Purtle Brass Conference
July 7-9, 2011 at Anderson University
Inspiring Instruction In Practice, Playing and Business
Jeff Purtle (Host) - Claude Gordon's Teachings
Featured Artists:
Harry Kim (Lead Trumpet for American Idol and Phil Collins, Founder of The Vine Street Horns)
Carl Lenthe (B&S Artist and Trombone Professor at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music)
Guest Speakers:
Dr. Larry Miller, M.D. - The Diaphragm Breathing Fallacy
Dr. Keith Amstutz - Col. Earl Irons and His Teaching
Rich Ita - Brass Repair and Maintenance
Arturo Sandoval - Interview over FaceTime
Philippe Schartz from the BBC
Highlights:
Vendors of Professional Instruments
Philippe Schartz FaceTime Interview
Carl Lenthe Masterclass
Dr. Keith Amstutz on Col. Earl Irons, the person and his work
Harry Kim on Improvisation
Catered BBQ and Jam Session
Jeff Purtle on Claude Gordon's Teachings
Dr. Larry Miller, M.D. on The Diaphragmatic Breathing Fallacy
Jeff Purtle on Developing Range, Power and Control
Arturo Sandoval FaceTime Interview
Harry Kim Lecture/Recording Session on Marking Parts and Playing in a Horn Section
Rich Ita on Repairs and Maintenance
United States Marines on Military Music Careers
Participant Groups Rehearse with Peter Voisin, Gary Malvern and David Stern
Carl Lenthe Recital
After Party At Tucker's Resteraunt in Anderson, SC (next to Holiday Inn)
Jeff Purtle on CG Routines to Solve Problems
Carl Lenthe: "Music In Your Life - Your Life In Music"
Open Q & A with Dr. Larry Miller and Jeff Purtle
Harry Kim on Life Lessons from the Music Business
Harry Kim Concert
After Party at Carson's Steakhouse in Anderson, SC (next to Holiday Inn)
Graduate Credit Available
Sponsors:
Shires Trombones
Claude Gordon Music
Look Who Recommends PbC:
Watch on Vimeo if YouTube video doesn't display.
Reviews:
The Brass Herald's review of PbC 2010
International Trumpet Guild's review of PbC 2010
OnlineVideo.net about PbC 2010
Telestream's Customer Success Story about PbC 2010
Jeff Purtle - Host
Harry Kim
Harry Kim was born and raised in New York City where he attended High School For The Performing Arts and prepared for a career as a classical trumpeter. After high school however, he relocated to Los Angeles and soon discovered the world of funk and jazz. After several years touring throughout the U.S. with various show groups, R&B revues and big bands, including the Harry James Big Band, he returned to Los Angeles to further his career.
Latin music took a front seat during the disco era, a time when live music was rarely featured in discotheques but was in strong demand by salsa audiences. It was at this time that he began working with artists such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, and also began honing his arranging skills by writing and performing on many disco productions.
Soon he joined Stevie Wonder’s Wonder Love which opened the doors of opportunity to perform and record with such artists as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson. He was on stage for the Emmy Award winning 25th Anniversary of Motown performing with many of Motown’s greatest stars. It was an evening highlighted by Michael Jackson’s introduction of his now legendary moonwalk.
In 1985 he joined the Phenix Horns, the celebrated horn section of Earth Wind and Fire. Together they performed with various artists throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Included were two tours in 1987 and 1988 with French icon Michel Berger and vocalist France Gall.
In 1989 he participated in the making of Phil Collins’ multi award winning CD ...But Seriously. A world tour followed in 1990 marking the beginning of a long association with Collins. The multi platinum live concert CD Serious Hits Live was released soon after.
Realizing the many advantages of being part of a high performance horn section, Kim founded The Vine Street Horns. He called together musicians with whom he had worked for many years. Numerous productions with various artists were to follow.
In 1994 Phil Collins called on The Vine Street Horns to join him on his Both Sides Tour, an extensive 18 month world tour.
In 1996 he was asked by Collins to organize a big band featuring adaptations of his music and the music of Genesis in a jazz setting. The Phil Collins Big Band was born. As musical director and arranger, Kim and The Vine Street Horns took center stage performing at all the major European jazz festivals, with Tony Bennett as vocalist and Quincy Jones as guest conductor.
This was also the year they recorded Phil Collins’ Into The Light CD, which toured the world in 1997.
The year 1998 saw another Phil Collins Big Band tour resulting in a live CD entitled A Hot Night In Paris.
Later that year an introduction to France’s legendary singer Johnny Hallyday led to 3 sold out performances at the Stade de France, five successful tours from 1998 to 2009 and numerous top selling concert CDs and DVDs.
