Miri Ben-Ari

Well respected in jazz circles, this incredible talent has modernized jazz music; creating a fusion of sound from her many years of working with various genres of music. Equated with what used to be "back in the days," the sound of Herbie Hancock and Grover Washington Jr., Miri Ben-Ari's "Symphony of Brotherhood" introduces the new sound of popular instrumental music with much vigor and spirit.  

A globally recognized musician, Miri Ben-Ari is known for her ability to delight all audiences with her unique blend of sound and song.  With collaborations with Grammy award winning artists such as Kanye West, Jay Z, Wyclef Jean and John Legend, this classically trained musician has helped sell millions of records, earning the title of "the hip hop violinist."

Rufus Reid

Rufus Reid's major professional career began in Chicago and continues since 1976 in New York City. His extensive jazz background and discography reads literally like the Who's Who in jazz. He has traveled, performed and recorded with many of the great Jazz Masters. He was privileged to share many musical moments with some that have passed on: Gene Ammons, Kenny Dorham, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt, Don Byas, Philly Joe Jones, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Dexter Gordon, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Art Farmer.

Rufus happily continues performing and recording in collaboration with other wonderful musicians, such as Lee Konitz, Roni Ben-Hur, Bob Mintzer, George Cables, Billy Hart, Bill Mays and Marvin Stamm, as well as his own group, The Rufus Reid Quintet.

Rufus Reid is equally known as an exceptional educator as well, teaching clinics since 1971, with associations with Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops, the Stanford University Jazz Workshop, and the Lake Placid Institute, to name a few. Rufus was on the faculty of William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, as Full Professor and Director of the Jazz Studies and Performance program for twenty years completing his tenure in 1999. The WPU Jazz Program continues to be considered one of the best in the country for the aspiring jazz student.

"The Barbera Transducer Bridge is by far the best and most consistent sounding pick-up I have ever experienced in over twenty years. The sound is even throughout my bass. What really is impressive is it's ability to sound good when using only a flat response with no frequency enhancement, no pre-amp boosting, on just about any generic amplifier. All the fundamentals and natural harmonics just sing out.

"The Barbera System sounds equally great when using bowing or pizzicato techniques. The reproduction of my sound is remarkable, it is rich and warm and truly a pleasure to hear and play with. I am constantly being complimented on the presence and the clarity that is projected to the audience. Soundmen are very impressed with the clarity of the signal when I go direct into their sound system.

"The bottom line for me is that I can play at any volume and still play my bass as if I were playing totally acoustic. That is a real accomplishment. Bravo Rich Barbera!" - Rufus Reid

Miroslav Vitous

Miroslav Vitous played music with his brother Alan and Jan Hammer while attending the Prague Conservatory, and played in a Dixieland band with trumpeter/singer Jírí Jerinek. Winning first prize in an international music competition in Vienna gave Miroslav the opportunity to study in the U.S., at Berklee College of Music. It was during this time that he was asked to play in Cannonball Adderley's group, but turned it down in order to complete his studies at Berklee. In the summer of 1967, Miroslav moved to New York to get involved in the vibrant music scene of the mid-sixties.

When Miroslav came to New York in 1967 he had the opportunity to play with a host of great musicians such as Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Bob Brookmeyer, Stan Getz, Herbie Mann, Miles Davis and Chick Corea, to name a few. 1967 was also the year when America lost one of its jazz legends: John Coltrane. Coltrane had been a significant force in moving jazz to its free form, away from the hard bop, modal method of the fifties. Many performers during this time started integrating rock and free-form improvisations into their music. There were some rock influences, as well as experimentations with electronic instruments which were evident in many albums during this period. This is how fusion had its start, which may be broadly defined as the juxtaposition of numerous genres such as rock, funk, electronics and technology.

Miles Davis is considered to a very influential catalyst to the fusion style. From many of Miles' collaborators came the first wave of fusion musicians, such as Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea and Stanley Clark. One of the most celebrated fusion bands formed in 1971, was Weather Report. The musicians included saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Joe Zawinul and Miroslav on bass. Other members included Airto Moirera and Alphonse Mouzon, who contributed to their first two albums, 'Weather Report' and 'I Sing the Body Electric'. Within these albums are evidence of experimentations with electronic effects on the bass as well as electric piano and organ. Miroslav played his bass upright, which he does to this day. The sounds eminating from the bass produced a horn-like vocal quality. These albums were characterized by very fluid arrangements and a highly improvised style.

"My Barbera pickup sounds fantastic live. The tone is so clear, like my Neumann microphone but with much more power. This is the best pickup I've ever used." - Miroslav Vitous