Dr.
Martin McCain and Dr. Artina McCain
Prior
to “Trombone Czar: Russian Treasures for Bass Trombone” on the
new Kairoi Music label, trombonist Martin McCain released a JazzBonez
recording, “Watch It!” and appeared in the film, “Fighting With
Anger”. For pianist Artina McCain, “Trombone Czar” is the
second of three CDs scheduled for release in 2012. The first was a
Longhorn Music recording of spirituals, “I, too” on which she was
accompanied by soprano Icy Simpson. Kairoi Music plans a December
1, 2012 release “Artina
McCain: Preludes at the Piano, Rachmaninov & Debussy”;
Kairoi Music KM 102 (2012).
The very first time we played this disc, we realized the music was highly listenable. The combination of bass trombone and piano serves these Russian Romantic compositions well. Many hearings later, we continue to enjoy this CD and we can recommend it without reservation.
“Trombone
Czar” features five tracks recorded live at three locations,
including three recorded live at KMFA 89.5 Public Radio in Austin
Texas. The program opens with Andante,
Op. 64 of
Alexander Tcherepnin (1899-1977). The composer's widow founded the
Tcherepnin Society, whose website is www.tcherepnin.com, after his
death. The Society tells us Alexander Tcherepnin's international
music research and performances earned him the nickname “Musical
Citizen of the World.”
The
following track is “Arioso for King Rene” of Peter Tchaikovsky
(1840-1893). The third track is“Concerto
No. 2” of Alexei Lebedev (1924-1993). Sergei Rachmaninov's
“Vocalise” is fourth and “Concerto No. 1” of Alexei Lebedev
ends the program.
Known for his
musical expression and warm sound, trombonist Martin McCain’s
career as a musician spans an impressive scope of genres. A
third-generation musician, he maintains a versatile performance
schedule. As a soloist, Dr. McCain has appeared with numerous
ensembles and performs recitals throughout the country and abroad.
His performances and arrangements have been broadcast on Austin’s
89.5 KMFA and Tucson’s 90.5 KUAT Classical radio stations. McCain
has performed as a guest artist at the International Trombone
Festival and Eastern Trombone Workshop on several occasions. He is a
founding member and leader of the highly acclaimed, award-winning
jazz trombone ensemble, JazzBonez, who has been featured at several
major conferences including the International Trombone Festival and
the Eastern Trombone Workshop. As a chamber musician, Dr. McCain is
also a founding member of the Minor 4th Trombone Quartet.
As an orchestral musician, McCain performs with the Laredo
Philharmonic Orchestra and has also performed with the Austin
Symphony Orchestra, Austin Lyric Opera, Victoria Symphony Orchestra,
Brazos Valley Symphony, Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi
Symphony Orchestra and San Antonio Opera. As a jazz musician, he has
performed with the Vendetta Big Band, Monster Big Band, Contemporary
Works Jazz Orchestra and other commercial touring bands. McCain’s
2012-2013 performance season includes appearances in Kentucky,
Colorado, Iowa, Virginia and China as well as performances at the
2013 Eastern Trombone Workshop and International Trombone Festival.
An active member of
the International Trombone Association, Dr. McCain serves as the
Events Coordinator for the ITA website and state representative for
the ITA TAPAS (Trombone Artists Performing for Amateurs and Students)
Project. He also writes CD reviews for the “Audio Visual” column
of the quarterly Journal. A promoter of music education in the public
schools, McCain is the co-director for “Raise The Bar” a concert
series dedicated to educating young classical music audiences. McCain
has taught in the Austin, Round Rock, and Eanes Independent School
Districts and is in demand as a clinician. Dr. McCain was selected to
choose the All-State bass trombone repertoire for the state of Texas
and presented a performance clinic at the Texas Bandmaster’s
Association Convention in San Antonio. As a scholar, McCain
contributed four articles for the New Grove Dictionary of American
Musicians. In 2012, McCain founded his own record label and
publishing company Kairoi Music.
Dr. McCain joined
the faculty at Texas State University in 2010 where he directs the
Trombone Choir, Jazz Trombone Ensembles, and Jazz Lab Band as well as
maintaining an active performing trombone studio. Under his
direction, the Trombone Choir and Jazz Trombone Ensembles have been
invited to perform at the Big 12 Trombone Conference and Texas Music
Educators Association Convention on numerous occasions. Since
his arrival, McCain has been responsible for hosting over a dozen of
the worlds greatest trombone artist teachers and is the
founder/director of the Texas State Trombone Symposium. McCain has
also served as an adjudicator for the Yamaha Xeno Tenor Trombone Solo
Competition, the Edwards Bass Trombone Solo Competition, Fort Worth
Trombone Summit Quartet Competition and the Texas All-State Jazz
Ensemble on several occasions.
Dr. McCain holds
degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (D.M.A. and M.M.) and
The University of Southern Mississippi (B.M.). His primary teachers
are Nathaniel Brickens, Marta Hofacre, Greg Luscombe and Loy Hetrick.
He has also received instruction from Charles Villarubia, Stefan
Sanders, Doug Yeo, Randy Hawes, and Charles Vernon.
McCain was a prize -
winner at the International Trombone Festival and Eastern Trombone
Workshop competitions as a soloist and ensemble musician. Dr. McCain
can be heard on his debut EP ”Trombone Czar: Russian Treasures
Recorded Live!” the JazzBonez album “Watch It!” and the Willie
Nelson movie, “Fighting With Anger”.
Artina
McCain enjoys an active career as a solo and chamber performer,
adjudicator, teacher, and presenter. Dr. McCain has performed
nationally and internationally in Italy, San Antonio, Dallas,
Cleveland, and the Czech Republic. This summer, Dr. McCain and
soprano Icy Simpson released a debut CD of Black Art Songs and
Spirituals through University of Texas at Austin's Longhorn Records.
She also regularly tours with her husband Martin McCain, bass
trombonist and Texas State University professor. Dr. McCain's
performances have been broadcast Chicago's 88.5 WHPK and on Austin's
KMFA 89.5 Pianoforte
program as both a soloist and chamber musician. Excited about
bringing classical music to a broader audience, McCain has performed
in many chamber concert series across Texas.
As a teacher, she
served on the keyboard faculty at Baldwin Wallace College
Conservatory of Music, University of the Incarnate Word and currently
on faculty at Huston-Tillotson University. Dr. McCain is also an
enthusiastic supporter of young musicians. She has coached at the
Austin Chamber Music Center, Cleveland Institute
of Music Summer Chamber festival and appeared as guest artist at the
Ennis Arts Commission summer concert series and maintains a private
studio of students.
McCain's research interests are in
audience building and performance injury. A strong advocate of
performance injury prevention. She has presented various
lecture/performances at universities and music teacher associations
conferences on Muscle Activation Techniques. Her research
presentation "Classical Music: The Silent Hall", was a top
prize winner
among multidisciplinary presenters at the national black graduate
students conference.
Dr. McCain graduated cum laude from
Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Music with Dr.
Carol Leone. At the Cleveland
Institute of Music she obtained a Masters degree where she was
awarded the Lecture Recital Club Scholarship. She completed her
Doctorate degree at
the University of Texas at Austin with renowned pianist Anton
Nel.
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