2021 Jazz Festival

Vocalist

Background

Throughout her sixty year career as a performing artist, Adekola Adedapo has used her artistic expressions and her access to the public eye to promote cultural arts and community activism. A Chicago native, raised in Muskegon, Michigan working between Chicago and Milwaukee for 20 years during which time she married, raised three children, divorced, relocated for the last time and planted roots in the Milwaukee community in 1994. An educator for 17 years in the Milwaukee Public School system as a paraprofessional /reading specialist at Lloyd Street Global Education Elementary School, Adekola was able to inspire countless young children of color and young white children to value creativity, positive thinking, expressing gratitude, work ethic, and the importance of giving back to the community that supports you.

During that same period Adekola was also visiting 16-20 elementary schools in Metropolitan Milwaukee for 23 seasons doing “jazz for first graders” and singing a “Tisket-a-Tasket”(Ella Fitzgerald style) with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra each spring. She covered two communities, Chicago and Milwaukee performing on stage as a vocalist, actor, dancer, and storyteller donating time and performances to charities and causes in both cities. Her performing arts experience and professional work in the field of jazz music enabled her to hold Jazz Vocal Performance classes for eight years at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Jazz dance with an African twist is her new artistic excursion.

Jazz Trumpeter | Band Director, Prairie School, Racine, WI | Founder of Milwaukee Jazz Vision

Background

Trumpeter-composer-bandleader-educator-designer Jamie Breiwick dwells in that nether region of America called the heartland. His native Racine is a Warm Valley nestled among several urban musical scenes, which makes him valuable to each of them – Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Minneapolis. At times he’ll think of that nether region as Dreamland, the imaginative name of the Thelonious Monk repertory band that he founded and leads. It’s named for an obscure Monk tune which, like so much of the legacy of that great and eccentric musician, needs dusting off and raising to the light of day. Breiwick is just beginning to reach his prime and, as a man gifted in enterprise as well as artistry, you can find him performing at any one of those cities in a myriad of musical groups and collaborations.

Bassist and Vocalist

Background

Bassist/vocalist Katie Ernst is described by the Chicago Tribune as “a versatile young bassist who plays in far-flung bands and sings with uncommon delicacy and authenticity.” She is co-leader of the adventurous Chicago-based jazz trio Twin Talk and has received widespread critical acclaim for her Dorothy Parker poetry song cycle Little Words, which premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC in 2015.

Some recent notable performances and awards include performing in Mexico City, MX for a Chicago/CDMX Improvised Music Exchange in 2020; multiple performances at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival and Chicago Jazz Festival; performing with MacArthur Fellow and renown pianist/composer Jason Moran at the Chicago Symphony Center and the Kennedy Center; receiving a composing residency at the Ragdale Foundation; representing the USA as bassist and vocalist for the 2018 EuroRadio Jazz Orchestra in Riga, Latvia; and being named a Luminarts Fellow in Jazz in 2013.

Katie is an active sidewoman in the jazz and improvised music communities of Chicago, and travels throughout the US as a guest artist/clinician for young musicians. She is the director of the jazz ensemble at Wheaton College and teaches at Birch Creek Music Academy for the Jazz I summer program.

Katie holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media and a Bachelor of Musical Arts from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.

Music Therapist, Ovation/Chai Point, Milwaukee WI

Background

Kevin Farinelli is a music therapist working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In his position at the Jewish Home and Care Center, Kevin engages with older adults and their families through music to enhance their well-being.
His role entails using performance, song-writing, improvisation, teaching, and psychological and counseling techniques. Depending on the clinical situation, Kevin uses this skill-set to promote social and emotional health, validate reality perception, address medical needs non-pharmacologically, provide sensory stimulation, facilitate cultural expression, and support end-of-life processes. Kevin has presented in a panel at the 2017 National Music Therapy Conference, received the Maurice Surlow Award for Employee Excellence, is partnered with Israeli company 2gether to pilot an emotion-based music A.I. app in the United States, and recently collaborated with Jewish Home residents to write “We Have A Dream”, a song expressing their perspectives on inequality in the U.S.

Kevin is originally from the Pittsburgh area where he studied music therapy and trumpet. He is currently enrolled in advanced graduate coursework for music therapy while pursuing an interest in original song-writing.

Flutist/Vocalist/Producer | 88Nine Amplifier | Grace Weber’s Music Lab “

Background

Singer, producer & multi-instrumentalist B~FREE, is a Milwaukee-bred artist who has dedicated her life to music. Her training in flute, voice and piano has earned her degrees in musical studies from the Milwaukee High-School of the Arts, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and VanderCook College of Music. 

