Mike Clark Quartet

Hes a great jazz drummerand he hasnt lost any of the stuff that he brought from Oakland. So now hes totally free to do both, and he does. The solo he played on the album Thrust, on the song Actual Proof, is one of the best drum solos on any of my albums. So many people have remarked about that solo, saying, Incredible. Herbie HancockMIKE CLARK gained worldwide recognition as one of Americas foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancocks group in the early 1970s. Mike became known as a major innovator through his incisive playing on Hancocks Thrust album, which garnered him an international cult following.While often referred to as the Tony Williams of funk, Mike considers himself a jazz drummer, and in fact has become one of the most vital to sit behind a set. He's performed with jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker, Vince Guaraldi, Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Eddie Henderson, Rob Dixon, Bobby Hutcherson, Woody Shaw, Donald Harrison, Larry Coryell, Jack Wilkins, Mike Wolff, Wallace Roney, Geri Allen, Billy Childs, James Genus, Bob Hurst, Chris Potter, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Dave Liebman, Nat Adderly, Oscar Brown Jr., Bill Doggett, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Mose Allison, Maxine Brown, Gil Evans and his orchestra and many illuminating etceteras too numerous to list.Born in Sacramento, CA, while growing up Mike had the benefit of traveling around the country with his father, a union man for the railroad. He was also a drummer at one time and had a keen ear, a killing record collection, and a great appreciation for music. This allowed the younger Clark to soak up the diverse regional music of the United States, which he credits as providing an invaluable education. Clark was a prodigy as well, picking up his first sticks at the tender age of five and sitting in--and getting house --with bands in Texas and New Orleans when he was as young as 7 and 8.He continued to play in a variety of blues, R&B, organ trios, and jazz bands, settling in Oakland, CA, until his introduction to Herbie Hancock and his recruitment into the Headhunters in 1973.At the tail end of the 70s and in 1980, shortly before moving to New York City, Mike did a short but remarkable stint with Brand X, the acclaimed British fusion band founded by Phil Collins, doing two tours and recording their seminal Do They Hurt? and Product.The winter of 2000 saw him diversifying his efforts with a foray into the popular jam band scene. His group Prescription Renewal electrified audiences across the country with an eclectic core of cross- generational multi talents, such as Charlie Hunter, Fred Wesley, Skerik, Robert Walter, and DJ Logic, and featured special guests such as George Porter Jr. of Funky Meters fame, Kyle Hollingsworth of String Cheese Incident, Les Claypool, Will Bernard, Larry Goldings and fellow Headhunters alumni, Bill Summers, and proved a hit on the thriving young jam band scene. He followed that with several successful tours of the Roots Funk All Stars, another hot ad hoc association that married Mike with James Brown trombonist Fred Wesley, former Headhunter cohort and funk bassist legend Paul Jackson, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Robben Ford. Next to James Brown's drummer Clyde Stubblefield, Mike's beats with The Headhunters (most notably on "God Make Me Funky") are some of the most sampled in hip hop. Featured in Downbeat, Musician, International Musician & Recording World, Modern Drummer, Jazz Times, Guitar Player, Jazz Is and numerous jazz history and method books, Mike is a former faculty member of Drummers Collective, and is a popular and busy clinician around the country. His book Funk Drumming: Innovative Grooves & Advanced Concepts was published last year by Hal Leonard and is a best seller. His numerous recording credits include albums with Herbie Hancock, the Headhunters, Brand X, Eddie Henderson, Jack Wilkins, Mark Puricelli, Mike Wolff, and Alien Army, a group led by guitar great Jack Wilkins. As a bandleader, his release Give The Drummer Some was very enthusiastically received, earning a rare four and a half stars in Downbeat, as was The Funk Stops Here, a joint effort with Hancock alumni Paul Jackson. In 2001, his solo CD, Actual Proof met with critical acclaim, as did the 2003 acoustic jazz release, Summertime, featuring Chris Potter and Billy Childs, which spent many weeks in the top ten charts.Other efforts included a compilation of his legendary, innovative funk beat samples, Mike