Mike Orta, Piano

Michael was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. He began studying piano at the age of seven. His greatest jazz influences have been Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock. Michael was given a full arts scholarship to study at Miami Dade Community College-South Campus (MDCC-S) from 1984-86. While at MDCC-S, Michael performed in the Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Georgini, and recorded on their album, "Top Secret." In 1986, he performed with this ensemble at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, as well as a 5-week tour of Africa with the MDCC-S Jazz Sextet. Michael graduated in 1986 with an Associate of Arts degree. From there Michael went on to study, under full scholarship, at the University of Miami. While there, he studied with well-known jazz pianist and educator, Vince Maggio. Michael performed in UM's prestigious Concert Jazz Band (CJB) under the direction of Whit Sidener. He played on the band's CD entitled Pandamandium as well as performing on the CJB's one month Italian Tour. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz performance from UM in 1989 and his Master's degree in 1992.

Michael has been very active on the jazz scene. He recorded two albums with his jazz/fusion group, "The Wave," on the Atlantic Jazz record label. This outfit also displayed his compositional abilities. In 1991, Michael toured as pianist for the Arturo Sandoval group as well as recording on Sandoval's American debut album on GRP, "Flight To Freedom." With this group Michael toured throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. In 1993, Michael was chosen as one of five finalist in the prestigious Great American Jazz Piano Competition. He was selected out of a field of one hundred entrants from around the world. In 1994, Michael spent the year touring and recording with the Paquito D'Rivera group. He played concerts and clubs in Trinidad, Curaçao, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Paris, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Romania, Greece, Holland, and Slovenia. Michael has performed and/or recorded with some of the major names in jazz: Randy Brecker, Dave Weckl, Eddie Daniels, Vince Maggio, James Moody, Ira Sullivan, Gary Campbell, Toots Thielmans, Ignacio Berroa, Rene Toledo, Bobby Thomas, Jr., Nestor Torres, Ed Calle, Larry Coryell, and the list goes on. Michael has also been an active clinician, sharing his musical knowledge and philosophies with music students in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and throughout South America. Mike is Director of Jazz Performance at Florida International University teaching jazz piano, jazz improvisation, and directing both jazz and latin jazz ensembles. Michael has released his debut album, FREEDOM TOWER on the Fantasy/Contemporary label. This CD features Paquito D'Rivera, Nicky Orta, Gary Campbell and others. His book, "Jazz Piano Etudes," will be out in August, 2003, on Warner Brothers Publications.

Gary Campbell, Saxophone
Associate Professor & Coordinator of Jazz Studies

A three-time Fulbright Scholar, Gary is one of this country's most sought after jazz educators. He taught for 12 years at the University of Miami (earning a Master of Music in Jazz Performance while teaching there), is Associate Professor of Jazz Performance/Saxophone at Florida International University, and for many years has been a performer/clinician at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops. Gary has been awarded numerous National Endowment for the Arts performance grants and has published five highly acclaimed books on jazz improvisation PATTERNS FOR JAZZ (co-authored with Jerry Coker); EXPANSIONS - a method for developing new material for improvisation; HANK MOBLEY TRANSCRIBED SOLOS; CONNECTING JAZZ THEORY; and TRIAD PAIRS FOR JAZZ  

In addition to his Cds as leader, he is featured on the two latest CDs of world renowned bassist Miroslav Vitous (on ECM Records), and tours with the Miroslav Vitous Group. Gary plays and endorses P. Mauriat Saxophones, Rico Reeds, and AMT Microphones. Professor Campbell's personal website is http://www.garycampbelljazz.com
 
 

Errol Rackipov, Vibes

Jazz vibraphonist, marimbist, and composer Errol Rackipov holds a Bachelor's degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA and a Master's degree from the University of Miami. Along with his band "Dream Hunter" Errol Rackipov has performed with Terence Blanchard, Bob Moses, Othello Molinaux, Herb Pomeroy and Kenny Werner. He has recorded with Mike Orta in "Tower of Freedom" (with Paquito De Rivera and Gary Campbell) and Juan Pablo Torres in "Pepper Trombone" (with Paquito D'Rivera and Arturo Sandoval). In 1996 his tune "Pictures from a train window" from the same title album won the "Jazziz" magazine "Percussionist on fire" competition. Errol Rackipov's numerous pieces, arrangements and transcriptions are published by Rolly Publications, Inc. Currently Errol Rackipov teaches Jazz Vibraphone and Mallet instruments at University of Miami and Jazz Improvisation courses at Florida International University.