Todd Ferris Mosby - Composer / Guitars
A world class North Indian Guitar & Western Jazz Guitar virtuoso who bridges the gap between Eastern and Western music, Mosby moves easily from Classical North Indian to Traditional Bebop Jazz to Contemporary Composition. Has the technique of a classically trained sitarist, the harmonic improvisational knowledge of a bebop player and the compositional skills of a modern classical composer. His music has been heard in music clubs, concert halls, coffee houses, theaters, television, radio and film locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Mosby is the only guitarist to become a member of the famed Imdad Khani Gharana, India's royal family of sitar musicians. He creates a style and discipline, which accesses the musical philosophies of ancient India and the soul of Traditional Jazz. As an innovator, Todd performs Classical North Indian Rags on the Imratguitar, a 20 stringed hybrid sitar/guitar which bridges the east/West music gap.
Mosby’s education includes Composition & Arranging at Berklee College of Music, Boston, Mass. Music Business at Fontbonne College, St. Louis, Mo., continued education and private studies in Classical North Indian Music under Ustadt Imrat Khan for 12 years, Contemporary Composition studies under international composer and and Washington University resident Composer Dr. Roland Jordan for 7 years, Advanced Private Guitar Mentoring, instruction, improvisation and Technique under Fareed Haque for 3 years. Currently, Todd is Instructor of Guitar at Maryville University.
Carl Caspersen - Acoustic & Electric Bass
Carl studied at Grove Music School in Los Angeles and receIved a BA in Jazz Performance at SIUE, Edwardsville, Ill. Carl is one of the most sought after bass players in St. Louis. He is currently Music Director at Joyce Meyer Ministries which includes composing, producing and mixing music for television and radio.
Ron Carr - Drums
Ron Received a BA in Jazz Performance from Webster University St. Louis, Mo. Ron is extremely active on the St. Louis music scene as a drummer, producer and educator. He remains on a short list of first-call session musicians and producers in the Midwest. In a pursuit to push musical thresholds while paying respect to the countless innovators of the past, Ron is a drummer of maximum fire and color.
Henry Claude - Percussion
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Received a BA in performance at Casa Conservatory of Music, St. Louis, Mo. Performer, composer, inventor, session musician, specialist in drumset, vibraphone, and orchestral percussion. In addition to holding a position as the Musical Director of Washington University’s Dance Department, Mr. Claude is the first call percussionist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, with whom he has made over 30 recordings. Recently appointed Percussion Ensemble Instructor at Webster University, he also serves as a board member of the New Music Circle in St. Louis.
Jesse Gannon - Keyboards & Piano
Received a BA Jazz Performance Webster University, St. Louis, Mo. As a pianist, writer, producer, and vocalist, Jesse has been involved in several musical endeavors in St. Louis and abroad. In addition to playing many of the top musical venues in St. Louis, he has traveled and shared the stage with such notables as The Temptations, India Arie and numerous local artists. He has an intense performance style and depth of musicality have been a welcome addition to many stages for nearly 10 years.
Cara Dineen - Vocals
Graduated Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Mass. B.M 2009 majoring in vocal performance. Cara is an exceptional singer, songwriter and performer. She was raised with listening to my father play in blues bands around town, jazz radio and millions of songs from his personal collection. Being brought up with heavy helpings of jazz and the down home blues of St. Louis, Cara was naturally drawn to the piano and saxophone as my first instruments and have been greatly influenced by them in her vocal stylings.
Most Interesting Performance
Saratov, Russia
Saratov was an old, old city with a very famous and well known music conservatory where I performed. The stage was rough hewn and pitched about 10 degrees for maximum acoustics. A perfect music environment. I performed Solo Guitar Raga Music on an acoustic electric with a rusted out set of strings I found during a stop in Moscow.
We traveled by overnight train in 2nd class with cock roaches scampering about every where. The audience was amazing. They had not been desensitized to the effects of music as we have in the west. They were such intense listeners, and it very easy to what I felt called to do as a musician, to be of service to others and minister to the emotive and spiritual needs of the people in attendance.
