Damani Phillips, Mitch Towne, & Michael D'Angelo

Sat, Feb 21

Dr. Damani Philips is a native of Pontiac, MI, and currently serves as Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor of African-American Studies at the University of Iowa. Phillips has earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from DePaul University and The University of Kentucky in classical saxophone, a second Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Wayne State University and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder. An active performer, pedagogue and lecturer, Phillips has taught and performed throughout the world. He has previously served on the faculty of Grinnell College and Oakland University, and is actively sought as a guest artist, clinician, adjudicator and presenter throughout the country. He has performed with artists/groups such as Lewis Nash, Christian McBride, Wycliffe Gordon, Bobby McFerrin, Marcus Belgrave, Terrell Stafford, Hank Jones, Red Holloway and Pat Bianchi among many others. He has released 5 albums as a leader, and published his first book “What Is This Thing Called Soul: Conversations on Black Culture and Jazz Education” in 2017. --- Mitch Towne is a Grammy-nominated keyboardist and touring musician. His ability to move seamlessly between diverse styles has made him a sought-after side-man with artists as varied as multi-platinum artists John “J.R.” Robinson, Buddy Miles, and Aloe Blacc, jazz/R&B artist and Grammy-winning producer Terrace Martin, jazz heavyweights Tom Scott, Ryan Kisor, Matt Wilson, Dave Stryker, Jerry Bergonzi, Joel Frahm, Troy Roberts and Dan Wilson, and blues artist Eric Gales. --- Michael D’Angelo is a Grammy-nominated drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator based in Iowa City, IA. He is currently on the faculty at the University of Iowa as Visiting Assistant Professor of Jazz Percussion. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of North Texas, a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Colorado. Michael has performed with a wide array of artists in a variety of musical situations including Doc Severinsen, Dave Brubeck, Mary Wilson, James Carter, Ron Blake, Marquis Hill, Alan Pasqua, Bob Hurst, Ryan Saranich, Brandon Lee, Greg Gisbert, Annie Booth, the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, and the North Carolina Symphony to name a few. As an educator, he has presented clinics and masters classes in the United States and internationally including the Jazz Education Network Conference, Eastern Washington University Jazz Dialogues Festival, North Carolina Music Educators Association Conference, Colorado Music Educators Association Conference, World Saxophone Congress, and Percussive Arts Society International Convention.