Hall of Fame

by Dr. Shane Jones Valerie Naranjo’s performance career is one many percussionists would dream of having. She plays percussion for NBC’s Saturday Night Live band and performs on Broadway’s The Lion King. She has recorded and performed with some of the biggest musical acts in history, including the Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, the Paul…

by Lauren Vogel Weiss With roots in drum and bugle corps and more than forty years in the activity, James “Jim” Campbell could be considered a marching percussion specialist. And with over four decades teaching at the collegiate level, he might be labeled an educator. But Campbell describes himself as a “musician.” Already a member…

by Rick Mattingly Beverley Johnston will never forget Nancy Zeltsman’s performance at the Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference in Minneapolis, where Nancy played some of the solo marimba repertoire she had commissioned over the years. “I was impressed with Nancy’s no-nonsense approach to playing the marimba and her thoughtful interpretation of the music at…

by Robert Damm As a newborn in the Upper West Region of Ghana, Bernard Woma’s hands were clenched in fists, as if he was clutching xylophone mallets, a sign to his family that he was destined to become a gyil player. According to Julie Beauregard, “Bernard explained that the highest level of gyil player, known…

by Lauren Vogel Weiss A world-class multiple-percussionist plays many different instruments with skill, creates a proper musical interpretation, envisions the correct setup and “choreography,” and shares that knowledge with others. In Michael Udow’s case, multiple percussion, while one of his favorite “instruments,” is an excellent metaphor for his multi-faceted career. “Michael is a remarkable solo,…

by Lauren Vogel Weiss Roland Kohloff spent nearly half a century as Principal Timpanist in two of  America’s most prominent orchestras: the San Francisco Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. In addition to creating countless musical moments for live audiences and on recordings, he also left a lasting legacy through his students, who carry on…

By Rick Mattingly Peter Erskine once stated that the most vital music is created by musicians who are vital people. “They have something to offer,” he said. “Music is only a reflection. Once you get past the techniques, licks, and whatever, it’s who you are and what you believe in that’s going to come out….

by Lauren Vogel Weiss When asked to describe himself — as a composer, an educator, or a performer — Ney Rosauro immediately responds, “I am a musician. There is music wherever I go. I play all genres of music, from classical to popular. Everything that is music brings me joy.” Even his words are melodic,…

By Rick Mattingly “Arthur Press was in many ways the heartbeat of the Boston Symphony Orchestra percussion section,” recalls Frank Epstein, a longtime percussionist with the BSO. “Always positive, helpful, and supportive of his colleagues, Arthur was the backbone of the section. He was a consummate professional and a gifted percussionist, and his snare drum…

by Rick Mattingly When Peter Erskine was in junior high school, he was taking lessons from Billy Dorn and checking out all of the vibes players of the time, including Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, Victor Feldman, Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, and Gary Burton. “Then I read something in a DownBeat magazine interview with flautist Jeremy…