Bunny Brunel When CHICK COREA watched BERNARD BUNNY BRUNEL play one night at an upscale London jazz club in 1978, Bunny was unaware of the ultimate significance Corea would play in his future success as a bassist. Few weeks after that visit to London Chick called Bunny on the telephone and asked him to pack up and join him on a world wide tour. Bunny quickly accepted and went on to record the classics "Tap step" and "Secret agent" with the legendary jazz fusionist. The roster of artists Bunny went on to record and perform with is practically a who's who of music industry giants. Notables include HERBIE HANCOCK, WAYNE SHORTER, TONY WILLIAMS, AL JARREAU, NATHALIE COLE, LARRY CORYELL, AL DIMEOLA, MIKE STERN, JOE FARRELL, and a list too numerous to mention here. Besides his work as a performer, he is equally at home in the roles of composer, arranger, producer and designer. As a soundtrack composer Bunny collaborated with Clint Eastwood in creating the main theme (Claudia's theme) for the award winning film, "The Unforgiven". He also worked on several TV shows, including the popular series "Highlander". As a designer, Bunny created a line of electric bass guitars for CARVIN Co. and an electric upright bass. Bunny has released nine albums; "MOMENTUM," "IVANHOE," "TOUCH," "DEDICATION,". "FOR YOU TO PLAY," "L.A. ZOO." "CAB" and the Grammy nominated "CAB 2" with Tony MacAlpine, Brian Auger and Dennis Chambers, and the latest release CAB4 with guest Pianist Patrice Rushen. These projects highlight his beautiful compositions and melodic solos and show off breathtaking bass lines. Taking an active interest in helping bass players, Brunel regularly gives seminars on his unique approach to the instrument. He has written several books as well as three instruction videos. For more info visit his website at: bunnybrunel.com. Tony MacAlpine Progressive metal guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine began his musical education as a classically-trained pianist and violinist; his subsequent rock recordings retained a pronounced classical influence, incorporating elements of jazz and fusion as well. He debuted in 1986 with the instrumental Edge of Insanity, recorded with an all-star line-up including bassist Billy Sheehan and ex-Journey drummer Steve Smith; for the follow-up, Project: Driver, MacAlpine formed the band M.A.R.S. with drummer Tommy Aldridge, vocalist Bob Rock and bassist Rudi Sarzo. The group quickly dissolved and MacAlpine returned to his solo career, additionally forming his own label, Squawk; after 1987's Maximum Security, he founded another group, dubbed simply MacAlpine, with singer Alan Schorn, keyboardist Mark Robertson, bassist Mike Jacques and drummer Billy Carmassi. The band's lone record, Eyes of the World, appeared in 1990, and MacAlpine returned to instrumental projects for the remainder of the decade, issuing a series of albums including 1992's Freedom to Fly, 1995's Evolution, 1997's Live Insanity and 2000's Cab. Cab 2 followed in 2001. Cab 2 got a Grammy nomination in 2002 for best contemporary Jazz album. Tony still continues to pump out some rip-roaring guitar tracks for the upcoming Planet X album : MoonBabies For more info visit his website at: tonymacalpine.com. Dennis Chambers Dennis Chambers Bio Dennis Chambers started playing drums at the age of 4 and by the age of 6 he was playing in nightclubs. Chambers had no former schooling in music. All his musical training came from playing in nightclubs. At the age of 18 he went from High School to a band called Parliament and Funkadelic. He joined the band in 1978 and played until 1985. From that point he joined Special EFX in 1985. In 1987 Chambers joined the David Sanborn Band and the John Scofield Band, which ended 1989. Shortly afterwards he joined the Mike Stern/Bob Berg Band. From that time he has played in other bands and with band leaders such as: Bill Evans, Mike Urbaniak, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Steve Kahn, The Brecker Brothers Band, Santana and many others. He has recorded 3 albums with the group CAB, CAB, CAB@ Grammy Nominated and CAB4. He also recorded his own record Getting Even with Pioneer Records and instructional Video with DCI. For more info visit his website at: dennischambers.com. Brian Auger Brian Auger is one of the best B-3 artists I have ever heard in my life. His technique is awesome and the amount of energy he generates is unparalleled and relentless. He is a tremendous talent with a wonderfully warm and compassionate personality, a combination that is hard to beat. He deserves all the accolades." - Herbie Hancock, May 1995. "My favorite rock artists are Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Auger and Loundon Wainwright" -Mose Allison "His power and love for the music was the foundation for one of the most memorable tours I have ever done. With this grea solid foundation it made it possible for us to blow free! Brian is a true inspiration to work with despite the fact he is an Englishman. Brian is a bad Mutha...!!!" - Les McCann, May 1995 "Brian Auger is a superb technician on his instrument, but he also plays with feeling that is a rarity. I am looking forward in recording with him in the near future." - Eddie Harris, May 1995. Brian is one of the originators of the high energy Hammond organ style along with Larry Young in the tradition of Jimmy Smith. I remember in the late sixties when Brian and I were in London together our paths crossed at different times both socially and also playing with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and the guys from that great band of Cream. I consider Brian a great friend and musician" - Tony Williams, June 1995 "Mr. Brian Auger is a personal friend and great artist. I have had the opportunity to work with