Faculty Bios

Anthony Almonte (Percussion)
Anthony Almonte is a Latin percussionist from New York City. At a young age, he has already performed with a wide breadth of artists, including Johnny Pacheco, Dave Valentin, Johnny Rivero and others. Anthony studied at Lagond Music for 6 years before coming on board as a percussion instructor. Anthony was part of Lagond Music's ultimate performance band, 'The Element.' He is currently playing for The Jonny Hirsch Band and Abrazos Entertainment, and attends Lehman College.

Chris Anderson (Bass)
Both an electric and upright bassist, Chris graduated from the Hartt School of Music in 2004 magna cum laude, and attained his Masters Degree in 2006 from the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase. Taking up the electric bass in his early teens, Chris began his career playing popular and folk music in upstate New York, eventually discovering the joys of jazz. He began his studies on the upright bass at Hartt, with mentors such as bassist Nat Reeves and trombonist Steve Davis furthering his passion for jazz. After four years in the Hartford jazz, R&B, and session scenes, Chris moved to Westchester to attain his Masters degree. He now performs and records with numerous artists in the New York area.

Kyle Carmean (Guitar)
Born in northwestern New Jersey, Kyle was inspired to music through his father's tales of playing bass and guitar on the road - and through the guitar he soon received. Kyle never wavered in his passion for music, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Music at SUNY Purchase. Settling in Westchester, Kyle hit the road and the clubs, playing the New York area circuit and across the country with musicians such as Bill Watrous, Gil Parris, John Abercrombie, Charles Blenzig, Jim Rotundi, Randy Johnston, Jose Madero, Rich Morales, and Barry Danellian. Kyle has recently completed his debut album of music which he composed, arranged and produced, and will soon publish his first book with Cherry Lane Music. Kyle has been teaching music theory, guitar master classes, ensemble coaching, and arranging at LMS since 2003.

Will Caviness (Trumpet)
Will Caviness, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, studied jazz and trumpet at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and New England Conservatory in Boston. His teachers included Jim Ketch, John McNeil, Jerry Bergonzi, Robin Eubanks, and Steven Emery. Will was a finalist in the 2003 International Trumpet Guild Jazz competition and has appeared as both a leader and sideman in various clubs and venues throughout the U.S., including Ryles, the Copley Plaza, the Regattabar, Scullers, and Twins Jazz. He has shared the stage with a host of jazz luminaries, including Geri Allen, Danilo Perez, Scott Wendolt, Barry Harris, Eric Alexander, Steve Davis, Mike LeDonne, Ray Vega, Dave Douglas, and Dave Holland. He also performs in churches and musical theater productions; recently, he was a member of the pit orchestra for Anything Goes, Singin' in the Rain, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. As an educator, will has taught both private lessons and ensembles, and has often appeared as a clinician. Currently, Will resides in New York with his wife, operatic soprano Vanessa Isiguen.

Anthony "Rusty" Cloud (Piano)
Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Rusty became interested in music at an early age and attended summer jazz workshops at the Wilmington Music School whose faculty included Herbie Hancock, Thad Jones, Pepper Adams and Bobby Timmons. Although strongly influenced by these jazz greats, Rusty's desire to perform pushed him toward local blues and soul bands where he absorbed the music of such legends as James Brown, Otis Redding and Muddy Waters. In 1974 he moved to New York City, spending three years with the Melba Moore Band, while simultaneously performing at the Cotton Club with Billy Eckstein and Chuck Jackson. Rusty's touring and recording credits include Gary U.S. Bonds, Little Steven Van Zandt, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, the E Street Band and the Blues Brothers Band. Rusty also writes, arranges and composes for television and film and is active as a recording producer for other artists. With his wife, singer/songwriter/vocal teacher Claire Cloud, he formed Cloudburst Productions in 1997, and since then Rusty and Claire have performed as a duo for numerous events and concerts and have released five CD's, including two solo efforts by Rusty, their duet collection "Every Little Dream" and two by the band S'Killit under Rusty's leadership. For the past year, Rusty has been involved with Blues4People, a joint American/Italian World Music project under the leadership of "Blue Lou" Marini.