ClarkThe Headhunter, a re-release of the widely acclaimed Thrust album, and, in 1998, The Return Of The Headhunters, featuring Herbie Hancock. Next came Herbie Hancocks Box Set, featuring Headhunters classics Actual Proof and Butterfly, from Thrust, a few choice cuts from Manchild, and also some historical tracks from the classic Flood, previously only available in Japan. The Headhunters newest effort, Evolution/Revolution, released in 2003, featured the latest Headhunter configuration, with original founding members Mike, Bill Summers and Paul Jackson, joined by Donald Harrison, Victor Atkins (Los Hombres Caliente), and Nicholas Payton.His 2009 release Blueprints of Jazz, Vol. I produced by Talking House Productions, which featured Christian McBride, Donald Harrison, Patrice Rushen, Jed Levy and Christian Scott, was received with critical acclaim and named one of the best recordings of the decade by Downbeat.His latest effort, Carnival of Soul released June 11th by Owl Records and climbing the charts, was described by the Indianapolis Star as a jazz party with a kaleidoscopic array of players. Those players include guest turns by renowned country blues singer Delbert McClinton, fellow drumming icon Lenny White, tenor player Rob Dixon, and three separate organ-based ensembles offering up some delicious soul-infused jazz.A true original, Mikes work continues to delight and astound his fans around the world. <br /><br />“Rico Is one of the few original voices emerging. His musicianship and passion have forged to create an original voice we will joyfully be hearing more from in the future!” <br>- Vincent Herring, Downbeat Magazine <br><br>Rico Jones is a rising star and one of the most accomplished saxophonists of his generation. Born and raised in Colorado, Rico has been driven by a deep passion for artistic expression since early childhood. Before discovering his musical talents, Rico honed his creative skills as a self-taught visual artist. This innate creativity seamlessly transitioned into his musical journey as he began learning to play by ear. Growing up in Denver, Rico had the invaluable opportunity to perform under the guidance of local music legends, including Paul Romaine, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, Art Lande, Paul Warburton, Joe Bonner, Brad Goode, Vlad Girshevich, Jon Romero, Laura Newman, Ellyn Rucker and Purnell Steen. Rico had a unique musical upbringing playing Gospel on his horn as part of a predominantly Black Catholic community at Cure d’Ars Church from early childhood until his departure to New York at age 18. <br><br>As Rico matured as an artist, he became captivated by black American musical art forms, particularly blues and jazz, which became his primary modes of expression for both himself and his ensembles. Furthermore, his rich ancestral heritage stretching from Morocco to Northern and southern Indigenous American tribes has become a focal point for his artistic expressions, infusing his music with a profound cultural depth. <br>At the age of 16 Rico Jones was named one of KUVO radio’s 30 under 30 best jazz musicians. Later that year he performed at the Grammy awards with a group of national young talent, hand selected by the Grammy Foundation. The following year he was lead tenor in the Jazz Band of America. <br><br>Rico's impressive career has seen him share the stage with many of the world’s most renowned artists. <br>As a sideman, he has worked with The Mingus Big Band, David Kikoski, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Papo Vasquez, Philip Harper, Bobby Watson, Sylvia Cuenca, Essiet Essiet, Victor Jones, Papo Vasquez, Veronica Swift, Sasha Berliner, Cyrus Chestnut, Russell Hall, Paul Bollenback, Steven Feifke, Mike Boone, Brad Goode, Greg Gisbert, Allan Harris, Freddie Hendrix, Aaron Burnett, and many more. <br><br>Leading his own ensembles, he has collaborated with <br>Victor Lewis, Vincent Herring, Eric Harland, Michael Ode, Jonathan Blake, Dezron Douglas, Lonnie Plaxico, Max Light, Nasheet Waits, Joe Martin, Mike King, Rich Perry, Harold Summey, Matt Penman, Dan Weiss, Matt Clohesy, Yasushi Nakamura, Ari Hoenig, Lage Lund, Kush Abaday, Colin Stranahan, Rick Rosato, Peter Horvath, and many more. <br>Jones has also been invited as a special guest in concerts with: <br>Peter Washington, Joe Farnsworth, Sullivan Fortner, Eric Wyatt, and Jonathan Kreisberg. <br><br>In large ensemble settings, Rico has performed alongside Esperanza Spalding, Candido, Terrence Blanchard, Joe Lovano, Ingrid Jensen, Bobby Sanabria, Javon Jackson, Terrell Stafford and many