Percussive Arts Society Announces 2013 Hall Of Fame Inductees
The Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame will induct four top percussionists during the 39th Annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) from November 13-16, 2013. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honoring the four newest members, will be held Thursday, November 14, 2013 before the PASIC Thursday Evening Concert at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The Class of 2013, featuring four important figures who have shaped the percussion world through their innovations, performances and scholarly work, includes:
Clifford Alexis is internationally recognized within the Steel Pan community for his generous contributions as a performer, composer, arranger, tuner, builder and educator. Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and playing in various steelbands since age 14, Alexis has performed all over the world for such luminaries as Queen Elizabeth II, the Emperor of Ethiopia and President Senghor of Senegal. Moving to the United State in 1965, Alexis became an important educator and clinician, ultimately becoming co-director of the internationally acclaimed Northern Illinois University Steelband.
Harold Jones is a prolific jazz drummer noted for his straight ahead style of playing during the big band era. Jones has performed with many of the top names in the jazz industry throughout his illustrious career; including Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra and many others, in addition to many symphony orchestras around the world. He performed on six albums that received fourteen Grammy Awards.
Dr. Gary Olmstead is a highly-regarded percussion educator who built the Indiana University of Pennsylvania percussion studio from a nascent program to a leading educational organization with alumni placed in many top university teaching positions, orchestras, military bands, and music industry positions. He has performed with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra and recorded with the Cleveland Orchestra under the direction of Lorin Maazel. Olmstead has served in many positions within the Percussive Arts Society, including President of PAS for five years.
Salvatore Rabbio is a noted world-class performer, clinician and educator. He served as principal timpanist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1958 until his retirement in 1998, touring and recording extensively with the world’s greatest conductors and many top record labels. Holding instructor positions at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, Rabbio has witnessed many of his students finding employment by major symphonies and universities around the world.
PAS Executive Director Jeff Hartsough stated “It is my privilege and distinct honor to announce the latest inductees into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame. This is the society’s highest form of recognition of outstanding accomplishment and artistic contributions to the world of percussion. They will join a select group of only 111 percussionists chosen to receive this honor since its inception in 1972”
The Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame was established in 1972 to recognize the contributions of the most highly regarded leaders in percussion performance, education, research, scholarship, administration, composition and the industry. Inductees demonstrate the highest ideals and professional integrity to their profession to bring about significant events, substantive improvements in the world of percussion, and the betterment of the profession through exemplary services or acts.