The release of her latest self-produced sophomore album, the “Ode 2 A Luv Affair LP,” was hailed as the #1 Milwaukee Album by the Journal Sentinel in 2017. Having performed in a number of venues throughout the country, Free has shared stages with a variety of artists and provided direct support as the opening act for Janelle Monáe’s Milwaukee tour date at Summerfest 2018. 

B~Free currently serves her musical community as a curator, educator, and artist of all sorts.
Along with an artistic career of nearly two decades, she also serves as the Music Ed Coordinator for 88Nine’s Youth Program, “Grace Weber’s Music Lab,” as well as the Associate Director of Artist Development Program, “88Nine Amplifier.” 

Author of Milwaukee Jazz Book | Journalist | Educator in Milwaukee Public Schools

Background

Joey Grihalva is an award-winning writer from Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood. He is the author of Images of America: Milwaukee Jazz and the forthcoming book The Milwaukeean, which centers around local musician Kellen “Klassik” Abston. Grihalva has lived in three countries and written for publications all over the world. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He currently teaches journalism and English at Milwaukee High School of the Arts. To read his work visit www.joeygrihalva.com. 

Education Specialist | Soundtrap by Spotify

Background

Taylor taught percussion in 2 Grammy Award-winning districts – Plano ISD and Austin ISD, before shifting to a creative music teaching approach. He founded Odo Sound, a music ed organization devoted to teaching the creative side of music. Taylor now works for Spotify and trains teachers around the world to use Soundtrap to amplify musical creativity.

Background

“More than nearly any other musician in the Milwaukee scene, Klassik wears many hats: rapper, soul man, producer, collaborator, mentor, keeper of the American songbook. His modernist, jazz-saturated compositions are unlike anything else coming out of the city, but he has a gift for more traditional styles as well, as he demonstrated on American Klassiks, his recently recorded live album with SistaStrings and Nickel&Rose. Regardless of which side of the booth he’s on, he’s a force.” (Evan Rytlewski, Shepherd Express, citation on winning the 2018 Shepherd Express’ Best Of Milwaukee Rap-Hip Hop Producer for the third consecutive year) 

This is the sonic realm of Klassik, the multi-instrumentalist producer and performer. He is as dexterous a rapper as he is an impassioned and soulful singer, often highlighted by his intense and incisive falsetto.  All of this is intertwined with his own unique, personal and unbridled storytelling.  With a penchant for curation and collaboration, which he likens to that of one of his biggest inspirations, Quincy Jones, Klassik’s production is crafted with intent, beauty and depth of musicality.   

 At the age of 10, he began studying saxophone with the Milwaukee jazz legend Berkeley Fudge, whose teachings provided the musical foundation that informs his work to this day. Klassik’s development continued through years of public arts schools, a (very) brief collegiate trip, and throughout all of this, an evolution from jazz saxophonist to producer, emcee, singer and all-around entertainer.  His debut EP, DEATH OF A BEATMAKER, established him within the local scene, and his subsequent full-length, IN THE MAKING, introduced him to a national audience.  Quickly garnering numerous awards over the next few years, Klassik took advantage of his growing acclaim by stepping up to huge opening performance opportunities for highly-acclaimed and established artists, including Ludacris, Talib Kweli, Kendrick Lamar, Banks, DJ Premier, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Rakim. 

 Since his last full length, the critically acclaimed SEASONS, Klassik has spent time continuing to broaden and refine his production skills.  In 2017, he curated TRIBE UNCOVERED at Turner Hall, where he led 20+ of the city’s most exciting musicians in a re-imagining of the work of Tribe Called Quest.  He followed this in 2018 with curating, recording, and releasing his first live album, AMERICAN KLASSIKS, a reinterpretation of classic hymns, anthems and spirituals, re-imagined with deep 808s, lush strings, and deft lyrical and musical improvisation, delivered as both social commentaries and declarations of hope and resilience.  His most recent album (QUIET, 2019) was named the #1 album of 2019 by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and garnered awards for Best Solo Artist and Critic’s Choice for Album of the Year at the 2019 Radio Milwaukee Music Awards.  A true class act, Klassik works to stir the souls of listeners into action with empathy, passion, and purpose through his own self-reflective sonic art.     

World-class accompanist and soloist | Tabla & Indian Rhythm

Background

HINDOLE MAJUMDAR occupies a commendable position amongst the young tabla players of his generation. Inspired by his maternal grandfather, Late Sri Chittaranjan Roy, an ardent music lover, and his mother, Late Sunanda Majumdar, a teacher by profession and a Kathak dancer disciple of Pandit RamgopalMishra of the Jaipur gharana, Hindole started learning tabla at the tender age of 5. In his very first performance at the age of 10, he completely enthralled the audience.

