Pearl Flute Artists

Rhonda Larson plays on a 14K Pearl Flute (with 18K Mouthpiece)

“...Once every generation there comes along a transformative force that breaks all the industry rules. Larson wields her instrument like a blow torch, breaking down our Victorian preconceptions of what the classical flute should be, how it should sound and where it should take us...This intensely gifted flutist needed little more than her native Montana charm to win the hearts of the packed house...” raves Connecticut’s VOICES review of “THE RHONDA LARSON BAND” in concert. Flutist James Galway said of Rhonda, “...she’s one of the best---a great player---and she does her own thing.”

Entering the national music scene as a classical flutist, Rhonda Larson won first place in the National Flute Association’s Young Artist Competition in 1985, and was awarded a Carnegie Hall debut. Shortly thereafter, Rhonda joined forces with the Paul Winter Consort, crossing over into the World Music genre. She has toured in Russia, Asia, Europe, Central America and throughout North America. Rhonda won a Grammy Award for the “SPANISH ANGEL” release, recorded live in Spain with the Consort. Rhonda officially parted from the group at that time to embark on her individual music path.

Commencing Larson’s solo musical pursuits, she released “FREE AS A BIRD” on EarthSea Records, receiving world-wide critical acclaim. The recording is marked by a marriage of Rhonda’s classical heritage to the traditions of jazz, celtic, ethnic, and sacred music. Larson’s unique blend of genres, combined with her musical and technical wizardry, has begun a new generation for the flute as a leading voice in the music world. A review from the New York convention of the National Flute Association affirmed, “...her technical abilities are astoundingly advanced! She does something that sounds like she is playing chords on the flute...she’s destined to be a mega star...”

Rhonda has not only established herself as a virtuoso performer, but as a foremost ethnic flutist encompassing traditions from around the world. Most recently, Larson traveled to South Africa as a musical ambassador for the United States to perform for the Parliament of the World’s Religions, sharing the stage with such luminaries as Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama.

Composing much of her own repertoire, Larson continues to be recognized as a visionary force, creating a refreshing hybrid music for the flute. In the pioneering spirit of her home state of Montana, Rhonda continues to blaze her own trails...

David Shostac “My Pearl Flute has all the qualities I need in an instrument.”

As soloist and chamber musician, flutist David Shostac has received praise for his performances throughout North America. Solo appearances have included the Hollywood Bowl, the Casales Festival of Puerto Rico, New York's Lincoln Center, and the Aspen Music Festival in which he has participated as artist-faculty member since 1982.

Presently principal flutist and frequent soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Shostac has held that position with the St. Louis, Milwaukee, and New Orleans Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Mostly Mozart Orchestra, the Ojai Festival, and the Carmel Bach Festival.

The Recipient of two Rockefeller performance grants, David Shostac has also been a prizewinner in the Young Musicians Foundation national solo competitions and the prestigious Coleman Chamber Music competition. In addition, he has received the Henry B. Cahbot and William Schuman awards at Tanglewood.

Mr. Shostac's recordings include a solo album on Crystal Records, the complete Brandenburg Concerti, the Honegger Concerto da Camera, Janacek's Mladi and many orchestral works. Soon to be released are several new solo recordings on Crystal, Genesis, and Ambassador labels.

Mr. Shostac also appeared as a solo artist at the 1996 International Flute Convention, held in New York City.

Sheridan Stokes, Senior Lecturer. Flute instructor at UCLA since 1972 and director of the UCLA Flute Consort.

Stokes is a specialist in contemporary music and the author of Special Effects for Flute and the Illustrated Method for Flute (endorsed by Rampal). These books are sold worldwide. The Illustrated Method for Flute has been translated into Japanese and is published in Japan. Stokes studied from the age of eight with the finest teachers in Los Angeles. At 16 he was hired to play solo piccolo with the Denver Symphony. He attended U.S.C. on a music scholarship, and at 20 became the youngest contract musician in Hollywood; playing piccolo with the renowned 20th Century Fox orchestra under Alfred Newman. Stokes is the solo future on “Mission Impossible” (TV and Movie), ”Out of Africa”, “E.T.”, “Kung Fu”, “Roots”, “Spitfire Grill”, “Apollo 13”, and thousands of other movie and T.V. scores. He received the MVP award for flute from the National Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1981, 82 and 83. In 1984 he received their prestigious Emeritus award. Masterclasses include “Bud Shank’s” Jazz Festival in Port Townsand, Wa. and “Curso de Invierno” in Benidorm, Spain. Premiers include “Concerto” for flute and orchestra by John Williams (1974 UCLA), “Willow Willow” for electric bass flute and percussion by Paul Chiihara (1969 Monday Evening Concerts) recorded on C.R.I., and “On the Wings of the Wind” for solo flute and orchestra by Harry Bulow (1996 Charlotte, N.C.). He has been featured on recordings with Frank Sinatra, Jascha Heifitz, Judy Collins, Natalie Cole, and the Carpenters. His compositions include “Laisse Le Voler” (flute and Marimba). Solo CD records include his transcription of ”Six Sonatas” by Boccherini (Orion-Naxos), “Torbellino” by Caliendo for flute and guitar (Efficaci), “Trio” by Lazarof for flute, clarinet and oboe (Laurel), and “Quintet” by Levitch for flute and strings (Orion). Mr. Stokes has been 1st flute and soloist with the Glendale Symphony for 25 years (Carmen Dragon and Lalo Schifrin directors), and has played 1st flute with the ABT, Houston Ballet, San Fransisco Ballet, and Harlem Ballet. In 1996 he was 1st flute with the Hollywood Festival Orchestra's CD and Video of the “Three Sopranos” and in 1997 was 1st flute with Hollywood Academy Awards Orchestra at the Shrine Auditorium.

