playing on the radio. Paice greatly admired drumming styles of jazz legends like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, and always dreamt of emulating them. He practiced hard on drums, especially noting that being left handed, he needed to come of with techniques which would fit the right handed drum kits. Though Paice was playing for his father’s Dance band in the early 60s, the first professional band he played with was "Georgie and the Rave ons", a local group in Becester, which later came to be known as "The Shindigs". After a short stint with this group, Paice left it to join another group called M15, which became The Maze. Soon after, Paice left and helped form Deep Purple with Rod Evans, Jon Lord, Nick Simper and Ritchie Blackmore in 1968. Deep Purple would later be one of the biggest rock bands in the world, especially during the 60s and the 70s. They would soon start dominating the charts with such hit albums like Deep Purple in Rock, Fireball, Machine Head and Who Do We Think We Are, Come Taste The Band, Stormbringer and Burn. Paice's drumming techniques have been showcased in many of their hit songs but the best example are 'Made in Japan' "The Mule" , "Child In Time", "Flight of the Rat" and the album 'Machine Head'.
Paice was called for studio recording by a number of artists who included Peter York, Elf, Green Bullfrog, Velvet Underground, Baby Face, Eddie Harris, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, William Shatner, Jim Capaldi and many others. 
From 1979 to 1982, Paice worked with Whitesnake and released 3 albums. In 1982 he also played with Gary Moore Band. After 2 years of playing with Gary Moore, he got back to Deep Purple. In 1999, Ian made a guest appearance in Paul McCartney’s Run Devil Run. Paice released a solo DVD and continues his world clinic instruction. Paice is also in the Drummers’ Hall of Fame and just inducted in the Rock Roll HOF class of 2016! Deep Purple continues to tour worldwide and remains at the top of rock roll’s Elite Bands.

STEVE DORFF
There is no way to capture the diversity Steve displays scoring motion pictures, television, theater, or an array of # 1 hit songs, as well as Arranging and Producing records for many top artists. In addition to winning the NSAI Songwriter of the Year award, Dorff has also been honored with more than 40 BMI, and 11 Billboard #1 awards. His breakthrough came with legendary Clint Eastwood, beginning with "Every Which Way But Loose". This smash paved the way for compositions reflecting all musical genres, from contemporary sounds to haunting orchestral melodies. Three-time Grammy nominee and a fixture on the nation's charts, his dossier includes nine #1 film songs and 15 Top 10 hits, including the Kenny Rogers' classic "Through The Years", a BMI 3 million performance song, as well as "I Just Fall In Love Again ", the Anne Murray record that captured Billboard's #1 Song Of The Year honors. His many songs have been sung by Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, George Strait and Vanessa Williams. Emmy Nominee for six television compositions include such standards as "Murphy Brown" and "Murder She Wrote", "Growing Pains", "Alien Nation", "Spenser: for Hire", "Major Dad", "Columbo", "Reba" and  "Rodney". His TV and cable movie credits include the Emmy nominated  "Elvis", "Rose Hill", the animated Christmas classic "Annabelle's Wish", "Babe Ruth", "The Quick and The Dead", "Moonshine Highway" and "The Defiant Ones". Dorff’s many movie songs and scores have been featured in "Bronco Billy", "Blast From The Past", "Rocky IV", "Pure Country", "Tin Cup", "Michael", "Dudley Do-Right", "Dancer, Texas", "The Last Boy Scout", "Curly Sue" and "Honky Tonk Man". Dorff’s has jumped into his first love, musical theater. He has two projects making their way to the stage: "Josephine" (The Josephine Baker Story) and "Pure Country" (The Musical).
He continues to be ever present in today’s recording scene with new songs being released by Barbra Streisand, Blake Shelton, LeeAnn Womack, Bill Medley, Rodney Carrington, and scoring a new Motion Picture.

