Musica Mundi by Musica Mundi

Combining an extensive background as a film composer with his experience as music director for jazz artists such as Earl Klugh, Alexander Zonjic and Wendell Harrison, Herald’s music is an infectious, melodic collection of tunes, influenced by Western classical tradition, South American rhythms and jazz harmonies.

The ensemble primarily performs original compositions by the band’s music director and classical guitarist, Terry Herald. Combining an extensive background as a film composer with his experience as music director for jazz artists such as Earl Klugh, Alexander Zonjic and Wendell Harrison, Herald’s music is an infectious, melodic collection of tunes, influenced by Western classical tradition, South American rhythms and jazz harmonies.

A talented multi-instrumentalist and composer, Scott Loudon began playing guitar at age thirteen. After studying at the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, he performed with several groups in Arizona before returning to Michigan. His first solo CD, River in Jerusalem, featured a broad range of genres and included performances by such respected musicians as Marcus Schoon on contra bassoon, Sasha Raykov on viola da gamba and trombonist John Paxton of the Sun Messengers. His second CD is a pop/electronic/folk concept recorded in Portland Oregon and features organic guitar, bass, drums and brass enriched with tasteful electronic explorations. Also composing for TV, film and video, he has a broad range of credits, including a piece for Christopher Reeves and the Heidi Van Arnum Foundation.

Sonia Lee made her solo concerto debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 15. Subsequent appearances led to concerts at Carnegie Hall, the 92nd Street Y in New York with the New York Chamber Symphony and a tour of Europe and Canada. As the youngest principal violinist with the Toronto Symphony at age 24, Sonia performed with the orchestra for six seasons. As a guest soloist Sonia performed Arvo Part's Tabula Rasa. The Toronto Star described her as "...a real find for the orchestra". Sonia has also performed with the Three Tenors, Don Henley, Brian Wilson, Josh Groban, Diana Ross, Joni Mitchell, and is currently performing and recording extensively with Musica Mundi for Jumbi Records. She earned her Bachelors degree at the Juilliard School in New York.

As a percussionist and ethnomusicologist, Mark Stone has an extensive knowledge of African and American musical traditions. He has performed with the foremost percussion groups of Ghana (West Africa), Uganda (East Africa), and Trinidad (West Indies). In the United States, Mark is a founding member of the New York based jazz ensemble, Imaginary Homeland. He is co-artistic director of Jumbie Records (jumbierecords.com), a newly formed label dedicated to promoting and recording "New Traditions in World Music". In addition, Mark directs the Biakuye Unity Ensemble, performing at Festivals, Art Institutes, Universities, and Public Schools throughout Michigan. Mark holds a Master's degree in Percussion Performance from the World Music Center of West Virginia University and a Bachelor's degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music. His research in Ugandan music has been published in African Music, the Journal of the International Library of African Music in South Africa.

Dan Kolton began making his impact on Detroit-area Jazz at the age of 18. His extraordinary talent was quickly recognized by veteran musicians and he has been in heavy demand ever since. Dan has also worked with jazz musicians in San Francisco, Santa Fe, New York, Boston, and throughout North America with internationally reknowned jazz master such as Joe Henderson, Pepper Adams, Charles McPherson, Hank Jones, Buddy Tate, “Sweets” Edison, Sonny Stitt and Mose Allison. Dan toured Europe and Australia with the Mercer Elligton Band and has also done European tours with Peter Tuscher of Munich and Lee Harper of Saltzberg. Described by his colleagues as “The Poet of the Bass,” Dan chooses to play what is important and never relies on the superfluous. His intelligence, expressiveness and creativity have made him a much-sought-after composer and arranger for television, film, and commercials as well as for jazz and dance.

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