Claire Cloud (Voice)
Claire Cloud is a native New Yorker and was classically trained in choral singing with The Dalton School Chorus and The Radcliffe Choral Society and Madrigal Group. She simultaneously developed a love for performing popular songs as a solo artist, accompanying herself on guitar in Wyoming and in New York City.  After graduating from Harvard College in 1979, she started her first rock 'n roll/pop band in 1981. After a brief interruption for Harvard Business School (MBA 1985) followed by a few years in investment banking, Claire returned to music to record a duet album with Jerry Lawson, lead singer of The Persuasions. It was on this project that she met Rusty Cloud and since 1994 they have been producing original music together, and have performed at Carnegie Hall (Cavalcade of Stars), Central Park SummerStage (opening for Peter Paul and Mary and Art Garfunkel), and other New York City venues. Their clubdate band, Music By Cloudburst, provides jazz "combos" and larger R&B bands, personally led by Claire and Rusty, for private parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, benefits and corporate events. Claire also serves on the Board of the New York City Parks Foundation, which oversees free concerts, dance, theater, sports and other arts programs throughout the city, and was formerly Chairman of the Board of The Diller Quaile School of Music in New York City.

Russ Defilippis (Guitar)
Russ' love of music began at an early age, and at the age of 10 he  convinced his parents to enroll him in guitar lessons under the guidance of Joe Amplo. Russ started his first band in high school, drawing ideas from the great jazz groups and their most well-known guitarists: Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, and Joe Pass. He eceived a Bachelor's in Music at Berklee College of Music, where he majored in Applied Performance under three talented guitarists: William Leavitt, Mark French and Mick Goodrick. Russ also studied with jazz pianist Charles Banocos for many years. After a brief stint teaching at Berklee, he returned to New York to expand his performance and session work, playing with an eclectic group of artists including Bob Hope, Dick Clark, Joey Bishop, Martha Reeves, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and The Shirelles. In 1988 Russ earned the position of assistant to George Benson, assisting with his Warner Brothers Records releases of "Tenderly," "Big Boss Band," and "Love Remembers." In 2002 he joined forces with fellow guitarist John Tropea and co-founded a jazz trio featuring, at different times, bassists Mike Richmond, Nicki Parrot, Cameron Brown, and Jay Leonhart.  2003 saw the birth of his own group, a trio of superb musicians known as 'rd3'.

Norman Paul Edwards Jr. (Drums/Percussion)
Norman Paul Edwards, Jr. was born in Queens, NY, and was playing drums by the age of four, with the aide of his father  and his grandfather's extensive jazz record collection. By middle school, Norman was studying at The Center for Prepatory Studies in Music at Queens College, learning theory, harmony and jazz drum basics. He soon entered the LaGuardia School of Music and Art, broadening his experience to concert bands and symphony orchestra as a tympanist and percussionist and his new love, the vibraphone. He was a part of LaGuardia's award-winning jazz band at the "Essentially Ellington" competition at Lincoln Center, played in the All-City Jazz Band as a drummer and vibraphonist, increasing his musicality on the drum set by playing many live gigs. He earned his Bachelors and Masters of Music at the Manhattan School of Music, playing vibes in the 3 large ensembles as well as the Jazz Philharmonic, and also performing at school functions with his funk group, SLIQ. Norman has been a long-time drummer with The LMS band, The Element, and performs regularly at jazz venues around New York City.

