Yelena Eckemoff Quartet
Listen to "Leaving Everything Behind " recorded on Dec. 3, 2007 (piano, oboe, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Psalm 119-Zain" recorded on Dec. 3, 2007 (piano, soprano saxophone, double-bass, and drums).
Listen to "Rising from Within" recorded on Dec. 3, 2007 (piano, tenor saxophone, double-bass, and drums).
(Please be patient, mp3 files might take some time to download)
History
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.
The recordings of the two rehearsals in the beginning of December made their way onto the Demo CD, which the newly formed group decided to assemble in order to apply for participation in some jazz festivals.
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 Gray and then Evan. I consider this more then just a good luck. Now with their help, my idea of melting together classical music values and concepts of jazz, received the most proper realization. All four 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.”
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.
.jpg)
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
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."