Members
Left to Right: , Cyrus Pace, Jeffrey Hofmann, Robert Casey, Danny Adams The players: Guitar: Cyrus Pace Guitar: Robert Casey Violin: Dan Adams Bass: Jeffrey Hofmann Violinist Dan Adams hails from Bucovina. Schooling began in music from the age of seven and at thirteen his performances became professional. Beltzi College of Music in Moldova allowed him to acquire a classical and traditional gypsy style and win first prize for violin performance in 1984. His unique style developed after performing with Garo Hayrabedian, Sandor Lakatos, Dimitry Ciobanu, and Yuri Blischuk. From 1985 until 1991, he held various positions, including first chair violinist in National Philharmonic Orchestras such as Lautari, Doina Moldovei, and Balada which toured throughout Europe, Asia, and America. He later collaborated with international ensembles such as Johk, Fluerash, and Ciocirlia. Between 1991 and 1993, he conducted the Fedkovich University Orchestra and also the Bukovinian Hora in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. In 1985 he received an award for performance excellence at the International Festival in Moscow and in 1996 at T’bilisi, Georgia. His performances vary from grand classical pieces to the smooth rhythms of jazz, with slight flavors of traditional gypsy styles. Dan brings with him a significant gypsy influence to Le Hotclub de Biglick. Cyrus Pace-guitar/vocals Cyrus has spent the last 16 years playing guitar. Through the fortunate contact with musicians who stressed the importance of self-expression and originality in music early in his career, Cyrus learned of the power of music as a tool of expression. The long and continuing search for meaning in music has lead to a realization for him that the guitarist not the instrument, the player is the instrument. Cyrus played his first professional gig at 15, toured extensively with the Navy Band, and received his Master's Degree in Performance from Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Rodney Jones, Jack Wilkins, Gary Dial, and Mike Abene. He is a guest lecturer at Roanoke College and he is the founder of a new music school in Roanoke,VA, Valley Academy of Music. Cyrus brings a style of playing to Le Hotclub de Biglick which is unmistakably reminiscent of Django Reinhardt. Much care is given to play these songs with respect and reverence to this great style of music called Gypsy Jazz. Robert Casey - Guitar / vocals Robert has played guitar for most of his life. His first lessons were taught by Georgia Brown at the Macon, Georgia Community Center. Most recently his lessons have been taught by Cyrus Pace. Robert was bitten by the Gypsy Jazz of Django Reinhardt six years ago and truly enjoys providing the percussive rhythm guitar for Le Hot Club de Big Lick Jeff Hofmann-upright bass Jeff studied bass at Roanoke College, under Alan Weinstein (Kandinsky Trio, and Assistant Professor of cello and bass at Virginia Tech). Recently, Jeff had the privilege to play on the soundtrack for a film entitled, Down in the Old Belt: Voices from the Tobacco South. In June of 2003, Jeff was invited to participate in the 37th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Jeff has gone on to do studio recording session work for many area groups of varying styles, and appears on approximately 20 CDs. In 2003,Jeff performed with two area musicians on the soundtrack for a commissioned work. This was an animated trailer that is shown at the beginning of films showing at the historic Grandin Theatre, in Roanoke,VA. This work won several ADDY awards in advertising for 2003-2004 in several categories including Best in Show. In 2004, Jeff created Unison Foundation to support artists and musicians in southwestern Virginia, through performances and workshops, and free promotion. A passion for folk and cultural music of different eras and geographic regions has led to a deeper understanding of music. Jeff along with Bob Casey, create a driving rhythm section for Le Hotclub de Biglick. Check out the interview in the Roanoke Times & World News: |
