Power of Ten is a unique little big band comprised of Philadelphia’s most in demand, first call musicians, who also teach at the University of the Arts School of Music. They released their first CD Earth Tones in 2011 to favorable reviews from All About Jazz, Jazz Inside Magazine, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. The band performs semi-regularly at Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philly and has presented concerts at The Philadelphia Museum of the Art, The Barnes Museum, Ursinus College where they performed with Randy Brecker, and at the Jazz Education Network Conference in Louisville, KY.
The TEN (sometimes 11) That Comprise THE POWER of Ten10
PERSONNEL
Ron Kerber (alto & soprano sax and flute) is one of Philadelphia’s first call musicians, with a career that has crossed genres and styles. He was formerly saxophonist, composer and producer for Blue Note recording artists “Pieces of a Dream”. He has also recorded with Jimmy Bruno, Phil Woods, Gerald Veasley, Jim Ridl, Melody Gardot, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams, Lou Rawls and Teddy Pendergrass among others. He has toured with Burt Bacharach, Rod Stewart and Diana Ross and performed with Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Ben Folds, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Tony Bennett, Lang Lang, Manhattan Transfer, Randy Brecker, Michael Buble, Jane Monheit, New York Voices, Kurt Elling, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations and Johnny Mathis to name a few. Ron has performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Opera Company of Philadelphia and The Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and The Royal Ballet. He is a member of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, and has played in the orchestras of the Forrest, Walnut Street, Prince and Merriam Theaters. Ron’s most recent CD is available at www.dreamboxmedia.com. Ron is a D’Addario Woodwind Artist.
Chris Farr (tenor & soprano sax) received his Master’s Degree from the University of the Arts in 1995, where he is now the Chair of the Saxophone Department. Currently, he can found playing on the Philly jazz scene as well as nationally and internationally. Over the past years Chris has recorded, toured and/or performed with Maynard Ferguson, Randy Brecker, Dennis Chambers, Stanley Clarke, Brian Bromberg, Diane Schuur, Jill Scott, Teddy Pendergrass, Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Jill Scott, The Roots, Carl Thomas, Jaheim, Terell Stafford, John Swana, Joe Magnarelli, Jimmy Bruno, Lou Rawls, Larry Carlton, Joey DeFrancesco, “Papa” John DeFrancesco & Gerald Veasley.
Rick Lawn (baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet) Grants from the National Endowment of the Arts have supported his work as a composer, and as a member of the Nova Saxophone Quartet he has recorded on the Musical Heritage Society, Crystal and Equilibrium labels. The Sea Breeze record label issued “Unknown Soldiers,” a CD recorded by the Third Coast Jazz Orchestra featuring his compositions and arrangements. Kendor, CL Barnhouse, Walrus, Concept Music, Alfred, Dorn, and UNC Press music among others publish his compositions. Rick’s books entitled The Jazz Ensemble Directors Manual, Jazz Theory and Practice, and Experiencing Jazz have become staples among jazz educators and students. Selmer has sponsored his clinics, performances guest conducting appearances in 12 states. Rick contributes most of the compositions and arrangements to Power of Ten’s book. He has performed with Joe Williams, Diane Schuur, Natalie Cole, Marian McPartland, Chuck Mangione, Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Bernadette Peters, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Austin Symphony, Houston Lyric Opera Company and the Rochester Philharmonic to mention a few.
Matt Gallagher (trumpet & flugelhorn) Matt Gallagher is enjoying a career as one of the most sought after lead trumpet players in Philadelphia, PA and on the east coast. Gallagher earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education from West Chester University in 1997 and earned a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts in 2001. Matt is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays Yamaha instruments exclusively. Matt is the prototypical lead trumpet player with extensive credits with professional bands and orchestras up and down the east coast. He has performed with several Broadway show productions, orchestras, and artists including The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Boston Symphony, The Baltimore Symphony, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, Diana Krall, Hugh Jackman, Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Randy Brecker, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Lou Rawls, Bernadette Peters, The O’Jays, The Stylistics, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, and many Matt is currently the principal trumpet player for The Philly Pops and has been a featured lead trumpet player with The Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition, Matt is a studio lead trumpet player at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, NJ, and has recorded for Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, R. Kelly, Jennifer Hudson, and LL Cool J. In 2010, Matt formed The Philly Big Band where he is featured as both a soloist and lead trumpet player. Matt is equally committed to both performing and teaching. Matt is the chair ofthe trumpet department, “Z” Big Band director, and music education professor at TheUniversity of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA.
