The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad
Excerpts from the website: http://exchanges.state.gov/cultural/rhythm.html
"Rhythm Road artists are the new generation of musical ambassadors, reaching beyond concert halls to interact with other musicians and the general public. Their direct engagement with foreign audiences via workshops, master classes and jam sessions presents a positive image of the U.S. and provides a greater understanding of our society. The U.S. artists themselves deepen their knowledge of other cultures, enhance their creativity, and feel the pride of representing their country.
2010 Rhythm Road Tour Groups
More than 130 quartets from across the U.S. applied for the 2010 Tour. Three judges selected 10 ensembles from among 35 who were invited to audition in New York City. These talented groups will travel to more than 40 countries between March and November 2010:
1.The Student Loan (Bluegrass - Oregon)
2.Turning Pointe (Gospel - Georgia)
3.Johnny Rodgers Band (Rock/Jazz - New York)
4.Mark Sherman-Tim Horner Quartet (Jazz - New Jersey)
5.Nasar Abadey and Supernova (Jazz Fusion - Maryland)
6.Little Joe McLerran Quartet (Blues - Oklahoma)
7.Oscar Williams and Perfected Praise Gospel (Gospel - Missouri)
8.Chen Lo and the Liberation Family (Hip-Hop - New York)
9.Paul Beaudry and Pathways (Jazz - New York)
10.Charlie Porter Quartet (Jazz - New York)"
The Quartet's Background
"
Mark Sherman-Tim Horner Quartet (New York, NY) has performed internationally for the last five years, with numerous tours through Europe, the United States, and Canada. Its members, each with strong teaching credentials, bring a deeply-rooted post-bop jazz approach to original and standard compositions which carry on the art form with a high level of invigorating musicianship. Their music is relentless, energetic, and brimming with improvisation. John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, and Michael Brecker influence this ensemble, whose musicians strive to achieve the mastery of harmony and organized sound."
Mark Sherman-Tim Horner Quartet (New York, NY) has performed internationally for the last five years, with numerous tours through Europe, the United States, and Canada. Its members, each with strong teaching credentials, bring a deeply-rooted post-bop jazz approach to original and standard compositions which carry on the art form with a high level of invigorating musicianship. Their music is relentless, energetic, and brimming with improvisation. John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, and Michael Brecker influence this ensemble, whose musicians strive to achieve the mastery of harmony and organized sound."
I was so fortunate that I got to watch the American Jazz Concert here in the my own home city - Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines on the 19th of June 2010 - having received a free ticket (courtesy of a friend, thanks to Nep) which entitled me to get a seat among the VIPs. I had a very awesome date with them for an hour and a half.It was my first time ever to watch the quartet performed and I must say, all four members amazed and enthralled my being. BRAVO!!! They were really great and definitely passionate about their craft. I witnessed how their music transported them to a romantic, lively and emotional world. They were adorable jazz ambassadors, indeed.
These were some of the songs they played:
Sandy
Palisade
Moon River
Dahil Sa'yo
Smile Said The Drum
Museum Piece
Hardship
Most of these songs were from the original compositions of Jim Ridl (piano), Tim Horner (drums and percussion) and Mark Sherman (vibes).
I recalled Mark Sherman's words as he introduced Tim Horner's song entitled 'Museum Piece'. He said that Mr. Horner composed it at a certain museum while he was accompanying his wife who was doing a sculpture piece at that time; his wife, by the way, is also an acknowledged sculptor. Isn't that sweet? I can only guess that he was immensely in love with his wife while he was watching her doing her master piece and because he can hardly contain his loving feeling, he rather wrote a song for her while she was so indulged with her own art. Oh, how lovely!!! So romantic!!! Weeeh!!
The quartet also played one of the most popular classic Filipino love songs, 'Dahil Sa'yo', as personally chosen by Jim Ridl. They even played the chorus one more time after Tim Horner asked us - the crowd - to sing along with their harmoniously sounding intruments.
Something to know about this song:
"Dahil Sa Iyo" is a song by Miguel "Mike" Velarde, Jr. It was written in 1938 for the movie Bituing Marikit and sung by the "King of the Philippine Movies" Rogelio de la Rosa. A version with English-Tagalog lyrics, recorded in 1964, was a hit in the United States and continues to be popular in Filipino communities on American soil.
The quartet closed their show with Mark Sherman's own composition, 'Hardships'. Before they played the song, Mr. Sherman explained that they were missing their families already. They had been on the road as U.S. Jazz Ambassadors for a month by now which means that they had not seen their respective families for the same period of time, too. And he said, he especially misses his little girl so much but because they were on an equally important task at the moment, they had to struggle to overcome such hardships. The quartet played the song as they all remembered their own hardships while being away from their loved ones.
Additional information I found from the website of U.S. Embassy about the quartet:
Jim Ridl (piano) creates and performs original compositions and arrangements deeply rooted in jazz, classical, Americana and global styles. Craft and expression go hand-in-hand in his creative process. Ridl’s melodious lyrics and intense rhythms are influenced by numerous artistic elements including literature, musicians and composers of all styles, personal voyages and the unique drama found within nature and the universe. Ridl has played, recorded, and toured with jazz guitarist Pat Martino. He has also performed with saxophonist Dave Liebman, drummer Ignacio Berroa, and saxophonist Steve Wilson. 
Tom DiCarlo (bass) is a jazz musician who has developed an organic, vibrant, and deep musical style. Personal experience, daily life, and a wide variety of music influence DiCarlo’s sound. DiCarlo has worked with musicians such as Claudio Roditi and Norman Simmons and has recorded and released the recording Thank You Uncle Edward. DiCarlo began playing the electric bass when he was 14 and the double bass at 16. An avid educator, DiCarlo has taught music theory and bass at Lafayette College in Easton, and offers private double bass and electric bass instruction.
Tim Horner (drums and percussion) has mastered a wide variety of instruments including drums, percussion, viola, and piano. Elvin Jones, Mel Lewis, and Billy Hart have influenced Horner’s traditional and nuanced, yet dynamic, modern jazz style. Originally from Virginia, Horner, now a New Jersey resident, started playing the drums and violin/viola at age ten. He has played with Hank Jones, Miroslav Vitous, Rufus Reid, and Pepper Adams, and spent 11 years with The Maria Schneider Orchestra. Horner has recorded approximately 300 recordings as a sideman, and he is currently writing music for his first recording as a leader.
Mark Sherman (vibes) is a New York City native who plays the vibraphone, piano, drums, and percussion. He began playing the vibes at age 17 and has since developed an original post-bop and classic standard sound inspired by great music masters. He has worked with renowned musicians such as Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Joe Lovano, and Michael Brecker. Sherman has performed on over 100 albums as a studio musician and released a number of his own recordings over the last three decades including Live at The Bird’s Eye, One Step Closer, and Family First. Sherman started studying music at The High-School of Music and Art in New York City, and continued his studies at The Juilliard School of Music.I look forward to watching more concerts such as this one. A lovely serenade from the world's greatest! Again, Bravo!!!!! Thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Embassy to bring Jazz Environment closer to the hearts of Filipinos via their Rhytm Road Program. Godbless.
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