Amy Keys - You've heard her voice on everything from the Emmy Award Winning NBC NASCAR Superbowl Commercial and the Stanley Cup Playoffs to Tarzan Tarzan 2. Seen her singing for Coca Cola and dancing in Another 48 Hours. Amy is a very versatile and accomplished vocalist, writer, producer and actor. From Washington, DC, she started singing with groups in college while becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and earning a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Her education continued with studies in voice at the Peabody Institute...also with Seth Riggs, Nolan Vanway and Gerald White...and in acting with Howard Fine and the original “Virginia Woolf” on Broadway, Ms. Uta Hagen. Amy released a solo album entitled “Lover's Intuition”. The title track appeared on the soundtrack of the movie “Tap” starring Gregory Hines. Her first “major” tour was with Leonard Cohen and was quickly followed by a tour with the “LA All Stars”, wth Al McKay and Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire. Later that same year, she was offered the opportunity to perform with one of her idols...Phil Collins. Other touring credits include: Herbie Hancock, Toto, Dave Stewart, kd lang, Joe Cocker, Tears For Fears, Kevin Spacey, Michael Bolton, Phillip Bailey, Johnny Hallyday and Quincy Jones.
Amy has sung backgrounds for Sting, Elton John, Barbara Streisand, One Republic, Sam Smith, Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Neil Young, Randy Newman, Chaka Khan, Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmidt, Al Green, Queen Latifah, NeYo, Heart, Vince Gill, BradPaisley,BrooksDunn, Sarah Mclachlan, Tina Turner, Michael McDonald, Patti LaBelle, Mary J. Blige, Brian McKnight, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Donna Summer, Toni Braxton, Wilson Phillips, Diana Ross, Tito Puente Christopher Cross. She has performed many television theme songs including: “City of Angels”, “Boomtown” and movies “Anchorman 2”, “Rock Of Ages”, “Big Lots Holiday”, "Tarzan" 1 2, “Brother Bear”, “Another 48 Hours”, “Carl’s Jr.”, “Coca Cola”, “Coors”, “Taco Bell” w/Little Richard, “Toy Story 2”, “Touched By An Angel”, “The Pretender”, “ The Profiler”, “Martial Law”. Amy is an accomplished writer  including themes for “The Amazing Race”, “Martial Law” “Law and Order, CI”. Amy served as a representative on the Governor’s Board of the National Recording Academy (Grammys) and is a member of its Advocacy Board.

Born in Los Angeles, Russ Titelman grew up in the hot 50’s musical environment and quickly made contacts which would aid him throughout his long career. The most important of these was Phil Spector. After making his debut as a guitarist on the Paris Sisters’ ‘Be My Boy’ in 1961, Titelman became a full-time member of the Spectors Three- Vocal Trio. After graduating from Fairfax high school, Russ studied drama at Los Angeles City College.He returned to the music industry and with friends recorded a song entitled ‘Just A Little Touch Of Your Love’. Songwriter Barry Mann took Titelman to New York, where he wrote songs for the Cinderellas, Chiffons, Lesley Gore Brian Wilson.  He also arranged for Carole King. In 1964 he joined the Shindig television house band, at which time he also appeared on Righteous Brothers and Phil Ochs sessions. Moving in to film work, he collaborated with Jack Nitzsche on “Village Of The Giants” and “Candy”, before recording ‘Memo From Turner’ with Ry Cooder and Randy Newman for the Mick Jagger film. That soundtrack started Titelman’s 25 year association with Warner Brothers Records. Through his friendship with Lowell George he produced Little Feat’s debut album, but he did not become a full-time staff member at Warners until 1971. He became friend and producer to Randy Newman, and through the 70s worked on projects with James Taylor, Graham Central Station, Rickie Lee Jones and George Harrison. In the early 80s he produced “Stompin At The Savoy” for Rufus and Chaka Khan, and co-produced Paul Simon’s “Hearts And Bones”. He also produced Steve Winwood’s “Back In The Highlife” album, possibly Winwood’s best work. His work with jazz and RB artists has paired him with George Benson, David Sanborn and Patti Austin. From 89-94 he worked with Eric Clapton’s Journeyman, 24 Nights, Unplugged and From The Cradle. He has numerous gold and multi-platinum albums and singles, tech awards, Grammy nominations and 3 Grammy awards: HigherLove-Winwood, Tears in Heaven, Rush and Unplugged-Clapton. Russ is a member of The Jazz Foundation of America, The Tibet House Annual Concert committee and the Friars Club.