George Rabbai (trumpet & flugelhorn) George Rabbai’s first national recognition as a trumpeter came when he joined the Woody Herman Orchestra, touring as a jazz soloist. During his two-year stay, Rabbai performed at jazz festivals and concert halls throughout the United States and abroad, and recorded with Herman on the Concord and Toshiba EMI labels. His unique style of scat singing prompted Herman to reinstate and rerecord the classic arrangement of the big band bebop hit of the 1940’s Lemon Drop as a vocal and trumpet feature. Lemon Drop is also the title of his premier CD, released in 1997, on DBK Records. George’s next CD with DBK, called “In Good Company” was released the following year. His most recent CD is entitled “Muted BeBop” on the Dreambox Media Label.
After touring with the Woody Herman orchestra, Rabbai was selected as part of the Woody Herman All-Star small group, performing with artists like Sal Nistico, Jake Hannah, Nat Pierce, George Duvivier, Scott Hamilton and famous Count Basie tenorman Frank Wess. He has also performed as a soloist with the Concord Jazz All-Stars. As a leader, George has recorded with jazz greats Hank Jones, Rufus Reid and Mel Lewis for the Naxos label. George’s lyrical trumpet sound is featured in the soundtrack of Baseball, a film by Ken Burns, which first aired nationally on PBS in 1994. He can also be heard in Burns’ epic documentary The West.
Rabbai worked for several years as a soloist behind vocalist Rosemary Clooney, and is featured on her “Demi-Centennial: A Girl Singer’s Golden Anniversary” television special for the Arts and Entertainment network. Most recently George has been working with vocalist Michael Feinstein and is featured jazz soloist on Feinstein’s double CD, “Romance on Broadway and Romance on Film.” George has also recorded with Margaret Whiting and was featured with Tony Bennett on his television special, “Tony Bennett With Love.”
Admired for his tone, phrasing and swinging style, Rabbai infuses his performances with humor and personality. From his exuberant scat vocals to his warm flugelhorn and wide array of assorted mutes, George’s musical colors fill the complete spectrum of jazz. His performing engagements have included Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall and the Famed Rainbow Room, as well as European jazz festivals, New York City’s St. Regis Hotel and many East Coast jazz clubs. An active jazz performer and educator, he is currently on the faculties of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts and The Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz at Rowan University in Glassboro New Jersey. He makes frequent appearances at area schools as a jazz clinician, festival adjudicator and featured artist. George is also active as a soloist/clinician for the South Jersey regional band and orchestra associations.
Recently featured as soloist on the 2015 release CD of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga Collaboration album, George can also be heard on the new recording “Cheek To Cheek and is featured soloist on Debbie Boone’s latest CD “Swing released in 2013.
George is equally at home in the classical trumpet world as well .as the jazz trumpet world. He is currently a permanent member of the Philadelphia Pops Orchestra and performs at the Kimmel Center on Philadelphia under the direction of Michael Kasewski. His other orchestral duties are as Co principal trumpet with the Bay Atlantic Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jed Gaylin. George was principal trumpet for the Strathmere Festival an Orchestra made up of New York’s finest freelance orchestral musicians in 2014 -15. In the fall of 2014 Mr. Rabbai was a featured soloist with The Strathmere Festival Orchestra where he performed the Haydn Eb Concerto for Trumpet. He is also principal trumpet with the Bel Canto Opera Orchestra under the direction of Salvatore Scarpa. George is a member of the Rowan Faculty Brass Quintet in residence at Rowan University and is a regular substitute with the Philadelphia Opera Company Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra…
Randy Kapralick (trombone) Randy received his Bachelor’s in Studio Music & Jazz Performance from the University and has Randy toured the US with the Four Tops, the Temptations, the Spinners, Aretha Franklin, Frankie Valli, KC & The Sunshine Band and Mary Wilson. Randy has also had the chance to perform with Tito Puente, Wynton Marsalis,Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Liebman, Maria Schneider, and Bill Watrous. In addition to the Power of Ten, Randy can currently be seen playing with a variety of exciting ensembles in Philadelphia including The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Larry McKenna Jazz Orchestra, and Norman David & The Eleventet. Randy is the Coordinator of Ensembles and Chair of the Trombone Department at University of the Arts where he also teaches Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Theory, and Musicianship.
