Music Blog

The Rochester Music Hall of Fame this morning announced its lineup for the seventh annual induction ceremony. The ceremony will be held Sunday, April 22, 7 p.m., in Kodak Hall at The Eastman Theatre. This year's inductees include percussionist, composer, and  Eastman School of Music faculty member John Beck; the Grammy Award-winning sacred steel supergroup The Campbell Brothers; the go-to drummer for Clapton and beyond, Steve Gadd; bassist for Peter Gabriel and King Crimson (and Gadd 's frequent partner in crime) Tony Levin; and the Emmy-nominated composer Ferdinand  Jay Smith.

John Beck has been  a faculty member at ESM for 60 years, and is now Professor Emeritus of Percussion . His book "Encyclopedia of Percussion" is in its second edition. Beck will perform solo at the ceremony as well as with an ensemble and Prime Time Funk, the RMHF house band.

Since 1997, The Campbell Brothers have been at the top of the sacred steel scene and have influenced  disciples like Robert Randolph, who will perform with the band at this year's ceremony.

Drummer Steve Gadd  appeared on "The Mickey Mouse Club" at age 12, but that wasn't big deal — by age 11 he had already jammed with Dizzy Gillespie. Gadd is still as in-demand as ever, playing drums with Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Eric Clapton. Incidentally,  Gadd played in the Chuck Mangione Quartet with fellow 2018 inductee Tony Levin.
Tony Levin is a monster bass player with his trademark percussive attack. He has released six solo albums and has played on more than 70 collaborative recordings. He and Gadd will perform together with the group L'Image at the induction ceremony.

You'll recognize Ferdinand Jay Smith's  music from the  HBO main theme  as well as from the 1980 and '88 Olympics. You'll also recognize Smith's rich speaking voice from advertisements for national clients like Chevrolet and all the way down home with Wegmans and Raymour & Flanigan. A medley of Smith's compositions will be performed.

The Seventh Annual  Rochester Music Hall of Fame 2018 induction ceremony happens Sunday, April 22, at Kodak Hall in Eastman Theatre. 7p.m. $31-$76 Rochestermusic. org