Roland U.S.

Steven Albini

Accordion player extraordinaire Steve Albini is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. His performances of Italian music fused with jazz and world rhythms have brought him international acclaim.

He has enchanted audiences throughout the United States and Italy with a blend of musical virtuosity and artistic passion. Steve’s live performances span Italian, world, jazz and Latin American genres.

As a studio musician, he is often called upon by artists, composers, and producers to add his touch to their projects. Steve also has a background in retail music sales.

Steve resides in Northern California with his family. Steve joined Roland Corporation U.S. in June 2001 and is currently the V-Accordion Product Manager.

Rosemary Bailey

Rosemary Bailey began playing the piano at the age of five, performing strictly classical music. She soon diversified and incorporated jazz and traditional popular styles in her repertoire. By the time she was nine years old, Rosemary had begun touring throughout the United States. Concurrently, she maintained a weekly radio show, The Rosemary Bailey Show, broadcast from Chicago.

Rosemary has performed with many name artists, including Victor Borge and Pete Nero, as well as the Duke Ellington Orchestra. She was also featured soloist with the Chicago Symphony under the direction of Dr. Leon Stein. At home on electronic as well as pipe organs, her concert schedule has taken her to such countries as Japan, South Africa, Canada, Italy, Spain, England, Holland, Denmark, Portugal, Germany and Australia.

Rosemary’s unique arrangements involve the marriage of her classical and popular music background. Perfect pitch enables her to effortlessly field requests from the audience and adds spontaneity to all her programs. Rosemary has developed a following of musical devotees wherever she performs and her numerous recordings are sought after by young and old alike.

Alicia Baker

Alicia Baker, from Milwaukie OR, is 19 years old and a music fanatic. She has been playing the accordion since the age of 6, and is also very accomplished both on piano and voice. Alicia currently attends Oregon State University, where she is studying to be a triple major with degrees in music education, piano performance, and vocal performance. Her future dreams include teaching choral music, as well as performing as much as possible on her three instruments. Accomplishments on the accordion include placing first in multiple accordion competitions, as well as winning the “Happy Hans Open” at the Kimberley International Old-Time accordion competition twice in Canada. She has also placed first in multiple divisions at the Leavenworth International Accordion Competition. More recently, Alicia competed in the National V-Roland Accordion Festival in Los Angeles and won the privilege of representing the USA at the International V-Accordion Roland festival, which took place in Rome, Italy, of November 2009. Alicia can confidently claim the title of International Accordion Champion.

O’Lyn Callahan

O’Lyn Callahan began studying music at the age of nine on the piano, eventually switching to organ at age 14. O’Lyn’s studies continued through her time at Fresno State University where she ultimately earned her master’s degree in classical organ performance.

O’Lyn spent nine years as an international keyboard artist. In that time, she was voted “Best Female Organist” by The Organist Magazine’s readership poll, as well as becoming a national finalist in an international organ competition.

In 1981, O’Lyn began a 14-year venture into business, opening O’Lyn Callahan’s Piano & Organ Center in Sarasota, FL. O’Lyn became the third woman elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Music Merchants during this time.

Throughout O’Lyn’s diverse career in the music industry, she has fostered a love for teaching, performing, and recording that continues to this day.

Johnny DeMarco

Johnny DeMarco hails from the home of rock—Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from the University of Akron, Johnny got into the local music scene as a guitar teacher and performer. He also received considerable notice throughout the Midwest as a founding member of the DeMarco Brothers band. After relocating to Las Vegas, Johnny spent several years playing the casino circuit in Nevada.

Johnny joined Roland in 2000 and continues to amaze audiences across the country with his vast range of musical styles and guitar techniques. If you meet him, ask him to play “The Entertainer” on a guitar...piano style!

Rick DePiro

Currently National Sales Support Specialist for Roland Corporation U.S., Rick was recently recognized as Roland’s Artist of the Year.

Spanning the pop, R&B, jazz-standards, classical and adult contemporary genres, Rick’s 2000+ performances worldwide include the Miss America Pageant, Christopher Reeve Benefit, An Evening at the Met with Kool & the Gang, USWA-AFL/CIO Constitutional Convention, numerous state fairs, jazz festivals and amphitheater performances. He has also performed at the White House Governor’s Reception and privately for the President and Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Rick and members of his band previously toured and performed with various artists, including Melissa Etheridge, Janet Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Michael McDonald, David Foster, Quincy Jones, Natalie Cole and Earth, Wind & Fire. In addition, Rick has copyrighted and published over 200 original songs.

Ed Diaz

Ed Diaz is a multi-instrumentalist from Houston, Texas, with over 20 years experience in music, starting at the age of 13.