Multi-Emmy Awards and Grammy Award recipient Tommy Vicari is one of Hollywood’s most respected recording engineers music mixers.  The list of his sonic achievements is eclectic and archives over 40 years of history in music. 
Since 1969, Tommy has recorded music for every genre of the entertainment industry. From Billy Preston to producing Prince debut record, “For You”, to George Duke, Gino Vanelli, Joe Cocker, Santana, Paul Williams, Billy Idol, Quincy Jones, Joni Mitchell, Jeffrey Osborne, Phillip Bailey, Barbara Streisand, Sammy Nestico and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, to name a few.
From live mixing on the Academy Award™ television shows for the last eighteen years, to recording and mixing scores on some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed films.  
His television credits includes “Six Feet Under”, “The Newsroom”, “Angels in America” and the latest television series “Years of Living Dangerously”. His mixing on “Behind the Candelabra” was 2013’s recipient of an Emmy Award as well as a Cinema Audio Society Award for excellence in sound mixing.
His film credits begin with the cult classic Brian DiPalma’s “Phantom of the Paradise”, to Pixar’s multi-Academy Awards, “Finding Nemo” “Wall-E” (2009 Academy Award® nominee for sound mixing). Working besides Thomas Newman for the last eighteen years accomplishing Saving Mr. Banks, He Named Me Malala, Bridge of Spies, The Big Short and Finding Dory for Pixar.


With 7 Emmy’s [9 Nominations, 2 Grammy’s [3 Nominations] the 2014 Cinema Audio Society [CAS] winner for “Behind The Candelabra”  the MAN has “earned the right to sit in the chair"

One of the most sought after session horn players on saxophone, flute and clarinet, solo artist, arranger and composer Lou Marini has electrified audiences with his "sultry, seductive and singular" sounds in jazz, rock, blues, classical music and in film and television shows and specials
He's been a member of Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Saturday Night Live Band from 1975-1983, The Blue Brothers Band and his credits include hundreds of albums, many of which have gone platinum.
He has recorded with Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Lou Reed, Frank Zappa, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, The Band, Steely Dan, Dionne Warwick, Maureen McGovern, Deodato, James Taylor, Aerosmith, the Buddy Rich Big Band, the Tad Jones-Mel Lewis Big Band and the Woody Herman Orchestra, to name just a few.
Lou has contributed both playing and writing to such films as THE REF, HAIR, THE WIZ, BRIGHT LIGHTS BIG CITY, TRUE COLORS, BYE BYE BIRDIE TURNER HOOCH.


In June 2010, Marini, Jr. was named artistic director at the first Brianza Blues Festival, Monza, Italy. Marini attended North Texas State University College of Music, where he played in the One O'Clock Lab Band. 
Marini has spent most of his professional life working as a sideman and arranger. In 2001, Marini recorded his first recording as a leader, with Ray Reach and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, titled "Lou's Blues" In 2010, Marini released Blue Lou and Misha Project , “ Highly Classified”, a collaboration with Misha Segal, and in 2012 the CD “Starmaker”.
Marini is a seasoned performance artist, actor, arranger, and composer, fluent in jazz, rock, blues, and classical. Accomplished on soprano, alto, tenor sax, flute, piccolo, alto flute, and clarinet, he is truly one of the industry’s most prolific artist’s of all time.

"Ndugu" was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and moved to Los Angeles when he was eight. He began playing drums at age 12 and studied music throughout junior high and high school. While in high school, Chancler played with Willie Bobo, Gerald Wilson and the Harold Johnson Sextet. Chancler graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a degree in music education. Chancler began playing with Hugh Masekela, and also worked with Herbie Hancock, Eddie Harris, and Thelonious Monk. He had brief stints with Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard, then joined up with the great George Duke.  He also performed with Julian Priester, Weather Report and toured with Santana in the mid-'70s, and then formed the band Chocolate Jam Co.
Studio work includes Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty, Donna Summer, Patrice Rushen, Hubert Laws, The Crusaders, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Richie, George Benson, The Temptations, Tina Turner, Kenny Rogers, Herbie Hancock and John Lee Hooker.
Ndugu has also played on a number of Movie Soundtracks including , “An  Officer and a Gentleman”, “Indecent  Proposal” and “The  Color  Purple” 
As  a  songwriter  Ndugu  co- wrote  hits  for  Santana  including  “Dance  Sister Dance”, George Duke’s “Reach  For  It”,  and  “Let  It  Whip”  for  the  Dazz  Band. His  production  credits  include Flora  Purim,  Bill  Summers,  Toki, Ndugu  and  the  Chocolate  Jam  Co. Ndugu  has  co-produced for  Santana,  George  Duke,  The  Crusaders,  Joe  Sample,  Wilton  Felder, Tina Turner and a group he co-leads with Patrice Rushen and  Ernie Watts called “The  Meeting”.
Ndugu Chancler is Faculty at The University Of Southern California  in the Jazz Studies and Popular Music Departments.