Afterwards. I was greeted with an amazing warmth, gratitude and a restored faith in the music which is reflective of the Culture coming out of America at that time. The only access that they had was the worse in techno pop and popular American TV which was the only thing being streamed to them.
I then was asked to travel by car to a place where some amazing musicians wanted me to jam on tunes by John Coltrian and Thelonious Monk. Prior to Parastroyka, they literally risked their lives to gain access to this music. I felt very honored.
MOSBY EDUCATION
Westminster College for one year in Salt Lake City,Utah. Received first guitar lessons from Mike Dente. Still go back to what he for the basics. Participated in big band and small band ensembles and took class in philosophy and music notation. Also took amazing listening analysis class on contemporary jazz and latin music.
Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. For three years studied small band and big band arranging, contemporary, classical and composition and guitar performance and latin ensemble. Special classes with Michael Gibbs and Bob Chestnut in Arranging and composing for commercial music. The biggest education came from seeing live performances of amazing local talent in Boston and traveling artists such as Bill Evans, Joe Pass, Weather Report, Pat Martino, Mike Stern and Pat Metheny.
Skidmore Jazz Institute, Saratoga Sprigs, New York. Certificate in Jazz Ensemble Performance. Studied mainly with Milt "The Judge" Hinton, Ed Shaughnesy and Dick Katz in traditional Jazz performance and technique. Received first hand info on the history and development of jazz in America. These guys were there from the beginning. Was one of the few guitarists to attend the institute.
Fontbonne College, St. Louis, Missouri for three years. BA & BS in performing arts Administration and Music Business. Special study in the performance of piano music by Claude Debussy under the direction of Dr. John Phillips. Recommended for private study in composition with Dr. Roland Jordan.
Continued private compositional study and mentorship under the guidance of Dr. Roland C. Jordan, resident composer and music theorist at Washington University in St. Louis for three decades. Under Dr. Jordan’s direction, studied the music of Brahms, Debussy and Schoenberg and created small scale and large scale works for Guitar, Piano, and a piece for 7 guitars , tuba and percussion and other groupings over the years. Also explored the uses of phenomenological methodology and structuralist/post-structuralist theory and serialist/post-serialist forms.
Continued private instrumental study and mentorship in Classical North Indian Music under the direction and guidance of Ustadt Imrat Khan. Imrat Khan has very few peers in the world today. He is Gaurdian of the Great heritage of a centuries-old family tradition, instrumental performer of international renown, musical ambassador of his country, teacher, creator and innovator. Under his guidance we covered the improvisational forms of raga. In depth study on the Alap, Jhor, Gat, Jhala and Tal. The philosophy sound, its spiritual, physical and emotive aspects in addition to responsibilities as a musician and artist of the highest caliber.
Private study in Jazz Guitar concepts, techniques and improvisation under the direction and guidance of Fareed Haque, Rob Block and Rick Haydon.
MOSBY MUSICAL HISTORY
EARLY
Born in Saint Louis Missouri to a family of doctors, inventors and artists in the month of May with the last wave of boomers. Inspired to become a composer at an early age watching filmed broadway musicals and listening to Peter and the Wolf album given by godmother at early age. The the synchronized swimming films of ester philips inspired a later desire to work with modern dancers and choreographers. At age six, was given a Book, Guitar and Meet the Beatles album.
Began playing trumpet at age 12. Age 14 started playing guitar again and listening to bluegrass which later lead to an interest in the sounds and Music of India. Had a strong affiliation with the music of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor for melodic and chordal content. Listened to the Grateful Dead for improv content. Introduced to Billy Holiday, Lester Young,Billy Cobham and Jean Luc Ponty.
Received no formal training until first year of College in Salt Lake City where the deeper forms of instrumental improvisation were introduced. A great appreciation of the music of Brazil was nurtured through the music of Hermeto, Flora Purim and Milton Nacimento.
