JOE CHILDS- Guitar, Banjo
Joe draws from his vast knowledge of musical genres such as jazz, country, blue grass, rock, world beat, and blues to bring to the stage or classroom a compilation of music by artists such as Eric Clapton, Leo Kottke, Dave Matthews, Johnny Cash, Dierks Bentley, Keb-Mo, Pink Floyd, Michael Hedges, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Gordan Lightfoot, Lyle Lovett and many more.
RICK CARFA - Piano/KeyboardsS
The Carfa family has been involved in the music industry for over 60 years. They have taught and played with some of the best musicians (Maynard Ferguson, David Fat Head Newman, Melissa Manchester, The Marsalis Brothers, Maureen McGovern, Della Reese and The Ray Charles Band to name a few). Rick has performed all over the world, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the San Diego Jazz Festival, the 1992 and 2002 Winter Olympics, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and has toured Europe many times over.
LOU MARINO - Drums
Louis Marino was inducted into the Buffalo Hall of Fame in 2002 but it all began at age 3 with every-day kitchen pots and pans. Since then, Louis has been involved in the music business for 50 years-teaching private students for 44 years and a lecturer at UB for 19 years. He has played with such musicians as Don Menza, James Moody, Eddie Jefferson, Billy Holiday, Sonny Stitt, Dakota Staton, Dina Washington, Della Reese, Mark Murphy, Jonah Jones and toured with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra for two years. Louis was the house drummer for Benny Carter, Woody Shaw, Tal Farlow, Charlie Bird, Jackie and Roy, Richie Cole, Al Hibler and many more. Music has taken Louis all across the United States performing at major jazz clubs New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit and Cleveland.
Scott Nester - Guitar
Q: What got you into music as a player?
A: "Hearing classic rock guitar on the radio. Some of my influences are, jeff beck, tommy bolin, jimmy page, alex lifeson, al dimeola, and miles davis. "
Q: How long have you been playing and what is your favorite style?
A: "I have been playing for twenty plus tears and my favorite styles are underground rock, funk and jazz."
Q: What do you like most about teaching?
A: "I love the energy of students who are just discovering things on their instrument. Also Love sharing music and passing on knowledge and just jamming with them."
Q: What is your best moment as a teacher?
A: "When they practice!"
KEVIN URSO - Paino, Keyboards, Guitar, Voice
Kevin Urso plays piano, keyboards, guitar, and sings. His qualifications begin with a Bachelors’ in Music Education from Fredonia University, a Masters’ in Jazz Performance from Five Towns College and a professional career as a public school music teacher and performing musician. He has recorded and released a full-length album with BeArthur, an original band out of Buffalo, and continues to collaborate with local musicians to create new and exciting music!
MIKE SLOMOWICZ - Guitar
With over 14 years of playing experience, Mike Slomowicz has explored various guitar styles, including rock, blues, classical, and jazz. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in music from Canisius College, as well as a Master’s degree in classical guitar performance from the University at Buffalo, where he studied with Joanne Castellani. As a fan of classic rock, Mike cites The Beatles, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page as some of his major influences. As an instructor, Mike enjoys the challenge of presenting material to students of all age levels, and he looks forward to watching each student improve their technique and create their own musical ideas.
