A further sampling of the artists whom Carlton has worked with includes the legendary "Father of the Jazz Walking Bass" Leroy Vinnegar, as well as other greats such as Billy Eckstine, Bo Diddley, Jerry Hahn, Maryann Price, Mark Isham, Jim Pepper, Bobby Torres, James Cotton, Houston Person, actor Bruce Willis, Melissa Walker, Dianne Schuur, Larry Coryell, Danny Barnes, Bill Frisell, and Gordon Lee (in Trio & Big Band settings.)
In addition to jazz, blues, rock, country and other contemporary styles, Carlton has also worked under the batons of symphonic and orchestral direction by such conductors as Pete Rugolo, Norman Leyden and James DePreist (Oregon Symphony Orchestra.)
Carlton is currently a member of the teaching faculty roster with the award-winning Western Oregon University/Mel Brown Jazz Workshop. He teaches privately at Trade Up Music in Portland, and is engaged in many facets of music education at the grade, high school, and college levels.
His current musical focus is co-direction of an 18 piece big band with the talented and prolific composer/arranger Dave Mills in the Portland area. The Carlton Jackson/Dave Mills Big Band has performed at many prestigious events & venues including the PDX Waterfront Blues Festival, The Mt. Hood Festival Of Jazz, The Oregon Symphony, and The Rose Festival. In addition, the group was featured in a program by Oregon Public Broadcasting which profiled the band and it's co-leaders.
Carlton is a multiple award winner of the Cascade Blues Association "Muddy Award", and has been honored by other prestigious musical associations, in past years.
Carlton is currently is an endorsee of Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Aquarian Drumheads and is proud to use Allegra Drum Crafters of Oregon and their wonderful Snare Drums. He has also played Drum Workshop Drums since 1992.
For Questions, To Book Carlton For A Performance or To Hire Him As A Musician or Lessons. Contact:
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"For an artist to truly run a sucessful business with their art, they must hand pick a team of great people. When it comes to me, I am just me, that is my goal. But, I will say that I have picked the best musicians, management, PR, booking and design people out there. Part of that great machine is my band, which I have now named, "The Cocoa Velvets." And, I would like for you to read about them and you will see why I have chosen them. They are my band, they are my friends and they have all my respect."
- J Guitar Konty
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HISTORY & BIO
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HISTORY & BIO
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Born and raised in Denver Colorado Ronneka's musical interest stemmed from her father's vast record collection which included Miles Davis, Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, Ella, Chick Corea, and Earth Wind and Fire to
name a few. She was drawn to this music and started taking private lessons at the age of 9. Her parents saw something in her that she was too young to understand and urged her to audition for an Arts Magnet
School.
In 5th grade Ronneka auditioned for the Denver School of the Arts where she studied classical and jazz music through high school. There she would meet several artists and musicians such as Doterso and Billy Taylor. She studied with Shamie Royston who provided her with the knowledge of music theory and improvisation. After graduating she continued her musical journey and obtained her Bachelor's of Music Performance degree, Jazz Studies certificate and Bachelors of Sociology degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder. In college Ronneka performed in jazz band, jazz combo and taught private lessons. She also found a love for composing and wrote several songs and arrangements for school projects and for local bands. She had the opportunity to meet Jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Robin Eubanksand and Freddie Hubbard at the IAJE conference in California.
After graduating Ronneka continued her musical career by performing jazz, R&B and Neo-Soul at venues with a variety of bands. Currently Ronneka is teaching private lessons and performing with bands such as Tony Exum Jr, J Guitar Konty, the last Musiq Junkie, and Soul Expression.
"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life."
~Ludwig van Beethoven
For Questions, To Book Ronneka For A Performance or To Hire Her As A Musician or Lessons. Contact:
Los Angeles Times longtime Jazz Music critic Don Heckman once wrote of Carlton Jackson's drumming as being "intensely musical..."
Celebrating the diverse musical community which continually engages him, Carlton brings his distinctive style to each musical endeavor. A native of Portland, Oregon, his well-documented work with contemporary jazz pianists Tom Grant and Dan Siegel, guitarists Dan Balmer and Terry Robb, Blues/R&B singers D.K.Stewart and Curtis Salgado, country-pop singer Toni Land and iconoclastic composer Jon Newton, have solidified his performer status as engaging and versatile.