Nestor Torres
"The master flutist and composer makes music for the senses -- sweetly melodic and hotly rhythmic. A jazzman and a romance balladeer, he is the definitive, meditative musician for the post-New Age."

Nestor Torres’ life and music are testaments to the human spirit, ongoing, celebrations of courage and triumph in the face of the most difficult circumstances. Although the boating accident which nearly took his life happened almost ten years ago, the famous jazz flutist’s vow upon his recovery to use his music to both uplift and inspire people has become a glorious thread throughout his work. Nestor considers his SHANACHIE Label debut recording TREASURES OF THE HEART his most personal statement yet, an ongoing reflection of that positive energy which draws upon his trademark Latin jazz sound but also incorporates exciting urban grooves and picture-perfect smooth jazz melodies.

Nestor was presented the Lating Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album of the Year, in an announcement made at a high profile Los Angeles press conference. Due to the tragic events of September 11, the scheduled date for the award ceremony, the telecast of the 2nd annual event was canceled. Nestor’s album “This Side of Paradise” is available through Music Masters Incorporated.

Benoit Fromanger plays on a Pearl

Famed French Flutist, Benoit Fromanger, and the Pearl Flute Company have announced their new alliance. Heralded as a flute master, Messr. Fromanger has performed as a soloist in Europe, the Americas and Asia, and has been a member of the Bavarian Radio Symphony and the Berlin Philharmonic. He was privileged to have studied with legendary French flutists Alain Marion and Jean Pierre Rampal. After two years of collaboration between Fromanger and Pearl’s master craftsmen, a novel headjoint design has emerged—the Forte.

“Rencontre—Straight-Live recording in Tokyo” is Fromanger’s latest CD. For information on purchasing, call/email Music2Master.com at 952-924-4141.

Lori Bell

Brooklyn native Lori Bell is a flutist and composer of admirable depth and broad musical sympathies. A resident of San Diego, she has contributed to the development of higher standards of jazz performance while earning acclaim from both peers and critics for her artistry on stage and in recordings.

Her debut on Discovery Records, “Love Will Win” with pianist/vocalist Dave Mackay and assist Andy Simpkins, received warm praise and four and a half stars (out of five) from the esteemed Leonard Feather and was selected on the Grammy list for Best New Artist in 1983. A second Discovery disc, “Take Me To Brazil”, showed a natural fluency in this Latin idiom and demonstrated her ability to maintain a high level of inspiration. This album featured the first of several fine compositions and was enthusiastically given four stars by the Los Angeles Times in 1989.

Over the past 15 years, Ms. Bell’s many performances in venues such as the Wadsworth Theater, Elario’s and the Jazz Bakery established her reputation, among musicians and audiences alike, as a remarkably vital interpreter. Her outstanding contributions with the ensemble Straight Ahead, during the 2997 Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center, broadened that reputation and were noted in the music periodical Jazziz for their fire and commitment. She continues to deepen her understanding of the rich, varied language of jazz even as she develops her eloquent gifts of communication.

In 1998, this artistic maturity was delightfully demonstrated with her stellar work with Dave Mackay and guitarist/vocalist Ron Satterfield in the trio Interplay. Their Self-titled first album from Webster’s Last Word was selected on the 1999 Grammy ballot in four categories, including Best Jazz Solo by Ms. Bell on Pat Metheny, “It’s Just Talk.” The disc, which garnered four stars from Scott Yanow in Strictly Jazz magazine, also features her composition “Playing in The Snow”, a waltz that skillfully combines an uncommon musicality with a fresh, intrinsic charm.

There is a surpassing craftsmanship-inspired improvisation rendered within a wonderful harmonic and melodic framework-that is at once fulfilling to the musician’s mind and music lover’s heart. It is a quality, which embodies the fundamental appeal of Ms. Bell’s music and which conveyed her special talents to a wider audience with her most recent endeavor, her eponymous CD.

Released in 2002 on the Beezwax label, the “Lori Bell” album successfully interpreted more commercially viable arrangements grounded in the best jazz fundamentals. The Grammy Award panel recognized the album’s comprehensive excellence with selections in five categories, among them Best Instrumental Arrangement and Best Contemporary Jazz Album. The press also found the collaborative efforts of Ms. Bell and her colleagues to be exceptionally persuasive.

Marco Pignataro wrote in Jazz Improv of “…truly enjoy(ing) the sophistication of the arrangements and the professionalism of each member of Mrs. Bell’s band.” And noted that Bell’s “…command of the flute is outstanding…(her) arabesques really paint some beautiful landscapes.” He appreciated the album for “…delivering a good mélange of playful grooves and soothing atmospheres as a backdrop for Bell’s remarkable flute playing.” In addition, Cadence magazine’s Frank Rubolino observed that Ms. Bell “…makes the music happen with her wide range of improvising skills and melodious tonality.” He also remarked of her “definitive solo statements on each of the tunes…” while commending her for the lyrical intensity and spontaneity of her tasteful playing.

Most recently, Ms. Bell performed at the Gala for the 2003 Annual Conference of the National Flute Association. She and her musical partner, Ron Satterfield, distinguished themselves as worthy peers of the many fine musicians that graced the stage that evening. She seeks to use the valuable experience of participating in the annual conference as a foundation for inspired effort in reaching an even higher level of musical excellence.