As a child living in New York City,  Al Schmitt would catch the subway on weekends to spend the day at his uncle's recording studio, observing different engineering techniques. At 19, Schmitt began working with Tom Dowd at Apex Studios in New York City. He worked as an independant engineer at Atlantic Records and Prestige Records, and after moving to California, he started working at Radio Recorders. RCA Records hired Schmitt as a staff producer for their label and a staff engineer at their Hollywood studio. This let Schmitt develop his wide-ranging engineering skills by working with the various pop, jazz, classical, and country ... With an unparalleled 24 (twenty-four) Grammy Awards for engineering, Schmitt epitomizes great recording through decades of technological change. The legendary and world-renowned recording engineer received a Grammy in 2002 for Diana Krall's “The Look of Love.” Schmitt, who has worked with Krall on her past five albums. Up one aisle you’ll find Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Miles Davis; up another you’ll bump into Jefferson Airplane, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and Steely Dan. Round a corner and you’ll encounter Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, Madonna, and Quincy Jones mingling with Michael Jackson, Diana Krall, Celine Dion, Paul McCartney, and Michael Buble. Schmitt captured his first Grammy for Best Engineered recording in 1962 for Henry Mancini's "Hatari". Nine subsequent Grammy's in the same category stretched through the decades: 1976: George Benson's "Breezin'", 1977: Steely Dan's "Aja", 1978: Steely Dan's "FM", 1982: Toto's "Toto IV", 1991: Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable," 1996: Quincy Jones' "Q's Jook Joint," Diana Krall's "When I Look In Your Eyes," and two Latin Grammys with Luis Miguel.
Al Schmitt's celebrated engineering and mixing skills are showcased on over 150 gold and platinum albums. In '97 Al became an inductee into the TEC Awards Hall of Fame. In 2015 Schmitt became the first recording engineer to be presented with a star on the Hollywood walk of fame in front of Capitol records.

Neil Stubenhaus has been a “first call” bass player for  recording sessions
and live playing in the Los Angeles area for the past 36 years.
Neil hails from Bridgeport, Connecticut and started his
professional career with Little Anthony and The Imperials at
age 17. In 1977, he joined Blood Sweat Tears. In 1978, he moved to Los Angeles to tour with Larry Carlton. Since 1979, he has performed on countless Platinum records,
Grammy-nominated albums and songs. He has also recorded over 500 movie soundtracks, as well as numerous jingles and commercials. 
Tours over the years include Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Tom Scott, John Fogerty and Karizma. Other artists he has recorded/toured/played with include Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Neil Diamond, Patti LaBelle, Michael Bolton, Smokey Robinson, Dan Fogelberg, Cher, Gladys Knight, Glenn Frey, Joe Cocker, Bobby Caldwell, Vince Gill, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Don Henley, Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, BB King, Michael McDonald, Bette Midler, Milton Nascimento, Pointer Sisters, Lee Ritenour, Lionel Richie, Diane Schuur, Tom Scott and many others.
Neil has been the bass player for The Oscars, Emmys and the Grammys.


• Won "M.V.P. Award from NARAS L.A. Chapter in 1986
• Presented with "Outstanding Achievement Award" from Berklee College of Music
• Played on 70 + Gold and Platinum Records
• Played on over 70 songs albums nominated for Grammy Awards and over 20 songs that won.

