Darren Frate has been playing bass for more than 35 years, including 15 as a teacher. He specializes in electric bass, music theory, and ensembles. He has toured and played with a variety of national acts, including Herman's Hermits ("I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am"), Dickey Betts from the Allman Brothers ("Ramblin' Man"), Gary Lewis and the Playboys ("This Diamond Ring"), Mitch Ryder ("Devil With a Blue Dress On"), Ian Hunter ("Cleveland Rocks"), Gerald Levert ("Casanova"), and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Darren has also recorded several CDs with his own folk and jazz groups. The latest release by his current group, Velvet Voyage, features legendary jazz guitarist Mike Stern, known for his work with Miles Davis.

Education

Film Scoring, Berklee College of Music Close

Glenn Holmes, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has performed as a guest soloist both in the classical and jazz idioms. He is a former member of the Wichita Symphony and a published composer. He is also a past member of the Jazz faculty of Wichita State, Friends University and Cleveland State University.

Performances have been with Benny Golson, Sean Jones, Doc Cheatum, Earl Warren, Jerry Hahn, Richie Cole, Charlie Rouse, Andy Narell, Keith Copeland, Eddie Daniels, Steve Houghton, Don Braden, Joe Williams, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Watson, Frank Mantooth, Dennis Wilson, Benny Bailey, Ignacio Beroa, Uhron Israel, Robin Eubanks, Vanessa Rubin, Antonio Hart, James Newton, Clark Terry, Nancy Wilson, Javon Jackson, Charlie Haden, Russell Malone, Cindy Blackman-Santana, the Jazz Heritage Orchestra and others.

Currently, Glenn has his own quartet and works as a freelance bassist. He is currently on the faculty of The Music School Settlement (Cleveland, OH).

Education

MM, Theory/Composition, Wichita State University
BM, String Bass & Music Theory, Miami University (Ohio) Close

Director, Clinician, Performer, Session Player. These are just some of the many hats worn by Ken LeeGrand. Known for his inspirational Saxophone Solos and articulate horn section work it amazes listeners when he plays classical music on his clarinet. Ken has performed with, Freda Payne, Jean Carne, ‪Petula Clark, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, ‪The Miracles, ‪Michael McDonald, ‪The Funk Brothers, and Aretha Franklin to name a few. In the 70’s with his group “TOJAM”, Ken had the privilege of being the opening act for, the late Dexter Gordon, with his sidemen, Eddie Gladden, George Cables and Rufus Reid. Later with his group “Horns and Things”, LeeGrand opened for, El DeBarge, Jimmy Heath, Freddie Hubbard, Ronnie Laws, Phillip Bailey, Joe Sample, Average White Band, Najee, and En Vogue to name a few. With “Horns and Things” Ken has released 4 CD’s. Ken has also done pit work for numerous plays at the famed Karamu Theater, The Cleveland Playhouse and in Playhouse Square. Ken has also had numerous performances at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jacobs Field, Gund Arena and Blossom Music Center. As a traveling musician, LeeGrand has performed extensively throughout The United States and Europe.

Ken appeared in and assisted Music Director, Sam Andrews of Big Brother & the Holding Company with the selection of musicians in the first Cleveland performance of Love Janis.

As a session player, LeeGrand has played on numerous jingles and amusement park soundtracks. Ken has played on nationally released products by Kelly Chapman, Cliff Habian’s Manhattan Bridge and had major impact on “GENERATIONS” the critically acclaimed CD by Bill Ransom.

As an educator Ken always has between thirty and forty private students, and annually holds his own Saxophone Retreat that averages twenty students. For the last 30 years, Ken has been the resident artist for the Grammy Signature School Shaker Heights School District Band Department that has 1000 plus students in bands from grade 5 through 12. As an educator Ken has former students at various universities such as The Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, Ohio State, Ithaca College, The Cincinnati Conservatory, Oberlin College, New School of the Contemporary Arts and Berklee School of Music to name a few.

For the last ten years LeeGrand has been the Program Director of J@MS. (Jazz at the Music Settlement) a nationally acclaimed program that is a partner of the Berklee City Music Network. For the last twenty six years Ken has also been the saxophonist at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.

Most recently Ken LeeGrand was given a 2025 Cleveland Jazz Legend Award for Jazz Education and Performance by Tri-C JazzFest!

