Critically acclaimed cellist Ian Maksin has been described as one of the most passionate and versatile players of his generation. Winner of the New World Symphony Young Artist Competition, he gave his first cello recital at the age of six in his native St. Petersburg, Russia. Mr. Maksin has performed as a soloist and as a part of chamber ensembles throughout Russia, Europe, and the Americas. He has given critically acclaimed performances in many major cities in the United States including Miami, Chicago, New York City, Pittsburgh and many more. Mr. Maksin has appeared in chamber music recitals with such artists as Paula Robison, Andres Diaz, Sergiu Schwartz, The Miami String Quartet, St. Laurence String Quartet, and members of the Orfeus Chamber Orchestra. He appeared in the chamber music series at the Spoleto USA festival in Charleston, Lyric Mountain festival in Pittsburgh, Summit Music Festival in New York, and the Norfolk Music Festival in Connecticut, to name a few. Mr. Maksin has performed as a soloist with many orchestras throughout the United States and has also won prizes and been a finalist in the Montgomery Cello Competition, Westmoreland Young Artist Competition and Krannert Center Performance Award. He has premiered and recorded numerous pieces by contemporary composers including Yannis Xenakis, Rudolf Haken, an award-winning string quartet by Karim Al-Zand and more. At age 20 Mr. Maksin was the youngest faculty member at the Duquesne University Music Center in Pittsburgh. In the year 2000 he became member of the New World Symphony, America's most elite orchestra for young musicians from around the world directed by Michael Tilson Thomas. During his three year tenure with the orchestra, Mr. Maksin has performed as the principal cello under the direction of such conductors as Michael Tilson Thomas, Hans Graf, Andreas Delfs, Donald Runnicles, Zdenek Macal, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Yan Pascal Tortelier, John Adams, Lukas Foss and many others. Also during his years with the New World Symphony he received personal mentorship from such artists as Lynn Harrell, Ron Leonard, Steven Geber, Steve Doane and many more. Besides classical music, Mr. Maksin has been part of many experimental projects and recordings including those with Cirque du Soleil, Meredith Monk, Phillip Glass, Barry Gibb of the former Bee Gees, and many other recording artists. In August 2005 he appeared with Diddy and Snoop Dogg in the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.
* MMATS has a new, pop/rock sound similar to All Time Low or Mayday Parade. Mostly full band electric songs, with a few lighter acoustic tracks as well. A gig is a gig, we will play nearly anything that is asked of us. We have several originals (and are constantly working on more) and some covers. We will even play some requested songs (ask in advance). *
The Devin Derrick Band is a touring country band featuring both original and cover songs. Depending on the venue and crowd, the band can also play red dirt and southern rock. The band tours nationally and locally in their signature yellow and black Prevost Tour Bus pulling a matching equipment trailer with sound and light equipment for use as needed. Over the years, Devin has played a variety of events and venues. He has been the opening act for... Blake Shelton Tracy Byrd Blackhawk Alabama Doug Stone Chely Wright Reba Tracy Lawrence Mark Chestnut David Allen Coe ... and many other entertainers. Devin also appeared in Toby Keith's 1993 video, "A Little Less Talk, A Lot More Action." Devin is a native Oklahoman, born and bred. He was born in Oklahoma City and grew up in the Guthrie and Edmond area. After graduating from Edmond High School, Devin decided to make his passion his life and be a full-time musician. He began traveling across the country to perform at parties, clubs, state fairs and rodeos. In the mid-nineties, Devin's hard work started to pay off. In 1994, while performing at the Wild Horse Saloon in downtown Nashville, he won first place in a pro-am contest. More contests and awards followed. Soon Devin hired a band and the demand only increased. Plenty of time on the road eventually led to Devin purchasing a tour bus. Nashville was not done blessing Devin and his career. While visiting Nashville in 2002, one of Johnny Cash’s reps approached Devin and asked him for a demo CD. A few years later, the same rep called Devin with some great news. John Carter Cash, son of the legendary Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, wanted to produce Devin’s CD. Devin headed over to the Cash Cabin Studio in Nashville. With the help of John Carter Cash and the crew, Devin’s songs were narrowed down to a list of eleven. And there was another surprise. John Carter Cash asked Devin to record a twelfth song written by Johnny Cash himself. The song was “Lady,” written by Cash for his wife, June Carter. It had never been recorded by anyone other than Johnny Cash himself. The music on the CD was played by very well known session players. Robby Turner played steel and dobro for the late Waylon Jennings. Jaime Hartford, the son of the late John Hartford, played lead and rhythm guitar on the movie “Walk the Line.” Rick Lonow played on Alan Jackson’s recordings. Tony Harrell plays on most recordings of Nashville’s top charted artists. John Carter’s wife, Laura Cash, played with the Carter Family. Dave Roe played with artists such as Keith Whitley, Don Williams and Trisha Yearwood. Harry Stinson is Marty Stewart’s drummer and back-up vocalist. All of these musicians played along with Devin on the CD. Devin Derrick’s music is for people who like traditional country music. It’s for people who remember where they came from and know how things ought to be. People who work hard for their God and for their families. People who grew up on farms or in small towns, and those who wish they had. If you long for simpler times and the sounds of the past, Devin’s music is for you. Devin's music makes you think of singers like George Jones, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Keith Whitley. Listen to the music on Devin’s latest CD, Honkytonk Mood, produced by Grammy Award winning producer John Carter Cash, and travel back to good times gone by, holding the one you love a little closer.
