Band Musicians
Listen to "Mushroom Shower" performed on Apr. 13, 2008 (piano, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Psalm 119-Zain" performed on Apr. 13, 2008 (piano, soprano saxophone, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Leaving Everything Behind" performed on Apr. 13, 2008 (piano, oboe, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Nothing is Over for those Who Hope" performed on Apr. 17, 2008 (piano, alto saxophone, and drums).
Listen to "Psalm 119-Teth" performed on Apr. 17, 2008 (piano, tenor saxophone, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Isolated in Yourself" performed on Mar. 11, 2008 (piano, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Ratification of Freedom" performed on Apr. 13, 2008 (piano, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Presentiment of Love" performed on Mar. 11, 2008 (piano, tenor saxophone, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Mirages" performed on Apr. 13, 2008 (piano, oboe, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Imaginary Lake" performed 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)
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 Concert at Greensboro College on March 11, 2008.Amazon.com}
Please read more about Yelena on the Biography page.
Pat Lawrence - Double Bass
Pat Lawrence was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he began playing acoustic bass at the age of 14. In 1989 he moved to Chicago where he lived for 14 years trying himself in a wide variety of contexts including jazz, rock, improvised, and classical music. While studying bass at the College, Pat performed with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago under such conductors as Zubin Mehta and Daniel Barenboim. Being strongly drawn to Chicago’s burgeoning free music scene, he had the opportunity to play with some of the city’s best improvisers, including Gene Coleman’s Ensemble “No Amnesia,” Guillermo Gregorio, Jim O’Rourke, Fred Lomberg-Holm, and Tim Mulvenna.
After relocating to the South, Pat has continued to foster long-distance collaborations, such as with Chicago musician and video artist, Robbie Lynn Hunsinger, on the short experimental film "Waterwind," as well as a new recording project with the New York City guitarist, Bruce Eisenbiel. In North Carolina Pat continues to follow his many interests as both a studio and freelance musician. He has been playing in many genres and with the area’s finest musicians including Eugene Chadbourne, the duo “Go!” with Mahlon Hoard, the Dave Fox Group, and, most recently, with Yelena Eckemoff.
Pat says that in the dynamic Yelena Eckemoff Ensemble he can fully express his broad range of skills and expertise with classical, jazz and improvised music – all at the same time.
Michael Bolejack - Drums and Percussions
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."
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Evan Thee - Oboe and Saxophones
Greensboro NC native, Evan Thee earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in oboe performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. His oboe instructors were John Mack, Daniel Stolper, James Prodan and Daði Kolbeinsson. He played in several Symphony Orchestras of North Carolina as the assistant principal and principal oboist. He was also the assistant principal oboist in the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, principal oboist in Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, and principal oboist in Northern Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Evan appeared in Eastern Music Festival, A Classical Winter in Jerusalem, National Repertory Orchestra and in Verbier Music Festival. Evan has been also studied saxophone with various saxophonists including Branford Marsalis.
Evan says: "Playing with Yelena has been a revelation to me. Her music inspires me to no end, and her melodies, in particular, are just plain beautiful. I also like to work with Yelena, because each of her compositions require different instrument to be played differently, which brings a challenge and polishes the performing skills."
Gray Hackelman - Double Bass (2007-2008)
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. Gray holds 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. Gray co-hosted two regular jazz jam sessions and performed often with his small group "Solid Gold." 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."
Nathan Scott - Double Bass (2006-2007)
Nathan Scott, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, began playing bass at age 12 with the guidance of his father, an accomplished bass player. In 2004 Nathan graduated from the North Carolina School of Arts - Winston-Salem, NC with a Bachelor’s Degree in music performance.
Some of his earlier achievements consist of winning the ASTA National Bass solo competition and being selected as the "Principal Bass" of the National High School Honors Orchestra in 1998. Since 2001 he has been with the Winston-Salem Symphony as an Associate Principal Bass.
Nathan was a member of the regional band "Gomachi" who performed at the Mid Atlantic Music Festival as an opening act for John Scohield and Carl Denson. He has also performed with guitarist Derek Trucks, Martha Basset’s “Camel City,” “West End Mambo” and various jazz artists including Melva Houston, Joe Robinson, and Chris Murrell. Since mid 2004 Nathan has played with “Reggie Buie Trio” with whom he recorded CD “The First Time”.
Nathan finds enjoyment in playing the bass in many different musical settings. He feels comfortable in a range of musical backgrounds from classical to jazz and rock and roll.
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."
Concert at UNC-Greensboro on March 13, 2007.
History
The first 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 said: "I believe that this particular quintet of instruments created 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."
When Evan Thee, a fellow Greensboro musician, first played with Yelena in November of 2007, Gray and Michael, everyone felt a good chemistry going as Evan was not only effortlessly sight-reading the music parts, but also engaged in the improvisation displaying a natural feel for Yelena's music. It was obvious that the history then has inserted another bookmark in the lives of all four musicians: the Yelena Eckemoff Quartet was born.
In winter and spring of 2008 Yelena Eckemoff Ensemble and Quartet performed a series of concerts in Greensboro area and Virginia.
Since upon graduating from the University Gray Hackelman could not commit himself to participating in the group's activities with the same intensity, another bassist, Pat Lawrence, was welcomed by the band. Soon after that Yelena, Pat and Michael have begun the recording of a new CD, "Advocate of Love" due to release in the fall of 2008.
Yelena says, “Behind are the years of searching, hard work, passionate dedication, evolving and striving to excel. But there is yet a longer road ahead. I believe in practice and desire to give yourself unconditionally to music. I also believe in God's providence. I was hoping to flock under my wings the performers who are proficient both in classical music and jazz, and I've found them. Each of the musicians who helped me to perform my music has added a special touch to the whole picture. With their help, my idea of melting together classical music and jazz received the most proper realization. All of us feel that we have something new-angled and exciting to offer to the fans of modern creative music, and we are ready to welcome every chance to share our musical art with the world.”