6
May, 2024
19
Apr, 2024
DAVID GARFIELD 4tet ft. Davide Pannozzo, Dominique Di Piazza & Gergo Borlai | Fusion Jazz (USA)
DAVID GARFIELD 4tet
ft. Davide Pannozzo, Dominique Di Piazza & Gergo Borlai
AVAILABILITY FOR EUROPE
2025 | APRIL
David Garfield | Keys
Eddie Van Halen, Smokey Robinson, Cher, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, Spinal Tap, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer, Eros Ramazzotti, The Rippingtons, Freddie Hubbard, Boz Scaggs, Oleta Adams, Brenda Russell, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton
Davide Pannozzo | Guitar
Danny Gottlieb, Pippo Matino, Nathan East, Verdine White, Andrew Gouche, Mel Brown, George Benson, Phil Palmer, Nicola Piovani, Steve Jordan, Will Lee, Oleta Adams, Oz Noy, Shawn Pelton
Dominique Di Piazza | Bass
John McLaughlin, Trilok Gurtu, Michel Petrucciani, Biréli Lagrène, Dennis Chambers, Gil Evans, Zakir Hussain
Gergo Borlai | Drums
Gary Willis, Scott Kinsey, Scott Henderson, Matthew Garrison, Steve Tavaglione, Walt Fowler, Bob Mintzer, Hiram Bullock, L. Shankar, Vernon Reid, Iain Ballamy, Al Di Meola, Nguyên Lê, Hadrien Feraud, Eivind Aarset, Eric Moore, Tim Lefebvre, Yolanda Charles
DAVID GARFIELD
David Garfield is an American keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer.
He has recorded with Eddie Van Halen, Smokey Robinson, Cher, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, Spinal Tap, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer, Eros Ramazzotti, and The Rippingtons. He has performed with Freddie Hubbard, Boz Scaggs, Oleta Adams, Brenda Russell, Natalie Cole, and Michael Bolton. He is a founding member of Karizma and Los Lobotomys. He has been a songwriter, producer, bandleader, arranger, recording artist, record label owner (Creatchy Records), session and touring musician, musical director and composer of commissioned themes for global organizations.
Biography
In addition to composing and performing music for Perfect Harmony, he has written several songs with Smokey Robinson, including “One Like You,” which George Benson recorded on his 2009 album Songs & Stories. Garfield, who has been from time to time Benson’s musical director since 1986, also arranged and produced Guitar Man. Garfield produced I Play The Piano, a DVD/Blu-Ray of Terry Trotter playing solo piano for AIX Media.
Garfield has been commissioned to write and produce theme songs and musical projects for several international organizations, including the composition and CD: “Pool of Friendship” for the European Aquatics Federation LEN (League of European Nations); the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC); and “Deep Within Each Man” (co-written with Phil Perry) for the Shorinji Kempo World Karate Foundation.
His first international release on Creatchy, 1997’s Tribute To Jeff, was dedicated to drummer Jeff Porcaro. Garfield followed its Top Ten chart success with I Am The Cat… Man, and Giving Back. He re-released on Creatchy Records several collections from earlier in his career, including L.A. Keyboard Project, Recollections, and Seasons of Change.
Karizma’s discography on Creatchy includes Dream Come True, Cuba, All The Way Live, (Forever in the) Arms of Love, Document, and Lost and Found. The other projects he has helmed for Creatchy include albums by guitarists Michael Landau and Michael O’Neill, saxophonists Brandon Fields and Larry Klimas and, most recently, former Toto bassist Mike Porcaro. Another Creatchy release, Los Lobotomys, is a collaboration with prominent members of the pop/rock band Toto, with whom Garfield has collaborated with many times throughout the years. Garfield also frequently does free-lance keyboard and production work for established and up and coming artists from across the U.S. and throughout the world.