In the new millennium Harry Kim continues to enjoy a well balanced schedule of studio recordings and live performances. Although he continues to tour throughout the world, with Johnny Hallyday and Phil Collins, he also manages to add to his long list of credits while at home. Recently he has acted as horn section leader and arranger for the 2005-2010 seasons of American Idol as well as for America’s Got Talent and Celebrity Duets.
Recent highlights:
Films: Evolution, El Dorado, Chicken Run, The Stick Up, The Italian Job, X-Men 3, Robots, Ice Age 2, Ice Age 3, The Poseidon Adventure, Out of Time, Love In The Time of Cholera, Happy Feet, Horton Hears a Who?, Jumpers, Hancock, Bolt, Kung Fu Panda
Television Specials and Award Shows:
Muhammad Ali 60th Birthday Celebration - Performing with Paul Simon and Natalie Cole
Jennifer Lopez - NBC Concert Special from San Juan, Puerto Rico
Grammy Award Winning MTV Unplugged with Spanish pop artist Alejandro Sanz
The Kennedy Center Honors Performing with Herbie Hancock
The 45th Anniversary Special of Motown
The 75th Anniversary Special of the Apollo Theater
Ray Charles... A Night of Genius.
The Black Film Awards
UNCF... An Evening of Stars (Annual)
The NAACP Image Awards (Annual)
The TVland Awards (Annual)
The BET Awards - Performing with Prince and Chaka Khan
BET Celebration of Gospel Music.
The World Music Awards - Performing with Stevie Wonder
The Billboard Awards - Performing with Diana Ross
The Grammy Awards - Performing with the Backstreet Boys
The Grammy Awards - Performing with Usher and James Brown
The Grammy Awards - Performing with Christina Aguilera
The Grammy Awards - Performing with Alicia Keys
The Grammy Awards - Performing with Beyonce and Tina Turner
The 2011 Grammy Awards - Opening Feature Tribute to Aretha Franklin with Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride, and Florence Welch
Super Bowl XXXVIII - Performing the National Anthem with Beyonce
Super Bowl XXXIX - Performing with Alicia Keys
Super Bowl XXXXII - Performing the National Anthem with Jennifer Hudson
American Idol 2005-2010 seasons
Presidential Innauguration Ceremony For Barack Obama - Performing My Country Tis Of Thee with Aretha Franklin
Recently recorded with: Chaka Khan, Alicia Keys, Lyle Lovett, Chris Botti, Marc Anthony, Joe Zawinul (Faces and Places), Shakira.
Carl Lenthe
Carl Lenthe, Professor of Music at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, was born into a musical family in 1956 and grew up in the Delaware Valley in Pennsylvania. His love of good music, inspired by concert bands and recordings of the great orchestras, was nurtured by both the school and church music programs in his hometown of Springfield. Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music led him to a career in music, which commenced at the age of 20 with his engagement as principal-trombonist under Wolfgang Sawallisch at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Germany. His 17-year tenure there, during which he was named "Bavarian Chamber Virtuoso" by the Ministry of Culture, was followed by his appointment as principal-trombonist with the Bamberg Symphony, where he also served on that orchestra's executive committee.
As a trombone soloist, Lenthe won first prize with special distinction at the international music competition "Prague Spring" and has appeared as soloist with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Prague Symphony and the Bamberg Symphony. His solo CD "The Audition Window" has met with critical acclaim, contains some of the most standard contest and audition pieces for aspiring trombonists, and is coupled with a pilot project in music distance learning, theLentheLessons. As Principal-Euphonium player in the Hal Leonard Recording Band, he was called upon to record the new solo CDs for the re-release of H. Voxman's venerable "Concert and Contest Collection"- for both euphonium and trombone.
Extensive chamber music and recital activities have not only kept him well-versed in the literature for Brass Quintet, Brass Ensemble, Trombone Quartet and Solo Trombone but also led him to arrange and publish music for these combinations. He is a regular performing member of Summit Brass, serving also on their Artist Board. His journalistic efforts have met with encouraging resonance in professional circles. In addition to his activities in the brass world, he also served as a mediocre but enthusiastic church organist and choir director for the Lutheran Chapel of the US Military in Bamberg, Germany.
As an orchestral trombonist Carl Lenthe has been a frequent guest with the Berlin Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Maggio Musicale in Florence and many other major orchestras in Europe. His expertise on the Wagnerian bass trumpet kept him in regular demand in many European opera houses. In the US, he has performed with the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and others.
Having received high quality instruction from the start, he feels a commitment to teaching and, beyond his regular studio teaching, enjoys working with a wide variety of pupils both on an individual basis as well as in workshops, clinics and master classes in southern Germany, Austria, northern Italy, Brazil and in the USA. Through his pedagogical and performance reputation he is frequently called upon to serve as juror for instrumental competitions at both regional and international levels.
