- Randal Harrison: bio
Violinist Randal Harrison Hoecherl charms, challenges and inspires listeners of all ages. Critics have simultaneously declared him reminiscent of Nicoli Pagannini, Stephane Grapelli, Al DiMeola and Frank Zappa. His mastery of such diverse styles has garnered him an EMMY nomination for composition and three Madison Area Music Awards for Jazz Artist of the Year, Classical Artist of the Year and Blues Artist of the Year. His diverse performance credits include work with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, jazz Bassist Ben Tucker, and legendary drummer Sam Lay of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Harrison's performances and compositions appear on over 100 recordings including works for Naxos World, SRM, Boat Records, db Musique, Spiritwood and StringFling Records. In addition to his work as performer, composer and recording artist, Randal Harrison travels as a clinician of jazz improvisation and violin studies.
Mark Urness is a versatile bassist, composer, and educator. He has served as Principal Bassist for the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre and for five seasons was Principal Bassist for the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra. From 1999-2001 he freelanced in New York City, where he played with Adam Nussbaum, Lew Soloff, Eric Rasmussen and Curtis Fowlkes, among others. Urness compositions appear on several recordings including the Bob Washut Trio's Songbook, Triptych's Play Here. He has most recently recorded with oftEnsemble, Orquesta Alto Maiz and OddBar. Urness received a Master of Music in double bass performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is currently a faculty member at Lawrence University. In 2001 Mark Urness was awarded First Prize in the International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition.
Geoffrey Brady is a native of Pontiac, Michigan. He studied percussion at Interlochen Arts Academy, New England Conservatory and University of Wisconsin with Sam Tundo, Vic Firth, James Latimer and others. He now resides in Madison, Wisconsin, where he performs regularly with such diverse ensembles as Yid Vicious, the Gomers and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he regularly performs solo on vibraphone and theremin. Geoffrey Brady is currently hard at work on a one man show entitled "Me, Me, Look at ME!!: A One Man Show", which encompasses an array of Brady's talents, and includes music, dancing, sock-puppetry, the spoken word, and...remembering.
Dane Maxim Richeson is recognized as one of the most versatile virtuosi in percussion. Throughout the world he has been featured in such diverse roles as solo marimbist, percussionist for contemporary chamber music, world percussion specialist and jazz drummer. Performances have been with such diverse artists as Bobby McFerrin, Gunther Schuller, Joe Lovano, NDR Big Band, Lionel Hampton, Roscoe Mitchell, Medeski-Martin-Woods, Jackie Allen, Kenny Wheeler and Uri Caine. He regularly performs with the chamber ensembles CUBE (Chicago) and The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society (Madison, WI). He has performed at festivals such as Ravinia, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Beijing Music Festival. Mr. Richeson has performed on more than one hundred recordings including works on Blue Note Records, Origin Records, Klavier, Accurate, Mark, Naxos, A-Records, CRI, Albany, Innova, and A-440.