In addition to his work with George Benson, Garfield continues ongoing musical relationships with numerous musicians, including Boz Scaggs and Natalie Cole. Over the years, he has recorded with Cher, Spinal Tap, The Rippingtons, Ratt, Larry Carlton, and Smokey Robinson; produced for Oleta Adams and Flora Purim; and has performed live with Michael Bolton, The Blues Brothers, Brenda Russell and Rick Braun, among others. Early in 2012, he was presented with the Hall of Fame Award from the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta; Garfield has performed at the Indonesia event several times, most recently with saxophonist Gerald Albright and vocalist Alex Ligertwood. The same trio of musicians later performed at the Blue Note in Tokyo.
At the same time as he was performing his first gigs with Karizma in the mid-1970s, Garfield began working with jazz talents such as Willie Bobo, Freddie Hubbard, and Tom Scott. After establishing himself on the L.A. jazz scene, the keyboardist became a key part of the city’s vast studio world during its heyday. These experiences ultimately led to composing opportunities for TV, film and commercials for such companies as NBC, Disney, Nippon Television, and RTL Germany. During the 1980s, Garfield arranged and produced many Japanese artists and went on to produce his own projects for release in Japan.
Reflecting on his diverse career, Garfield says, “It’s creatively invigorating to have the opportunity to do so many interesting musical projects, to see so many amazing places throughout the world, and to work with some of the greatest musicians both in L.A. and overseas. I feel as though I am always learning from the artists and musicians I work with, not simply on a musical level, but also benefiting from their wealth of stories and life and career experiences. There are always unexpected thrills along the way, from opening with his band for Sergio Mendes or Jason Mraz to recording in a studio next to Paul McCartney or Alice in Chains and having the opportunity to meet and get to know them. I love being involved in so many different aspects of music and the feeling that I truly never know what’s coming up next”.
DAVIDE PANNOZZO
Davide Pannozzo has been described by critics as one of the most interesting artists of contemporary Blues guitar. His style is very much his own, with splashes of Jeff Beck, John Scofield, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix.
“There are very few artists these days that can inspire and are filled with inspiration and great ideas; Davide Pannozzo is one of them. When you first hear his music, you know something special is going on…” Will Lee (Late Show with David Letterman, The Brecker Brothers, 24th Street Band, …).
Having studied Classical Guitar since the age of six, Davide Pannozzo graduated from the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome.
During his career, he has performed at several clubs and festivals in Italy (Pistoia Blues, Ameno Blues, Blues in Town, Accadia Blues, …) and in the world (The Bitter End in NYC, Bass Player in Los Angeles, IBC in Memphis, Ronnie Scott’s in London, Fete de la Musique in Paris, International Jazz Fest in Bucharest, Taubertal Festival in Frankfurt, …) and has played alongside artists such as George Benson, Steve Jordan, Will Lee, David Garfield, Clifford Carter, Phil Palmer, Matt Schofield, Oz Noy, Robben Ford.
Davide Pannozzo won the Emergenza European Acoustic Festival as Acoustic Solo Guitarist in 2009, followed by the Groove Master Award for Best Italian Blues guitarist in 2010, and most recently the Highland Uproar competition where he received hundreds of votes from listeners of the station in Scotland.
His album “Born Electric” was released by EmArcy/Universal Music, featuring very special guests: Robben Ford, Carl Verheyen, and David Garfield.
His Jimi Hendrix tribute, “A Portrait of Jimi Hendrix” features off-the-floor recordings – with no overdubs – it gets #1 on iTunes’s top100 Blues Albums in Italy and iTunes’s top100 New Blues Release in the USA.
His latest album, “Unconditional Love” has been produced by Steve Jordan & Will Lee, with the participation of Ricky Peterson, Oli Rockberger, and Shawn Pelton. The song “Chasing Illusions” is still in heavy rotation on SiriusXM, and it got the Top50 Jazz Blues Album Radio chart in the US.
His last single, “Be Blessed” was produced by Steve Jordan, and at its release, it was added to two big Spotify editorial playlists, “All New Jazz” & “Fresh Finds Jazz” getting hundreds of airplay in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and many enthusiastic reviews on blog and magazines.
