Northwoods
Improvisers
Biography
Faruq
Z. Bey w/ the Northwoods Improvisers music focuses around the composing and arranging
of Faruq Z. Bey. The band consists of the following members:
Faruq Z. Bey
Faruq is the founder of the seminal creative Detroit based jazz ensemble
"GRIOT GALAXY". Their cd OPUS CRAMPUS on the sound
aspects label earned them international acclaim. Faruq is also a published
poet and is currently a member of the Detroit based ensemble "SPEAKING
IN TONGUES". He has worked with Northwoods on and off since the
fall of 2000.
Performed with A.A.C.M. (Chicago) and Detroit based ensemble, "GREEN/MOSLEY COMPLEX" from 1982 to 1995. some of the members included, Donald Washington, Muwata Bowden and Harrison Bankhead. studied flute from 1980 to 1984 with Elmer Nodgie, flute virtuoso with the romanian symphony orchestra who fled the country for political reasons. has been a member (and is) of several detroit based ensembles including; "TRUE
STORIES ORCHESTRA", "THE VISITORS", "DESCRIPTION", "CONSPIRACY WIND ENSEMBLE",
"LATER DAYS FREEBOP ORCHESTRA" (w/Hakim Jami), and "SPEAKING IN TONGUES". Skeeter
C. R. Shelton
Mike
Gilmore Founding
member of Northwoods Collective. Began playing guitar at age 5. Began studying
Jazz Improvisation and East Indian Music in 1976. Shortly thereafter African,
Middle Eastern and Far East Musics. Formal Piano studies 1976. Formal Classical
Guitar studies 1979.
Mike
Johnston Founding
member of the Northwoods collective. Contributing writer for coda
publications 1982-1999. teaches college course at various colleges
in jazz history and african and asian musics. MFA degree in Photography/Art
from Central Michigan University. Does a public radio show "Destination
Out" on CMU Public radio featuring creative jazz and world music.
Nick
Ashton Nick Ashton (son of James Ashton, professional drummer) began formal instruction at age 11 and continued band and orchestra in public school and college. Played different genre of music through college and after until settling in NYC in 1978 for 6 1/2 yrs whereupon jazz and improvised music became the only musical focus. Returned to Indiana in 1985 and began playing on the Indianapolis scene in 1986. He began playing with "NORTHWOODS IMPROVISERS" in 1987 and has continued performing with them ever since. |