MODERN HOT RECORDS CD CATALOG Michael Gray – Violin Initially a self-taught instrumentalist, Michael learned to play violin while homesteading in Alaska. He acquired a music degree from University of Alaska, Anchorage. Michael is originally from Philadelphia. Since moving to the Puget Sound area, he has kept busy performing and recording with groups including Highwire, Grass Backwards, Quo ad Hoc, Point No Point and Odd Men Out. Michael is an accomplished composer and has recently worked part-time teaching positions at Cornish College and the University of Washington. Photo by Jim Mercure. Rick Leppanen – Double Bass and composer A native of Marquette, Michigan, Rick has a degree in mathematics and a minor in music from Northern Michigan University. His playing experience includes rock (he started as a rock ‘n’ roll guitarist at age 17), country, and jazz bands. He has been a jazz educator, teaching in the Marquette public schools under a grant from the NEA and Michigan Council for the Arts, and also taught at the Michigan Tech. Summer Youth Program for seven years. He has toured nationally with show groups, and since 1985 he has freelanced as a jazz bassist in the Seattle area. Rick recorded with the group Room to Move, with blues guitarist Eric Madis, and others, and has been a member of Pearl Django since June 1998. Photo by Jim Mercure.