MIDDLE
First introduced to ensemble performance and higher level of musicians at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. Jazz Music had penetrated the Rocky Mountain Music scene in the late 70’s due to Bill Fowler influence on College Jazz Music programs through out the region. Got hooked and moved to Boston to pursue composition and arranging at Berklee College of Music at the prompting of a friend. In Boston saw many of the great and influential Jazz performers of that time.
Moved to St. Louis, Mo to develop and hone musicianship skills at suggestion of a teacher in Boston. Was a founding member of Trained Animal and was a part of the St. Louis New Wave scene in the late 70’s. Fell into the new home music recording scene and bean aquireing equipment for composition studio.
Began scoring music for video artists, dancers and some commercial music clients. Was a founding member of Trained Animal - new wave/ punk band using mixed timed signitures and live dud and skipped record performance techniques. Founding member of Next Radio, a Multi Media high tech performance ensemble.
Was one of a handful of guitarist to ever attend Skidmore Jazz Institute. Received a certificate of completion and an amazing history of Jazz. Studied and performed with Milt Hinton, Ed Shaughnesyy and many others. Solid grounding in traditional small jazz ensemble performance.
LATE MIDDLE
Degree in Music Business and Performing Arts Administration from Fonbonne College in St. Louis, Mo. Traveled to Chicago for private mentorship in bebop style of Charlie Parker and John Coltrain. Hooked up with Roland Jordan and began an on going mentorship in composition. Introduced to the piano works of Oliver Messian through piano teacher Dr. John Phillips. Began to develop photgraphic and journalist techniques and appreciation.
Began adjunct faculty position at Washington University as dance accompanist for modern dance department. Started to tie in with modern dance community and score works for theater and dance. Beagn as regular guest lecture series in similarities and differences of eastern and western improvisation for the Music Department. Began class in descriptive music for Performing Arts Department.
Began composition work at video production facility as resident composer and sound engineer. Responsible for wiring and aquiring equipment for sound recording purposes. Scored numerous soundscapes and Theme Music for many corporate productions locally and regionally. Clients included, Master Card, Bush Creative, Flieshmann Hilliard. Scored many works for modern choreographers.
Began work for Contemporary Productions as a main call jazz guitar artist. Performed as solo, duo, trio, and quartet a hundreds of gala events, private parties, festivals and fund raisers. Received solid foundation and education in St. Louis style jazz. Performed and studied with many of the St. Louis jazz legends. Received amazing on the job training.
Taught at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. a class in Descriptive Music for visual artists, dancers and musicians who needed concepts to organize sound and music to accompany visual works through use of graphic score technique. As a visiting artist, gave many lectures on the improvisational similarities and differences of Classical North Indian Music and Traditional American Jazz for Ustadt Imrat Khan.
CURRENT
The only guitarist to become a member of the famed Imdad Khani Gharana. Known as the sitar gharana, this is India’s royal family of sitar musicians dating back back 500 years to tan tsien in the court of the Moguls. Twelve years of continuos study with Ustadt Imrat Khan brought a knowledge and depth of North Indian Raga music and technique. The philosophies are well absorbed and influence all aspects of composition and performance.
Concert for Conservation: Nature Conservancy campaign to raise awareness and money for land aquisition in the Current River Watershed Region. Received broad reach through KDHX, KWMU on air interviews and Spirit Seeker Magazine, Ladue News and USA Today Blog in addition to front page Nature Conservancy magazine. Raised $6000 with a maximum reach of approximately 250,000 people.
Currently organizing concerts to raise awareness of critical issues concerning the United States and stewardship of the planet in general.
Faculty at Maryville University as Instructure of Guitar. Working with Music Therapy Department training students for work in the field. Concepts and techniques as related to basic guitar and improvisation are covered. An ability and awareness to asess the varied needs of clients is also addressed. Ability to perform arrangements of simple melodies, basic chord structuures and complex improvisational concepts are covered. Brief explaination of the history and philosophy of sound and music in the healing arts is also incorporated into lesson plan.