He received his first formal training from Shri Shibshankar Karmakar, a disciple of Ustad KaramatullahKhan, Farukkhabad Gharana. He continues to receive training from the great tabla maestro Pandit SankhaChatterjee (of the Punjab and Farukkhabad Gharana) in a guru-shishya parampara.He has also had the opportunity to learn South Indian Rhythm style from the Mridangam exponent Pandit S.Shekhar.

Hindole now performs all over the globe accompanying various artists, and his work and experiment is critically acclaimed by music enthusiasts all over the globe. He has accompanied illustrious musicians of Indian Classical music like Ustad Shahid Parvez, Dr. N. Rajam, Ustad Shujaat Khan, Pandit VishwamohanBhatt, Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya, Pandit Rupak Kulkarni, Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia, Vidwan ShashankSubramanium, Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar, Pandit Jayteerth Mevundi, Vidwan Lalgudi Krishnan, VidwanGanesh Rajgopalan to name a few. He has collaborated with world music percussionists like Doyra player Abbos Kosimov, four time Grammy award winner Glenn Velez, and world renowned Mridangam exponent Legendary Trichy Sankaran.

Hindole has founded the Hindole Majumdar School of Music and Dance in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in USA where he teaches Tabla and Indian Rhythm on a regular basis. He has also numerous CD’s audio and video albums released by various record companies including his own record label Sunanda Records.

Trumpet

Background

Sam Neufeld is the creator of the #1 online practice tool dedicated to helping trumpet players improve their technique. Through trumpetwarmup.com, Sam is helping trumpet players of all ages and experience levels to reduce their struggles with the trumpet.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sam has worked with top-tier Milwaukee based trumpet players Matthew Ernst, Principal Trumpet of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Don Sipe, Principal Trumpet of Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. They are featured on trumpetwarmup.com alongside other talented professional players.

Sam has played trumpet for 18+ years. In 2015, he was recipient of the 1st place award at the National Trumpet Competition – Jazz Division. He has performed, studied, and taught around the world. From the Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland to the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada to teaching and performing at the Jalisco Jazz Festival in Mexico, Sam has also studied under the wing of greats like bassist for the late-John Coltrane, Reggie Workman and two-time Grammy Award winner, Brian Lynch. Sam has had a wealth of experiences that he now brings to online education.

Music Producer | Turntablist

Background

Wendel Patrick has been referred to as “David Foster Wallace reincarnated as a sound engineer” by Urbanite Magazine and as “wildly talented” by the Baltimore Sun. He has been referred to by XLR8R magazine as “a hip-hop producer that could easily make any fan of Squarepusher, Boards of Canada, or Madlib flip out.” The alter-ego of classical and jazz pianist Kevin Gift, Wendel Patrick has made a name for himself internationally as a music producer of remarkable vision, skill and talent. His five albums: Sound, Forthcoming, JDWP, Passage, and Travel were all produced without the use of sampling, with Patrick playing every note of every instrument. What is perhaps most astounding and perplexing to listeners is that there are actually no instruments…he crafts all of the instruments, and plays every note, electronically.

Equally at home performing on stage with his band, behind two turntables, beatboxing, improvising, or playing a Mozart Concerto on stage with orchestra, Wendel Patrick has toured Europe on several occasions and performed throughout the world with renowned spoken word artist and poet Ursula Rucker (The Roots, 4 Hero). In 2014, Wendel Patrick traveled to Australia as a guest lecturer, speaking about music production and entrepreneurship in the arts at The Australian Institute of Music in both Sydney and Melbourne. In 2011, Wendel Patrick co- founded the Baltimore Boom Bap Society, with Erik Spangler (DJ Dubble8) that performs monthly improvised hip hop shows with hand picked musicians and emcees. The group’s collaborative performance with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra of Igor Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale was recently named “Best Mesmerizing Performance of 2016” by Baltimore Magazine. Wendel Patrick’s music has also been heard across the country on NPR stations, most notably on Out of the Blocks, an award winning radio documentary program he co-produces with radio producer Aaron Henkin for NPR affiliate WYPR that has been featured by the Third Coast International Audio Festival and Hearing Voices as well as on the BBC. Recent performances included a new collaboration between the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Boom Bap Society, on which Patrick’s orchestral compositions were performed. An avid photographer and videographer, his photography has been exhibited in several art galleries including the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Ralph Arnold Gallery in Chicago. Patrick shoots all of the accompanying documentary photography and videography for Out of the Blocks.

