Quarantine Concert Series #31: Mike Kuhl Trio
Mike Kuhl Trio
**This is access to a recording of their live performance on our stage on June 3, 2020.**
Mike Kuhl, drums
John Lee, guitar
Dave Ballou, trumpet
Drummer, recording artist, educator, Michael Kuhl hails from the musically diverse city of Baltimore. Kuhl studied and performed in numerous genres, making him a first call drummer for any situation. A graduate of Towson University, Kuhl has performed locally and throughout the globe alongside jazz greats Dave Liebman, Tony Malaby, Michael Formaneck, Dave Ballou, Ellery Eskelin and Claudio Roditi. Outside of jazz, Kuhl has shared the stage with many international acts such as Beach House, Arboretum, Cigarettes After Sex, Tom Tom Club, and The Ravonnettes. As a leader, Kuhl performed with his trio every Tuesday night at Bertha’s in Fells Point, before the pandemic. Alongside of his musical career, Mike is an accomplished martial artist of Bagua Kung Fu, in which he says the two arts go hand in hand.
John Lee is a composer and guitarist residing in Washington D.C. He has devoted his life to exploring the art of music. Lee earned a B.F.A. in Jazz Performance from The New School University, Mannes Jazz and Contemporary Music Program He has toured and performed with prominent figures; he can be heard playing guitar on over 15 recorded albums and led the release of four of his own: Currently, Lee teaches for MusiCorps, a music rehabilitation program that pairs musicians with wounded service members to help them recover their lives through musical study at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Lee’s philosophy is ,“You are your own best teacher.” He is excited and enthusiastic about joining the Jazz and Commercial Division at Towson University.
Trumpeter/Composer Dave Ballou can be heard in a variety of settings; from solo trumpet improvisations to large ensembles. His recordings can be found on the Steeplechase, CleanFeed and pfMentum record labels. Ballou has performed or recorded with Rabih Abou-Kahlil, Steely Dan, Michael Formanek, Mary Halvorson, Woody Herman, Andrew Hill, John Hollenbeck, Sheila Jordan, Oliver Lake, Dave Liebman, Dewey Redman, Maria Schneider and Gunther Schuller.
His compositions have been performed and recorded by the Meridian Arts Ensemble, Trumpeter Jon Nelson, French hornist Adam Unsworth, Saxophonist Ellery Eskelin and the TILT Brass Ensemble.
Ballou is a Professor of Music at Towson University and Division Leader of the Jazz and Commercial Music Division. He is the founding director of the Bill and Helen Murray Jazz Residency. .
Streaming cost is $5
Donations are welcomed.