“Be Blessed” is delicate and emotional. Davide takes his instrumentation on the guitar to another level, a place that very few can say they’ve been to. It’s a song for any occasion and is one of the best instrumental songs we’ve heard in a while.”
“Be Blessed” is a chill instrumental that overflows with understated emotion and casts its shadow somewhere between the upscale blues of Robben Ford and the deep melodicism of Duke Ellington.
Davide is the founder of “GUITARlab”, an Online Academy dedicated to the teaching of the Modern Blues Guitar.
DAVIDE PANNOZZO TRIO | Fusion Jazz-Funk (IT/USA)
DOMINIQUE DI PIAZZA
Dominique Di Piazza was born in Lyon, France, with Sicilian ancestry and a gypsy stepfather. He started playing electric bass in 1979. After some time, he managed to free himself from the pervasive influence that Jaco Pastorius had over most bassists at the time, by creating his own style. Self-taught, he added an extra high string to his 4-string bass and created his own technique of using the right-hand thumb, index and middle fingers. This unique approach enabled a virtuosity and style that is quite unusual in the world of bass. A defining example is the track « Marie » a flagship piece for solo bass from the 90s, found on the album « Que alegria » by John McLaughlin.
This right hand style gave birth to the « four-finger picking » technique later popularized in Europe and the US by several new-generation bassists including Matthew Garrison, Adam Nitti and Hadrien Feraud. Dominique’s great knowledge of bebop, his gypsy and neo-classical influences, his lyrical style and his advanced harmonic concept have combined to make him one of the most innovative bassists in the world today.
Dominique started his career in 1982 at the Hot Club in Lyon with guitarist Michel Pérez. In 1986 he moved to Paris and began touring with violinist Didier Lockwood, drummer André Ceccarelli and pianist Gordon Beck. The following year he toured Europe with Gil Evans and the Big Bang Lumière de Laurent Cugny, a group that was immortalized on the Santander album, winner of the Prix de l’Académie Charles-Cros and in 1989 he recorded a trio album called Padre, with Jean-Pierre Como and Stéphane Huchard.
In 1991, Dominique joined the John McLaughlin Trio along with percussionist Trilok Gurtu. After a world tour of over 300 concerts, the album Que alegria was released in 1992. McLaughlin was then quoted as saying of DiPiazza: “His talent is immense—he’s one of the best bassists in the world.”
The same year, Dominique recorded with pianist Michel Petrucciani on the album The First, with Michel’s brother Philippe Petrucciani on guitar and Victor Jones on drums. In 2000, the Front Page Trio was created with Bireli Lagrene on guitar and Dennis Chambers on drums. They toured Europe and released a self-titled album (Frontpage) that scored them a Victoire de la Musique award for Best Jazz Album of 2001.
From 1990 to 2005, Dominique worked with a wide array of artists including Michael Blass, Bruno Castellucci, Giuseppe Continenza, Vic Juris, Gene Bertoncini, Yves Carbonne, Michael Manring, Jeff Gardner, Victor Wooten, Derico Watson, Danny Gottlieb and Donald Harrison. In 2005/06 he hit the road again, this time in Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar, and ten other African countries, with a pianist from Reunion named Meddy Gerville, guitarist Jean-Marie Ecay, and drummer Horacio “el Negro” Hernandez. This collaboration led to the Jazz Amwin CD, which introduced the “Maloya Jazz” style (combining jazz with traditional music from Reunion) to a wider global audience.
In 2006, Dominique went to India to record a CD (Samjanitha, 2008) with the great Indian mandolin player U. Shrinivas, as well as Debashish Bhattacharya, Selvaganesh and Zakir Hussain. Following that he played on Antonio Farao’s album, Woman’s Perfume, alongside André “Dédé” Ceccarelli on drums.
