Jack Walrath, Stuart, Florida, 1946
Jack Walrath was born in Florida, but grew up in Montana, and he began trumpet lessons when he was nine years old. From 1964 to 1968 he was a student at The Berklee School of Music, in Boston. While at Berklee he worked with other students as back-up for various rhythm and blues artists. Jack moved to Californis in 1969 and co-led the group "Change" with Gary Peacock and "Revival" with Glenn Ferris. Walrath then toured for a year with Ray Charles. After moving to New York in 1973 he worked in Latin bands, and then went with Charles Mingus from 1974 to 1978, contributing orchestrations as well as playing. In the late '80s he had his own group and also made several tours of Europe with a group led by Danny Richmond. Walrath's technique is flawless and exciting to hear, and reflects the influence of bop on his music.
Stanley Cowell piano 1941 Toledo OH
Pianist and composer, Stanley Cowell, started his musical training at the age of four. It was only a couple of years later that he heard Art Tatum, and his future was set. He graduated from Oberlin College Conservatory in 1962, and from the University of Michigan in 1966. While still a student at Oberlin he played with Roland Kirk and later Marion Brown and Max Roach. In the 1970s he played with Music, Inc., and with the group's leader, Charles Tolliver, he founded Strata-East Records in1971. For his record company he recorded with the Heath Brothers and Clifford Jordan. Until the mid '80s he worked primarily with the Heath Brothers. In 1978 he began teaching at Lehman College CUNY, and also received a grant for composition from the NEA. Later he made several international tours as a soloist. Stanley says Tatum, Bud Powell, Barry Harris, and Tommy Flanagan influenced not only his music, but were also important in his life.
