Faculty

Roni Ben-Hur, Artistic Director/Guitar

Year by year, Guitarist Roni Ben-Hur has been building an increasingly stellar reputation for himself since he first migrated from his native Israel to New York City, back in 1985. A passionate leader, player, composer-arranger, published author and respected educator, Roni now stands as one of the elite players in modern jazz. Keepin’ it Open, his fifth release and his debut on the Motema imprint elevates his game yet another notch or two as he leads a company of fellow jazz greats – pianist Ronnie Matthews, drummer Lewis Nash, bassist Santi Debriano, percussionist Steve Kroon and new trumpet sensation Jeremy Pelt through a very personal and multicultural jazz adventure.

An avid educator, Ben-Hur’s teaching career began in Israel in 1981. Since then, he has established three successful, ongoing high school jazz music programs at the Professional Performing Arts School, The Coalition School for Social Change, and Landmark High School, all in New York City. His inspirational demeanor and communication skills create a strong personal bond with his students, prompting actress and social/educational activist, Bette Midler, to ask Ben-Hur to model a music education program for other public schools in New York City. He has directed the jazz program at Kaufman Center’s Lucy Moses School since 1992.

Learn more about Roni Ben-Hur.

Nilson Matta, Artistic Director/Bass

Nilson Matta Nilson Matta has long been considered one of Brazil’s best bass players. Since his arrival in New York 1985 he has become the first call of many of the top US musicians. Nilson studied bass at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) with Sandrino Santoro, Brazil’s premier classical bass player. While in Brazil he played with such top artists as João Gilberto, Hermeto Pascoal, Chico Buarque de Holanda, Nana Caymmi, João Bosco, Johnny Alf, Nivaldo Ornellas, MPB-4, Helio Delmiro, Luis Bonfa, and many others.

In 1983 Nilson was invited to Japan to perform with singer Lisa Ono. Together they spent a year promoting Brazilian music. While with drummer Pascoal Meirelles in 1984, Nilson founded the fusion band “Cama De Gato.”

Nilson moved to New York City in 1985. Since that time he has performed and recorded with such renowned artists as Joe Henderson, Paquito D’Rivera, Slide Hampton, Herbie Mann, Mark Murphy, Oscar Castro Neves, Don Friedman, Paul Winter, Claudio Roditi, Gato Barbieri, Yo Yo Ma, Kenny Barron and many others.

Learn more about Nilson Matta.

Bill McHenry, Saxophone

Bill McHenry Bill McHenry is a saxophonist, composer, and bandleader living in Brooklyn New York. He is known for his melodic/free form composing and improvising, demostrated most recently on his newest CD “ROSES”.

New York Times critic Ben Ratliff writes: “Any musician who works so effectively against a common language, and uses cliché so little in the process, is worth listening to. There are tons of young jazz saxophonists out there pursuing ideas of harmony and structure and rhythm, but he has something rare going for him. He has a sound. Mr. McHenry is a fresh new voice: He can play with un-orthodox structure and get as free as you want, but he maintains a ripe, lovely tone straight out of the 1950’s. Lyrical is probably the most overused word in jazz criticism, but if anyone deserves the word, Mr. McHenry is the one.”

Since moving to New York in 1992 Bill started playing regularly in groups led by REID ANDERSON, GUILLERMO KLEIN, ETHAN IVERSON, REBECCA MARTIN, CHRIS LIGHTCAP, and BEN WALTZER as well as leading his own group with BEN MONDER. Eventually that group was joined with Reid and PAUL MOTIAN, and they recorded “Bill McHenry Quartet featuring Paul Motian”, which led to Bill playing with that group several times over the next few years at the VILLAGE VANGUARD. Thier newest CD, “ROSES” has been recognized as the strongest yet and Bill continues to write and develop music for other settings.

Learn more about Bill McHenry.

Amy London, Vocals

Amy London is known and loved in New York City jazz and Broadway circles for her effortless sound, impeccable musicianship and depth of emotion. ‘When I Look In Your Eyes’, her first national release as a leader, features some of the world’s top jazz musicians, and reflects London’s fully seasoned career which includes recordings with Roland Hanna, Barry Harris, Fred Hersch, Dr. Lonnie Smith, New York Voices, three years in the 6 Tony award winning Broadway hit ‘City of Angels’, (on it’s Grammy nominated original cast recording as well), tours with Charles Aznavour, Tom Browne and Larry Elgart, and twenty five years of performances in the NY area, including long term engagements with the big bands of Chris Byars, Bill Conway, Loren Schoenberg and the Rainbow Room Orchestra, as well as the City Center production of ‘Promises, Promises’, with Martin Short. London’s selection of songs on this disc include moving renditions of rarely recorded American standards, along with some fresh crossover selections such as Laura Nyro’s ‘Lazy Susan’ and the title track, which is pulled from the soundtrack of ‘Dr. Dolittle’. Weaned on Motown and the folk rock of the 1970’s (Laura Nyro/Joni Mitchell/Carole King/James Taylor etc.) and deeply trained in the jazz idiom, London is poised to be a favorite of the baby boomer generation with her accessible Ella-meets Laura Nyro style.  The sessions were recorded in a series of live takes at the famed Bennett Studios in New Jersey, with a jazz dream team. Notably, this was one of pianist John Hicks’ final recordings. Also featured are fellow Motema artists Roni Ben-Hur and Rufus Reid (bass jazz legend whose career spans 4 decades w/300 recordings). Rounding out the date are veteran drummer Leroy Williams, percussion master Steve Kroon and a tight horn section formed by Chris Byars, Richie Vitale, John Mosca and Dan Greenblatt. Producer Suzi Reynolds, at the helm of recently acclaimed Motéma releases by guitarist Roni-Ben Hur and bassist Rufus Reid, delivers a flawless production that is sure to make a strong showing at jazz radio.

Learn more about Amy London.   www.amylondonsings.com