Rose on Vibes & Jazz Co.

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Who We Are	Rose on Vibes & Jazz Co. is comprised of musicians from the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Featuring Linda "Rose" on vibraphone, gyil (African xylophone) and hand percussion . . . with the following friends.
	The core "Company"
	Joel McKeller, piano
	Max McKeller, bass
	Spencer Strand, drums
	Rod Noftsger , trumpet

	Visiting musicians:
	Gene Okamoto, drums; Ralph Henley, drums; Carlos Ruiz, drums; Billy Ramirez, congas and percussion
	Glenn Martin, trombone; Stuart Naylor, trumpet; Jamison Sevitts, trumpet; Andy Robinson, sax
	Peter Roze, bass and guitar; Edward Williams, acoustic bass; Russ Waitman, guitar; David See, piano
	Alex King, bass; Joe Silva, guitar; Duane Peglar, bass; Linnie Yarborough, horns and flute

	ALSO: Rose on Vibes TRIO, with Linda "Rose" on vibraphone; Russ Waitman on guitar; and Edward Williams on bass. For sultry, moody jazz standards . . . .


Rose on Vibes & Jazz Co. focuses on swing, bebop, Latin, and jazz blues. You will hear a variety of standards by music icons such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Milt Jackson, and Charlie Parker. And every once in a while you'll hear a contemporary R&B tune, jazzed up just a bit. But what makes our music unique is the influence of African instrumentation and rhythms. Rose incorporates the African gyil (xylophone) and African hand percussion instruments into the music. You'll hear jazz versions of traditional African music as well as some original compositions on the gyil. Sometimes the music is played with a kick and soul; other times we play quietly . . . with dignity, grace, and style. Whether it's a jazz standard, an African tune, or Latin music, it's played with just the right feel to make you snap your fingers and tap your feet. Rose on Vibes & Jazz Co. plays monthly at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville and Mexicali Grill in Cool Springs. We also play from time to time at other local venues, as well as at private parties and community service events. Some of the members play at the Nashville Jazz Workshop performances. Whatever the tune or setting, our approach is best described by the great jazz vibist Milt Jackson: "We want to bring back a level of dignity that we all remember from those great bands in the swing era. That was a very important part of jazz that I think we lost somewhere along the way." ~ paraphrasing Milt Jackson, on the demeanor of the Modern Jazz Quartet

*Linda "Rose"* ...Lawyer by day, jazz musician by night. She was introduced to jazz at age 12 -- with Lionel Hampton's recording Flying Home. The impact of that album stuck throughout the years. She picked up her first mallets and began to seriously study vibraphone in 2001. Rose on Vibes was born. She attributes her modest success with the instrument to her type "A" personality.	Rose on gyil	Jazz Co. @ Mexicali Grill
Rod and Max	Joel McKeller on some soulful piano	Leandro Freixo, Linda "Rose", Bernard Woma, Max McKeller, Gene Okamoto, and Linnie Yarborough.
Linda "Rose" and Bernard Woma play a duet on the African xylophone.	Rose on Vibes	Christmas show -- Rose on gyil
Most people are surprised to learn that Joel McKellar spent his formative years in France. So he speaks fluent French and has vivid memories of playing along the Seine. But Joel epitomizes blue-eyed soul and plays piano like he was raised on U.S. rhythm 'n' blues. Joel also owns and operates a fine recording studio in Nashville. Visit his website: studio12south.com. One of Joel's favorite jazz pianists is Pat Coil. His favorite bass player is a young, cool dude named Max McKeller.	With Pete Roze on some very cool bass	Rose, Blair Keso, and Joe Hunter perform at the Nashville Jazz Workshop.
	Max on bass . . . too cool. Max McKeller is a music student at Middle Tennessee State University. He loves playing jazz, funk, Latin, and Brazilian music. Don't let his young age fool you. This cat is awesome!	Jamison on trumpet, and Gene (always smiling).
Spencer Strand, a proud native New Yorker, has been playing drums for more than 30 years. He has played with The Players Club and The Coasters, just to name a few. Spence owns and operates his own business DrumFun Inc., which produces a very cool line of play-along CD's for drummers called "Turn it Up & Lay it Down." His favorite drummer is Steve Gadd and his favorite drum student is his 6-year old son, Skyler. For more info on Spence, check out www.drumfun.com.	In Honolulu: Rose, Ernine Provencher, and Chris Yeh
Here's a shot of the musicians relaxin' after a long set at the Loews. "Relaxin'" is a tune recorded by vibist Gary Burton and famed Nashville guitarist Hank Garland. Burton was only 17 at the time.	Rose entertains the audience with historic tidbits about the music, the composers, and the musicians. Rose on Vibes - double entendre Rose entertains the audience with historic tidbits about the music, the composers, and the musicians.
		How it all began: Rose on Vibes -- In Good Company