Also active as an instrument design consultant with the B&S Company of Germany, Lenthe is working with that company on a new line of highest quality professional trombones, the Meistersinger Series.
Carl lives in Bloomington with his wife Martha, a teacher and life-long learner. Together, they enjoy proudly following the paths and passions of their four children.
Audition Window: Timeless Trombone Tales - Carl Lenthe
Trombones Under the Tree - Carl Lenthe, Joseph Alessi, M. Dee Stewert & Mark Lawrence
Morceau Symphonique - Philip Jones Story - Carl Lenthe
Canzonetta - Philip Jones Story - Carl Lenthe
Dr. Keith Amstutz
Dr. A. Keith Amstutz, Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina, received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Michigan State University and his doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. He studied trumpet with Byron L. Autrey, Col. Earl D. Irons and John J. Haynie. Prior to joining the USC faculty, Dr. Amstutz taught at the University of Texas, Arlington, the University of North Texas, and the University of Kansas. A nationally-known recitalist/clinician, Dr. Amstutz has appeared at universities and music conferences in 29 states. For fourteen years he performed as Principal Trumpet of the South Carolina Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras, the Columbia Lyric Theatre Orchestra and as a member of the Jimmy Farr Big Band.
“A Videofluorographic Study of the Teeth Aperture, Instrument Pivot and Tongue Arch and Their Influence on Trumpet Performance”, Dr. Amstutz’s videofluorographic research, remains the most in-depth study of the functions of the oral cavity organs during trumpet performance. Dr. Amstutz holds the patent on BRACEGUARD, the orthodontic shield for instrumentalists with braces. BRACEGUARD was introduced in 1983 is distributed world-wide. His publications also include two commercial albums of trumpet solo literature.
Kuo-Pei Cheng-Lin (Piano for Carl Lenthe Concert)
Kuo-Pei Cheng-Lin has enjoyed teaching piano & collaborative piano for more than 27 years. Born in Taiwan, she started playing the piano at the age of six and entered classical music school in her seventh grade. She holds a B.M. in Piano Performance from the National Institute of Arts in Taiwan and two Master’s degrees in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano from The Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Anne Epperson, Sandra Shapiro, Thomas Hecht and Olga Radosavljevich and performed in master classes given by Jerome Lowenthal, Warren Jones, Jean Barr and cellist Denis Brott. She received a full scholarship from the Santa Barbara Summer Music Festival and after graduation was appointed staff accompanist at CIM. In 1995 she moved to Cincinnati where she served as principal pianist for the Middletown Symphony Orchestra and as the music director and pianist for the Cincinnati Chinese Church at Mason. A Greenville resident since 2004, Mrs. Lin is currently serving as the principal pianist for the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra and piano faculty for North Greenville University.
Through the years she has continued to perform recitals as a soloist and with musicians from such institutions as the Cincinnati Symphony and Greenville Symphony, as well as faculty members of North Greenville University, Clemson University, and Furman University, among others. She recently performed Liszt’s Concerto No. 1 with the Foothills Philharmonic at the Peace Center.
Gerardo Colón Ortiz has over 26 years experience playing bass and over 18 years arranging and composing salsa and Latin jazz music. Born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, he received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in 1988. While attending college, he could also be found playing in such groups as the Musician's Association of Puerto Rico's Jazz Ensemble. Following graduation, Colón began teaching in the public schools of Puerto Rico, while gaining recognition among local salsa and jazz musicians by playing with such bands as Marvin Santiago, Eriguá, Mickey Cora, Joey Hernández, Cuto Soto, Sammy González and Yambaó. Later on, he joined the National Guard Band and led its Latin jazz ensemble. Since 1994 until present he works as a bass player for the US Army Band program. His resume also include advanced bass studies with bass player Jeff Berlin. Also he was the bass instructor for seven years for the “Armed Forces School of Music”.
His works accompanying jazz artists include; Frank Mantooth (big band), Terell Stafford and Richie Cole. Currently, he lives in the Evans, GA area and plays professionally with his group The Latín Jazz Note . He also gives private music lessons, (bass, cuatro, theory and improvisation). Also he is a contributing writer for the e-magazines SalsaJazz, The Latin Beat, ABI and El Boricua.com. Books of his authorship; Ritmos sightreading for bass, Latin Jazz duets for bass, Grooving Low Ultimate Grooves for Bass and Mambos for the Salsa and Latin Jazz horn section.
