The Generations Jazz Band
Three generations of jazz tradition and experience
The ICA assembled the Generations Band to serve as the cornerstone of the Generations Project: ambassadors for the program, mentors for the competition winners and a fantastic performing band in their own right.
Assembling the Generations Band
The Generations Band was brought together by Andrew Speight, the Generation Program’s Artistic Director, with the support of Dr. Jeffrey Babcock, ICA’s Executive Director. In creating the band, they looked, of course, for great musicians who would create terrific music together and who were without exception experienced, dedicated jazz mentors.
Wishing to gather a wide spectrum of knowledge and a multiplicity of perspectives, Speight purposefully created a band melding three generations of great musicianship, from Jimmy Cobb and Ray Drummond, whose careers each cover more than forty years of jazz history and innovation, to Marcus Belgrave and Ronnie Mathews, participants in decades of essential jazz, to Eric Alexander and Andrew Speight, two of the brightest young veterans in the music today.
The ICA/Generations family was greatly saddened by the passing of our friend and mentor Ronnie Mathews on June 28, 2008. We’re proud that Ronnie’s last recorded performance was with the Generations Ensemble on their CD, Tough Guys.
New blood, fresh energy
Since the recording of Tough Guys, pianist Dave Hazeltine has joined the band. While Ronnie Mathews' great spirit will never really be replaced, Dave has proved a terrific member of the Generations Band. In addition, dynamic trumpeter Terrell Stafford has come on board, in keeping with the program's philosophy of bringing in new artists each year to provide fresh insights and perspectives. Terrell has certainly brought with him a burst of new ideas.
While the specific lineup of the Generations Band will change each year, as new artists rotate in to provide fresh insights and perspectives, the guiding spirit behind the Generations Band will remain constant: great musicianship, depth of experience and a passion for teaching.
In addition to the mentorship and performing duties so admirably accomplished over the first year of the Generations program, the ensemble recently released their first CD, Tough Guys, and produced the soon-to-be-released instructional DVD, Generations Jazzworks: A Master Class. In addition, the band laid down tracks for their second CD in December 2008.
Generations Band Bios
The current members of the Generations Band are
- Jimmy Cobb—drums
- Ray Drummond—bass
- Eric Alexander—tenor sax
- Andrew Speight—alto sax
- Dave Hazeltine—piano
- Terrell Stafford—trumpet
Jimmy Cobb
Website: http://www.jimmycobb.net
Drummer Jimmy Cobb’s career goes back to the very roots of modern jazz and includes membership in the legendary Miles Davis Band that included John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley. Jimmy was the drummer on Davis’ Kind of Blue, one of the most influential recording in jazz history. He’s backed everyone from Big Mama Thornton to Dizzy Gillespie to Wes Montgomery, and drives ensembles with a deep-rooted, propulsive swing. In October 2008, Jimmy Cobb was named a 2009 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. Here is a fascinating in-depth interview with Jimmy conducted by the NEA's Molly Murphy.
Ray Drummond
Website: http://www.raydrummond.com
Bassist Ray Drummond has been an influential presence in jazz for over 40 years, working and recording with Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Benny Golson and dozens more, and leading his own bands, as well. His gorgeous sound and audacious rhythmic sense goes straight back to Harlem and New Orleans.
Eric Alexander
Website: http://ericalexanderjazz.com
Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is one of the most exciting young jazz veterans working today. His playing crackles with interpretive acuity and the classic rewards of straight-ahead jazz power. Alexander mentored with jazz greats George Coleman and Von Freeman, and piano legend Harold Maeburn is still one of Alexander's most frequent collaborators.
Andrew Speight
Website: http://www.andrewspeight.com
Alto saxophonist Andrew Speight is a joyous, clear-toned exponent of lyrical, bop-infused jazz. An Australian native, Speight came of age performing with stars like Nat Adderley and Benny Carter. He headed the Michigan State Jazz Program, and now teaches at SF State. In 2006, Speight appeared with Cobb on the highly acclaimed CD, Marsalis Music Honors Jimmy Cobb.
Terrell Stafford
Website: http://www.terellstafford.com
Trumpeter Jazz great McCoy Tyner calls Terrell Stafford "one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player." by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Stafford's style combines a deep love of melody with a spirited, adventurous edge, and he's been able to incorporate the styles of his jazz predecessors into a sound and technique uniquely his own. Stafford has played in bands led by Benny Golson, Kenny Barron, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath and Tyner and has recorded four CDs as a leader. Stafford currently holds the positions of Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University and has served as a member of the faculty for the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies in New York.
Dave Hazeltine
Website: http://www.davidhazeltine.com
Pianist Dave Hazeltine came of age in his native Milwaukee playing at the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery with visiting stars including Charles McPherson, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt, Pepper Adams and Chet Baker. Hazeltine moved to New York in 1992 and has been in great demand as a sideman ever since. In addition, he leads his own trio and is a member of the burning ensemble "One for All" along with Eric Alexander. A dedicated teacher, Hazeltine was co-founder and director of The Jazz School, and Department Chairman at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, served as Associate Professor at Berklee College Of Music, and is currently, David is on the piano faculty at S.U.N.Y. Purchase.
Past members of the Generations Band
Ronnie Mathews
Website: http://www.jazzpianists.com/RonnieMathews
The late pianist Ronnie Mathews was a jazz star for over 40 years. A sharp and spirited stylist, Mathews teamed with Ray Drummond in Johnny Griffin’s highly influential quartet, spent a decade with Art Blakey, toured with Dexter Gordon and Louis Hayes, among others, and led his own highly successful and popular ensembles. The Generations family was greatly saddened by Ronnie Mathews' passing on June 28, 2008.
Marcus Belgrave
Website: http://www.marcusbelgrave.net
Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, a Detroit native, attained his soaring, soulful sound as a long-time member of Ray Charles’ band and collaborating with musicians like Charles Mingus and Dizzy Gillespie. A life-long educator, Belgrave co-founded Detroit’s Jazz Development Workshop and mentored a generation of stars like James Carter, Regina Carter and Kenny Garrett. Belgrave contributed energy, passion and terrific licks to the band's first CD, Tough Guys.
