Compass was organized and based from 1969 through 1973 in Oneonta where the group performed primarily in concert settings at colleges and universities, mostly in New York State. Compass performances feature both original compositions as well the works of many of Americas greatest jazz legends.
Fast Facts:
- Compass was 1 of 5 musical groups on a promotional program that opened the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in 1972.
- Compass coordinated a 2006 concert series in Upstate NY during the period extending from Sunday, August 6th through Saturday August 12th.
The quartet is made-up of:
Rick Lawn [saxophones], Joel Chace [keyboard], Tom Ives [bass] and Albert Colone[drums].
Lawn, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, has had a stellar career in music teaching that has taken him from the University of Northern Iowa, to being Director of Jazz Studies at both the University of Texas and now at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he is also Dean of the College of Performing Arts.
Chace, a native of Walton, currently teaches English at the Kent Place School in New Providence, NJ. Joel is a widely published poet and information about his work can be easily found by “Googling” him.
Colone runs a sport consulting business from Oneonta, his home town where he founded the International Soccer Hall of Fame.
Ives, a graduate of Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, recently retired as a music teacher from Cooperstown CS. Before his tenure at Cooperstown, he produced successful music programs at both Cherry Valley CS and at Draper CS. He and his wife Lorraine are founders of Cherry Valley Designs, producing hand made candles, Shalker furniture, and beautifully loomed quilts and such.
Discography
The band self produced an album entitled, “Compass Rises” in 1971 that featured original compositions written and arranged by Lawn and Ives.
Ives, with Lawn, wrote and arranged “What is Man?” an ecumenical jazz service that featured jazz quartet, church organ, voices, a baritone soloist and a narrator with an accompanying slide presentation. It was performed in New York City and later produced for television by Iowa Public Broadcasting. A revival of “What is Man?” was organized for 2007.