personnel
gigscontactgearThe Network is:
Andrew Campbell, guitarist, composer, restaurant guru. Born and raised in Southern California, Andrew Campbell recently returned to his home state after years of living in New York City. While in New York, Andrew studied guitar privately with legendary guitarist and composer Steve Khan. After returning to Southern California, Andrew studied privately under Jeff Richman and Bill Fowler at the LA Music Academy, where the guitar department is chaired by legendary fusion guitarist Frank Gambale. Andrew's other stylistic influences include Wayne Krantz, Scott Henderson. His jazz-rock trio, The Andrew Campbell Network, has recently performed at several prominent LA-area clubs, including La Ve Lee, Fais Do Do, and the Key Club Plush Room. Andrew's quintet, dubbed the "Ugandan Thermal Unit," appears regularly at the L.A. landmark, the Baked Potato. He and his composition "International Man of Mystery" were featured in the October issue of Jazziz magazine and on the accompanying Jazziz "ed.4" sampler CD.
Steve Billman, bassist. Steve Billman attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship and also graduated from Musician's Institute in 1981. Steve studied with Jeff Berlin and Bob Magnusson while at Musicians Institute. Steve most recently appeared with Billy Cobham on Frank Gambale latest CD "Raison d'Etre." Steve has worked with numerous eminent musicians and groups, including Brian Bromberg, Brandon Fields, Rob Mullins, Pat Kelley, Gregg Karukas, Free Flight, Alex Acuna, Tom Brechtlein, Gary Novak, Jeff Richman. He was a member of the band "Continuum" for 15 years, and he has been a member of the LA Music Academy staff since its very earliest days.
Bjorn Fleuren, bassist. Hailing from The Netherlands, Bjorn studied under Ed Lucie at the LA Music Academy and graduated from both the Amsterdam Conservatorium and the Rotterdam Conservatorium. He is the bass player for the rock band "My Precious Days" and demonstrates his versatility and rare combination of chops and great time feel in gigs throughout Southern California.
Emir Isilay, keys. Emir studied with reknowned pianist Aydin Esen and attended Berklee College of Music. He has received numerous awards in Turkey for his compositions, and, while at Berklee, he received the Claire Fischer award for Jazz Composition; The Robert Share award for Best Film Scoring Student; and the Best Piano Player award, all in 2002. He recently worked as arranger and orchestrator on the Emmy-nominated theme for the NBC show "Boomtown" and is currently working as arranger and orchestrator on the underscore for the WB's hit TV series, "Summerland." Emir has performed with such luminaries as David Foster and Tiger Okoshi and has toured throughout the United States, Japan and Turkey. He is, along with Andrew Campbell, one of the world's foremost experts in the subject of "Family Chords."
Gilad Ronen, saxophonist. Gilad is attending the prestigious Monk Institute and has recently shared the stage with Wayne Shorter, Terence Blanchard, Herbie Hancock, and Brian Blade, among others. In 1997 he graduated with honors from the Thelma-Yalin School of the Arts in Tel-Aviv. Competitions he has won include the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition and the America-Israel Art Foundation Award. He was awarded the prestigious Alma & Lee Berk Full Tuition Scholarship to study at the Berklee College of Music. During his studies at Berklee, he received the Frederick Cameron Weber Award for outstanding achievement and musical contribution to the school in 2002. He has also participated in the highly selective program at the Henry Mancini Institute. In addition, Gilad is the leader of Na-Na, a musical group that performs his own original compositions.
Matt Starr, drums. A native of Toronto, Matt has studied under such luminary drummers as Ralph Humphrey, Joe Morello and Vito Rezza. He graduated in 2001 from the LA Music Academy and has been seen recently performing with Jeff Richman, Russell Ferrante, Kevyn Lettau, Steve Tavaglione and Joe Bagg. Matt teaches at the LA Music Academy when not burning it up in The Andrew Campbell Network.
Andy Suzuki, saxophonist. Andy has performed and recorded with an illustrious roster of jazz innovators including Dave Brubeck and Chick Corea. He has been a key player in sessions with John Patitucci, Alex Acuna and Don Was, a s well as a recording and touring member of both David Benoit's band and Kilauea. His feature film and television dates have included George of the Jungle, Beverly Hills 90210, and Northern Exposure.