Weldon Dean Parks is an American session guitarist and record producer from Ft. Worth, Texas.
Parks was member of The North Texas State One O'clock Lab Band before moving to Los Angeles to work with Sonny and Cher in 1970. In 1980, Parks was a founding member of the Jazz Fusion band Koinonia. Parks is best known for his many contributions to albums and performed with Steely Dan,  Michael Jackson, Lyle Lovett, Rickie Lee Jones, Joe Sample, Toni Braxton, David Foster, Joan Baez CrosbyNash, Madonna, StevieWonder, Barbra Streisand, Roberto Carlos, EltonJohn, CelineDion, TheMonkees, America, Diana Ross, George Benson, Rod Stewart, Randy Travis, Bob Seger, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Michael Bublé, Barry Manilow, David Lee Roth, Paul Simon Dolly Parton, Kenny Loggins, Tom Scott, B.B. King, Dusty Springfield, Johnny Rivers, James Taylor, Carole King, Randy Newman, Joe Cocker, The GypsyQueens, Herbie Hancock, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan Bread.   

Dean Parks is featured on Viktor Krauss' album "II".

Tours
During the late 1970s, Parks teamed up with Bread for their "Lost Without Your Love" reunion tour, following the departure of founding member Jimmy Griffin, Parks then became the 'unofficial' fourth member for the duration of the 1977/78 tours, including the visit to England to record a BBC TV special. He also continued the role when Bread's co-founder, David Gates, put together his own solo touring band shortly afterwards. In the spring of 2005 he joined David Crosby and Graham Nash 
Recent live/TV performances include shows with icons James Taylor, Gloria Estefan, David Foster, Carole King, Quincy Jones, The Oscars, Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Library of Congress, Kennedy Center Honors, and Austin City Limits

Ed Soph is internationally recognized as an author, teacher, and musician. As a performer and recording artist, Ed has played with the big bands of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Bill Watrous, and Clark Terry. Small group credits include Joe Henderson, Bobby Shew, Randy Brecker, David Liebman, Lee Konitz, Carl Fontana, Bill Evans, Clark Terry, Marvin Stamm, Bill Mays, and Eddie Gomez. 
Ed’s most recent publication, in both book and DVD format, is MUSICAL TIME, published by Carl Fischer. Other publications include THE BIG BAND PRIMER , and ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUES FOR DRUMSET (Meredith Music).
Ed has been the recipient of lifetime achievement awards in education from the Yamaha Corporation and the Percussive Arts Society and was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame in 2016. He was also recognized as a “LeJENd in Jazz Education” by the Jazz Education Network.
In addition to recording and touring, Ed is a professor of jazz studies in the College of Music of the University of North Texas, and an Artist Clinician for Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Innovative Percussion, and Evans drumheads.
Some of Ed’s students have literally changed the world! Here’s a short list…
Jason Sutter, Jim Riley, Keith Carlock, Ari Hoenig, Matt Wilson, Blair Sinta, Rich Redmond, Earl Harvin, Peter Erskine, Brian Delaney, Ross Pederson and a youngster named John Robinson!
For more information about Ed see www.music.unt.edu/percussion

Jerry Hey is thee world class trumpeter, arranger and orchestrator whose career has spanned over four decades. From Dixon Illinois, born to a pianist mother and trombonist father, with older brothers who played trombone and tuba. He started playing at an early age on his older brother’s boy scout bugle. Jerry studied in high school with Charlie Geyer from the Chicago Symphony and then went to Indiana University where he also studied with William Adam. He connected with lifelong friend, Larry Hall and others who lured Jerry to Hawaii for gigs. After that, Larry Williams came and joined with Ken Wild, Bob Wilson, Kim Hutchcroft and Pauline to form The great band, Seawind. Seawind moved to L.A. in 1976 and recorded two albums for CTI Records. The great Quincy Jones asked Jerry to play and arrange on Q’s record, “I Heard That”. That was the catalyst which put Jerry as Quincy’s “go to guy” . Next was the Brothers Johnson’s, BLAM which hit #1 on the R&B charts. Not only did the future six-time Grammy winner become Jones’ “first call” horn arranger on all his subsequent projects (George Benson’s Give Me the Night; Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad), but Hey became the go-to trumpeter and horn arranger in the industry, contributing to some of the biggest records of the subsequent decades including Chaka Khan’s “I Know You, I Live You,” Al Jarreau’s “Boogie Down,” Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove,” Toto’s “Rosanna,” Teena Marie’s “Behind the Groove,” Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls”.
Today, the Illinois native is still one of the most dependable musicians in the business, having worked on recent records from Mary J. Blige, Wilco, Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, D.J. Cassidy and Dirty Loops.