Brian just as a trio, he made his keyboard sound like a big band! He is a composer, arranger, complete keyboard player, a great accompanist. I enjoy playing with Brian, he can really make it happen." Louis Bellson, June 1995, "Those who remain oblivious to the obvious delights of Brian Auger's Oblivion Express do so at their own risk!" - Beastie Boys, June 1995 For more info visit his website at: brianauger.com. Patrice Rushen Multi-Grammy-nominated artist, PATRICE RUSHEN, is fashioning her career after her long-time friend and mentor, Quincy Jones. Composer... Producer... International Recording Artist --Rushen has definitely earned the respect awarded her by her peers in the music industry.Admired by many for her ground-breaking achievements, Rushen has amassed an impressive list of "firsts". She was the first woman in 43 years to serve as head composer/musical director for television's highest honor, the EMMY AWARDS, the first woman to serve as musical director for the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS broadcast, an honor she has held for ten consecutive years. Rushen has been the only woman musical direct or/composer for the PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS, HBO's COMIC RELIEF and the only woman musical director/conductor/arranger for a late-night television talk show, THE MIDNIGHT HOUR which aired on CBS. In addition, Rushen was named musical director/composer for Newsweek's first AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS, broadcast on CBS from the Kennedy Center and she served as the musical director for Janet Jackson's World Tour, "janet." As the musical director for these top award shows, Rushen composed and performed special musical tributes to Michael Landon, Ted Turner, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, The Temptations, James Garner and Leonard Bernstein to name a few. Considered one of the world's top jazz pianists, Rushen has performed with and produced for such esteemed artists as Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Lionell Hampton, Carlos Santana, Boys II Men, George Benson, Bunny Brunel, Jean Luc Ponty, Tom Jones, Nancy Wilson, Michael Jackson, Dianne Reeves, Sheena Easton, Stanley Turentine, Joshua Redman and on and on. Rushen has played at the world's most prestigious jazz festivals, she has played with philharmonic orchestras and has even written an award winning symphony. Rushen has 14 solo albums to her credit and a greatest hits anthology released on Rhino Records in 1997. For more info visit her website at: patricerushen.com. One some tours we've had the pleasure to play with... Virgil Donati Virgil is known amongst professional drummers as a technical virtuoso, having developed incredible power and flexibility (whilst playing traditional grip), mastered polyrhythyms, odd-time playing and intricate phrasing, attained blinding quickness and powerful, metronomic precision - all with a rare attention to showmanship and visual playing. While currently carving a career in Los Angeles while maintaining his busy schedule of clinics, Virgil's diverse influences of rock, jazz, and fusion from the likes of Miles, Coltrane, Buddy, Deep Purple, Carl Palmer, Zeppelin, The Police and Soundgarden all contribute to his tremendous performance. But it is no secret that it's Virgil's feet that have gained him the most attention, both in Australia and internationally. Having developed incredible speed both with single and double-stroke rolls on the bass drums, he is able to hold complex, often odd-time and syncopated ostinatos at ridiculous tempos with his feet whilst soloing freely and musically with his hands. Donati is beginning to be recognized as one of the true enduring masters - hence this quote from Modern Drummer Awards' Hall of Famer Dave Weckl - "I mean look at Virgil. Imagine how much you'd have to practice to get that good!" He has recently moved to the United States. Since then, Virgil has joined Derek Sherinian's L.A. prog-metal group Planet X, and either with this group or solo, he's been causing heads to turn and jaws to drop across the country, on the clinic trail, and setting new performance standards for the L.A. studio scene. For more info visit his website at: virgildonati.com. Steve Weingart Steve Weingart, from Dayton, Ohio began his musical career playing piano at age three. In his formative years of classical study Steve was honored with numerous awards. In 1984 Steve was awarded a full scholarship at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music to further his study of jazz. It was during this period that Steve's writing and playing abilities were brought to the forefront. His mastery of the keyboard and programming expertise quickly thrust him into the thick of the Cincinnati music scene. In 1994 Steve decided on a change of scenery and moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he has found his way with many new musical experiences. He has also been touring and recording with the Dave Weckl Band since 1999, writing and co writing the last group's two CD's, Transition and Perpetual Motion. Steve has just recently completed his first solo CD entitled 'Life Times'. This CD is an exploration of jazz with funky grooves and enticing harmonic progressions. Steve has appeared with: Chaka Khan - Frank Gambale - Scott Henderson - John Patitucci - Eric Marienthal- Kenny Rankin - Jimmy Earl - Ernie Watts - Alain Caron - Michael Ruff - StraightJacket (Marco Mendoza-Bass, Joey Heredia-Drums) Warren Hill - Marilyn Scott - Jimmy Haslip - Terry Lynn Carrington- Jason Scheff - Keith Howland- Robben Ford- Tony MacAlpine - Virgil Donati- Bunny Brunel- Tom Kenedy- Gary Meek- Bob Franceschini. For more info visit his website at: steveweingart.com. some photos by Jay Matsueda