Guest lecture by Zuri Appleby as part of DMP 222: Music Business course, taught by Anthony Casuccio.
Appleby is a professional bassist, vocalist, stylist, teacher, and model from Buffalo, NY. The daughter of two gifted musicians, Rodney and Linda Appleby, Zuri began her love of music by singing in the church choir at the age of five. She picked up the guitar at age seven, and was smitten with music from that time forward. She was active in all of the performing groups that her middle, junior, and high schools had to offer, playing the violin, French horn, guitar, and bass. By the age of 15, she was recruited to play for various musicals and performance groups in and around the Western New York area. At the age of 16, she was one of a very elite group of young adults who was asked to audition for the prestigious USMC Band where she became the youngest, first and only female bassist of color to ever play in the Marine Band.
Upon her honorable discharge as a Sergeant in 2009, Appleby pursued higher education at Buffalo State College, while diligently and consistently following her heart to become a musician in high demand. Appleby's versatility has enabled her to open for national recording artists such as PJ Morton, Sisqo, Anthony Hamilton, Orgone, Alan Evans Trio, Grammy Award-winners Snarky Puppy, Bernard Purdie, Avery Sunshine, and for national recording artists such as Ginuiwine, Silk, Grammy-nominated Maysa, Soulive, Christopher Williams, Marvin Sapp, Martha Munizzi, and Steve Miller-keyboardist,and three-time Grammy nominated artist, Joseph Wooten.
When not engaged in her traditional gig work, Appleby teaches with Young Audiences of Western New York, where she works with children in junior and senior high schools throughout the City of Buffalo. Last year was a busy time for Appleby, who traveled to Nashville to record a video produced by Mutt Lange for recording artist Ashley Clarke; played to a record crowd of over 15,000 at Canalside as part of Critt’s Juke Joint accompanying the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; and toured with pop star Nick Jonas.
When time allows, Appleby also shares her knowledge of music and skills through workshops, seminars, and private bass and vocal instruction.
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