In his hometown of Houston, Texas, Marcos Varela attended the renowned High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. After high school and on his path to becoming a professional musician he moved to NYC to attend the New School on scholarship and is now a active member in the New York jazz and contemporary music scene. He has made a name for himself as one of the most in-demand bassist in the city and worldwide and has regularly performed and recorded with a variety of ensembles and band leaders such as Ingrid Jensen, Billy Hart, Geri Allen, The Mingus Big Band, Antoine Roney, Nasheet Waits among many others. He was selected as a member of Vincent Gardner's-Jazz Houston, which has featured guests such as Gregory Porter, Wynton Marsalis, Ruben Blades and Jon Faddis. Varela has also worked as a composer for several film and television projects, including director Domenica Cameron-Scorsese's film Roots in Water.
Legendary bassist Ron Carter contributed to the liner notes for Varela's Origin Records debut album "San Ygnacio,” where Carter writes that Varela's "Tone, Choice of Notes and Compositions will place his playing and name on the list of bassists to be heard.” In addition, Mr. Carter has made statements regarding Varela’s musical contributions, saying of him “a valuable asset to any musical organization,” “a truly unique musician,” “Mr. Varela belongs in the top bass players in the industry and his impressive resume confirms my words,” “a fine example of talent that is essential to the scene,” and “top notch proficiency on his instrument as well as a complete understanding of the history and details of the jazz art form.”
In 2016, Varela released his debut album San Ygnacio on Origin Records to critical acclaim. In support of the record, His band headlined as part of the Jazz á Liège festival in Liege, Belgium as well as Prishtina’s Jazz Week in Kosovo. Varela’s newest co-lead projects include One Mind, released on the Spanish label Fresh Sound Records, and Illumination, released December 15th, 2020 on the same record label.
Varela is a NS Design, Aguilar Amplification, Kolstein, Thomastik-Infeld Strings, Fishman, Mono Creators and Fodera Artist.
Glenn Zaleski is one of the most in-demand pianists on the New York City jazz scene. Originally from Boylston, MA, Glenn has made a name for himself playing with the likes of Ravi Coltrane, Lage Lund, and Ari Hoenig. His new quintet album, "The Question", will be released in July 2020 from Sunnyside Records.
His most recent release, "Live at Jazz Standard" (Capri 2019), features his long-standing co-led trio, Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato, in a live set the legendary NYC club.
One year prior, "Solo Vol. 1", was released in early 2018 - his first solo piano album, as well as the first release from his own label Stark Terrace Music. In 2017 he released his second album for Sunnyside Records, "Fellowship", prompting All About Jazz to note, "Glenn Zaleski has quickly become one of the most important pianists of his generation and it's easy to see why." His debut album, "My Ideal", was released in March of 2015, also on Sunnyside, and received critical acclaim: Downbeat Magazine named it "sublime", Jazz Times called it, "an engaging set by a talent worth watching," and the New York Times named the record a "strong statement," praising its "fluent but unhurried sense of phrase".
Glenn has also released two popular albums with the collective Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato: "Limitless" (Capri, 2013), and "Anticipation" (Capri, 2011), as well as a duo record with his brother, saxophonist Mark Zaleski. ("Duet Suite", 2010)
In 2011, Glenn was a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, as well as a finalist for the 2011 APA Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz. He attended the Brubeck Institute Fellowship program in Stockton, CA from 2005-2007, and then finished his undergraduate studies at The New School in 2009. From 2009-2011, while working towards his graduate degree at NYU, Glenn was also on NYU faculty, teaching a variety of classes and private students.
Dr. Chris Smith is a drummer, author, and educator based in New York City. He has performed with a wide variety of musicians including Randy Brecker, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Dick Oatts, and vocalist Patti Austin. As the drummer in the Birdland Big Band he performs every Friday at the world-famous NYC club. Additionally he plays frequently at venues such as Smalls, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, and the Jazz Standard. Chris is an active recording artist, with saxophonist Dick Oatts’ album Use Your Imagination (SteepleChase) serving as a recent and prime example of his drumming.
A passion for teaching is reflected in his varied work as an educator. Most recently he has given clinics at the University of Connecticut, University of Nebraska-Omaha, USDAN Camp for the Arts, and the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival. His higher education teaching experience includes a previous faculty appointment at the University of Northern Colorado. Currently he offers online instruction through his website Jazz Drum Hang. www.jazzdrumhang.com
Chris loves researching jazz history and is a published author. His book The View from the Back of the Band: The Life and Music of Mel Lewis is the only biography on drummer Mel Lewis. Available from the University of North Texas Press, the book presents a refined model for biographical research on a drummer by combining a complete biographical history with transcriptions, musical analysis, and discography.
Chris has earned a Doctorate in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, a Bachelor of Music from Northern Illinois University, and a Master of Music in Jazz Arts from Manhattan School of Music.
-Marcos Varela’s new record, "San Ygnacio" out now on Origin Record's. One of Jazziz Magazines Top releases of 2016 as well as selected by NPR Music as one of the top debuts of 2016! http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2016/12/21/506093073/the-2016-npr-music-jazz-critics-poll Featuring George Cables, Billy Hart, Clifton Anderson, Logan Richardson, Dayna Stephens, Arnold Lee, Eden Ladin and Kush Abadey with Liner notes by the Legendary Ron Carter, https://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2016/03/bassist-marcos-varela-bridges-generations-remarkable-debut-cd/
order here; http://originarts.com/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=82711