Walfredo Reyes, Sr. was born in Havana, Cuba and raised in New York City. He began studying music with his father and studied drumming with influential teachers such as Wm. V. Kessler, Morris Goldenberg, Daniel Perez, and Murray Spivak. Walfredo attended the Music and Arts High School in New York City, and then returned to Havana with his family at the age of eighteen.

Walfredo was the first drummer to play Cuban percussion and drum set simultaneously. He also pioneered the first recordings of “descargas”
(Cuban Jam Sessions) with Cuban bassist Israel Lopez (Cachao), recording his own album "Cuban Jazz" in 1954. He was also one of the organizers of the Club Cubano de Jazz (Cuban Jazz Club).

Walfredo recorded with Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, José Fajardo and numerous others in New York City. During the same year, he moved to Puerto Rico where he was the drummer at the El San Juan Hotel backing some of the finest acts from the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Walfredo Reyes, Sr. recorded with a stellar cast of artists in both Cuba and the United States, including Tito Puente, Louie Bellson, Cachao, Alex Acuna, Tito Rodriquez, Chico O'Farrill, Linda Ronstadt, and Steve Winwood. Working in Las Vegas for many years, Walfredo Sr. also performed with Milton Berle, Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Goulet, Rich Little, Bernadette Peters, Rita Moreno, Juliet Prowse, Ben Vereen, and Dionne Warwick. Walfredo Reyes Sr. is one of Cuba's most influential drummers and one of the pioneers in fusing percussion with drumset. His diverse background and experience make him one of the most in-demand clinicians and educators in the country today. Walfredo Reyes Sr. was recognized for his extensive percussion work with a Modern Drummer Award at the 2005 Modern Drummer Festival.

Tom Scott is a veteran composer, arranger, producer, musical director and saxophonist, having earned 3 Grammy Awards and 14 Grammy nominations over four decades. He made his first record as a leader in 1968--at age twenty. The number of solo recordings in his catalogue now stands at 35. In addition, his music has been sampled by dozens of recording artists including 2Pac, Madonna, Bruno Mars, Snoop Dog, Massive Attack, Wu-Tang Clan, N.W.A. and The Chemical Brothers.


Tom’s career as a guest artist spans more than 500 recordings—by such diverse artists as Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Thelonius Monk, the Blues Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Aerosmith.  His numerous contributions as a player and arranger include Joni Mitchell’s Court And Spark, Steely Dan’s Aja; hit singles like Carole King’s Jazzman, Paul McCartney’s Listen To What The Man Said, Rod Stewart’s Do You Think I’m Sexy, Blondie’s Rapture, Captain Tenille’s Do That To Me One More Time, Whitney Houston’s Saving All My Love For You; and on movie soundtracks such as TaxiDriver, Bladerunner, Heaven Can Wait, Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc. just to name a few…..


His television composing and conducting credits include the themes for Family Ties, Starsky Hutch, Square Pegs and background scores forBaretta, Cannon, Barnaby Jones, Streets Of San Francisco, National Geographic Explorer, and numerous T.V. Specials and Network Movies. He has served as Musical Director for the Academy Awards, the Emmy Awards, the Celebration At Ford’s Theater, the People’s Choice Awards,Comic Relief, the Carol Burnett Show, the Pat Sajak Show, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Olivia Newton-John, and the GRP All-Star Big Band, among others--and has toured five continents as leader of his own group. He is also active as a clinician throughout the U.S. and Canada, performing and teaching Master Classes in Woodwinds, Arranging Film Composing.

Leland "Lee" Sklar is a prominent electric bass guitarist. Sklar has contributed to over 2,000 albums as a session musician. He has collaborated with countless well-known performers including Phil Collins, Jackson Browne, Ray Charles, Air Supply, Warren Zevon, LeAnn Rimes, James Taylor, Donna Summer and he has recorded soundtracks to films and television shows.

Gregory Arthur "Greg" Phillinganes is an American keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and musical director based in Los Angeles, California. A prolific session musician, Phillinganes has contributed keyboard tracks to numerous albums representing a broad array of artists and genres. He has toured with notable artists such as Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, and Toto, served as musical director for Michael Jackson, and has released two solo albums.