Ed has performed on trumpet and keyboards in many diverse styles of music. In 2001, he earned a Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Texas in Arlington where he performed with the jazz orchestra. His credits include being Musical Director for the Howard Scott Band and keyboardist for WAR.

Ed has spent the last four years working in music retail in Texas, California, and Washington, focusing on sales and management. Since 2006, Ed has brought his talent and musical performance knowledge to a wide range of Roland products as an expert clinician.

Steve Fisher

Steve Fisher is an accomplished drummer/percussionist and a well-known figure in the field of electronic percussion.

Steve’s music background includes playing with North Texas State’s 1 O’Clock Jazz ensemble, Maynard Ferguson, T Lavits, Dizzy Gillespie, Tom Scott, Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Temptations, as well as commercial and movie soundtracks.

As a Senior Product Specialist and Percussion Education Coordinator for Roland, Steve travels throughout the world performing numerous demonstrations on electronic percussion. As a member of the Roland research and development team, Steve is very involved with the concept, design, programming, and performance of Roland's electronic percussion products.

Paul Hanson

Paul Hanson, guitar clinician for Boss® and Roland®, produces and hosts a guitar talk radio podcast called Boss Tone Radio. Find it on iTunes and www.BossUS.com.

Paul tours with major bands – and he works as a guitar coach in Hollywood teaching guitar for leading actors and actresses including George Clooney, Michael J. Fox, Eric Stoltz, Mitch Pileggi (The X Files), Maria Conchita Alonso and Charlotte Ross.

Paul also writes and records music for TV and film. You can hear his music on the main menu of the first Matrix DVD, and on numerous movie previews, including The Fantastic Four and Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Among Paul’s published work are the best-selling guitar instructional book and CD set Shred Guitar (Alfred Publishing), Metal and Rock Improvising (Video, REH), Hard Rock Solos (REH), and Arpeggios for Lead Guitar (Video, Hal Leonard).

At Musicians Institute (GIT) in Hollywood from 1985-2000, Paul was an instructor specializing in rock guitar. In the 1990s, he was director of the Rock Guitar Dept at the American Institute of Music in Vienna, Austria, where he also toured supporting his solo album The Visitor.

Paul has three more solo albums, Paul Hanson Orchestra, Mojave Green, and coming soon Mindscanner, available at www.paulhanson.net.

Ric Iannone

Ric Iannone has been involved in music his entire life. He began playing the piano and accordion at the age of two and a half. By the time he was seven, Ric was performing public and private engagements with his musician father.

For more than 20 years, Ric has performed and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe delighting audiences with his unique playing style and music arrangements. As a concert artist and product specialist, he is equally comfortable playing the organ, piano or keyboard.

Ric enjoys teaching, arranging and conducting workshops. His free time is devoted to creating General MIDI software for his company IM Music. Ric and his wife, Connie reside, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Craig Jones

Craig “CJ” Jones moved to Los Angeles from Texas to attend the Guitar Institute of Technology in 1981. He quickly became part of the local L.A. music scene, touring and performing with artists as diverse as Leif Garrett, Edgar Winter, Susan Anton, Tori Amos and many others.

Besides being active as a studio guitarist, CJ became a staff member of Sunset Sound Recorders. At this world-famous facility, he learned engineering, MIDI sequencing, and hard disk recording techniques. This led him to form JonesTones Recording in Hollywood. During this period, CJ also landed a publishing deal, which resulted in much of his music being used for film and television soundtracks.

Besides composing for film and multimedia, CJ has an extensive background in sound FX design, ADR looping, and Foley recording/editing. CJ brings this experience to Roland Corporation U.S., where he conducts seminars and clinics all over the country. When he isn’t traveling for Roland, you’ll find him playing, writing, producing, and recording in Nashville, his home for the past four years.

Gary Lenaire

Gary Lenaire is a guitarist and composer and is mostly known for his work with the bands Tourniquet and Echo Hollow. He has released 12 records and was nominated for six GMA (Dove) Awards. He received HM Magazine’s “Guitarist of the Year” award from 1994-1996. He has published over 90 songs worldwide, including those found in the Roland VS-2480, BOSS® MICRO BR and BOSS BR-800. Gary continues to make appearances at popular music events.

Don Lewis

“Music is the most powerful way to inspire the human spirit.”

Don Lewis is a visionary who believes that music can and does make a difference in the world. As a child in Dayton, Ohio, music became Don’s “magic carpet” transporting him into a world filled with possibilities of concerts, recordings, and education. Whether performing in Carnegie Hall or touring with The Beach Boys, playing concerts in European cathedrals or jazz clubs in Chicago, Don’s music always brings a message of hope, peace, and inspiration. With his musical roots in church, music became a way of life throughout Don’s school years and adult life.

