SoCA Jazz Faculty in Concert

Deeply steeped in the generations of great Jazz and Blues that centers the rich musical legacy of Detroit (which includes Kenn Cox, Donald Walden, Marcus Belgrave, and Thomas “Beans” Bowles), Shahida Nurullah is one of the motor city’s premier and most treasured jazz vocalists. 

 

Her outstanding musical intelligence is vibrantly reflected through a versatile repertoire that includes blues, jazz, samba, bossa nova, show tunes and more.  Shahida has performed at the Detroit International Jazz Festival on several occasions including with Charlie Gabriel of the Preservation Hall Band and with clarinetist Eddie Daniels in a jazz version of Vivaldi's “Four Seasons”.  Shahida performed in the inaugural festival with Kenn Cox and the Guerilla Jam Band. She performed an “American Songbook” concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and as a guest vocalist with the Preservation Hall Band at Preservation Hall New Orleans, LA. Shahida and her trio regularly play at clubs throughout southeastern Michigan, including The Dirty Dog Jazz Café and Cliff Bell’s.

 

Shahida recorded and performed with internationally lauded pianist Geri Allen’s band “Open on All Sides,” throughout Europe.  The New York Times lauded her performance with Allen at New York’s Knitting Factory, and she is a recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award. Whether swinging, rocking, or swaying, the strength of her musicianship is evident.

 

Michael Karloff is a multi-talented pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, and musical director based in Windsor. He performs regularly as both a collaborative classical pianist and jazz pianist in Windsor and Detroit. Michael frequently performs with The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Windsor Symphony Orchestra for pops programs, Windsor Light Music Theatre, 4th Wall Music and Jazz at Mackenzie Hall. Recent performance credits include, "Respect: Film in Concert" with DSO, "Cabaret Night With Randy Roberts" with WSO, "A Christmas Carol" with Windsor Light Music Theatre and "Halloween at Hogwarts" with DSO. Michael’s original compositions and arrangements have been performed by The Windsor Symphony Orchestra, at The Detroit Jazz Festival and in various concert settings in Windsor.

 

Michael is a faculty member and musical director in The Department of Music Theatre Performance at St. Clair College and serves on the faculty of Music in The School of Creative Arts at The University of Windsor as the instructor for Jazz Piano, Jazz Combo, Basic Skills and Advanced Skills.

 

 

Michael Palazzolo graduated from Wayne State University in 2013 with a degree in Jazz Studies. He has studied with Dan Pliskow, Paul Keller, Mike Karloff, Rodney Whitaker, and Rob Pifot. Michael plays regularly at the Jenuine Cigar Lounge with virtuoso violinist/guitarist/mandolinist Michele Ramo playing primarily traditional Brazilian music called “Choro” on Tuesdays. Mike is a part of the Modern CAP band (a nonet) where he continues to develop his arranging and playing around Detroit in local venues. He plays regularly at the historic Baker’s Keyboard plays electric bass in a wedding band where he is exposed to playing top 40 hits pop/rock/country/dance music/funk/disco music. From an early age Michael was encouraged to play piano and therefore has piano background too.

 

 

 

Robert Fazecash is a music performance graduate of the University of Windsor. As a veteran trumpeter in the Windsor and Detroit areas, Mr. Fazecash is at home in any musical genre. He played principal trumpet in Orchestra Detroit, the Michigan Chamber Orchestra, and the Farmington Area Philharmonic. Mr. Fazecash has performed with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones, Billy Eckstine, Buddy DeFranco, Joe Williams, and Jon Faddis. He has also recorded with Detroit’s famous jazz drummer J.C. Heard. In addition to his extensive classical and jazz experience Mr. Fazecash has performed with such notable musical entertainers as Aretha Franklin, Burt Bacharach, Natalie Cole, Sammy Davis Jr, Wayne Newton, and The Temptations. Mr. Fazecash is currently active as a performer and teacher in the Windsor and Detroit areas. He is Director of the University of Windsor Jazz Ensemble.  

 

Jeffrey Price is an instructor of saxophone at the Michigan State University Community Music School. Mr. Price received his Bachelor of Music at Youngstown State University, a Master of Music at Bowling Green State University and is currently working on a Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University.  

 

Mr. Price has received musical honors including placing first in the Coleman Chamber Music Competition of Pasadena, California in 2001 and 2002. He has also placed first in the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition. 

 

Mr. Price presently instructs saxophone The Flint School of Performing Arts, and the University of Windsor, Ontario. He is also a lecturer in Music at the University of Michigan—Flint. In addition to saxophone instruction at universities and the Community Music School, Mr. Price is also leader of the Jeff Price Trio/Quartet. 

 

A native of Toronto, Miles found an interest in music at the age of five through playing the piano and occasionally receiving lessons from his father. While attending Sir John A. Macdonald C.I., Miles performed in various ensembles and received numerous accolades for his work.

 

Following high school he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts, Special Honours in Music at York University, where he was awarded the Douglas Menzie Philips Jazz Scholarship for excellence in jazz ensemble performance. He studied privately with Brian Katz, Lorne Lofsky, Mike Murley, and David Occhipinti, and performed ensembles directed by Mark Eisenman, Kelly Jefferson, Kevin Turcotte, and Jim Vivian. 

 

Vanessa Harnish is a drummer, percussionist, and experienced educator in the public school system. She is a proud alumna, having attained her Honours Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Windsor. Hosting a weekly jam session with the Coffee House Combo for the past seven years has provided Vanessa with the opportunity to connect with and mentor musicians within the greater arts community.

 

In addition to playing in the pit orchestras of Windsor Light Music Theatre and St. Clair College, her musical collaborations include The Broadway Bunch, Vox Vinyl, and various jazz combos throughout Windsor-Essex’s thriving arts scene. She has studied drum kit in Michigan and Ontario with instructors including Dr. Nicholas Papador, David Taylor, and Jacob Wutzke.

 

Vanessa is continually grateful for all the musical opportunities she has been granted and is honoured and humbled to share the stage with the School of Creative Art’s jazz faculty.