JR Robinson and Steve Sykes demonstrate how to get an amazing drum sound with BLUE microphones at Sweetwater Sound's performance theater. From proper overhead angling to phase canceling and kick drum EQ's, JR and Steve show us how to get the perfect studio drum sounds and recreate the parts JR recorded on Michael Jackson's "Rock With You", Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" and Eric Clapton's "Change The World"

Born in Santiago, Cuba, Luis Conte began his musical odyssey playing the guitar. At 15, looking for freedom, Luis emigrated to Madrid, Spain. He soon had another opportunity to travel, this time to Hollywood. In California, Luis stayed with a cousin and attended Hollywood High School, playing guitar in numerous rock bands throughout his teens.

After high school, Luis met John Monteallegre, who reunited him with Cuban drums at LA City College. By the time he was 18, Luis was intensely interested in drumming and took every opportunity to play and to learn, drawing his inspiration from a deep source of rhythm absorbed during his youth in Cuba With this new career, Conte proved himself musically versatile , and by 1973, he was playing regularly in local clubs. He quickly became a busy studio musician, and throughout the 1970s-present playing on Madonna, Ray Charles, Phil Collins, Santana, Shakira, Jackson Browne, Sergio Mendez, Mana and Eric Clapton , just to name a few. He played in the Latin fusion band Caldera. In the 1980s, Conte toured with several different musicians,
including Madonna, guitarist Al Di Meola, and Andy Narell.

Recently, Conte has toured as part of James Taylor's "Band of Legends." Luis Conte was part of Phil Collins 1997 "Dance into the Light" tour and 2004 "First Farewell Tour", performing in both of them Afro-Cuban percussion and adding more depth into the concert songs. He also performed during The Phil Collins Big Band tours in 1996 and 1998. He won…
"Percussionist of the Year" - Modern Drummer Reader's Poll (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
"Percussionist of the Year" - Drum Magazine (2007, 2008, 2009)
"Studio Percussionist of the Year" - Drum Magazine (2007, 2008, 2009)

John Good is the Senior Executive Vice President of DW Drums. He talks about his early days as a drum student with DW, discovering he had an incredible knack for being drum tech, going on the road with the likes of Frank Zappa and eventually being convinced by DW founder Don Lombardi to join him at DW, where John became a designer and perfected DW's unique Timbre Matching system.

Pioneering jazz-rock drummer and composer Danny Seraphine is a founding member of Chicago. Worldwide the iconic group has sold over 122 million albums, and, just domestically, earned 22 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. In 1990, after 23 years in the group, Seraphine and Chicago had a jarring parting of ways, and he left music behind for 15 years. But a call to play a benefit show for a fellow drummer pulled him out of seclusion and sparked a creative rebirth. Today, Seraphine looks forward with Sacred Ground (Street Sense), the sophomore record from his jazz-rock powerhouse group CTA—often described as “Chicago on steroids”—and he makes peace with his past with the refreshingly candid memoir Street Player: My Chicago Story (Wiley)



David J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer, probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan. Wolinski has worked with numerous other artists as musician, songwriter or producer, including the Bee Gees, Glenn Frey, Michael Jackson, Danny Seraphine, Beverley Knight, Millions Like Us, Stephanie Mills and Minnie Riperton.

Bruce Swedien is a Grammy Award-winning audio engineer and music producer. He is known for his work with Quincy Jones.
Swedien first came to recognition for his work in 1962 on Frankie Valli The Four Seasons "Big Girls Don't Cry" for which he won a Grammy nomination.
Swedien is a five-time Grammy winner and has been nominated 13 times. He recorded, mixed, and assisted in producing the best-selling album in the world, Thriller by Michael Jackson. He was the primary sound engineer for Jackson's studio recordings from 1978 to 2001.
He also recorded and mixed for jazz artists such as Count Basie, Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Quincy Jones, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock and Jeff Oster. His pop work includes Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Mick Jagger, David Hasselhoff, Jennifer Lopez, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Rufus, Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, Lena Horne, Donna Summer, Sarah Vaughan, and the zouk band Kassav'.