Ken still maintains a very busy schedule be it directing and assisting several bands in Shaker Schools, recording his fourth CD as co-founder of his own group, “Horns & Things”, performing in the Gospel Genre, directing his program “J@MS", giving a private lesson or doing a Residency at a University.

Education

BM, Clarinet, University of Akron Close

Jim Wall is a drummer, teacher, recording engineer and music producer. Drawn to the drums from the age of two, music and life became inseparable for him at a very young age. He has performed live since age 7 and has played throughout North America and Europe with numerous artists, including Big Brother and the Holding Company, Grammy award winner; Robert Lockwood, Love Janis: The Musical, Hair, Kristine Jackson, The Jack Fords, Walkin' Cane, and Cuda/Wall/Cuda among others. He owns and runs Blue Buddha Music Studio in Cleveland, Ohio, which has become both Northeast Ohio's state of the art recording studio.

Education

BM, Berklee College of Music Close

Max Schlenk is a recent graduate of Oberlin Conservatory returning to the Cleveland music scene after spending some time in NYC. He started developing his skills under the tutelage of Ken LeeGrand, Chris Burge, Ron Blake, and Gary Bartz.

An alumnus of J@MS (Jazz at The Music Settlement) and The Berklee 5 Week Aspire Program during high school, Max gained the skills and knowledge to excel during college and in the professional world of music. Having regular performances around the greater Cleveland area, he has acquainted himself with a multitude of styles such as Jazz, R&B, and Funk. He has collaborated and performed alongside artists such as Luis Perdomo, Camilla Meza, Dion Parson, and Vladimir Cetkar.

Additional work includes years of teaching experience throughout high school and undergraduate, as well as community service performances and projects. He aims to take his teachings and knowledge to create himself as a class act musician and entertainer.

Education

Oberlin Conservatory Close

Fifteen years ago, Joe Slusarski began playing guitar and has never looked back. With a wide range of music experience in Jazz, Blues, Pop, Classical, Rock, Folk, Bluegrass and 3 years of teaching experience, Joe is excited to be at The Music Settlement.

Currently studying at Cleveland State for a M.M. Degree in Music Performance with a focus in Jazz studies, Joe has had the opportunity to study with Robert Fraser and Dan Bruce, as well as other locally established musicians. Being active in the music community Joe plays regularly with bands around Cleveland such as Quick Silver, QS Jazz and Hip to That. When the opportunity comes along, he also enjoys playing in pit orchestras for musicals.

Joe tries to give his students an enjoyable experience while teaching the joy and knowledge of music. He meets his students wants and needs for each lesson to teach them the best he can. In addition to the guitar, Joe can also teach electric bass guitar and ukulele.

Education

B.A. Music Performance, Cleveland State University Close

Drew Parent is a percussionist and multi-instrumentalist based in Cleveland, OH. Prior to working at the Music Settlement, Drew held music faculty positions at Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo, Owens Community College, Trine University, and most recently Tiffin University where he was the Director of Bands as well taught percussion lessons, percussion ensemble, jazz band, funk band, rhythm section courses, and music entrepreneurship. He has also worked as a percussion instructor and clinician for high school band programs all over the midwest region for the last fifteen years.

A native of Mid-Michigan, Drew began his musical journey at the age of eight with piano lessons, soon followed by guitar, saxophone, and finally settling on drums and percussion in high school. Throughout high school and college Drew was a member of both drum corps and indoor percussion ensembles that included the Madison Scouts, The Glassmen, The Americanos, and NorthCoast Academy Percussion. Drew graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education from Saginaw Valley State University and then attended graduate school at Central Michigan University where he earned a masters degree in percussion performance.

In 2011 Drew co-founded the Detroit-based ensemble Rela Percussion. Since then Rela has commissioned a number of works for percussion quartet as well as performed in chamber ensemble competitions across the country. In 2017 Rela held a residency at The Toledo Museum of Art where they spent two weeks making percussion instruments from glass. As part of this project they commissioned the piece Glass Cathedral by David Gillingham to be performed on four glass marimbas.

Currently Drew is the Percussion Advisor for the Shaker Heights Public Schools band program, is an active gigging and session drummer, and also a multi-instrumentalist playing keyboards, saxophone, and bass guitar on a number of projects. In his spare time Drew enjoys getting outside to hike, go paddle boarding, play disc golf, and spend time with his wife and two children.

Education

MM, Music Performance, Central Michigan University
BA, Music Education, Saginaw Valley State University Close