Mandolin and Banjo
In May 2022, I shared my 10+ years of research on historic New Orleans music related buildings and addresses with radio station WWOZ’s A Closer Walk page.
https://acloserwalknola.com
They have done a terrific job with the layout, history, photos and maps. It is my small contribution to the preservation of historic New Orleans music sites.
Please visit the site and take a historical walk when in New Orleans.
Red Oak Trio
Just like an oak tree, the Red Oak Trio has deep roots. Their repertoire is a wide variety of American ‘Roots’ Music from old time string band and bluegrass to honky-tonk, blues and swing. The Red Oak Trio has deep roots as musical collaborators for many years playing clubs, events and concert venues.
Fiddler and guitarist Dave Rimelis has grown up playing ‘roots’ music early on with his father, country singer Idaho Ed. He has toured the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, China and the Middle East. His versatility ranges from fiddle contests to Latin ensembles. Dave is a renowned composer where his music can be heard on feature films, national TV and orchestras around the world. Currently, he serves as artist-in-residence for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Professor of Jazz at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Todd Collins plays guitar, mandolin and banjo with the Red Oak Trio. He has performed throughout the U.S. in a variety of styles and settings. His recordings have received national and international airplay. He is the author of several books on mandolin including a ‘best seller’ for Mel Bay Publishing titled “Monroe Instrumentals”. Todd is a professor at County College of Morris in Randolph, N.J. where he teaches American ‘Roots’ Music, recording classes and lessons on guitar, banjo and mandolin.
Bassist Todd Lanka is one of N.J.’s most respected and sought-after electric and upright ‘roots’ and rock bassists who can add something incredibly special to the mix. A graduate of William Paterson’s Jazz Program, his impressive resume includes working with singer/songwriters Steve Forbert and Brian Molnar, Jake Mosca & the Travelers Rockabilly band and The High Bridge Low Boys Bluegrass Band. He is also a prominent classical cello, double-bass and guitar instructor in Hunterdon County, N.J.
Together the Red Oak Trio is deep-rooted in experience and expertise that is evident in their rousing performances.
Here are links to videos of a new band with Todd Lanka – acoustic bass, Danny Weiss – guitar, Terry McGill – banjo,
Gary Olear – fiddle and TC- mandolin.
Shot in Califon, NJ at the old railroad station on July 16, 2020.
Listen to the CCM 4 play “When the Saints Go Marching In” on the Audio page.
Recorded on March 3, 2020 at CCM on a 1905 wax cylinder recorder by museum curator Jerry Fabris of the Edison National Historic Park.
CCM 4
Teresa Roccanova – vocals
Dr. Rich Gradone – cornet
Frank Murphy – acoustic bass
Todd Collins – ‘guitjo’
I am proud to announce that my promotion to full professor has gone through. After 25 years of working and teaching at County College of Morris, I have climbed up the ranks to the top level. I am grateful and proud to be with CCM after all of these years.
The County College of Morris (CCM) Music, Performing Arts and Music Technologies department will present Tech Talk featuring a demonstration by Jerry Fabris, museum curator at the Thomas Edison National Historic Park. The presentation will take place at CCM’s Music Technology Center’s Performance Lab, Room 105, on Tuesday, March 3, 12:30-1:45p.m. The public is welcome to attend this free and informative demonstration. CCM is located at 214 Center Grove Road in Randolph.
Fabris will give a live demonstration of Edison’s original wax cylinder phonograph. He will be conducting a live recording and playback session demonstrating Edison’s invention that inspired the growth of musical artistry and led to the birth of the record industry. Edison’s invention changed the world and is essential to everything the music recording industry does today.
This program is partially funded by the State of New Jersey and the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuesday, October 15th
County College of Morris (CCM)
Center Grove Rd., Randolph, NJ
Documentary by Playing for Change
“Peace Through Music” with introduction and Q&A by composer Dave Rimelis
12:30pm
FREE and open to the public
There are jazz duets uploaded on the Audio Samples page. Todd Lanka on acoustic bass and TC on jazz guitar. Check them out.
Audio gear designer Dave Derr of Empirical Labs will be visiting CCM on Tuesday, November 27th at 12:30 in the Experimental Theater (Black Box).
Dave is best known for his Distressor that can be found in any major recording studio around the world. Come out to hear what Dave is working on now. Free and open to the public.
County College of Morris Music Technology Summer Workshops
Workshops in music recording and electronic music
Open to high school students ages 15-18
July 11,12 and 13
9am -noon
This a an excellent chance for kids to work with professionals at CCM’s state of the art studios.
Call: 973-328-5430
or email: tcollins@ccm.edu
for more info.