LAUREL MASSÉ | Singer

In New York City, on a snowy night in February 1972, a waitress hailed a cab. The driver was wearing a cap covered with 1939 World’s Fair buttons, and she asked about them. The cab driver was Tim Hauser; the waitress, Laurel Massé. That conversation started a musical friendship that led to the founding of the award-winning vocal group, The Manhattan Transfer, and the beginning of a long musical career.

For seven years, Massé added her expressive voice and ready wit to the ensemble as they toured internationally. In 1980, Massé returned to stage and studio as a solo artist. Her solo recordings Alone Together and Easy Living both charted on Billboard; Again was a People magazine pick.

Since 1997 she has taught every year at the Ashokan Music & Dance Camp, Western & Swing Week. She currently teaches vocal jazz at SUNY New Paltz, and continues to give master classes and to work with private students.

Learn more about her extensive list of accomplishments by visiting her website.

MARK DZIUBA | Guitarist

Mark Dziuba has been a guitarist, improviser and composer for most of his life. He has performed with a who’s who of Jazz, Blues, Rock and Bluegrass musicians and has performed and taught at workshops and festivals internationally for over 40 years.

Mark is a tenured professor of music at the State University of New York at New Paltz where he directs the Jazz Studies program. He was a part of the internationally acclaimed National Guitar Workshop for 25 years and has been a part of the Crown of the Continent International Guitar Festival since its birth.

Mark is a published author and a featured soloist and composer on numerous recordings. He continues to explore the world of improvised live and virtual music and can be found performing often in the area and abroad.

JEFF “SIEGE” SIEGEL | Drummer

Drummer/Composer Jeff "Siege" Siegel is a veteran of the New York Jazz scene and has worked with a virtual "who's who" of artists. A member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-'99, Siegel's diverse career has also led him to perform and/or record with legends in the industry. He’s performed over 30 European tours including four as leader of the Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet and several others as co-leader.

Siegel teaches Jazz drumming and jazz ensembles at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music, SUNY at New Paltz as well as at Western Connecticut State University.  He’s performed clinics throughout Europe, United States, China, South America and South Africa.

Legendary saxophonist Jimmy Heath noted:  “Jeff's musicality is incredible. He is so tasty as a percussionist and he has become a fine composer/arranger with a good melodic concept and harmonic depth.”

 

RICH SYRACUSE | Bassist

Rich Syracuse has been a mainstay on the New York area scene for more than four decades.  He began his performing career at an early age in New York City and then went on to become the winner of the prestigious Congress of Strings Award.

For over 22 years, Rich was bassist for legendary pianist Lee Shaw.  He is the Professor for String and Electric Bass Studies at Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York, Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, and SUNY at New Paltz.

Rich is a member of the International Association of Schools of Jazz.  He has toured throughout Europe, South America and Southern Africa.  In addition to touring, Rich is an in demand bassist throughout the northeast region of the USA.

VINNIE MARTUCCI | Pianist

Vinnie Martucci has had an exciting career in music and it’s likely you’ve already heard him in concert, at the theater, or on recordings, television or radio.

As a composer, Vinnie co-wrote the music for the off-Broadway play “Clue, The Musical” with Galen Blum. Clue is one of the most in-demand musicals in regional theater today. And, if you watch TV; Vinnie has composed and produced numerous cable network TV themes for Lifetime, the Travel Channel, CNN, as well as daytime TV dramas “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light”.

Vinnie is a noted educator, teacher, and clinician, giving master classes across the US, Europe, South America, and China. During his time as Professor of Jazz Studies and chair of the Music Department at SUNY New Paltz Vinnie developed a broad range of courses and programs in Jazz, improvisation, recording technology, and music industry studies. Vinnie also teaches at summer festivals and camps, especially at the Ashokan Center, where he has taught swing piano every summer for over 20 years. Vinnie is delighted to be collaborating with his lifelong friends “The Professors” in spreading the joy of music for over 30 years on stage and as teachers and mentors.