The Barber Brothers (Rahsaan and Roland Barber)
Twins Rahsaan and Roland Barber, saxophonist and trombonist respectively, are committed to continuing the legacy of jazz through their efforts as composers, performers, bandleaders and educators. Though still in their twenties, the Barber Brothers have learned their craft both in the classroom and in the informal sessions, shoulder to shoulder with the veterans of the music such as Al Grey and Stanley Turrentine. The Barber Brothers' training includes virtually every significant resource in modern jazz education. Their experiences include the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camps, the Essentially Ellington Festival, the All-American Grammy High School Jazz Bands, the Ravinia Steans Young Artists Program, the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program, and the Jazz Aspen Program. In addition, the Barber Brothers each obtained a B.M. in Jazz Studies and an Artist Diploma from Indiana University. In 2005, the twins received Master's Degrees in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music.
Rahsaan currently resides in Nashville, TN, where he teaches in the Commercial Music department of Belmont University. Rahsaan's professional instruction at Belmont includes the areas of private saxophone lessons, jazz chamber ensembles and a seminar on commercial music performance. Rahsaan's recent work as an educator includes the direction of a six-week Soul Jazz Ensemble hosted by the Nashville Jazz Workshop, jazz master-classes at both the University of Louisville and the University of Memphis, and a faculty position in the New York Summer Music Fest's Jazz Division.
Roland currently resides in New York City and teaches all matters of jazz - primarily jazz trombone - with students of all ages and walks of life. He also teaches at the Manhattan School of Music, in the pre-college program working with New York's brightest young musicians. At Manhattan School of Music, he teaches jazz history, applied trombone, and the craft of small group improvisation. Roland can be heard performing frequently in NYC with the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, the Sugartone Brass Band and on most Sunday's at the Manhattan Grace Tabernacle, and Times Square Church. Roland will be on tour in 2007-2008 with jazz vibrophonist, Stefon Harris and his Nonet performing music from Stefon's recording, "African Tarantella: Dances with Duke."
Website: http://www.thebarberbrothers.com