The description perfectly describes Carlton, as he has been associated with
various areas within the musical world, and continues to be a first call musician in the performance and recording industry. His flowing, incisive style & a firm respect
for the inherent tradition of various music genres has made him a natural choice
for local, national, and international projects. This awareness has led to his performances appearing in feature films, television and radio.
HISTORY & BIO
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( C ) J Guitar Konty, Joseph Konty, Konty Enterprises / Doug Brown, GOE, Orlando, FL / Photography: Rachel Konty,
With Love from Myrtle Brown. "This is just a little bit of info about my love for music. I started working in Gospel as far back as I can remember! 1967 started with Nolan Antoine & The Antoine Brothers, to 1968 - 1969 with Norman Sylvester. 1981 I met Janice Scroggins who introduced me to Curtis Salgado singing back up vocals! Later also working with Body & Soul.
I enjoyed singing so much I started my own band in 1990 "Smokehouse" which later turned into Myrtle Brown's Destiny. In 1993 I met the super band, "Perfect 10." I spent 15 yrs with Jimi & The Blues Masters also The Jimi Lund Band, up until March 2009. I am now back with my new ensemble, "Mytle Brown's Destiny."
I am also a member of a remarkable gospel group, "The Disciples in Song." The past 13 years we have performed in several countries, festivals & special events, including 3 tours to Spain! To categorize me as Blues is unfair. I love a wide variety of music from my 1) Gospel, 2) Jazz standards, 3) R&B, Blues, Funk, Big Bands...I love the power of the horns! Spending 2 yrs in Vegas from 2003 - 2005 I was hired to sing at The Sterling Club in Turnberg Place every Thursday night. I sat in with Dennis Mellen at City Lights Bistro also sitting in with Gladys Knight show band. Included appearances includes Darcus at Tarazzo Lounge at Ceasar's Palace. I also had my hand in a little theater appearing as Sister Hubert in "Nunsense" at The Civic Theater in Portland, OR and Nunsense ll at Sylvia's Dinner Theater.
I have had the joy of opening for Lou Rawl, The Temptations, Etta James, BB King, Buddy Guy and Ray Charles! I got the chance again on one of my birthdays to open for the legendary BB King July 5th at Maryhill Winery in Goldendale, WA ! I also enjoy working with NW Women & Blues with Sonny "Smoking" Hess, Lisa Mann, & various other women in Blues! I appeared 2007, 2009 at The Waterfront Blues Fest with, "Between Friends," including vocalists Janice Scroggins, Ellen Whyte, Duffy Bishop, Linda Hornbuckle, LaRhonda Steel & Lady Kat! What a fun group of ladies this is to be a part of!!!
To close this little tidbit of my information, I would like to invite you to come for 1 evening of "pure magic" singing songs from 1940 - 2009
then spend the rest of your life, "in love."
Sincerely,
Myrtle Brown
For Questions, To Book Myrtle For A Performance or To Hire Her As A Musician or Lessons. Contact:
HISTORY & BIO
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Frank's story started out in Indiana. He had a love for music and it stayed with him through his many travels in his young years. Playing all kinds of music; from Symphonic to Salsa (and most styles in-between) in Washington D.C., then L.A. (lots of pop and jazz) and now Portland OR where he lives with his pianist wife, Sally Harmon. He studied with principal bassist for the Richmond Symphony and Keeter Betts, bassist for Ella Fitzjerald among other teachers.
In 1985, Sally Harmon and Frank formed the Soulo Records label, initially selling copies of early efforts like Brava! and Snap, Classical, Pop! at her concerts before landing national distribution. Theme records like Romancing the Movies, Love Songs of the Beatles and A Cozy Christmas followed during the 1990s. Sally and Frank, who have produced over 24 recording and video projects, have an amazing career together and one that is expansive in time and success.
He calls Lake Oswego, OR home now and keeps a busy career schedule with Sally and J Guitar Konty. He continues to be a studio and live musician to many artists and in many styles. He is also a producer. He is a proud father as well. And, he is the one musician in J Guitar Konty's career, who has been with Konty the longest. And, it will remain that way, as J Guitar has always respected, appreciated and trusts Frank's spot in the pocket.
You can see Frank live on videos with J Guitar Konty and on some of his studio albums and live in concert on tour dates. Frank offers many outlets to be used as a musician and producer. You can also see Frank and Sally Harmon perform at:
Sally Harmon Official Website: www.sallyharmon.com
For Questions, To Book Frank For A Performance or To Hire Him As A Musician, Contact:
J G U I T A R K O N T Y &