In 2008, John McLaughlin called upon Dominique’s talents once again for a European tour with The 4th Dimension, also including Gary Husband on keys and percussion, and Mark Mondésir on drums. Together the band played more than 30 concerts all across Europe and released a DVD Live @ Belgrade. Another show featured Dominique with McLaughlin in India, in a group called The Floating Point, which included Ranjit Barot, Louis Banks, Shashank, Naveen Kumar and Shankar Mahadevan.
Around the same time, Dominique assembled the Di Piazza Trio with Brazilian guitarist Nelson Veras and drummer Manhu Roche. The trio’s album, Princess Sita, was released in the USA in August of 2008.
From 2009 to 2011, Dominique criss-crossed the world with a wide variety of artists.
In France, with Elene Dee and David Berkman for Lyrics on Pat Metheny’s music; in Russia with the Blues & Beyond Quartet (Sébastien Charlier, Yannick Robert and Yoann Schmidt) and the album La Danse du chat; with 4 Essential (with Thierry Maillard, Debora Seffer and Yoann Schmidt) for an album and festival shows; with Antonio Farao and André “Dédé” Ceccarelli; in the electro-jazz group Synopsis with Eric Sempe and Felix Sabal Lecco, and a CD called Rebirth; in a trio with Francis Lockwood and Fred Sicard on Tribute to Hendrix; with the Petrucciani Reunion quartet with Philippe Petrucciani, Nathalie Blanc and Manhu Roche on the CD Este Mundo.
In Spain, with Ximo Tebar, Donald Edwards and Jim Ridl; also the flamenco-jazz guitarist Chema Vilchez, with Jeff Balard and Alex Acuna; with singer Maria de Medeiros and gypsy-flamenco musician Raimundo Amador; in Turkey, with bağlama player Zeki Çağlar Namlı and on the Face to Face CD, and Buzuki Orhan Osman alongside his old friend Trilok Gurtu; in Ireland, with Mike Nielsen and Paul Wertico; in Italy with Alberto Iovene and Manhu Roche on the CD Wired Along; in Norway, in a duo with guitarist Hallgeir Pedersen; in Russia with Andrei Bodnartchouk and the group Made in France; and in India with Ranjit Barot’s group which included Scott Kinsey and Tim Garland, releasing an album called Bada Boom.
Dominique has also been working with a popular young gypsy guitarist named Brady Winterstein (and his uncle Hono), and they released an album in 2011 called Happy together.
Dominique has designed a special bridge (as well as a bass) with luthier Mike Sabre, which makes it possible to obtain a “fretless” sound on a fretted bass. This was first featured on the track « Seven up » from the 1993 CD Wait and See by Michael Blass.
For several years, Dominique has been teaching at the Music Academy International (M.A.I.) at Nancy, France, and also gives master classes around the world. Transcriptions of his playing appear in the book Bass Soloing Concepts by Chuck Sher and Marco Johnson. His composition “Living Hope” is included in The European Real Book.
Dominique’s sincerity, his unique style and his openness to music from around the world make him one of the most highly regarded musicians on the international scene.
Dominique plays on Marbass amps. « For a long time, I’ve been looking for a bass amp that won’t color my sound » says Dominique. « And most of the good amps are bulky and hard to transport. But bravo, Marco—with my Little Mark Tube head and Traveler 102P cabinet, I have both uncolored sound and portability at the same time! ».
http://www.dominiquedipiazza.com/
GERGO BORLAI
Gergo is a professional drummer originally from Hungary now based in Barcelona, Spain.
In his home country of Hungary, Gergo Borlai has appeared on more than a 300 albums, received two lifetime achievement awards and two “gold record awards,” as well as the Golden Drumstick Prize and the Artisjus Lifetime Achievement Award. Gergo has become one of the most exciting up-and-coming drumset artists and has grown in popularity and also with his breathtaking solos. Gergo also became a clinician man all over in Europe, U.S. and Asia like Musician Institute Hollywood, South Korea, France, Sweden, Poland, South America, Spain, Germany, etc… Gergo is a professor of the Liceu Academy/Jazz Departement – Barcelona since 2012. Gergo has lesson packages for Drum Guru.