As a recording artist Don has worked in the studio with the likes of Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendes, Michael Jackson, The Brothers Johnson, and Marvin Hamlisch. He also has scored and produced music for television, film, and commercials. Don has several solo albums available on cdbaby.com.

An early interest in synthesizers and organ led Don in 1977 to create LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra) which Mr. Ikutaro Kakehashi credits as being the “inspiration for MIDI.” It is currently on exhibit at the NAMM Museum of Making Music. Don has led many seminars throughout the world, as well as at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and San Jose State University in music technology. Today, he continues his interest in new technology as a consultant and performing artist for the Roland Corporation.

Don’s commitment to youth resulted in 1987 in the Say “Yes” to Music! program, bringing the importance of dreams, education, and community to children through music. Most recently, he has co-produced the annual “Young Expressions” concerts featuring talented high school students, while mentoring them in the process. An enthusiastic instructor, Don Lewis teaches the course, “Gospel Music a Passionate History,” to students of all ages and continues his music ministry in churches throughout the world. Visit Don’s website at www.donlewismusic.com.

Choy Lozada

Choy Lozada is recognized internationally as one of the premier organists of our time. Originally from the Philippine Islands, Choy was introduced to the organ and piano at the age of seven. In 1979, Choy moved to the United States as a performing artist, product specialist and consultant to research and development for major manufacturers in the U.S. and Japan. Choy and his wife, Fredda, reside in Florida.

With refreshing originality and innovative arrangements, Choy’s music has inspired audiences in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Add this to his great sense of entertainment, distinct style, and incredible keyboard and pedal technique, the result can only be described as the “Choy Experience.”

Choy joined Roland Corporation U.S. in the spring of 2005 and he performs exclusively on the AT-90SL. This is an extraordinarily exciting combination of musical genius and Roland Atelier® technology.

Robert Marcello

Robert Marcello is a masterful guitar artist from Sweden. His skill and stylistic range have made him a sought-after tour and studio player for such artists as John Corabi (Motley Crue), Bobby Blotzer (RATT), Mike Vescera (Yngwie Malmsteen), Tony Montana (Great White), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), George Lynch (Dokken), Twisted Sister, Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Stet Howland (WASP) and many others.

Robert has toured internationally with the band Danger Danger since 2002, including a performance at the famous Sweden Rock Festival in 2004 before an audience of 25,000.

Robert is also a highly-regarded teacher and clinician, and currently travels the country - training guitarists and amazing audiences as a Roland/BOSS artist.

Hector Olivera

Since entering the Buenos Aires Conservatory as a child prodigy at age six, Maestro Hector Olivera has become one of the most sought after and revered international concert organists of the present time.

The Times Reporter describes an evening with Mr. Olivera as:
“An event, a happening, a joyful celebration of the sheer power and pressure that a true virtuoso like Hector Olivera can unleash in a concert hall.”

Born in Buenos Aires, Mr. Olivera began playing the pipe organ when he was three. At age five he played for the legendary EvaPerón;at twelve he entered the University of Buenos Aires and by 18 had performed for heads of state and celebrities throughout Latin America. When offered a scholarship at the renowned Juilliard School of Music in New York, he moved to the United States. Three years later, Mr. Olivera’s outstanding professional concert career was launched when he won the AGO’s National Improvisation Contest.

Mr. Oliverahas performed solo concerts throughout the USA,Europe, Asia,Australia, Central andLatin America, and as guest soloist with prominent symphony orchestras worldwide.

Whether in a prestigious venue like Carnegie Hall,Royal Albert Hall, Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Constitution Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, or in conjunction with a celebrated event like the Olympic games or the Classical Newport Music Festival, the most sophisticated and demanding organ aficionados claim that Maestro Hector Olivera is “one of the greatest organists in the world today.”

Visit www.hectorolivera.com for information about Mr. Olivera’s performance schedule, critical acclaims, CD/DVDs and special events.

Johnny Rabb

Johnny Rabb is a popular global clinician and product specialist for the expressive and powerful Roland V-Drums®. In his productive tenure with the Roland team, he has programmed drum kit patches for the Roland TD-12 and TDW-20 Expansion Board. Johnny also has been featured in or hosted the HD-1 DVD Manual and new DVD representing the flagship TD-20KX V-Drums. He continues to work closely with Roland Japan and the R&D team on product innovation.

