Notable performances include the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Percussive Arts Society Ohio Chapter Days of Percussion at Capital University, Ohio Northern University, Youngstown State University, and Ohio Music Education Association Conferences in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. A central part of our mission involves collaborations with composers in the commissioning, premiering, and critically acclaimed recording of their works. Our 2005 release "Dark Wood" includes six premiere recordings and commissions. Our commission project with New York City-based percussionist/composer John Hollenbeck on his "Ziggurat" for five percussionists and four saxophonists, was premiered at the Whitney Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City, and is available on his 2008 release "Rainbow Jimmies." The Youngstown Percussion Collective's 2012 release "Forms Of Things Unknown" is a concert-length suite by YSU professor of jazz studies, bass, and composition, Dr. Dave Morgan. Our 2012 recording of Ron Coulter's "Cajon Trio" will appear on an upcoming 2019 Coulter CD release.
YSU Latin Percussion Group performed this song and all of the songs before the INTERMISSION.
INTERMISSION
YSU Latin Jazz Combo - Selections to be chosen from the following:
Thanks to
Sabian Cymbals, Latin Percussion, Evans Drumheads, and for their support of Mr. Spiro's appearance and
for the door prizes for the clinic.
Joe Edwards and the Dana School of Music for the piano.
Tony Leonardi, Kent Engelhardt, and the YSU Jazz Studies Department for the sound system and the opportunity to direct the Latin Jazz Combo.
James Suggs and Brian Connell for running the sound.
YSU Theater Department for use of the Ford Theater.
Becky Keck for the publicity assistance.
Dr. Lee Brooks and Concert Masters for the recording.
All the students for their hard work and musicianship.
My graduate teaching assistant, Craig Yarger, for driving Michael Spiro where he needs to be - sorry it's so early.
Michael Spiro for sharing his musical expertise with us all.
Michael Spiro is an internationally acclaimed percussionist, recording artist, and educator, known specifically for his work in the Latin music field. He has performed on hundreds of records, co-produced several instructional videos for Warner Bros. Publications (featuring such renowned artists as David Garibaldi, Changuito, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Ignacio Berroa), and produced seminal recordings in the Latin music genre, including, Orquesta Batachanga, Grupo Bata-Ketu, and Grupo Ilu-Ana.
Mr. Spiro's formal education includes a Bachelor's Degree with Honors in Latin American Studies from the University of California, and three and a half years of graduate work in ethnomusicology at the University of Washington. His practical education consists of a seven year apprenticeship with Francisco Aguabella and extensive study throughout Latin America. He has studied in Cuba since 1984 with musicians such as Jose Luis Quintana "Changuito", Esteban Vega Bacallao, Daniel Diaz, and Juan Blanco of Orquesta Ritmo Oriental, Regino Jimenez, and Los Munequitos de Matansas. In addition, in 1986 he spent two months training at G.R.E.S. Portela, the famous Escola de Samba in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
As an educator, Mr. Spiro is extremely active. He has been a faculty member or artist in residence at the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, Mt. Holyoke, University of Massachusetts, Smith College, Wichita State University, Banff Center of the Arts, California State University at San Diego, and the Cornish Institute of the Arts, and has conducted clinics and master classes at numerous institutions throughout North America.
Mr. Spiro's recording and performing credits include such diverse artists as David Byrne, Dori Caymmi, Changuito, Alex DeGrassi, Ella Fitzgerald, David Garibaldi, Gilberto Gil, Giovanni Hidalgo, Toninho Horta, Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. John, Bobby McFerrin, Andy Narell, Ray Obiedo, Chico O'Farrill, Lazaro Ros, Carlos Santana, Shadowfax, Grace Slick, Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner, and Charlie Watts. In addition, he has recorded soundtracks to such major motion pictures as Soapdish, Henry and June, True Stories, Walker, Eddie Macon's Run, and Dragon-The Life of Bruce Lee.
He currently resides in San Francisco, California where he is an integral part of the Bay area music scene. He maintains his position on the jazz faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, records and produces with groups throughout the West Coast, and is touring world-wide with his percussion trio "Talking Drums", which he co-leads with David Garibaldi and Jesus Diaz. In 1996 his own recording, Bata-Ketu was released on Bembe Records and is currently receiving international acclaim.
YSU Latin Percussion Group is directed by Dr. Glenn Schaft who is director of percussion studies at YSU. The Latin Percussion Group is an integral part of the percussion ensemble program at YSU which also includes marimba ensembles and contemporary percussion groups.
YSU Latin Jazz Combo was founded in the fall of 1999 and is directed by Dr. Glenn Schaft. It is one of five jazz combos and three big bands which comprise the ensemble portion of the renowned YSU Jazz Studies Program. The Latin Combo performs music by Latin jazz masters such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and Eddie Palmieri.
