The Inside Men – Giving A New Sound To The Classic Jazz Quartet
From the classic post–bop style to avant garde sensibility, the Inside Men bring their own thing to this art form called Jazz. We are always finding new inspiration and originality in this powerful and profound music. The Inside Men play inside, we play outside – and always with intensity and commitment.
Meet The Band
Carter Scholz – Piano
Although he grew up in New York City at the peak of the hard bop and free jazz eras, Carter studied classical piano and didn't discover jazz till his teens, the year that Coltrane died. In jazz he is largely self-taught, a rich and rewarding process that continues to this day. He has also played Javanese gamelan, free improv, and experimental computer music (a CD of computer works is available from www.frogpeak.org).
Mike Pierce – Sax
Growing up on the near north side of Chicago, Mike heard blues and jazz played all around him. After years of playing the blues on various instruments he took up the saxophone when he moved to the west coast and focused on expanding his musical vision through jazz. Mike Pierce has been playing in various bands in the bay area for over 20 years; his culmination is with The Inside Men.
Rick Wallace – Bass
Rick Wallace grew up in Western Pennsylvania where he started playing electric bass when he was thirteen. He attended the Berklee College of music and for over 10 years has studied with Bay Area bassist Glenn Richman. He lists Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, and Charles Mingus among his many influences.
Phil Hodges – Drums
Despite having grown up in the desert of West Texas, Phil somehow acquired a taste for jazz. Starting at age 12, Phil played classical percussion in the school marching band and orchestra, but was also exposed to Texas blues, country & Western, AM radio soul & funk, and classic rock. Since college, Phil has played drums in a lot of rock bands, taught drum lessons, and learned to record. And somehow, he still discovered jazz....
"Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art."
–Charlie Parker