Wendel Patrick/Kevin Gift majored in both music and political science at Emory University and earned his M.M. in Piano Performance as a scholarship student at the Northwestern University School of Music in Evanston Illinois. Patrick is a winner of the 2015 Baker Artist Awards’ Mary Sawyers Baker grand prize and was a member of the faculty at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland from 2001 to 2013 teaching piano, introduction to music theory, music history and electronic music production. He has taught at the Maryland Institute College of Art and at Loyola University Chicago where he was Department of Fine and Performing Arts Guest Artist- in-Residence for 2019.

Wendel Patrick is currently a professor at The Peabody Music Conservatory – Johns Hopkins University where he teaches “Hip Hop Music Production: History and Practice”, the first course of its kind to be taught at a major traditional music conservatory anywhere in the United States. He has recently been named as the new host of “Artworks” on Maryland Public Television/PBS.

Jazz Bassist | Alexander Technique Practitioner

Background

Clay Schaub is an Alexander Technique teacher and jazz bassist. He runs a private practice at his home in Bayview, Milwaukee, where he works frequently with musicians, actors, dancers, and people with chronic pain. Having nearly a decade of Alexander teaching experience, Clay has also worked as an assistant trainer of teachers on programs around the country, including ATNYC, ATMKE, and ATTiC (Chicago). He completed a 1600-hour, 3-year Certification Program through the American Society for the Alexander Technique in June of 2012 under the direction of John Nicholls and Nanette Walsh at ATNYC in Manhattan. Clay first came to the Technique in 2002, after years of struggling with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and performance-related injuries. Clay continues the Alexander work, teaches jazz bass, and keeps an active performance schedule. He finds great joy in it.

Saxophonist

Background

Lenard Simpson is a saxophonist, composer and educator from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lenard was mostly self-taught through high school, but his natural ability and musicianship earned him accolades such as membership in the esteemed Grammy Camp Jazz Session, and an outstanding soloist award at the Mingus Jazz Competition in New York City. Lenard has had the opportunity to play with artists such as pianist and composer-Billy Childs, Clayton Cameron, Kurt Elling and Marquis Hill. Lenard received a B.M in Jazz performance at Northern Illinois University and as a core member of the legendary jazz program’s many award winning ensembles. While studying at NIU, Lenard was awarded first place in Chicago’s esteemed Luminarts Jazz Competition. Upon graduation, Lenard moved to Chicago and soon became one of the city’s top call saxophonists playing sideman to legendary local drummers, George Fludas and Charles Heath. Lenard’s trio has appeared at premier clubs and jazz festivals throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee area.​

In 2018, Lenard was selected by a panel of Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, James Newton and Ambrose Akinmusire to be a member of the Thelonious Monk Institute Fellowship, which has since been renamed to the Herbie Hancock Institute. After graduating from the prestigious institute, Lenard moved back to Chicago, Illinois where he accepted a Fellowship award to teach and perform through the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Lenard remains active as a performer and educator in the jazz community. ​In addition to maintaining an active performing schedule as a leader and sideman, Lenard is also an educator and has taught at several high profile jazz camps including the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Northern Illinois University, and Birch Creek. Additionally, Lenard has taught masterclasses for international Jazz Day in Melbourne, Australia and at the Sitka Jazz Festival in Sitka, Alaska.

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Instrumental/General Music Education | Ball State University
• Master of Music, Trumpet Performance | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Performer’s Certificate (in progress) | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

• Is on faculty as a brass instructor with several organizations in the Milwaukee area.
• Served as the Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s Education Coordinator.
• Performed as the 2017 Concerto Soloist with the Music for the Sake of Music Symphony Orchestra, a chamber musician for Classical Music Indy and the Muncie Symphony, and as a lead trumpet player for numerous musicals and shows across Central Indiana.
• Has a breadth of experience teaching both in and out of the classroom including traditional public school ensembles, clinics and masterclasses, general music and PreK, and managing his own private studio.
• Performs in his contemporary chamber ensemble Microcosm and with his acoustic pop duo Ekruteak with his fiancé, Jennifer Rodriguez.

Social Media:

• Alec Burke YouTube: https://bit.ly/Subscribe_AlecBurkeMusic
• Ekruteak YouTube: https://bit.ly/Subscribe_Ekruteak
• Ekruteak Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekruteakband/
• Ekruteak Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EkruteakBand/
• Personal Website: https://alecburkemusic.weebly.com/

Education

• Berklee College of Music

Background

• WCM faculty member since 2005.
• Moved back to his roots in Milwaukee after 10 years of living in New York and touring and recording with the band ulu.
• Has played and recorded with many bands and artists, including De La Buena, Choir Fight, Jamie Breiwick, Steve Peplin, The Static Chicken, Tristan Royalty Squad, The Extra Crispy Brass Band, The Soul Trio, The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and Eric Bennet.