Touring: Hungary, Romania, France, Slovakia, Chez Republic, Portugese, Belgium, Finland, England, Germany, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Netherland, Canada, Japan, Israel, South Corea, South America, Greece, Sweden, Norway, USA
Gergo performed with Frank Gambale (AU), Gary Willis (USA), Scott Kinsey(USA), Scott Henderson(USA), Matthew Garrison(USA), Steve Tavaglione(USA), Llibert Fortune(SP), Walt Fowler(USA), Bob Mintzer(USA), Hiram Bullock(USA), L. Shankar(India), Vernon Reid(USA), Iain Ballamy(GB), Terry Bozzio(US), Al DiMeola(USA), Nguyen Lee(F), Hadrien Feraud(F), Eivind Aarset(N), Eric Moore (USA), Tim Lefebvre(USA), Yolanda Charles(GB).
What’s going on: https://www.coralriff.biz/events/
17
Apr, 2024
WAYNE KRANTZ TRIO ft. EVAN MARIEN & JOSH DION | Fusion Jazz (USA)
WAYNE KRANTZ SUGAR TRIO
ft. Evan Marien & Josh Dion
AVAILABLE IN EUROPE
2025 | MARCH
Line up
Wayne Krantz | Guitar
Steely Dan, Michael Brecker, Donald Fagen, Billy Cobham, Chris Potter, David Binney, Carla Bley, Keith Carlock, Tim Lefebvre, Pino Palladino, Vinnie Colaiuta, John Patitucci, Tal Wilkenfeld, Anton Fig, Jeremy Stacey, Paul Stacey, Gabriela Anders, Kenny Wollesen, Nate Wood, Henry Hey, Owen Biddle
Josh Dion | Drums
John Scofield, Wayne Krantz, Bill Evans, Chuck Loeb, Esperanza Spalding, Lucius, Chris Thile
Evan Marien | Bass
Tigran Hamasyan, Tim Miller, Virgil Donati, Elliot Moss, Justin Brown, Allan Holdsworth, Dana Hawkins, Fredrik Thordendal, Plini, Aaron Marshall, J3PO, Cory Wong, Zac Zinger, Button Masher, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
WAYNE KRANTZ
Wayne Krantz was born in Corvallis, Oregon. He released his first album, Signals, in 1990, sporting an array of recognized jazz musicians such as Dennis Chambers, Don Alias, Anthony Jackson, and others.
In 1992, he formed a trio with bassist Lincoln Goines and drummer Zach Danziger and recorded two albums with them, Long To Be Loose (1993) and 2 Drink Minimum (1995), a live album, and began playing regularly at the 55 Bar, a jazz club in New York City. In 1996, Krantz released an acoustic album with Leni Stern, dubbed Separate Cages. After playing with Steely Dan for several years, Krantz formed a new trio in 1997 with Tim Lefebvre on bass and Keith Carlock on drums; on June 28, 2007, he played his final regular Thursday night gig at New York’s 55 Bar. As of October and November 2018, he is playing regularly at 55 Bar again with a rotating cast of sidemen.
Wayne Krantz’s first three solo albums were released on the jazz label Enja Records. His next three albums, 1999’s Greenwich Mean, 2003’s Your Basic Live, and 2007’s Your Basic Live ’06 were all released from Wayne’s private website. Like 2 Drink Minimum, these albums are excerpts of various sets at the 55 Bar. These albums also include more use of effects pedals, and are more unscripted and improvised than the previous three. He contributed to Donald Fagen’s release Morph the Cat, and toured with Fagen’s band in early 2006. He was featured on tenor saxophonist Chris Potter’s 2006 release, Underground.
