HIGHER HZ - Key Persons
Aaron is a professional songwriter, composer, and music educator. At Higher Hz, he works as a writer, covering songwriting, arrangement, and music theory topics.
Abigail Washburn is an amazing banjo player and musician who is able to innovate while always keeping true to tradition. She captivates audiences with the intricacy of her approach to clawhammer playing and her soulful vocals.
Alison Brown is another trailblazing figure in banjo playing, and has helped to change the instrument's musical terrain with her distinct voice as both a composer and performer.
She was the first woman to win an International Bluegrass Music Award in an instrumental category, marking a turning point in the industry's recognition of female musicians.
While inspired by Earl Scruggs (as are most people), Brown's music transcends traditional bluegrass, and delves into genres like Latin and jazz.
Her latest album, On Banjo, explores a diverse range of styles such as Brazilian choro, chamber music, and more, all while staying true to her roots in bluegrass.
Brown's compositional prowess has also earned praise from critics and peers alike, and her influence extends far outside the realms of bluegrass as a co-founder of Compass Records.
Her dedication to pushing musical boundaries while simultaneously keeping true to the instrument's history has helped shape her legacy as one of the world's premier banjoists.
Because the thing about the banjo is, the first chord is free. That's what I love: if you get it in tune, the first chord's free, so if you learn two more chords, you can play 80% of all the music that's out there. So just strum it. And have fun with it.Alison Brown
Job Titles:
- Head of Content, Editor - in - Chief
Andrei is an audiophile with extensive knowledge of sound and audio technologies. Although less proficient as a musician, he has over 10 years of experience in multimedia production. At Higher Hz, he works as a head of content and editor-in-chief, overseeing the editorial team and content strategy.
Arthur Godfrey was a radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who has been credited for popularizing the ukulele in the 1950s in the USA.
The Ukulele Hall of Fame states: "It is likely that no other single person has been directly responsible for the sale of as many ukuleles as Arthur Godfrey."
Godfrey learned how to play the ukulele while he was in the Navy from one of his Hawaiian shipmates. He played the baritone ukulele on his shows and even had one show called Arthur Godfrey and His Ukulele, where he gave ukulele lessons to his audience.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Industry Expert, Software Developer
Benedict is a mix engineer, record producer, and composer with over 30 years of experience. At Higher Hz, he works as a music industry expert and software development supervisor.
Brandon is a producer, audio engineer, and multi-instrumentalist. At Higher Hz, he works as a senior writer, covering microphones, studio monitors, audio interfaces, and recording techniques.
Béla Fleck is renowned as one of the world's greatest living banjo players, and for good reason. Throughout his career he has reshaped the instrument's image and sound.
Hailing from New York City, Fleck's passion with the banjo was sparked by Earl Scruggs' epochal playing and technique when he was a child.
After his grandfather gave him a banjo in 1973, the instrument became Fleck's sole focus, leading him to seek lessons from Erik Darling and Tony Trischka.
After graduating high school, Fleck moved to Boston, where he recorded his debut solo album.
Joining New Grass Revival in 1981 helped propel Fleck to the forefront of progressive bluegrass, where his innovative approach would help expand the horizons of the genre.
In 1988, he founded the Flecktones, a groundbreaking ensemble which blended jazz, bluegrass, and world music. The group garnered widespread success both critically and commercially.
Collaborations with Edgar Meyer, Howard Levy, Jerry Garcia, and others helped to further cement his trailblazing reputation.
So far, Fleck has earned 17 Grammy awards and has been nominated in more categories than any other musician in Grammy history.
Djordje is an experienced guitarist, composer, and music producer. At Higher Hz, he works as a writer, covering all things guitar and bass.
Earl Scruggs is a legendary figure in American string band music. While he passed away in 2012 at the age of 88, he left behind a long-lasting legacy of innovation as well as transformation in banjo playing.
For Eddie Kamae, music was the language of his life. Like a true artist, Kamae searched for traditional forgotten songs and put his modern interpretation on them all while preserving and respecting the traditional style.
Eddie Kamae was a founding member of the band Sons of Hawaii. Together, they released over six albums, including the famous The Folk Music of Hawaii.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Leader of Apocalyptica
Eicca Toppinen is the founder and leader of Apocalyptica, a quartet of extremely talented classmates from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with excellent classical training.
Jake Shimabukuro is an ukulele virtuoso and is often referred to as the "Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele."
His stylistic range is infinite, extending out as far as his fervent imagination will take him from classical to jazz and funk, bluegrass and folk to blues, rock, and flamenco.
He began playing at age four, just doing what came naturally and felt like fun, making him one of the most versatile ukulele players of our time.
His 2021 release Jake & Friends features Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Jimmy Buffett, Ziggy Marley, and Jack Johnson, among others.
He has covered and created beautiful arrangements and performances of songs such as "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles, "Colors of the Wind" by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz from Pocahontas as well as many original compositions.
James is a professional pianist, sound designer, and music educator. At Higher Hz, he works as a senior writer, covering all things piano, MIDI controllers, and synthesizers.
Liam is a multi-instrumentalist with a focus on drums. At Higher Hz, he works as a writer, covering all things drums, from iconic drummers to advice for beginners and techniques.
Manuel is a versatile professional multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer. At Higher Hz, he works as a writer, covering orchestral string instruments.
Marco is a seasoned audiophile, producer, engineer, and record label owner. At Higher Hz, he works as a senior writer, covering hi-fi, home theater, and live sound.
Mark is an innovative entrepreneur and seasoned executive with a deep passion for music and technology. He is the founder and president of Higher Hz, steering the company's vision, strategic direction, and overall operations.
Marye is an independent singer-songwriter, teaching artist, and multi-instrumentalist. At Higher Hz, she works as a writer, covering singing and ukulele-playing topics.
Peter Moon was born in Honolulu on the island of Oahu and was one of the founding members of the band The Sunday Manoa. They are often credited with having helped spark the Hawaiian Renaissance in the 1970s.
Stjepan Hauser has collaborated with famous cellists such as Mstislav Rostropovich and Heinrich Schiff. Nowadays, he continues to perform solo, recording his own album and playing with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Job Titles:
- Director of the Prestigious London College of Music
Julian Lloyd Webber had the fortune of being born into a home that emanated music. His father, William Lloyd Webber, was the director of the prestigious London College of Music and a teacher at the Royal College of Music.
His brother is none other than the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber, one of the most prominent composers of musical theater in history.
Among his most iconic performances are his interpretations of Dvořák's Cello Concerto and Elgar's Cello Concerto.
In addition, Webber also stands out in the difficult world of contemporary music, having played beautifully the works of composers such as Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt, which makes him one of the most versatile cellists.