Jazz Organ Summit

Tony Monaco

Tony Monaco may be the best organ player you have yet to hear of flying stealth while playing arguably some of the hottest B-3 around. Mentored by the legendary Jimmy Smith in what is considered the more classic style, Monaco does not swing, smolder or smoke. “Tony Monaco burns is this most fitting!” – Critical Jazz Review 2012. Tony Monaco began his keyboard life at age eight.

When he was twelve, his destiny as a jazz organist was sealed when he first heard Jimmy Smith. An enthusiastic student, Tony began working in Jazz clubs as a teenager in his native Columbus, Ohio, guided by local organ gurus Hank Marr and Don Patterson. Four years later, Jimmy Smith invited Tony to come play at his club in California, a peak lifetime experience for Tony.

In April 2000, Tony met fellow jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco, who offered to produce a debut CD for him. This collaboration resulted in the critically acclaimed “Burnin Grooves”. The international success of the recording served as the catalyst for regional and national tours. Tony has since released 8 International releases and toured around the globe many times. Tony also toured and recorded with Pat Martino for over two years! As an ardent student of the organ, it’s no surprise that Tony is an accomplished teacher as well. In addition to private students, classes and clinics, Tony has produced a series of instructional DVDs titled “Playing Jazz Hammond” that have become indispensable for many serious students of the organ.

Tony continues to expand his catalogue and has created MotherHenMusicEd.com. He developed a system of giving lessons one on one online and gives lessons to students around the globe! Presently, Tony maintains a very busy schedule that includes festival appearances , clinics, and workshops !

Chuck Loeb

Grammy nominated guitarist, composer, and producer, Chuck Loeb has had a musical career that spans over four decades, and he is proud to be known as a “renaissance man” in the music world. He is a #1 jazz recording artist; composer of over 250 published songs, network television show themes and scores; a producer of over thirty world-renowned recording artists; as well as an in-demand clinician and educator. With the 2013 release of “Silhouette”, his eighteenth solo CD, Loeb has attained the much sought after position as one of the most in demand artists in the world, as well as one with his own recognizable sound. He is also a member one of the world’s premier jazz groups Fourplay, and the ground breaking fusion band Metro. He hails from Nyack, NY and studied guitar, composition and arranging at The Berklee College of Music.

Sound has been a central focus in Loeb’s musical journey, intensified greatly by the influence of Stan Getz, who gave Loeb one of his first big breaks in the world of music. He joined the Getz band in 1979 and toured and recorded with the jazz legend for the next several years. In 1984 Chuck joined the all-star group Steps Ahead featuring Michael Brecker, who Chuck considers his greatest musical inspiration. After nearly twenty years as a seasoned studio musician with thousands of sessions under his belt, ranging from jazz, to pop, to rock & roll, to Broadway, classical and even folk music, Loeb firmly believes in the inclusion of all areas of music in the working knowledge and practice of the twenty-first century musician. This concept is central to his educational work as a clinician, and in his work with his “String Training” seminars & forthcoming video series. In a NY Times, feature article he was dubbed “The Clark Kent of jazz guitar” for his understated style and subtle prowess.

Over the four decades in his illustrious career, Loeb has played and toured with a long list of jazz, pop, rock, and classical greats: Hubert Laws, Chico Hamilton, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Barretto, Gary Burton, Wayne Shorter and the aforementioned Stan Getz among many others.He has also written music for, performed on albums by, and produced recordings for Bob James, Michael Franks, Carly Simon, Dave Grusin, Bob Dylan, Art Garfunkel, Johnny Mathis, Wallace Rooney, Ivan Lins, Gato Barbieri, Thomas Quasthoff, Richard Stoltzman, Steps Ahead, Spyro Gyra, Keiko Matsui, Eric Marienthal, Anita Baker, Astrud Gilberto, Jon Lucien, Larry Coryell, Pat Martino, Brian Culbertson, David Benoit, Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp, George Garzone, Kim Waters, Walter Beasley, Randy Brecker, Warren Bernhardt, Jennifer Hudson, Bill Evans, Jim Hall, Chet Baker, Grover Washington, Jr. Sergio Salvatore, Eddie Daniels, Earl Klugh, Special EFX, Michel Camilo, Nelson Rangell, and the list goes on….

Harvey Mason

“Harvey Mason is probably the most recorded and most influential drummer /percussionist in this genre.” proclaims Nathan East. I first became aware of him in the days of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters and he had a patented beat that every drummer learned. Harvey’s innovative, creative and a very musical drummer. So, what you get with Harvey is very special.”

Drummer/Producer/Composer – Harvey Mason first showed his penchant for greatness, distinctive technique and innate sensitivity in the late ’60’s performing with jazz legends Duke Ellington and Erroll Garner. His recording career began in the early years of the Blue Note jazz crossover explosion and continued with groundbreaking performances and compositions with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters. One of the world’s premier drummers, Mason has earned seven Grammy nominations including one for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance for the latest of six solo endeavors, “Ratamacue”.

His inspired drumming has also graced other artist’s Grammy winners, including Seal‘s ’95 Record of the Year. A mantle full of tributes includes four First Place awards in Modern Drummer’s Studio poll and three Most Valuable Player trophies from NARAS. A first-call studio musician, Harvey has played on more gold and platinum jazz crossover records than any other drummer. A gifted composer, he scored “Only The Strong”, “Deadly Takeover” and contributed to the score of The Color Purple. He has performed on over 150 motion picture soundtracks and played at 12 of the past 13 Academy Awards presentations. He was lauded as Best Percussionist at the Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards in early 2000 and with his Fourplay-mates took home the Best Group Assignation. His reputation as a leader in jazz-fusion fits perfectly with the style and flavor of Fourplay.

Harvey Mason’s uncompromising quest for excellence has impacted the shape and form of music and musicians for the past three decades and will continue to keep him at the forefront of not only jazz, but that of pop, rock, orchestral, R&B, hip-hop, world and Latin, for decades to come. Easing into his fourth decade of professional music making, Harvey Mason looks forward to new horizons with Fourplay, just released a new CD “Energy” on the Headsup label, a new solo album, more film scoring and his usual choice assignments as a sideman, such as playing on superstar Seal’s 1996 Song of the Year Grammy-winner, “Kiss From A Rose” and performing on John Legend’s 2007 mega hit, “Save Room.” Flip across your radio dial on any given day and you’re sure to come across a gem that Harvey Mason has polished.