Wayne Krantz signed with record label Abstract Logix to release his first studio record in over fifteen years. Krantz Carlock Lefebvre (2009) features the core trio of Krantz, Carlock on drums and Lefebvre on bass. In 2012, Krantz released Howie 61 (a reference to Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited), which includes performances by Keith Carlock, James Genus, John Patitucci, Charley Drayton, Tal Wilkenfeld, Vinnie Colaiuta, Anton Fig, Yasushi Miura, Jeremy Stacey, Paul Stacey, Pino Palladino, Gabriela Anders, Kenny Wollesen, Nate Wood, Henry Hey and Owen Biddle. In 2014, Krantz released “Good Piranha/Bad Piranha,” a live-in-the-studio album featuring his two dominant trio combinations at the time: Nate Wood/Keith Carlock and Tim Lefebvre/Nate Wood. The bands each recorded the same four cover songs with radically different improvisational results.
EVAN MARIEN
Evan Marien is an award-winning bassist, composer, producer, author, educator, and 3D artist, born and raised in the cornfields of Decatur, Illinois. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2009 and has lived in the NYC area since 2010.
Known for his collaborations with drummer Dana Hawkins, he has also performed in the bands of Tigran Hamasyan, Wayne Krantz, Tim Miller, Virgil Donati, Elliot Moss, Justin Brown’s NYEUSI, and was the last bassist to perform in guitar legend Allan Holdsworth’s band.
His latest release, ‘Elysian’ features Dana Hawkins, Tigran Hamasyan, Fredrik Thordendal, Plini, Intervals, J3PO, Tim Miller, Cory Wong, Zac Zinger, Button Masher, and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.
You can hear his bass playing on numerous albums such as Tigran Hamasyan’s “The Call Within,” Virgil Donati’s “In This Life,” and “Ruination”, and Steve Hunt’s “Connections”.
His playing can also be heard on the Mitski song ‘Nobody,’ for which he received a gold record for participating on the album ‘Be The Cowboy,’ as well as on the songs ‘Should’ve Been Me’ and ‘That’s Our Lamp’ from her most recent album, ‘Laurel Hell’.
In partnership with MadeMusicStudio, Evan has composed music for renowned brands such as AT&T, Lexus, and NPR. Most recently, he won a 2022 CLIO award for composing the sonic logo and anthem for Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
As an author, he has written numerous books about his distinctive Hexatonic method for the bass guitar, as well as created video courses describing his specialized right hand technique. His first book, ‘Transcriptions Vol. 1,’ was an Amazon Best Seller in its first week of release.
Evan is also a part-time faculty member at The New School in New York City, where he specializes in providing private lessons to the next generation of contemporary musicians.
Evan Marien is a MarkBass artist!
Evan Marien
JOSH DION
Josh Dion was born at the tail end of the disco funk era, when popular radio bore the sounds of Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, and ‘four on the floor’ drum beats! Raised in Storrs, CT, Josh started playing his father’s drums before he even started kindergarten. He grew up playing drums to the simple and beat driven sounds of Nick Mason and Ringo Starr. He also lived across the hall from his older brother, who not only followed the Grateful Dead, but introduced him to Cream at the tender age of seven. Rightfully so, Cream, Zeppelin and the Stones led Dion to Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson and beyond.
A prodigious talent, Josh started playing professionally at age eight and was invited to shed with the UConn Jazz Studies program by the time he was twelve. While he was impressing people with his percussion skills, he was playing piano and singing in his local church, developing talents which would eventually help him stand out even among the world class drummers in whose company he has now found himself.
After a stint in the music program at New Jersey’s William Paterson University, he has made New York City his home. Josh’s college days were greeted by an immersion in the Jam band scene with NYC funk band ulu, who toured the Eastern half of the US. Josh was soon noticed by jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb, who offered Josh an opportunity to be seen and heard by a whole new level of the music audience. From that platform, he has gone on to work with some of the major brand names of the music world: Candy Dulfer, Spyro Gyra, Will Lee, Pat Martino, Jeff Kashiwa, Jason Miles, Anthony Jackson, Edgar Winter, Randy Brecker, Bob James, Eric Marienthal, Til Bronner, Jim Beard, Ivan Lins and on and on.
