This new collaboration features 3 renowned musicians and bandleaders in their own rights. Their repertoire will include original compositions from different members, a heavy dose of improvisation, as well as some choice covers/standards.
Marc Bernstein (sax):
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1961, Marc Bernstein grew up watching jazz legends like Art Blakey play live at the Village Vanguard. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in ’84, he returned to New York where he played with Billy Hart, Michael Brecker, Branford Marsalis among many others. After 10 years of regular gigging in New York, Marc moved to Denmark with his Danish wife Laila. Since relocating to Europe, Marc has recorded 8 albums as a leader and recorded or performed with the likes of Billy Cobham, Hal Galper, and Tom Harrell just to name a few. In addition to performing, he is currently the leader of the Rhythmic Music Dept. at The Southern Danish Conservatory of Music.
Mike Parker (double bass):
A native of New York, Mike began his professional career at the age of 17 playing funk and rock gigs in New York City clubs. Now at the age of 29, he has toured all over Europe and America with both jazz and rock groups, won several international contests and awards, studied with and played with some of the greatest musicians alive, and recorded 3 albums of his own compositions. Mike attended Skidmore College where he studied Evolutionary Psychology and Music and spent a semester abroad studying Jazz Bass at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. After graduating with highest honors, he traveled extensively around Europe before settling in Krakow, Poland. Since then, Mike has had many fruitful collaborations there including recording his second album of original material (’Embrace the Wild’). When not playing in jazz clubs in Krakow, he can be found touring around Europe with his 'Trio Theory’ project or the New Yord-based rock/funk 'Nat Osborn Band’.
http://mptheory.com/
Devin Gray (drums):
Devin Gray’s fresh approach to modern drumming has enabled him to play with many of America’s great jazz musicians. He has performed and recorded with innovative musicians of contrasting styles and backgrounds such as: David Liebman, Tony Malaby, Gary Thomas, Ingrid Jensen, Dave Burrell, Dave Ballou, Nate Wooley, and many more. Devin Gray began his love of music at age 7, with a new drum set. He went on to graduate from the prestigious Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. While attending Peabody, Devin studied western classical harmony, improvisation and jazz vibraphone, in addition to percussion as a scholarship student with Gary Thomas and Michael Formanek. Often compared to avant-garde drummers Tom Rainey, Jim Black, Tony Oxley and Paul Nilsen-Love as well as more traditional New York jazz drummers such as, Roy Haynes, Brian Blade, Nasheete Waits, and Jeff Ballard; Devin Gray tries to blend these sounds with a mix of New England folk spirit. Devin is a top call drummer in New York City and can often be found touring around as both a sideman and leader.