Yelena Eckemoff's Ensemble
Listen to "Imaginary Lake" performed live at the UNCG on March 13, 2007 (piano, cello, flute, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Imaginary Lake" from "The Call" CD (piano, flute, bass-flute, and drums).
(Please be patient, mp3 files might take some time to download)
Concert at UNC-Greensboro on March 13, 2007.
History
The Ensemble was born at the end of 2005, when Yelena asked Gayle Masarie, who was her long-time acquaintance, to get together and play some of Yelena's new music. In the meantime, Yelena's search for a drummer lead another devoted band member, Michael Bolejack, to the door of her Greensboro studio. These three jumped into Yelena's new project - "The Call" album - with great enthusiasm. Soon they were recording together at the Sound Lab (Greensboro).
Things went not so smoothly as the search for a flute player has begun, for the project required a treble solo instrument. Several flutists were tried before Debbie Egekvist made her glorious entrance into the group.
The need for a double-bass has not become apparent until "The Call" CD was done and over with. But as the Ensemble started to prepare for a concert and different songs were added to the program, Yelena began to search for a bassist. Nathan Scott was recommended by Gayle, who knew him as her colleague at the Winston Symphony. Nathan joined in the summer of 2006, and everybody in the group felt that the Ensemble was at last complete and perfect.
Unfortunately, after Nathan participated in the Ensemble's performance at UNC-Greensboro, the changes in his busy schedule made it difficult for him to commit to the rehearsals, and his place was taken by Gray Hackelman - a rising star on the UNCG jazz horizon.
Talking about her Ensemble, Yelena says: "I believe that this particular quintet of instruments creates a special sound, very much suitable for the nature of my music. Some of my compositions have an obvious need to utilize all five instruments, while others benefit from leaving either flute, cello or bass out. I feel, though, that the core of my Ensemble should be a traditional jazz trio: piano, bass and drums, while cello and flute might make their appearances sparingly, as the music requires. This way I can create different sound pallets, and this colorful variety of sound is refreshing for a listener both on the recording and at the live performances."
Members
Yelena Eckemoff - Leader, Pianist, Composer
"With her extensive training at the elite Gnessins Academy and the Moscow State Conservatory, Yelena brings a strong and unique voice to the world of contemporary music. Her piano technique is phenomenal and all of her work is sincere and heartfelt." {Kathy Parsons for Solo Piano Publications}
"A classically trained pianist of the absolutely highest accomplishment, Eckemoff effortlessly gambols and frolics in world-chamber jazz precincts as if she invented and absolutely owns this rarified music... That she manages to compose, lead and improvise with such absolute assurance and aplomb, marks her as a consummate musician. Moreover, she has a unique approach to the piano, at once delicate, precise, and powerful, eliciting from the instrument passion, nuance, and strength as called for." {Jan Dennis for Amazon.com}
Please read more about Yelena on the Biography page.
Gayle Masarie - Cello
A famed Julliard School graduate, Gayle Masarie has a Master’s Degree from Bowling Green State University. She is currently an Associate Principal Cello with the Winston- Salem Symphony and Piedmont Opera as well as a member of various chamber music ensembles and a cello instructor with City Arts Counsel in Greensboro, NC.
"Cellist Gayle Masarie channels the best of Yo Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer, consistently framing the bottom of this music with statements of great depth and felicity." {Jan Dennis for Amazon.com}
Gayle says: "Playing with Yelena has broadened my musical experience and given me a new direction to pursue."
Deborah Egekvist - Flute
Having made her debut recital in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Dr. Deborah Egekvist has been a flute professor at the UNC-Greensboro since 1985. She taught, gave master classes and performed throughout the United States, Canada, Germany and the Asian South Pacific.
"Flautist Deborah Egekvist plies a Grieg/Faure sensibility to great effect; there's huge depth and mystery in her playing. With absolutely spot-on intonation and a rich, dark tone, she consistently nails this technically challenging but emotionally charged music." {Jan Dennis for Amazon.com}
Deborah says: "I was immediately attracted to the charm of Yelena's music and was delighted to join [the group.] I find Yelena's music extremely refreshing, innovative, creatively diverse in scope..., always moving and engaging."
Gray Hackelman - Double Bass
Gray Hackelman, a Greensboro, NC native, has had his heart set on the double bass since early childhood. While studying music at North Carolina School of the Arts during high-school, he developed an intense hunger for classical and jazz music. His early influences were Charles Mingus, Scott LaFaro, Duke Ellington and Wayne Shorter. Currently seeking a Bachelor's degree from UNC-Greensboro, he has played in master classes with such greats as Robin Eubanks, Mike Stern, John Scofield, Jimmy Cobb, Mike Murley, and Terry Lynn Carrington. When not studying in school, Hackelman also plays regularly throughout the state of North Carolina. Gray co-hosts two regular jazz jam sessions and performs often with his small group "SOLID GOLD". He spends a great deal of time studying classical music with his teacher Craig Brown. He is also heavily submerged in the art of chess and photography.
Gray says: "Yelena's music is very interesting. I can hear many influences in her work, and I always find her compositions exciting and provocative. It has been a pleasure working with her and I am anxious to see what she comes up with next."
Michael Bolejack - Drums
A session drummer for the Salt Mine Studios since 1990, Michael has played with many bands and musicians, including Chuck Berry, Buzzy Meekins,‘The Outlaws,’ ‘Streetfeet,’‘Channel 9,’ Sam Hensley, Tony Rice, Vassar Clemments and Peter Rowan.
"Bolejack, whose resume reads like a who's who of pop/soul/jazz/new grass greats, cites Peter Erskine, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, and Jon Christensen as his favorite drummers: one can hardly imagine greater lights as percussionists, and he absolutely lives up to those impossibly high standards." {Jan Dennis for Amazon.com}
Michael says: "I really like exploring music that sounds different and more sophisticated. In my playing I try to approach this music in a way that expresses and emphasizes mood and color rather than the rhythmical pattern. Playing with Yelena has given me that opportunity for which I am grateful."