Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius & Heard: Bio
Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius - composer-pianist
HEARD
New World Jazz
The original repertoire of HEARD is the work of composer-arranger-pianist ELIZABETH WOODBURY KASIUS who brings a wide array of styles --jazz, classical and world music-- into her captivating soundscape. Her inspirations come from her diverse experiences and interests and are often drawn from the raw and powerful sources that nature provides. Heard's dynamic and eclectic lineup of musicians gives Elizabeth a multitude of talents and textures to compose for, and to perform with.
Elizabeth received her formal musical training at the University of Washington and Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where she studied ethnomusicology, piano performance and composition with Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto, trombonist Julian Priester and Big Band leader/trumpet player Jim Knapp, as well as with Nigerian Juju musician IK Dairo.
In addition to teaching composition and piano privately, she has been an adjunct professor for 11 years in the Dance Department at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY, where she works as a dance musician and composer-in-residence, as well as a yoga teacher. Her collaborations with dancers have also led her to work with the NYC-based Mark Morris, Jose Limon, and Doug Varone Companies, and the NYC Ballet, and with Saratoga Springs' TangoFusion. Her work with the Capital-District based Ellen Sinopoli Modern Dance Company has led to numerous Arts-in-Education Residencies in regional elementary schools. Elizabeth has also played keyboard and percussion with the Brazilian group The Berkshire Bateria for 8 years, as well as with vocalist/songwriter Joy Adler.
Elizabeth's music has been featured on the NPR programs “Theme & Variations”, "All Things Considered", and "Performance Place", and she is currently at work on her third cd. A release with writer/monologue artist David Greenberger's Duplex Planet project is also in the works for 2009-2010.
Jonathan Greene - woodwinds
Woodwinds player Jonathan is an active freelance musician in the New York Capital Region's jazz, world and classical scenes. He has performed with the Albany and Glens Falls Symphonies and was recently a guest performer on the recital of world-renowned chamber pianist, Andre-Michel Shub. Jonathan attended Skidmore College, where he was the recipient of the Filene Music Scholarship.
Originally from Seattle, Jon attended Garfield High where he was part of their internationally known jazz program and Big Band, whom he toured Europe and Japan with his senior year. While in Seattle, he also became an accomplished mbira player, through the vibrant world music scene happening out of University of Washington.
John Menegon - bass
John Menegon is a venerable & versatile bass player, fluid in all realms of jazz and a highly-regarded composer, arranger and band leader in his own right. He played for years with the acclaimed sax player, Dewey Redman and has toured internationally with several different groups. He also plays frequently with his wife Teri Roiger, jazz vocalist and pianist.
http://www.johnmenegon.com
Brian Melick - drums/percussion
Brian Melick is a percussive treasure who is known for his
unique "hybrid" sound, built from his incredible collection of world music instruments. His sensitivity, musicality, and adaptability lend an eclecticism to Heard, and his playfulness is irresistible to watch and be a part of! He tours regularly with a diverse range of groups ranging musically from Flamenco to Celtic. http://www.uduboy.com
Zorkie Nelson - drums/percussion/vocal
West African drummer Zorkie Nelson comes from a long line of Ghanaian master drummers and brings an exciting and deep richness to the music of Heard. In addition to his percussive role in the band, he also lends his talents on flute and vocals. Zorkie was a founding member of the Pan African Orchestra (PAO), with the group from 1988-97. With PAO he toured the U.S., Canada, France and the U.K. and recorded Opus 1, and also toured Denmark with the Ghana National Dance Ensemble. Now based in upstate NY, Zorkie also leads his own group, Gballoi, in addition to playing with Jacob Addy's West African drumming and dance ensemble, ODADAA!, which tours regularly with Wynton Marsalis.
http://www.myspace.com/gballoi
John Ehlis - guitarist/mandolinist
Montclair NJ guitarist John Ehlis is drawn to traditional and folk music from around the world and blends the sounds of many cultures into his own unique style. As a multi-instrumentalist, Ehlis learned the mandolin busking on the streets of Denmark, Germany and Italy and has studied various woodwind instruments and percussion, including the Balinese Gamelan. While in Zimbabwe he met local musicians, some who played with the legendary Thomas Mapfumo and performed at the Amakhosi Theatre in Bulawayo. He also performs and studies the music of the Basques.
Ehlis has performed throughout the United States, with musicians ranging from the avante-garde jazz of John Tchicai, Perry Robinson and Francis Wong, to Marie Afonso from the vocal group Zap Mama, Joe Craven from David Grisman’s group, the hybrid instrument maker Ken Butler, classical guitarist Philip Hii, American songwriter Scott E. Moore, Slovakian poet Gabriel Ariel Levicky, Basque musicians Tapia and Leturria, and Pakistani singer Fawzia Afzal Khan, to name a few.
http://www.johnehlis.com
Rebecca Kleinmann - flutes
Flutist and singer Rebecca Kleinmann has steeped her ears in music around the world from choro rodas in Brazil, to flamenco juergas in Spain, and Jazz clubs everywhere. Originally from North Carolina, she transformed her gospel roots into a love for Jazz and became the first flutist to earn a Jazz degree from Indiana University. Her international performances include Jazz festivals from Argentina to Australia, and performances for the National Flute Association. Rebecca is currently based in San Diego where she performs a mixture of music: Brazilian, Jazz, Tango, Flamenco, Celtic and Classical. She released her debut CD, "Raio de Sol" in 2005, featuring Jazz with world-music influences, and her original acoustic music project "Elameno Quintet" in 2008. New projects are emerging with collaborators in Southern California as she pursues a Jazz Masters Degree from SDSU and learns how to surf. http://www.rebeccakleinmann.com
Jeffrey Parker - cello/bass
Jeffrey Parker is a classically trained cellist who began his musical studies in Chicago at the age of six. A Filene Scholar while at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, Parker studied cello with Ann Alton and bass with Rich Syracuse. A versatile musician, Parker has extensive experience in orchestral, chamber, jazz and rock performance and is now based back in Chicago, and performing all over the country.
Also featured regularly in Heard: bassists Ben Davis, Lou Smaldone and Mike Parker, and woodwinds player Mike Flanagan.