Meanwhile, Josh Dion has been developing his solo career with the CD releases of the Josh Dion Band (www.joshdionband.net), their debut “Give Love” and the imminent “Josh Dion Band Live.” The Josh Dion Band has another studio release planned for early 2007.
“Give Love” was greeted with effusive praise by the UK’s Drummer magazine, who described it as “Brian Wilson meets Hall and Oates, with possibly Bruce Springsteen looking in and drums that sound like they were recorded at Muscle Shoals Studios. This is a collection of epic songs that build and move as songs used to in the old days when songwriters were exactly that and labels like Motown and Stax were market leaders…Great voice, great drums and great, great tunes…Dion is a young player that is going to create a very big impression indeed. Not only can this fella lay down a super funky beat, but he sings with a soulful voice that totally melts your mind…You are going to be hearing more from this extremely talented young musician…If there is any justice in this world, Dion will be huge.” YEAH!
Josh also enjoys nature-walking, driving, and attending history lectures.
GEAR LIST
Absolute Maple Nouveau
ABD-1518JF 18″x14″
ATT-1512J 12″x8″
AFT-1516 16″x16″
ASD-0545 14″x5.5″
MNS-1470EJ Elvin Jones Signature
What’s going on: https://www.coralriff.biz/events/
13
Jan, 2024
DARAA TRIBES | Tribal Fusion & Saharan Blues (MA)
DARAA TRIBES Tribal Fusion & Saharan Blues (MA)
A fusion of ancestral tribal music and Saharan Blues, Daraa Tribes comes from the oasis town of Tagounite in the Daraa River Valley of Morocco, with each member originating from a different tribe, bringing with them diverse music traditions to create an eclectic style only to be found in the oases of the North African Sahara.
Releasing the album Igharman in 2018, and EPs Alwan (2017) and Zamane (2019), they has toured internationally across Europe, Africa, Russia, and Canada. The band is a Visa For Music laureate (2017), and has been featured on Radio France International and major Moroccan news outlets. Daraa Tribes’ second studio album is expected to come out in the fall of 2021.
GREAT NEWS: TORAT VOL. 1 IS OUT!
31
Dec, 2023
ELECTRIC LADY | Pop/Rock/Funk (CZ)
ELECTRIC LADY
(CZ) Pop/Rock/Funk
AVAILABILITY
SUMMER 2024
Tereza Rays, alias Electric Lady, represents attitude, commitment, charisma, and passion, as well as an accomplished musician.
Her incredible live rock performances portray her raw emotions as she delivers her exceptional song writing, and guitar playing that leaves her audience spellbound.
She feels at home when performing.
Her stage presence is undeniable, with references across generations of rock legends from Jimi Hendrix to Lenny Kravitz.
Electric Lady has been learning her craft over recent years, touring Europe with her band,
Including dates in Germany, Poland, Italy, United States and Britain, and has recently been recording her new material in London with producer and co-writer Paul Bond (the musical director/performer on the legendary War of The Worlds album and tour), delivering a fresh take on modern day rock angst.
Is now out her new single “I’m done”!
Check it out on her Spotify player here below.
BIO
Tereza Rays (ELECTRIC LADY) is a guitarist and singer who was born in the Czech Republic on February 6, 1987 in the Czech Republic. She is the exclusive author of her compositions, lyricist and music arranger, she participates in the current production with producer Roman Rossi – manager. She recorded her debut album in Texas in 2014. Tereza is currently a corporate player of Ibanez and Blackstar, in the past she represented Fender. She has collaborated with many Czech and foreign artists.
She started playing the guitar thanks to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Tereza was born in Kladno and at the age of 15 she started playing the guitar and singing, her parents didn’t support her music much. However, Tereza went her own way and after the founding of the band Electric Lady she recorded many musical successes not only at home, but also abroad. Even this year, 2022, we announced concerts around the world, not only in the USA, but also in Poland, England, Norway, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tereza also performed at VIP private events in Russia, at the announcement of music awards “REALNA PREMIE”, etc.