Steven Frieder(Saxophone)
Though only 21 years old, Steven Frieder has had much experience in the professional music scene. His versatile tenor saxophone stylings range from jazz, funk, latin, rock and free improv. He has studied with the likes of George Garzone, Steve Wilson, and Jon Irabagon and has performed with jazz professionals such as Bob Meyer, Neil Alexander, Jimmy Cammack, Jay Azzolina, John Hart, Cameron Brown, Thomson Kneeland, Alexis Cole and others. Currently he is featured in a group led by Bob Meyer, a drummer from Frieder’s area who plays John Abercrombie, Joe Lovano and various other jazz masters. He has been working with the Bob Meyer Project for 3 years, along with guitarist Luke Franco and organist Noriko Kamo.  Frieder has performed with groups at established venues such as, The Falcon Arts Center (Marlboro, NY), The Bean Runner Cafe (Peekskill, NY), The Bitter End (NYC) and Smalls Jazz Club in NYC. He also led a quintet that performed at the Peekskill Jazz Festival on the same bill as Lou Donaldson. Frieder has led various groups that have gigged all around the tri-state area.

Adam Hopkins (Bass)
Adam Hopkins is a bassist and composer born and raised in Baltimore, MD and recently relocated to Brooklyn, NY. He has extensive experience performing jazz and improvised music and has played with professional orchestras in Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and the DC metro area. He has been fortunate to perform with a number of influential artists throughout his career including George Garzone, Mary Halvorson, Uri Caine, Dave Ballou, and Taylor Ho Bynum. In 2010 he attended the Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music where he shared the stage with Darcy James Argue, Dave Douglas, Jeff Parker, and a group of inspiring peers from around the world. He holds a graduate performance diploma from Peabody Conservatory in Jazz Studies, a master’s degree from Michigan State University in Orchestral Bass Performance, and a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in Music Industry. Additionally he held a faculty position as a Professor of Music for six years at Loyola University in Baltimore. In February 2009 Adam co-founded Out of Your Head, a collective of improvising musicians in Baltimore devoted to broadening the local creative music scene which was awarded "Best Band of 2010" by Baltimore's City Paper. Adam is currently involved with, either as a composer or bassist, Quartet Offensive, Turn Around Norman, Danny Gouker’s Signal Problems, Party Pack!, and a new Baltimore-based dectet called Lubbock which he co-founded with Dave Ballou.

Tony Jefferson (Drums/Percussion)
Tony Jefferson, a New York native, attended the Berklee College of Music on scholarship in 1984 and placed third in the Thelonius Monk International Drum Competition in 1992. Tony has performed and recorded with many jazz artists including: Kenny Drew, Jr., Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Eddie Harris, Don Friedman, Cyrus Chestnut, Mark Whitfield, Jerry Bergonzi, Joey Calderazzo, Freddy Cole, Hank Jones, Benny Golson, Cedar Walton, Nancy King, Ernestine Anderson, Annie Ross and the Westchester Jazz Orchestra. Tony has appeared at many jazz festivals around the world and is an active player on the New York jazz scene. He has been a guest clinician in high school and college workshops and has taught Masters classes nationally and abroad.

Addy Kaegi (Performance)
Adriana Kaegi teaches young musicians and singers to become dynamic stage performers at LMS. In 1980 she co-founded the band Kid Creole and the Coconuts, creating the band's unique, wacky choreography and many of its outlandish outfits. Her contributions helped earn the band the British Music Award for best international live act and three decades later the group continues to use her choreography. Highlights of their many world tours include a UK benefit hosted by Lady Diana, the UN 40th anniversary, several inaugural and White House performances, a Carnegie Hall performance with Cab Calloway, TV performances on Saturday Night Live and Johnny Carson, and the film Against All Odds. After leaving Kid Creole, Adriana worked with Vanessa Paradis (Lenny Kravitz production) Brook Shields, Boomerang, and many TV commercials and music videos. She also continues to write and record her own music.

Brian Landrus (Woodwinds)
Brian Landrus is a woodwind specialist, composer/arranger, and educator who plays soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass saxophones; clarinet, bass clarinet, and contra bass clarinet; piccolo, flute, alto flute and bass flute; oboe, english horn, bassoon and piano.  He has worked with artists like The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Coasters, The Drifters, Mike Love, Nicholas Urie, Groundation, Rufus Haereiti,  Jammal Tarkington, and many others. Brian has been awarded Baritone Saxophone "Rising Star" in Downbeat Magazine's 2011 & 2010 Critics Poll. He earned two Master of Music degrees from the New England Conservatory in Boston, (Jazz Composition and Jazz Performance) and was awarded the Gunther Schuller Medal by the faculty of NEC. Brian has recently launched his record label BlueLand Records and has recorded two CDs on this label which will be released in 2011.

