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Ross Artist Kicks Off a Month of Jazz in the Heartland

AUSTIN, TEXAS­–June, 2005– Ross Mallet Instrument’s artist Joe Locke started off a month of jazz at Lincoln, Nebraska’s Jazz in June celebration. Locke, a renowned jazz mallet percussionist, opened the Jazz in June festivities by offering a free clinic on keyboard percussion to the public at Lincoln’s Sheldon Gallery Auditorium. Later that day, Locke sat in with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra at the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden for the first night of a series of jazz events in Nebraska’s capital city.

For the past 14 years, Jazz in June has been the annual music festival organized by the Nebraska Art Association and features several different jazz performers as well as a marketplac selling fresh produce and various prepared food.  Ross is a proud sponsor of the festival, which runs every Tuesday throughout the month.

Locke is a well-regarded vibraphonist in the jazz and big band genres whose talents are recognized by the best in the industry.

“Joe Locke’s playing and writing have been an absolute joy to this vibist’s ears that have been starving to hear a player who challenges himself on every tune,” Mike Mainieri, award-winning, jazz vibraphonist said

This Jazz in June performance is one of many stops in Locke’s hectic road schedule.  Locke has been busy this year promoting his new quartet Four Walls of Freedom’s debut self-titled CD. Jazz fanatics can also see Locke performing at the Zeltsman Marimba Festival in Wisconsin in July.

Jason Marsalis Supports VIBEMAN Program from Ross

World renowned percussionist Jason Marsalis recently took time out from his busy playing and touring schedule to meet with Ross Mallet Instruments, Inc. to validate and provide valuable feedback on the VIBEMAN program, an initiative from Ross to provide drummers the opportunity to play melody while maintaining the feel of a percussion instrument.

Marsalis’s visit with Ross has provided him with the opportunity to relate the concepts of this program to dealers as well.  An issue close to his heart, Marsalis understands the natural progression from set drumming to melodic writing and playing, and he has discussed Vibes as a natural transition for this exact purpose. 

“Like most drummers, I developed a desire to also create melody.  Playing vibes and understanding melody more has also made me a better drummer,” says Marsalis.

The reaction from consumers and dealers has been very positive, indicating that the industry is ready for a program like VIBEMAN that will enable drummers to achieve a melodic dimension within their overall playing once they reach a certain level of proficiency in their drumming.

Two Chimes for the Price of One?  Ross Says "Yes."

Ross Mallet Instruments, Inc. has recently introduced the all new 5000 Series Chimes.  While boasting an array of highly desirable new features, perhaps the most desirable is the value.  As Marching Percussion becomes more and more popular in schools, the “pit ensemble” continues to grow; and so does the need for percussion instruments to be more versatile.  Most band directors already accept having a dedicated set of marching horns and concert horns, as well as having separate marching drums and concert percussion instruments.  Now, Ross Dealers can provide directors with the same opportunity for dedicated marching and concert instruments for the percussion section.  The value of the 5000 Series Chimes enables dealers to provide two sets of chimes for prices comparable to a single set from other brands.

Typically, most school programs have only one set of chimes that has to pull double duty, on stage and on the marching field.  The 5000 Series Chimes provide a classic design, easy assembly, and added durability.  Dealers who can offer two sets of chimes for the price of one, and create the option of having chimes for dedicated concert and marching use will be a true hero in the eyes of band directors.

The R5000 chimes are 18-note 1 ¼" brass tubes and are available chrome-plated.  The RU5500 chimes feature brass tubes for added projection and the heavy duty RUF frame with 8” cushion ride tubeless tires to allow smooth movement over door jams, carpeted band rooms, or even the roughest outdoor terrain.

Ricky Burkhead Joins Ross as an Educational Clinician

Ricky Burkhead of the University of Mississippi has recently joined Ross Mallet Instruments, Inc. as an Educational Clinician. Mr. Burkhead, who holds a holds the B.M.E. degree from Mississippi Valley State University and the M.M. in percussion performance from Eastern Illinois University, is an associate professor of music at Ole Miss where he has taught since 1994.

Mr. Burkhead's is an active performer, clinician, and adjudicator in the southeastern United States. His professional experience includes performances with the Memphis, Tupelo, and Corinth (Mississippi) symphonies. He is also President of the Mississippi chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha. Mr. Burkhead also operates a private MIDI and recording studio where he brings his own original composition to life as well as others.

Burkhead has been active in the clinician circuit presenting clinics on beginner percussion and the essential skills necessary at the beginner stage. With Ross’s new Scholastic Series Mallet Percussion instruments contributing to his presentations, Mr. Burkhead’s clinics now demonstrate new innovations in beginner percussion.

For information on any Ross instrument or clinic program contact us.

Ross Scholastic Percussion Helps Beginners Get Real!

