Talented jazz guitarist, Russell Malone, leads a high powered quartet that includes Ross Margitza on piano, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums.
Russell Malone is a versatile performer who excels in both hard-swinging and mellow musical contexts. Malone was self- taught, beginning to play the guitar at the age of 4. Influenced by B.B. King, The Dixie Hummingbirds, George Benson, Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian, and Wes Montgomery, Malone plays with a clean attack, and fluid, lyrical style. Malone has worked with Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Benny Green, Ron Carter, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, Kenny Barron, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Jack McDuff, Mulgrew Miller, Eddie Vinson, Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Hank Jones, Bill Frisell, Sonny Rollins, Ray Brown, David Sanborn, Terrell Stafford, Christian McBride, Gary Bartz, Jimmy Cobb, and many others. Malone has recorded 18 CDs as a leader, recorded over 70 CDs as a sideman, and has 360 music credits.
Pianist Ross Margitza is a composer, arranger, educator, and trumpeter who first started playing the piano at the age of 6. Oscar Peterson’s recording of West Side Story influenced Ross to become a jazz musician, and he went on to earn music degrees from Michigan State, Northern Illinois University, and University of Texas/Austin. Ross has worked with Jon Faddis, Phil Woods, Gerald Wilson, Patti Austin, Rodney Whitaker, Wess Anderson, Antonio Hart, Lynn Roberts, Christian McBride, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey. Ross is Director of Instrumental Music at Flintridge Prepratory School, and works with the Kevin Kanner and Mark Stevens Trios.
Bassist Mike Gurrola is known for his solid technique, attentive musicianship, and strong passion and love for blues and swing. Mike is a protege of bassist Ray Brown and has been mentored by bassist John Clayton. Mike has worked with Eric Reed, Benny Green, Jeff Hamilton, Houston Person, Mary Stallings, Larry Goldings, Ralph Moore, Harry Allen, Willie Jones 111, Jane Monheit, Kenny Burrell, Roy McCurdy, and many of L.A.’s best jazz artists. Mike has won awards and competitions at The Berklee School Of Music and Monterey Jazz Festivals, and has played at The North Sea Jazz Festival and The Kennedy Center. Mike received LACHSA’s Ist Ray Brown Scholarship, and has also studied at The Colburn School Of Music.
Drummer Roy McCurdy was a member of Cannonball Adderley’s Quintet for 11 years, and worked with The Mangione Brothers, Bobby Timmons, Betty Carter, Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Eddie Vinson, and The Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet. Roy was influenced by Louie Bellson, Shelley Manne, Sam Woodyard, Buddy Rich, Papa Jo Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford, and Lionel Hampton. Roy has performed/recorded with Count Basie, Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Joe Williams, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, Art Pepper, Blood, Sweat, and Tears,
Pete Jolly, Ray Reed, Tom Talbert, and many others. Roy performed on the 1983 Classic recording, Jackson, Johnson, Brown, and Company, studied at Eastman School Of Music, and has taught jazz studies at U.S.C., and The Pasadena Conservatory Of Music. Roy appeared on 25 recordings with The Adderley Brothers, 20 as a sideman, and has over 250 music credits. Roy McCurdy’s musical strength has earned him the name The Dominator. Roy has been at the top of the jazz scene since the 1960’s.
