Judy Carmichael is a real rarity, a pianist that came up since 1950 who specializes in the pre-World War II piano style called stride. Carmichael, who was not even born in 1950, started on piano when her grandfather offered $50 to the first grandchild who could play "Maple Leaf Rag." She played music for the first time professionally when she was 19 and was a ragtime pianist at Disneyland when she discovered stride piano. In 1980 she made her recording debut on Progressive, utilizing four veteran players (including Marshall Royal and Freddie Greene). The following year Carmichael moved to New York and has worked steadily ever since. She recorded more sets for Progressive/Statiras and most recently for her own CD label. Judy Carmichael plays at the same level as the classic masters. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
While attending school at Geneva in upstate New York, Hashim joined the school band programme. His first choices, drums and trombone, were ruled out and he settled instead on alto saxophone. His interest in music had been sparked when he met a fellow student, Phil Flanigan, whose father had an extensive jazz record collection. They listened to a wide range of musicians, from Sidney Bechet to Frank Zappa, by way of Lester Young and Charlie Parker. By chance, he and Flanigan met guitarist Chris Flory and with drummer Johnny Ellis they formed a quartet. By the mid-70s Hashim was working regularly, often with Flanigan and Flory. He played mostly in the New York/Rhode Island area and when Flory went into Scott Hamilton 's band (where he was later joined by Flanigan), Hashim joined the Widespread Depression Orchestra of South Vermont. Later, when Widespread moved to New York, Hashim went along too, eventually taking over leadership of the band which continued to perform into the mid-90s. He has played with Muddy Waters, Benny Carter, studied with altoist Jimmy Lyons, and worked for a while in a band led by Jo Jones. He continued to work with Flory, in a trio completed by the excellent young stride pianist Judy Carmichael. He tours extensively throughout the USA and Europe and he also played in China on a US Information Service-backed tour. Although his musical interests lie in post-bop jazz, Hashim's feeling for the tradition is never far from the surface. He continues to attract attention and admiration for his warm-toned, dynamic and always inventive playing on alto and soprano saxophones.
Flory first played guitar as a child. Strongly influenced by such major guitarists as Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt, he began playing professionally in 1974. Within a few years he had become a regular associate of Scott Hamilton, touring internationally and making records. Although he continued his links with Hamilton throughout the 80s he also played with other jazzmen including Hank Jones, Bob Wilber and Ruby Braff and for four years from 1979 was a regular member of the occasionally reformed Benny Goodman Sextet. He also played with the Goodman big band in 1985 at what proved to be the leader's final public performance. In the late 80s and early 90s Flory appeared on numerous record dates with artists such as Hamilton, Braff, Wilber, Maxine Sullivan and Rosemary Clooney. He also became a familiar and popular figure on the international circuit, sometimes in company and other times as a single. A fluent improvisor and gifted accompanist, Flory's solo work bears traces of his idols but he has steadily become a distinctive and distinguished guitarist in his own right.
This series is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Williams Family Foundation, by a continuing subscription from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, by a grant from the Wyckoff Family Foundation, and by the friends of Geneva Concerts. For additional information contact info@genevaconcerts.org. 