Johnny is formally trained and extensively road-tested. Now based in Chicago, he continues to refine his music production, including performance, writing and recording, as well as stick design and digital applications. In his Nashville days, he toured with artists such as Maynard Ferguson, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams III, SHeDAISY, Deana Carter and Mindy McCready.

Today, performing for Roland and with his ingeniously progressive bands BioDiesel and DrumJockeys, Johnny is a favorite with audiences from Tokyo to New York to Madrid to Vienna, from Pittsburgh to Torreon to Atlanta to West Chester.

Chris Rybak

Chris has been surrounded by music since birth. His Dad, Leroy, has had a polka band for years. Chris’ mom brought him to all of the band dances, so Chris had a first row view of how the music was played.

Around the age of eight, Chris took piano lessons. By age 12, he developed a love for the accordion. During his teenage years, Chris played trumpet for the high school marching band. By age 14, he was often a requested guest of country music shows all over Texas. By age 18, he knew his love of music had big potential and he didn’t want to do anything else.

Performing with passion, fire, commitment and skill, his high-energy style of accordion music has attracted a lot of attention. He has recorded numerous albums and continues to do so.

Chris Rybak’s performance trail includes festivals of all types, country clubs, college dances, picnics, state and county fairs, weddings, corporate functions, country music parties, cruise ships and more – basically anywhere there’s a stage.

Chris joined the Roland team as a V-Accordion® Product Specialist in February of 2008.

Mike Snyder

You may not know it, but you’ve heard Mike’s work. For 10 years, he was a regular on the Los Angeles recording scene, bringing his special talents to many film and television soundtracks. In addition to every Mel Brooks movie from Spaceballs to Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Mike’s playing may be heard on many popular, syndicated television shows, including Home Improvement, Dinosaurs, and The Little Mermaid. His recording work is included in countless jingles, record projects, music for video, and lots of music and loop libraries.

Returning to the sanity of the Northwest after 10 years of life in Southern California, Mike continues to develop his unique talents. His varied performance abilities keep Mike busy recording, creating drum loops, and giving drum clinics in the U.S. and abroad. Mike holds a Master’s degree in Percussion from The University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s degree in Percussion from The University of Oregon. He is the author of All About...Electronic Percussion, published by Hal Leonard, and a frequent columnist for DRUM! magazine. His continued album tracking and national jingle work as a drummer, programmer, hand percussionist, and composer can be heard on music for Hewlett-Packard, Jeld-Wen, Microsoft, Westin Hotels, and Nike.

Mike has been heavily involved in electronic percussion design since the mid-80s, and his ideas and designs continue to influence the direction of electronic drums and percussion. DRUM! magazine’s Drummies readers’ poll named him runner-up electronic drummer of 2003. Mike continues to enlighten musicians about electronic percussion as a product specialist for Roland Drums and Percussion.

Scott Tibbs

Scott began his musical career at the age of 11 working for Bill Cosby in Las Vegas. By the time he graduated high school, Scott was a seasoned veteran in both writing and performing, working with numerous entertainers such as Lola Falana, Cher, Diana Ross, Wayne Newton, 5th Dimension, Dionne Warwick and many others. It was also in Las Vegas where he began conducting his own orchestra and big band arrangements in the showroom.

After high school, Scott dedicated his time to education, receiving a B.A. in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music, and an M.A. and Ph.D in Composition from UCLA. During these years, he also continued his commercial writing pursuits outside academia. Scott became a very in-demand writer and orchestrator for several films and television shows from the early 90s.

Scott’s music and orchestrations have been played (and conducted by him) by the London Symphony Orchestra, Hollywood Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Polish National Radio Orchestra, not to mention every session orchestra in Hollywood. From BET, the Grammys, television’s “One Tree Hill,” to commercials and film trailers, his music is everywhere in today’s media.

Scott has amassed a large body of music with numerous recording artists such as Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Howard Jones, Bruce Springsteen, Nelly, Lil’ Wayne, Robin Thicke, Bette Midler, Destiny’s Child, Jazmine Sullivan, Amerie, Jamie Foxx, Teddy Riley and more.

Scott joined Roland Corporation U.S. in 1993. Scott currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and family.

Chuck Wright

Chuck Wright, acclaimed concert organist, has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. He has performed on cruise ships sailing from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the chilly waters of Alaska. Chuck’s musical career includes a stint as keyboardist for the Grammy® award-winning The Imperials, the popular gospel back-up quartet for famous artists, including Elvis Presley, Jimmy Dean and Pat Boone.

Chuck’s keyboard virtuosity has been enjoyed by thousands. He takes his audience on a musical adventure, from big band to country, Gospel to theatre, and popular to current hits. It’s a pleasure you don’t want to miss.