Local Band Network Member Since: July 28, 2007
Last Update: July 28, 2007
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Music types:
Reggae, Ethnic
Description:
Island Close By is an acoustic steel-drum band that originated form the desires of its members to bring the music of the islands to South Carolina. Specializing in the authentic steel band sound, our ensemble performs the lively upbeat rhythms of soca & calypso from Trinidad and Tobago, the vibrant and sassy sounds of salsa from Cuba, as well as an extended range of tunes that includes Jimmy Buffet, Carlos Santana, Bob Marley, Latin-jazz and pop standards.
Band Members:
Chris Lee-Lead Pan/Percussion Dacey Bell-Triple Cello Pans Mark Roddy-Mallet Kat Jim Hall-Drums
Dr. Christopher D. Lee (BM -University of Maryland • MM and DMA -University of South Carolina) is co- founder of the Island Close By Steel Band. Lee’s professional steel drum career began as a graduate student in 1990 at the University of South Carolina. Originally a cello pan/engine room player, over the last 16 years he learned the double seconds, double guitars, six bass and most recently the lead pan. His love for the pan and music of many cultures has inspired him to study in New York, Trinidad (the home of the steel drum), Puerto Rico and Guinea, West Africa. As a concert percussionist/drummer, he is the principal percussionist of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed with the Savannah, Augusta, Charlotte, Charleston, Greenville and Atlanta Symphonies as well as The Moody Blues, Ray Charles, Shirley Jones and the Garfield Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. An active clinician/ performer for the Pearl Corporation, Avedis Zildjian Co., Innovative Percussion, Evans Drum Heads, the South Carolina Arts Commission and the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, he conducts summer workshops, clinics/master classes, private lessons and school residencies throughout the Southeastern United States. As an educator, Lee is presently the music teacher at Logan Elementary School and founder of the Logan Leopard Steel Band and co-founder of the Logan Elementary West African Drum & Dance Ensemble. His teaching credits include the University of South Carolina, Lander University, Claflin University, Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps, Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps, Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and Thom Hannum’s Mobile Percussion Seminars.
Dacey Bell, a native of Barnwell, South Carolina, received his B.M. degree from the University of South Carolina, in Columbia, SC. While attending the University of South Carolina he performed with virtually every performing ensemble the school of music had to offer including; the USC Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Opera Orchestra, Concert Choirs, Palmetto Pans Steel Band, Percussion Ensemble, West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Escula de Samba, Carolina Band, Carolina Alive, and Graduation Ensembles. He has had the opportunity to perform with national artists such as, Burt Bacharach, Marvin Hamlish, John Pizzarelli, Chris Brubeck, Mark O'Connor, Adawadin Pratt, Leon Bates, The Diamonds, Crystal Gayle and many others. He has toured the southeast nine times with various ensembles. He has previously performed with the Augusta Symphony, Florence Symphony and the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and is a charter member of the Palmetto Concert Band.
Mark Roddy received his B. M. degree from The University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. and his M. M. E. degree from The University of North Texas in Denton, TX. At USC he was also an original member of the Palmetto Pans, and while attending UNT he was a member of the GPG Percussion Group, and has performed with such percussion greats as Airto Moreira, Pancho Sanchez, Robert Greenidge, and Steve Gadd. Professional performing experiences include the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, and the orchestras of Augusta, Charleston, and Irving (TX). He currently spends his days as a computer programmer for the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, and he spends some of his spare time teaching percussion at local high schools.
Jim Hall is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Music and former coordinator of the Percussion program at The University of South Carolina School of Music in Columbia, S.C. He earned his Master of Music Education degree from The University of North Texas where he was a member of the famous One O'Clock Lab Band. Before coming to USC, he was percussion instructor and director of jazz ensembles at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. As a performer, Mr. Hall was principal timpanist with the South Carolina Philharmonic South Carolina Chamber Orchestra, and the Columbia Lyric Opera for twelve years. Widely known for his drum set artistry, Jim has performed with entertainers such as Rich Little, Bob Hope, Barbara Eden, and Red Skelton. He has also performed in concert with such Jazz artists as Marian McPartland, Bill Watrous, Tom Scott, and Billy Eckstine.
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