more. <br><br>Among those who have musically mentored him are the esteemed artists David Kikoski, Vincent Herring, Bennie Maupin, Charles McPherson, Bobby Watson, Eric Wyatt, Sonny Rollins and George Coleman. Rico further refined his craft during his time at the Manhattan School of Music, where he had the privilege of studying under revered artists such as Buster Williams, Paquito D'Rivea, Arturo O'Farrill, Miguel Zenón, and more. <br><br>In 2019, Rico Jones was awarded first prize in the Vandoren Emerging Artist competition, a testament to his exceptional talent and promise. He showcased his virtuosity by premiering a new big band composition written for him by Todd Bashore at the Music For All festival as a special guest with the Jazz Band of America. Rico was also selected to participate in prestigious programs such as the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center and the JAS Aspen workshop with Christian McBride in 2019. He made his international debut in Paris at the Sunset/Sunside Jazz Club that same year. Rico's accomplishments continued to soar in 2020 as he competed in the inaugural Rudin Jazz Championship at Lincoln Center under the direction of Jon Faddis and became a finalist in the North American Saxophone competition. Again in that year, Rico Jones was awarded as a winner of the Yamaha emerging artist competition. <br><br>During his senior year of college, Rico contributed to the musical community by teaching masterclasses at high schools and colleges across Colorado as an artist representative for the Vandoren company. His dedication and talent were recognized when he and his ensembles received four Downbeat awards in 2020, including accolades for "Jazz Soloist," "Small Jazz Ensemble," and two awards in the "Latin Jazz" category. Rico proudly graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, receiving the prestigious William H. Borden award for outstanding achievement in jazz in May 2020. This remarkable achievement earned him a full scholarship to pursue his master's degree at the same institution. <br><br>In 2021, Rico Jones continued to garner accolades, receiving two more awards from Downbeat Magazine for "Jazz Soloist" and "Jazz Arrangement." Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Rico remained dedicated to his community and organized over 100 free community outdoor concerts at Sloan Lake, bringing joy and the power of music to his childhood community. Each weekend, these concerts attracted crowds of over 300 attendees, and Rico's efforts to share the arts received widespread recognition from magazines, local news outlets, and PBS. <br><br>In April 2021, Rico had the honor of performing at the prestigious Red Rocks Amphitheatre with his band CounterCurrent, leaving an indelible mark on the iconic venue. Later that year, Rico led his electric band CounterCurrent at the renowned Telluride Jazz Fest, sharing the festival line up with esteemed acts like Robert Glasper, Allison Miller, Christian Sands, and the Preservation Hall Band, among others. <br><br>In 2022, Rico Jones made history as he co-led the first all-indigenous big band, presenting an original composition titled "Earth" at the Olympia Performing Arts Center in Washington state. The band embarked on a successful tour throughout Alaska in 2023, premiering music composed by Rico for the big band. The All-Indigenous Big Band is now poised to headline the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival with Grammy award winner Esperanza Spalding after a week-long residency at the Kennedy Center in May 2024. <br><br>Continuing his musical endeavors, Rico embarked on a captivating journey in 2023, performing in concert halls and music venues across Ecuador as part of the Joan Sanchez Quartet, further expanding his international reach. <br><br>In 2024 Jones was chosen by renowned jazz photographer, Jimmy Katz, to craft an all-original jazz album, recorded live under Katz's nonprofit organization, Giant Steps Art s. This organization is celebrated for recording top-tier artists, including Mark Turner, Jonathan Blake, Chris Potter, and Eric Alexander, among others. Furthermore, Rico Jones has been approached by the record label, Life Force Records, to produce an album of his original music featuring Essiet Essiet, Sylvia Cuenca, and Peter Horvath. <br><br>Currently residing in Harlem, New York, Rico Jones dedicates himself to composing, practicing, directing bands, performing, and educating. He currently holds the position as musical Director at the Doctor Lena Edwards Academic Charter school where he teaches predominantly