Jazz quintet Cocktails for Five is comprised of Colleen Morgan (vocals), Michael Johnson (saxophones, flute and vocals), John Waters Wright (guitar), David Fargason (upright bass) and Robin Kennon (drums). Together since 1997, Cocktails for Five perform their own unique interpretations of jazz standards, swing, a little bit 'o blues and originals. Shaken, not stirred!
“Darlings Of The Day have taken LA by storm with stomp along indie anthems inspired by the dark heart of Hollywood” BBC Radio “Darlings Of The Day are what every top drawer punk and indie band I've ever moshed to would sound like if they got together and got contemporary. Killer lyrics and vocals.” Gareth Evans – BBC Sheffield “the best of indie sensibilities from both sides of the Atlantic LA based Darlings of the Day deliver a perfect mix of crunchy guitar sounds and vocals dripping with attitude” DigitalGig (uk) “Darlings Of The Day are Blondie, Karen O and Chrissie Hynde mixed with Sleeper, Echobelly and PJ Harvey. Fuzz-Indie. The very best of late 70’s girl-fronted punk sleeping with Brit-Pop’s finest and enjoying a sweaty all-night session.” Baggy(UK) “The guitars are set on stun, there's a Chrissie Hynde edge to the vocals and the whole thing is cruising'n'bruising pop with immediacy to spare.” (Whisperin’ and Hollerin’) “They have the looks and the tunes to work their way towards the top of the charts.” (Leonard’s Lair) “They stand apart from other bands with catchy, edgy pop songs that grab your attention and refuse to let go. A breath of fresh air…” (Tinnitus mag) “Think of the early Long Blondes but with a better ear for an arm flailing tune - pure fun all the way. There's no shortage of great riffs or choruses. This band has it all.” (Vindictive jukebox) “Fusing The Pixies with Joy Division, Darlings Of The Day have the look, the sound and the following to blast into the mainstream music scene while maintaining the vibe of an indie rock band” (LA Examiner) July 2009 found Darlings Of The Day founding members Sterling Mire and James Goddard testing out new material in the indie clubs of LA, unsuspecting that a series of bizarre coincidences would see them catapulted into the limelight of the Hollywood music scene, as well as selling out shows in London and showcasing at In The City in Manchester. Having emerged in May 2009 from a writing session that turned into a two year “lost weekend” the duo threw together a quick demo of some of their new songs and embarked on a few low key shows to test out some new material. A couple of weeks later they received a breathless phone call from a friend saying that the legendary DJ Rodney Bingenheimer was playing their music on indie station KROQ. “We still have no idea how he got hold of the demo” marvels Mire “but the next thing we knew we were on stage at The Viper Room with our new band playing to a capacity crowd”. Jordan Levy was at that first Viper Room gig, and was keen to shoot a film inspired by a new song entitled “Your Doll” performed that night for the first time. Along with new members Donovan Whitworth on bass and Jake Desouza on drums, the band found themselves in the studio recording the song a few days later, and in mid September they re-convened with Levy in a freak-show museum deep in the Hollywood valleys to shoot the video, which, like the band’s music, bursts with Technicolor life. A stooges-esque stomp along anthem on the surface, Your Doll’s relentless hooks conceal a barbed ode to the scenester kids and their political aspirations, and is a fitting introduction to Darlings Of The Day’s world, where nothing is quite what it seems. “When you live in Hollwood, you realise that there is a darkness bubbling away just below the sunny surface. That’s what our songs are like, often really catchy and upbeat, but if you listen to what’s being said it’s really pretty dark in places.” During October 2009 the band embarked on a short UK tour, including a series of showcases including two headline spots at the In The City festival in Manchester, as well as two sold-out sets at The Dublin Castle and The Water Rats in London. The response from UK audiences was ecstatic, as was the reception from the media, including BBC radio (30 min interview featuring three songs), Channel M TV (live performance and featured interview), amongst others. Most recently, Darlings of the Day were featured in The Viper Rooms 10 Days of 2010 Event sponsored by legendary L.A. radio station KROQ.