Mike Kennedy (guitar) has studied with, among others, Jimmy Bruno, Larry McKenna, Bob DiNardo, Joe Federico, and Allan Slutsky. Mike has been teaching guitar for over 17 years. Over the past few years, Mike has had the opportunity to perform with such renowned Philadelphia jazz musicians as Larry McKenna and John Swana and has also has performed with international pop artists such as Lou Rawls, Michael Feinstein, Bernadette Peters, and Elton John. With a sound based in the bebop tradition, yet with a definite modern presence, Mike collected a series of ten tunes for his first self-produced jazz CD, Quartet No. 1, which was released in late 2002. The album received exceptional reviews that praise both the compositions and the musicians. The CD has had airplay in the Philadelphia area, as well as overseas.
Tony Miceli (vibes) has performed throughout Germany, Holland, Belgium and England with Mallet Madness. Closer to home, he performs as a leader or sideman in countless jazz clubs and concert halls including: Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Zanzibar Blue, World Cafe Live, Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus, Chris’s Jazz Cafe, the Painted Bride and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Recordings include a self-titled compilation CD; Looking East with the Philly 5; On a Sweet Note, Gerald Veasley and the Electric Mingus Project; Band Shapes with French pianist Olivier Hutman; Monkadelphia; Music From the Inside Out, a companion CD for the new documentary showcasing The Philadelphia Orchestra; and three upcoming CD’s: with Concord Jazz recording artist and guitarist, Jimmy Bruno; with Adam Unsworth, French hornist with The Philadelphia Orchestra and a BMG tribute album to Luther Vandross. In addition to leading his own ensembles, Miceli has performed with Dave Liebman, Ken Peplowski, John Blake, John Swana, Joe Magnarelli, Steve Slagle and others.
Bassist Kevin MacConnell has enjoyed a busy and varied career since moving to Philadelphia in 1982. He has performed with jazz greats Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, and has performed and recorded with tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts. He is equally at home in the classical venues as well, having performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Philly Pops and numerous small chamber ensembles. Kevin has performed in numerous “pit” ensembles for performances of “Floyd Collins”, “Candide”, “Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues” 
and “Chasing Nicolette” to name a few. He has also shared the stage with James Naughton and Faith Prince and of course Paula West.
Kevin has worked extensively with tenor saxophonist, Larry McKenna and is featured on Larry’s latest release “Profile” which has received critical acclaim across the U.S. Kevin studied at West Chester State College in the mid-seventies and has studied privately with bassist Domenick Fiore and new york based jazz pianist Sal Mosca (a Lennie Tristano protege’).
Tom Lawton studied in Philadelphia with renowned pianist Bernard Peiffer, who had emigrated here from France. After Bernard’s death, Tom began a long association with the late bassist Al Stauffer, who had accompanied Peiffer for several years. Tom and Al were once among Philly’s most visible proponents of free improvisation and were often seen at the Painted Bride and Khyber Pass back when those venues still supported the style. In ensuing years, they were seen playing more subdued (but no less creative) jazz styles at the Fountain Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel. Tom now just subs at the Four Seasons, but can be seen frequently at Chris’ Jazz Cafe. He teaches at Bucks Community College, Temple University and the University of the Arts. Tom is considered by many to be one of Philadelphia’s brightest undiscovered talents. His playing is awe-inspiring and he defines “two handed” piano playing.
Erik Johnson has been a performing musician and composer in Philadelphia for the past 20 years. He was a member of the acclaimed Interscope Records act “Huffamoose” during the 1990’s, touring extensively and performing on many television and radio shows including “Late Night With Conan O’Brien.” Since 1998, Erik has been focusing on an original rock music project, “The Fractals,” with former members of Huffamoose Jim Stager and Kevin Hanson (The Roots, Jay-Z, many others) as well as returning to his jazz roots. From 1998 through 2003 he was a member of Ben Schachter’s “Trio of Many” during which time he recorded with Tim Hagans, Jef Lee Johnson, Gary Bartz and others. Erik has performed with John Swana, Larry McKenna, George Garzone, Jack Walrath, and many other jazz luminaries.
Mark Allen (baritone sax, clarinet & bass clarinet) Mark currently holds a Senior Lecturer position at the University of the Arts where he teaches saxophone, jazz history, and improvisation. He has had the privilege of studying with Joel Frahm, Ben Schachter, Chris Farr, and Ron Kerber. In addition to co-leading several ensembles, Mark is an active member of The Philly Pops, The Norman David Eleventet, the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, and several other Philadelphia/New York ensembles. He has shared the stage and/or recorded with luminaries such as George Garzone, Marcus Belgrave, Wycliffe Gordon, Dick Oatts, Orrin Evans, R Kelly, Lady Gaga, and Tony Bennett, among others. Mark is also active in the Philadelphia theater scene as a woodwind player, performing on saxophones, flutes, and clarinets. http://mrallenmusic.com/
