Chicago born timpanist/percussionist Jonathan Haas is a teacher, an entrepreneur, and is recognized internationally for his versatility as a conductor and as an orchestral, chamber and solo musician. Mr. Haas is the principal timpanist of the New York Chamber Symphony and the Aspen Chamber Orchestra. He is the principal percussionist of the American Symphony and a member of the American Composers Orchestra. He performs regularly with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, the New York Pops, the New Jersey Symphony and has recorded and performed with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony, and the EOS Ensemble. Mr. Haas has appeared as a solo timpani recitalist at Carnegie Recital Hall, on the Distinguished Artists Recital Series at New York's 92nd St. 'Y' and as a guest artist with the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, the Chamber Music at the 'Y' Series, the Newport Chamber Music Festival, American Brass Quintet, Canadian Brass and DaCamera of Houston. He has been heard in recital with the classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, flutist Mark Sparks, and pianists Emanuel Ax and Joseph Kalichstein. During the 2000/01 season Mr. Haas will embark on international solo concerto engagements performing the Philip Glass Timpani Concerto, commissioned by Mr. Haas and the American, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Phoenix and the Peabody Symphony Orchestras. Mr. Haas is director of the Peabody Conservatory Percussion Studio, a faculty artist of the Aspen Music School. He conducts the percussion ensembles at both institutions. He has presented masterclasses throughout the United States and internationally, at the Toho Gauken, Hanoi Conservatory, Paris Conservatory, and the Graz Percussion School. He is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and as a student of Saul Goodman, received his master's degree from The Juilliard School. Recent projects include an unprecedented recording of 18th Century Virtuoso Timpani Concerti and his highly acclaimed hot jazz timpani performances with his band, Johnny H. and The Prisoners of Swing. Mr. Haas recorded and videotaped the solo mallet book for the Grammy award winning "Zappa's Universe" as well as exploring the world of rock and roll with his band CLOZSHAVE. He has recorded with Aerosmith, Michael Bolton, Black Sabbath, and Emerson Lake and Palmer. Mr. Haas's entrepreneurial endeavors include the creation of a record label, Sunset Records, as well as Kettles and Company, which provides high end timpani and percussion instruments for rent. Mr. Haas works closely with percussion industry manufacturers Mike Balter Mallets, Pearl/Adams, Pro Mark, Remo and Zildjian. For more information about Jonathan Haas go to http://www.aboutjonathanhaas.com