JAZZ GREATS * THE NEXT GENERATION * SUNDAY MORNING LIVE JULY 24TH. 9:00 TO NOON!

Born in Oslo, Norway April 2nd 1990, Felix Peikli ( www.kingclarinet.com)

found his way into music trough the local Marching Band at the age of 8. They picked out the instrument, which today seems to have been the perfect choice, a clarinet. 2 years later and demotivated to pursue the music in the marching band, Felix received a Benny Goodman recording by his grandfather. The motivation came right away after hearing the dazzling and amazing music that a clarinet could produce and Benny Goodman became the new idol. His first performance was during the Jam session at Oslo Jazzfestival in 2002. Too young to enter the bar, Felix and his mother Une argued their way in. Unaware that celebrities like Joe Lovano was in the audience, Felix played and was invited back the next day for his first hired gig playing with a visiting band in the Grand Hotel the Mirror Hall. This was motivation beyond belief and hard practicing layed ahead together with upcoming achievements. Felix participated in different contest such as AOM (local), OM (state), NM (national), UKM (nation) and won a series of prizes. Felix became a student at Barratt Dues Classical Institute of Norway and studied there with Fredrik Fors (from 2004 – 2008). He also was selected to compete on Nation TV and won the National Dreamprize in 2005. After that achievement, Felix begun performing heavily with about 3 – 4 gigs a week, while still in school maintaining top grades.

Felix has always cared about helping other people trough music and have always volunteered to play for people who need it the most, and played monthly at a center for people with amnesia. Felix became a student at Foss Music High school in 2006 and in the same year he won/received grant in ”the Grand Chance” on National TV. After that, Felix became a national icon and the official face fronting the art of jazz. Felix begun playing on National and International festivals, international appearances, concerts, etc. (such as in Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Croatia, U.K. etc.) and Talent.no became his main sponsor in 2007, working closely with Jorn Hoel. Felix received the Capital of Norway Honors Prize as the youngest recipient ever in 2007 and the same year, Felix attended Berklee College of Music’s 5 week Program where he was granted a Full Tuition Scholarship.

In his mission to help others through his music, Felix held a concert in 2007 in the relation of Harry Belafontes visit to Oslo, Norway, where all the money went to people with AIDS in the third world and ended up raising 5000 USD$ for that cause. In 2008 Felix had his ”Ready For Boston” concert as a token of his acceptance into Berklee College of Music the same year, and came back 1 year later (summer 2009) touring Oslo with his Berklee Professor Harry Skoler, playing tribute to Benny Goodman who would have celebrated 100 years in 2009.

Felix began his studies at Berklee College of Music fall 2008 and has been so fortunate to have the opportunity to study and play with/for many talented musicians and professors such as Frank Tiberi, Harry Skoler, Terri Lyne Carrington, Leo Blanco, Greg Osby, Hal Crook, Joe Lovano etc. Felix has accomplished a lot more than most of his peers, and thanks his Mother Une and the rest of his family and friends who has supported him to reach to where he is today. Felix will always be on the journey for making the best music possible and helping others.

My name is Italo Cunha. I am 18 years old and I am a Jazz Guitarist/ Composer/ Arranger/ Student/ Teacher. I was born and raised in Brasilia, Brazil and I currently attend The Berklee College of Music on a scholarship. Born in 1992, in a musical family, I started playing piano when I was 4 years old and guitar when I was 9. By the age of 12 I was performing professionally with local musicians. Please check out my MySpace (www.myspace.com/italocunha ) if you have time, write a comment or friend me!
ACHIEVEMENTS :
Won 1st prize at Festbandas in 2004
Won Musical Revelation at The Toque de Classe Institute in 2005
Received a Contemporary Musical Education Degree from The Toque de Classe Institute (the youngest recipient ever) in 2007
Was chosen by The Escola de Musica de Brasilia to play for the Minister of Education of Brazil as part of Young Artist Revelation.
Several appearances on television, newspapers, magazines, etc.
Received a Scholarship for the 5 week Berklee College of Music Summer Program in 2007
Won 3rd prize in the International Guitar Competition of Souza Lima/Berklee College of Music - age of 16