Paul Maddison (Guitar & Songwriting)
Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Paul Maddison has a fervent love of all forms of music and all shapes of eyewear. Paul received his Bachelors of Music in Production from the Music Conservatory at SUNY Purchase. As  a solo artist, with his band, The Thang, and as an active participant in various other musical projects (The Jimmies, The Element, The Greg Mayo Band, The Adam Currie Band, Abby Payne, Rusty and Claire Cloud), he has performed/recorded throughout the New York metropolitan area. His spirit and energy has made him a particularly valued part of the LMS community.

Zach Marks (Drums)
Zach Marks is a professional drummer and percussionist who hit the New York scene at the age of 14. His eclectic sound is a cacophony of technical precision and deep down soul, creating a visceral grove to enhance any musician’s vibe. His ability to improvise is one that is coveted by vocalist and musicians alike. He is a versatile performer who has appeared on stage with bands, whose styles vary from Fusion, Latin, Funk, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Rock to Broadway Show Tunes and Alternative.

Greg Mayo (Guitar/Piano/Songwriting)
Greg Mayo was born into a great musical lineage. The son of Bob Mayo, a world-renowned keyboard and guitar player, Greg was turned on to music at an early age and never looked back. He spent a year at The Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT, studying Music Production and Trombone under jazz greats Jackie McLean and Steve Davis before transferring to SUNY Purchase. Greg graduated with a BM in Studio Production in 2006, and currently owns and operates a studio in Westchester where he produces various acts and performs regularly with Rebecca Haviland, Cooper Boone, and Evan Watson, with whom he played the Bonnaroo Music Festival this past year. Greg has been teaching at LMS since 2006.

Doug Munro (Guitar - Visiting Artist)
Doug Munro founded the Jazz Studies Program at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College in 1993. He is a prolific jazz guitarist, arranger and Producer. Doug has released 11 albums of his own material and has performed in over 60 recordings as a sideman with a long list of artists that include Dr. John, Michael Brecker, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. He has received two NAIRD Awards, has two Grammy nominations, and has written award-winning jazz improvisation instructional books. Doug is also an active member of the Lagond Music School Advisory Board.

Bill O'Connell (Piano)
For nearly two decades Bill has been one of the heavy hitters in the world of jazz as the pianist, arranger and contributing composer with Grammy award-winning Dave Valentin. In between gigs with Valentin, Bill has worked and performed with such legendary giants as Jon Lucien, Mongo Santamaria, Chet Baker, Kenny Rankin, Sonny Rollins, Fort Apache Band, Gato Barbieri, Astrud Gilberto, and others. Bill also makes time for his solo work, recently debuting his CD, 'Latin Jazz Fantasy' at Birdland where he wowed the packed house. Bill truly has his own signature to the term Latin Jazz, and each of his CDs has its own story to tell. We are thrilled to have him as a part of the Lagond faculty and community.

Josh Reed (Trumpet)
Josh Reed recently graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a degree in Jazz Performance and Contemporary Media. Prior to that he completed a Bachelor's degree in Music Industry at James Madison University in Virginia. While at Eastman he worked with student groups and co-directed the Eastman Jazz Lab Band. He has shared the stage with artists such as Rich Perry, Clay Jenkins, Allen Vizzutti, John Clayton, Dave Glasser, and Jovino Santos Neto. He also recorded on the Snoop Dogg CD, 'Rhythm & Gangsta: The Masterpiece,' with Justin Timberlake and Charlie Wilson. He has also performed at the North Sea and Montreux Jazz Festivals with his undergraduate jazz ensemble.