Lisandro Quintero - Congas
Lisandro Quintero was born on September 6, 1976 in Venezuela in Maracaibo, Zulia State. At the age of 8 he began to venture into the world of music at the Yamaha Music Academy where he excelled with the instrument Organ. After his 18 years of age he began his studies at the Academy Percussion Latin America 21 where performance skills to play congas, bongos and timbales. Thereafter began working with several orchestras of Zulia was one of his first 7 Scala Orchestra, where he recorded his first production in 1999. Then he enters the world of Teaching, where he began teaching Latin Percussion. Forward begins to work with many artists, groups and bands of Venezuela and the world such as: Elvis Crespo, Johnny Ventura, Luis Enrique, Fulanito, Jenny Rivera, Bobby Pulido, Ismael Miranda, Luisito Carrion, David Pavon, Hector Tricoche, Luigi Texidor, Maelo Ruiz, Chino y Nacho, The Aviators, Gilberto Santa Rosa caranjanos, The Teenagers, Omar Henry, Erica and her Brazilian Explosion, Charly Zaas among others. Currently in U.S. working with Univision Atlanta and Miami Show Band and transmitting their knowledge throughout the world.
Doug Norwine - Saxophone
An accomplished saxophone player, Doug graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bowling Green University in Ohio with a Bachelor of Music degree. He also received a Masters Equivalent in Performance from Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Doug has received 12 Gold and Platinum records from the RIAA for his work as a musician. Doug's musical credits are numerous, and will certainly be familiar to anyone tuned into the American popular culture landscape. Perhaps his most popular credit is that of the baritone sax behind Lisa Simpson and her mentor, "Bleeding Gums" Murphy on the FOX hit series, The Simpsons.
A busy studio musician in Los Angeles for the past 28 years, Doug has been featured on such television shows as Roseanne, Full House, Seinfeld, The Tonight Show and too many others to list.
Miguel A. Torres - Trombone
Miguel A. Torres was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, studied at PR Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, was a member of Hector Lavoe's Band, have performed with salsa legends Tito Puente, Ismael Miranda, Tito Allen, Papo Lucca, Isidro Infante just to name a few, have recorded with Orquesta La Terrifica, Salsa con Clase, Foto Rodriguez, Cuco Valoy, active member of the US Army Bands since 1987, currently resides in Evans, GA.
Watch Miguel playing with Salsa legend, Hector Lavoe.
Trio for BBQ and Jam Session (Thursday night):
Keith Davis - Piano
Keith Davis is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator with 30 years of professional experience. He currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina. Keith performs regularly at jazz festivals, clubs and events throughout the Southeast, both as a solo pianist and with many of the finest musicians in the area. He also teaches piano lessons, with a focus on improvisation, and also serves as Adjunct Instructor of Jazz Piano at Furman University. Keith also teaches Chen Style Tai Chi and Qigong.
Shannon Hoover - Bass
Shannon Hoover is an upright/electric bassist/composer from Greenville SC. He actively freelances in diverse styles such as jazz, latin, and classical, and also leads his own band featuring original compositions. He is a first-call session and touring bassist, recently performing at the Blue Room in Kansas City, MO with Kobie Watkins and Yoshi’s in San Francisco CA with the Hipbones. Shannon has played with greats like Branford Marsalis, Joe Craven, Derek Trucks, Rick Simerly, Pete McCann, Kofi Burbridge, and Jeff Sipe. He currently teaches private lessons at Watson/Wood Music Greenville SC and is adjunct bass instructor at USC Upstate University in Spartanburg SC.
Tim Blackwell - Drums
A Spartanburg, South Carolina native and an honor graduate of the Percussion Institute of Technology at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, California as well as the University of South Carolina Upstate. Tim is a devoted student of drums with more than 25 years playing and recording experience. He has had the opportunity to study with some of today's top studio players and educators including: Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphry, Steve Houghton, Casey Scheurell, Chuck Silverman, Efrain Toro, and Chuck Flores to name a few.
After earning his bachelors, Tim taught at USC Upstate for three and a half years as Adjunct Music Instructor. He taught Applied Drum Lessons and was the Assistant Director of the Jazz Ensemble. He currently teaches at Hames Music in Gaffney, SC and conducts private lessons in his Spartanburg, SC, studio.
Over the years of studying and teaching privately, Tim has performed with jazz artists such as saxophonist Walter Blanding Jr., saxophonist Don Braden, trumpeter Mark Rapp, pianist Ellis Marsalis, trombonist Steve Turre, guitarist Scott Henderson, and bassist Jeff Berlin among others.
Locally, Tim is the leader of a straight-ahead jazz quartet always featuring the finest players in the region, has played with the Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble Big Band and works as a freelance drummer playing and recording in many popular styles of music.
While Tim’s drumming is centered in jazz, his passion for all genres and styles of music gives him an edge. He is best known for his versatility in a wide variety of musical settings. Whether he is playing jazz standards, kicking a big band, or laying down a tight funky groove for a pop or rock tune, his greatest satisfaction comes from creating a vibe in the music and helping to make tunes groove.