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Background

• Joined the Conservatory faculty in January 2019.
• Teaches and plays various styles of music on the drum set, specializing in jazz.
• Plays with her modern jazz quartet in the Milwaukee area.
• Featured as an instructor for the Vic Firth video series “Inside the Teaching Studio” entitled How to Sound Like Elvin Jones.
• Has played with musicians such as Leni Stern, Ingrid Jensen, and Jamie Baum.
• Enjoys teaching the bucket drumming and world percussion classes through the Conservatory Connections program, as well as private percussion lessons.

Background

• Johnny Padilla is currently leading his group in support of his recording “Bright Morning” on the BP Music label.
• Johnny has been a touring musician for Jimmy Buffett, Mongo Santamaria and Angela Carrasco.
• Since moving to Milwaukee, he has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
• Johnny has been a featured artist for:
  •  “Jazz in Cutler Park” Waukesha, WI
  • “ Third Ward Jazz Festival” Milwaukee, WI
  • “Starry Nights” Wilson Center Brookfield, WI
  • The Towers Concert” Narragansett, RI
  • “Arts Concert” Vero Beach, FL
  • “The Miami Latin Jazz Festival” Miami, FL
  • “The Dade County Youth Fair” Miami, FL
  • “The Dade County Book Fair” Miami, FL
  • “Tropical Nights” Hollywood, FL
  • “Artwalk” Hollywood, FL
  • “Riverwalk Sunday Brunch” Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  • “The Hispanic Heritage Festival” Miami, FL;
  • “The Beaux Arts Festival of Art” Miami, FL
  • “The Art Council’s Concert” Key West, FL
  • Pleasure Island @ Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL.
• Johnny has toured as a musician to the countries of Austria, The Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, England, France, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and throughout the United States of America.

Chair, Jazz & Contemporary Music

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Emphasis in Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
• Performer’s Certificate for Senior Recital

Background

• WCM faculty member since 2016.
• Began playing drums at age eight and has been studying percussion since age nine.
• Co-leads tour-de-force fusion group, “Match Stick,” which released a self-titled album in 2019.
• Released his debut CD, “FLY!”, in 2014, which invites listeners on a musical journey of original compositions and out-of-the-box arrangements for 20-piece big band.
• Featured clinician for the 2015 Summerfest Big Band Camp, along with Curt Hanrahan and Mike Steinel.
• Conducted masterclasses at UW-Parkside, University of Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Park Tudor School, and Nicolet High School.
• Teaches percussion at several Milwaukee public schools through the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music’s Conservatory Connections program.

Education

• Bachelor of Music | Heidelberg University
• Master of Music, Instrumental Conducting | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

• Music educator and saxophonist Rosemary McGee Walzer is Director of the UWM Youth Jazz Ensemble, and Director of Bands at Maple Dale Elementary School.
• During her time at UW-Milwaukee, she studied conducting with Dr. John Climer, saxophone with Curt Hanrahan, served as a graduate conducting associate with both the University Band and the Youth Wind Ensemble program, and assisted with the overall administration of the university band program.
• Additionally, she served as music director for Pankratz Arts Exchange in Mount Calvary, WI for five seasons.
• In addition to her regular teaching gigs, Rosemary has served as a guest lecturer, clinician, and music camp instructor.
• Is a regular clinician with the Woody Herman Jazz Festival, and has been invited to work with many instrumental ensembles throughout Southeast Wisconsin.
• As a performer, Rosemary was one of the winners of the Heidelberg University Concerto Competition in 2003, and received the Arthur Bean Award there in 2005.
• Freelances in the Milwaukee area and has been in several instrumental ensembles, including the funk/soul band Montage, the East Side Jazz Orchestra, the Kicks Big Band, and the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra.

Education

• Bachelor Degree | Michigan State University
• Master Degree, Jazz Studies | Florida State University

Background

• Performs professionally in a wide variety of musical styles, as a leader and as a sideman, on upright bass and electric bass.
• Studied with world- renowned bassist, Rodney Whitaker while at Michigan State University.
• Studied classically with the Assistant Principal of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Robert Goodlett
• Taught alongside Robert Goodlett at the Quattro String Academy in Indianapolis, IN.
• Currently serves as the Bass Instructor at Eastern Illinois University.
• As a seasoned teacher, enjoys working with students with experience ranging from beginners to professionals.