Amy Roslyn (Voice)
Amy graduated from Smith College with a BA in Music, and has had an extensive career as a jazz, pop, R&B, blues, and classical singer. As an undergraduate, Amy was a soloist with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Springfield, MA.  Straight from school she joined the the original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar for its national tour, playing Mary Magdalene. Upon her return to NYC, she broke into session work, amassing a long list of jingles and records. In CHERI, Amy teamed up with Roz Hunt and had a Billboard top 30 hit, "Murphy's Law." She toured the US, opening for The Whispers and Smokey Robinson.  The record reached #1 in France, and while touring in Europe to promote it, she recorded with Vangelis and Jon Anderson of Yes. Amy has been a soloist with the New Jersey Choral Society since 2001, has performed at Carnegie Hall three times, toured Prague and Berlin, and has performed at the Sydney Opera House. Amy also worked with legendary jazz producer, Creed Taylor, as his associate producer and project coordinator for Taylor's label, CTI Records, working with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Airto, Flora Purim, John Scofield, Bob Berg, Mike Stern, Benny Golson, Gilberto Gil, Ernie Watts, Bernard Purdie, the Brecker Brothers, and Larry Coryell, among others.

Harvie S. (Bass)
Harvie S, award winning composer, arranger, bassist, educator and producer is continually challenging himself and his peers, expanding the borders of musical direction. A  legendary bassist, he has performed and recorded with Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, Tony Bennett, Ray Baretto, Michael Brecker, Jean Pierre Rampal, Paquito D'Rivera, Gil Evans, Art Farmer, Mark Turner, Jim Hall, Stefon Harris, Billy Hart, Lee Konitz, Yusef Lateef, Dave Leibman, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Paul Motion, Chico O'Farrill, Danilo Perez, Maria Schneider, Zoot Sims, Toots Thielemans, Ray Vega, James Williams, Phil Woods, Louie Bellson and countless others.  He can be heard on twenty CDs  as a leader, fifteen as a co-leader and over four hundred CDs as a sideman. These recordings include his work with  James Brown, Kenny Barron, Chick Corea, Tom Harrell, Sheila Jordan, Steve Kuhn, Pat Martino, Wycliff Gordon, David Mathews, Virginia Mayhew, Eddie Henderson, James Moody, Danilo Perez, Anat Cohen,  James Weidman, Jack Wilkins Mike Stern, Dave Leibman, John Scofield, Dr. Billy Taylor, Dave Liebman, Yusef Lateef and Grover Washington Jr. In addition to his performance career, Harvie S is an active educator. He is a Professor of Jazz Bass and Jazz Ensemble at Manhattan School of Music, Undergraduate and Graduate divisions.

Darryl Tookes (Voice/Songwriting)
Darryl Tookes is a singer, pianist, composer, arranger, poet, educator, and humanitarian. He has worked with George Benson, Diana Ross, Sting, Leonard Bernstein, Phil Ramone, Quincy Jones, Carly Simon, Laurie Anderson, Dave Grusin, Gerry Mulligan, Patti Austin, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Steve Tyrell, Jessye Norman, Blondie, Korn, Christina Aguilera, and many others. Tookes was founding musical director of Black to Broadway, and is musical director, pianist and arranger for Lesley Gore. A recording and performing artist, Tookes' debut release, Lifeguard, reached #3 on the Billboard adult contemporary charts. His voice has been featured on commercials for Coca-Cola, AT&T, American Airlines, and the US Army, among others, and on Sesame Street. He has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Saturday Night Live, The Morning Show with Regis Philbin, Great Performances, Everyday with Joan Lunden, The Joan Rivers Show, and NBC’s Today Show. He has performed at the White House, and received a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall for his duet with Roberta Flack. Tookes is an active member of ASCAP, AFTRA, SAG, NARAS, and AF of M. He served two terms as chairman of the New York Singers Collective, and three terms on the board of directors for the Society of Singers. An educator, Darryl Tookes is a professor of music theory, keyboards, and musicianship at New York University.