Drummer, composer, educator and perpetual student Audra Menconi continues to captivate and engage with a music and teaching career spanning over 35 years. Her drumming and compositions reveal a passionate, soulful spirit, with an eclectic musical background that began very early. By age 14 she began playing professionally. A native of San Antonio TX Audra spent years living in Boston and NYC studying, performing and recording with master musicians from all over the world.
A Vic Firth Artist Representative, she most recently recorded with the great Tisziji Munoz in Richmond VA along with Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Don Pate, and John Medeski.
At the age of 20, Audra studied with Max Roach during The Jazz in July Camp at University of Amherst. His recognition of her talent and close mentorship helped flame a fire of confidence and determination already growing in this aspiring young drummer. As a member of the student quintet, Jazz In July Express, Audra performed at The Bright Moments Jazz Festival featuring Max Roach, Oliver Lake, Yusef Lateef, Shiela Jordan and The Billy Taylor Trio. Years later, Audra formed a Jazz Camp modeled after that program and has been fortunate to be able to inspire many young musicians. Jazz In July Band Camp, the first of it's kind in San Antonio has an alumni of musicians, composer and educators who continue to share the tradition .
Audra moved to Boston, MA to study with legendary drummer "Rakalam" Bob Moses at the New England Conservatory of Music. To sum up the essence of Rakalam's influence and teaching; Living Music. Achieving a Master's degree in Jazz Studies was only a by-product of being submersed in an environment of master musicians and teachers, gifted students from all over the world, and the opportunity to "learn while doing". It was at NEC that Audra studied and performed with Rakalam; as well as George Garzone, George Russell, Geri Allen, Dave Holland, Cecil McBee, John McNeil, Ran Blake, Alan Dawson, Fred Buda and Jimmy Giuffre, ...as well as all the visiting faculty and students from the Boston area who inspired and motivated one another in an environment that fostered experimentation, thinking outside the box, and most importantly--developing one's own personal style. Studying and performing with the late great George Russell had a profound impact on her compositions as can be heard in "Josephine" on Secret World, featuring George Garzone. After graduating from NEC Audra moved to NYC to performed/travel with the Kit McClure Band. During her time in New York, Audra also performed and recorded with artists such as; Michel Gentile, Frank Carlberg, Chris Wood, John Mediski, John McNeil, Jamie Baum and Hiro Honshuku, Takuya Nakamura
Audra has taught at at Texas State University, St. Mary's University as well as guest artist and clinician and performing with artists such as; Dr. James Polk, Rich Harney, and Bobby Meyer. She also. performed regularly with The Nobuko Trio (included a tour of Kumamoto Japan.) Audra also recorded her first CD as a co-leader with pianist Frank Carlberg. Prologue (1992) is a result of this piano/drumset duo formed during her time in Boston. Her second CD as a leader/composer Secret World was released in 2004. This quintet recording features tenor sax giant George Garzone and is comprised of Audra's original compositions and arrangements. Her latest solo release Make It Good
During the course of her career, Audra has performed in festivals and concerts with Richie Cole, Rufus Reid, Marcus Belgrave, George Russell, George Garzone, Hiro Honshuku, Frank Carlberg, Bob Mintzer, Dave Leibman, Hannibal Lokumbe, as well as her mentor Rakalam Bob Moses. This list of names continues to include so many musicians Audra has had the opportunity to play alongside and learn from. Although the names may not be as familiar, the gifts and talents they possess and share are equally influential.
Audra's music is constantly growing and changing and although she may be labeled a jazz musician/drummer, the entire lineage of her experiences and musical influences holds no boundaries. With an open mind and an open heart she strives to never stop learning, never stop sharing, and to always allow her music and teaching to define itself.
A Vic Firth Artist Representative, she most recently recorded with the great Tisziji Munoz in Richmond VA along with Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Don Pate, and John Medeski.
At the age of 20, Audra studied with Max Roach during The Jazz in July Camp at University of Amherst. His recognition of her talent and close mentorship helped flame a fire of confidence and determination already growing in this aspiring young drummer. As a member of the student quintet, Jazz In July Express, Audra performed at The Bright Moments Jazz Festival featuring Max Roach, Oliver Lake, Yusef Lateef, Shiela Jordan and The Billy Taylor Trio. Years later, Audra formed a Jazz Camp modeled after that program and has been fortunate to be able to inspire many young musicians. Jazz In July Band Camp, the first of it's kind in San Antonio has an alumni of musicians, composer and educators who continue to share the tradition .
Audra moved to Boston, MA to study with legendary drummer "Rakalam" Bob Moses at the New England Conservatory of Music. To sum up the essence of Rakalam's influence and teaching; Living Music. Achieving a Master's degree in Jazz Studies was only a by-product of being submersed in an environment of master musicians and teachers, gifted students from all over the world, and the opportunity to "learn while doing". It was at NEC that Audra studied and performed with Rakalam; as well as George Garzone, George Russell, Geri Allen, Dave Holland, Cecil McBee, John McNeil, Ran Blake, Alan Dawson, Fred Buda and Jimmy Giuffre, ...as well as all the visiting faculty and students from the Boston area who inspired and motivated one another in an environment that fostered experimentation, thinking outside the box, and most importantly--developing one's own personal style. Studying and performing with the late great George Russell had a profound impact on her compositions as can be heard in "Josephine" on Secret World, featuring George Garzone. After graduating from NEC Audra moved to NYC to performed/travel with the Kit McClure Band. During her time in New York, Audra also performed and recorded with artists such as; Michel Gentile, Frank Carlberg, Chris Wood, John Mediski, John McNeil, Jamie Baum and Hiro Honshuku, Takuya Nakamura
Audra has taught at at Texas State University, St. Mary's University as well as guest artist and clinician and performing with artists such as; Dr. James Polk, Rich Harney, and Bobby Meyer. She also. performed regularly with The Nobuko Trio (included a tour of Kumamoto Japan.) Audra also recorded her first CD as a co-leader with pianist Frank Carlberg. Prologue (1992) is a result of this piano/drumset duo formed during her time in Boston. Her second CD as a leader/composer Secret World was released in 2004. This quintet recording features tenor sax giant George Garzone and is comprised of Audra's original compositions and arrangements. Her latest solo release Make It Good
During the course of her career, Audra has performed in festivals and concerts with Richie Cole, Rufus Reid, Marcus Belgrave, George Russell, George Garzone, Hiro Honshuku, Frank Carlberg, Bob Mintzer, Dave Leibman, Hannibal Lokumbe, as well as her mentor Rakalam Bob Moses. This list of names continues to include so many musicians Audra has had the opportunity to play alongside and learn from. Although the names may not be as familiar, the gifts and talents they possess and share are equally influential.
Audra's music is constantly growing and changing and although she may be labeled a jazz musician/drummer, the entire lineage of her experiences and musical influences holds no boundaries. With an open mind and an open heart she strives to never stop learning, never stop sharing, and to always allow her music and teaching to define itself.
