The Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame will induct four percussionists, Clifford Alexis, Harold Jones, Dr. Gary Olmstead, and Salvatore Rabbio, during the 39th Annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) being held November 13-16, 2013. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Thursday, November 14, 2013, before the PASIC Thursday evening concert at the Indianapolis Convention Center.

Clifford Alexis is internationally recognized within the steel pan community for his contributions as a performer, composer, arranger, tuner, builder, and educator. Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and playing in various steel bands since age fourteen, Alexis has performed for such luminaries as Queen Elizabeth II, the Emperor of Ethiopia, and President Senghor of Senegal. Moving to the United States in 1965, Alexis became an important educator and clinician, ultimately becoming co-director of the internationally acclaimed Northern Illinois University steel band.

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, including Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and many others. He performed on six albums that received Grammy awards. Advertisement

Dr. Gary Olmstead is a 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 and the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra, and has recorded with the Cleveland Orchestra. Olmstead has served in many positions within the Percussive Arts Society, including president for five years.

Salvatore Rabbio is a world-class performer, clinician, and educator. He served as principal timpanist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1958 until his retirement in 1998. Holding instructor positions at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, Rabbio has helped many students find employment with major symphonies and universities around the world.

PAS executive director, Jeff Hartsough, states, “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.” Advertisement

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.

 

For more info, visit pas.org.