Black and Latino children in Jersey City. He remains steadfast in his commitment to the art of music, constantly striving to traverse the globe and share his unique and compelling sound with audiences worldwide. Rico's remarkable talent, unwavering dedication, and cultural resonance make him a true force to be reckoned with in the world of music. <br /><br />David Kikoski is a pianist, composer, and arranger deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz. <br><br>"The brilliant playing of David Kikoski just smokes. His playing is sparkling." - Chick Corea <br><br>"Dave has so much feeling. He can play anything. I can depend on him for so much." - Roy Haynes <br><br>A highly regarded jazz pianist, Dave Kikoski emerged onto the New York jazz scene in the 1980s, quickly establishing himself as a go-to performer, collaborating with top musicians such as Roy Haynes, Bob Berg, Randy Brecker, and many others. Known for his adept post-bop style and spontaneous, swinging play, Kikoski has become a prominent figure in the jazz world. <br><br>As a leader, Kikoski has released 20 albums, including "Presage" with Eddie Gomez and Al Foster (1989) and "Consequences" featuring Jeff "Tain" Watts and Christian McBride (2015). His two most recent albums, "Phoenix Rising" (2019) and "Sure Thing" (2021), were both released under High Note Records. <br><br>In his role as an invaluable sideman, Kikoski has recorded and toured with luminaries such as Roy Haynes, Michael Brecker, John Scofield, Ravi Coltrane, Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Roy Hargrove, Donny McCaslin, Mike Stern, Chick Corea, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Toots Thielemans, Tom Harrell, Marcus Miller, Pat Martino, Jack Dejohnette, Billy Hart, and many others. A longstanding member of the prestigious Charles Mingus Big Band, co-leader of BeatleJazz, and a member of Opus Five, Kikoski is also part of the newly formed all-star collective called Something Else. <br><br>Notably, as a member of the Charles Mingus Big Band, Kikoski achieved significant success by winning a 2011 Grammy Award with the ensemble for the Best Live Jazz Ensemble Album with "Live at the Jazz Standard." In 2001, he earned a Grammy nomination with Roy Haynes for the album "Birds of a Feather: A Tribute to Charlie Parker." It's worth highlighting that the Mingus Big Band, with Dave as a vital contributor, recently received a 2024 Grammy nomination for the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, recognizing their outstanding performance in “The Charles Mingus Centennial Session.” <br /><br />At age 30, bassist Alex Claffy has become one of the most in-demand performers of his generation, both as a sideman working with the biggest names in Jazz and Popular music, and also as a bandleader, composer and producer having just released his fourth album as a leader “Music From Big Orange” in late 2022 with another record on the way ft. Michael “Sonny Step” Stephenson in early 2023. Living in New York City but born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Claffy is the next great Jazz artist in his hometown’s storied lineage, following in the footsteps of Philadelphia bass luminaries such as Christian McBride, Percy Heath and Jimmy Garrison. <br>His resumé as a sideman reads as a veritable who’s who of Jazz royalty, ranging from Jazz masters such as George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Randy Brecker, Wallace Roney and Louis Hayes, to the top stars of today such as Nicholas Payton, Christian Adjtunde Adjuah, Seamus Blake and Kurt Rosenwinkel - the latter of which he just debuted with at the legendary Village Vanguard in Summer of 2022. His work in more Pop settings with the likes of trumpet icon Chris Botti, the genre-bending songstress Veronica Swift and breakout Hamilton star vocalist Leslie Odom Jr. prove his versatility as a bassist and musician know no bounds. When he’s not touring the world headlining major Jazz festivals and clubs, Claffy can be found in any of the top venues in New York City’s decorated Jazz scene such as Birdland, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club, SMOKE and Smalls, as well as frequent trips back to Philadelphia, where he is committed to enriching and enlivening his hometown scene as well. In his spare time he’s an avid vinyl collector, has a voracious appetite for podcasts and the greats of stand-up comedy, as well as his dedication to his work as a clinician and teacher, hosting a private studio of bass students as well as adjunct work at his alma mater, the New School of Jazz.