Traditionally, beginner percussionists engage in learning mallet percussion on bellkits which are too often thought of as not being “real” instruments.  Real mallet percussion instruments are typically owned by schools, making it difficult for beginners to have adequate practice time.  In fact, percussion is the only instrument that is taught without providing the child a real instrument for individual practice.  To address the needs of beginner percussionists, allow them opportunities to practice at home, and give them the same “fair shake” as the other beginners in the band, Ross Mallet Instruments, Inc. introduced their Scholastic Line of Educational Percussion.

The Scholastic Percussion from Ross includes a full size 3 ½ octave xylophone, a full size 3 octave marimba and a full size 3 octave vibraphone, each one intended to be affordable enough to be purchased or even rented by beginners to have at home!  These instruments are made with durable waterproof Prolon™ bars for the Xylophone and Marimba and aluminum bars for the Vibraphone, solid hardwood frame, aluminum resonators, and fully height adjustable folding steel legs with wheels and locking brakes.   Each is available with a two piece reinforced nylon bag set and roll cart for protection and ease of transportation. 

Ross understands the logistical need for bell kits in the classroom as well.  For this reason, Ross continues to offer a variety of beginner kits which include a 32-note bell set beginning on F (to relate directly to full sized keyboards) and made of hardened steel to provide a more characteristic orchestral bell sound.  Other options and combinations on the kits include bell kit with practice pad, bell kit with full sized or piccolo snare, padded backpack carrying case, pull cart with wheels, and many more variations.

Bob Woodhall, Vice President of Sales for Ross says, “The idea is to provide the beginning percussionist with a real instrument and re-channel ownership of these instruments from the school to the student.  The benefit to students lies in the ability to acquire the instrument and keep it at home where they can practice more.  The schools, in turn, are able to take less of a role in providing these instruments and redirect their finances toward other items.”

Ross Helps Educators Bridge the Gap
Between Stage and Field

Realizing that many school band programs typically utilize mallet percussion instruments in a dual role - outdoors for marching season and indoors for concert and solo season - Ross Mallet Instruments, Inc. proudly introduces the Ross Utility Frame (RUF) line of mallet instruments. The new RUF line provides the functionality, durability, and sound necessary to perform equally well in both concert and field settings. The "traditional" design provides an esthetically pleasing instrument, yet with a reinforced frame constructed of 2" square steel and a 1 1/2" chrome plated accessory crossbar, RUF keyboards are "beefy" enough to handle even the most abrasive conditions. The crossbar, in addition to providing unmatched stability, is a standard size drum rack pipe and accommodates any typical drum rack pipe clamp. This enables the addition of multiple accessories such as cymbals, trap table, tambourine, snare drum, or any of the complete line of RUF accessories, including boom arms, snare baskets, and swivel clamps for mounting accessories at either end of the instrument.

"The new Ross Utility Frames provide the rugged durability needed for outdoor use while retaining a traditional look that makes them very appropriate for concert use. The functionality of the center crossbar also allows you to easily mount percussion accessories for marching band or percussion ensemble."
- Dr. Stephen Crawford, Director of Bands and Percussion Studies, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

The RUF design allows easy movement through a standard institutional (band room) door, while retaining the functional benefit of added accessories. A convenient handle at both ends of the instruments and 8" cushion ride tubeless tires allow smooth movement over door jams, carpeted band rooms, or even the roughest outdoor terrain. Easily height adjustable by one person, RUF keyboard instruments can be precisely set to a comfortable and ideal playing height, which altogether makes the Ross Utility Frame line of mallet instruments ideal for any band program. RUF models include the RU1420 4.3 Octave Prolon™ marimba, RU1320 3.5 octave Prolon™ xylophone, RU1715S 3 octave vibraphone, and RU1500 concert chimes.

For more information on Ross RUF mallet instruments contact us.

Joe Provides Keys to Un-"Locke" Jazz Improv During Masterclass in Memphis

Internationally known jazz vibraphonist and Ross Mallet Instrument endorsing artist Joe Locke recently conducted jazz masterclasses at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. Held in the Fine Arts Building of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music on the campus of the University of Memphis, the masterclasses were hosted by Dr. Jack Cooper, Chairman of the Jazz Department.

Joe, who performs regularly on the Ross R715G Artist vibraphone and R420W rosewood marimba, discussed expanding jazz mallets beyond vibes as well as techniques, patterns, and concepts that can be applied to improvisation regardless of instrument. The University of Memphis faculty jazz combo rhythm section provided accompaniment as Joe demonstrated these topics in application.

Recognized worldwide as a leading vibraphonist and educator, Locke is cited regularly in top jazz polls and is currently professor of jazz vibraphone at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. "The chance to learn from a musician of Joe's caliber is a tremendous opportunity for the students", comments Jack Cooper.

For more information on Ross mallet instruments or clinics by Joe Locke contact us.

Joe Locke performs with the University of Memphis Faculty Jazz Quartet.

Jazz Department chair, Dr. Jack Cooper, takes a ride as Joe comps.

Joe and the University of Memphis faculty Jazz Quartet.

University of Memphis Faculty Jazz Quartet with Joe Locke, Robin Ratliff - Ross District Manager, and Daryl McCain - Ross Marketing Manager