The band was founded in 2013 with the emergence of the single “Storm”, which also reached the European MTV or Russian Music Box, where they even placed 3 clips in monthly rotations. The band plays guitar, bass, drums Tereza flew to New Orleans the same year, where she performs on the streets in small clubs for 3 months, after returning to the Czech Republic she wins the international blues competition Blues Aperitif for young talents. Subsequent years later, as a winner, she performed at Blues Alive in the Czech Republic and Poland. In 2015, she released her debut album “Electrical”, which she went on to record at the invitation of drummer Kirk Covington to the USA in Texas. She completed and released musical material in the Czech Republic and became a corporate player of the world-famous brand Fender.
In 2016, the band went on tour with the Czech popular band Mandrage and performed across Czech Republic and Slovakia. That same year, Tereza collaborated with Ivan Kral on the song “A Part Of My Heart.” That same year, the band performed in front of American bassist NIK WEST and Eric Gales.
In 2020, Electric Lady releases her largest and most expensive musical, Trilogy 2020, under the auspices of the Nemoros Agency and a collaboration with KOBALT, on which Tereza collaborated not only with English producer Nigel Lowis.In 2021, Tereza became a corporate player of the IBANEZ and BLACKSTAR brands, several concerts around the world, participation in the USA at this summit and other events in the USA are planned.
Website: https://en.electriclady.cz/
What’s going on: https://www.coralriff.biz/events/
27
Dec, 2023
DANIELE GOTTARDO TRIO ft. CHRISTIAN GALVEZ | Fusion (USA)
DANIELE GOTTARDO TRIO
ft. CHRISTIAN GALVEZ | (USA)
FUSION | ROCK / JAZZ / CLASSIC
AVAILABILITY
2025| SEPTEMBER
Line up:
Daniele Gottardo | Guitar
Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe, Eric Johnson, Zakk Wylde, Nuno Bettencourt, Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan
Christian Galvez | Bass
Fabrizio Bosso, Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Mario Biondi, Dado Moroni, Stefano Di Battista, Mauro Ottolini
Giuseppe Risitano | Drums
Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Stefano Di Battista, Fabrizio Bosso, Tullio De Piscopo, Maria Pia De Vito, Gianluca Petrella, Roberto Gatto, Danilo Rea, Rita Marcotulli
DANIELE GOTTARDO
Italian guitarist and composer, Daniele Gottardo, has developed a reputation worldwide, not just only for his virtuosity and versatility, but for the depth and sophistication of his compositions, which blend electric guitar and chamber orchestra.
Steve Vai singled Daniele Gottardo out as a favorite:
“I’m often asked who is my favorite new young guitar player. Well, here he is: Daniele Gottardo. He’s Italian, and I have been following him for quite some time now. He has an elegant touch, stunning intonation, innovational style, and he honors the melody. Enjoy, and check out his record Non Temperato for a real treat.”
Steve Vai, in Guitar World Magazine, January 26, 2017
As a solo artist, Daniele has produced two albums prior to INkBlot—Frenzy of Ecstasy (2010, Digital Nations) and Non Temperato (2014, self-released). His albums stand out for their highly innovative use of electric guitar within a compositional and orchestral context. Additionally, his jazz-rock trio, The Nuts, released a bold debut album, Giant Nuts (2016, self-released), a ferocious combination of chops, energy, and musical sophistication.
Daniele has served as an artistic producer for various projects, including string production for guitar legend, Jason Becker, on Triumphant Hearts (2018, Mascot Records). In 2016 he collaborated with Michael Molenda, then Editor-in-Chief of Guitar Player Magazine, and American guitarist/composer, Gretchen Menn, on Abandon All Hope, a concept album based on Dante’s Inferno that blends modern and classical instruments.
He has performed in some of the most prestigious guitar festivals, including Malibu Guitar Festival (USA, 2017), Guitare En Scene (France, 2016), Ziua Chitarelor (Romania, 2016), Jason Becker Not Dead Yet Festival (Holland, 2013), Eddie Lang Jazz Festival (Italy, 2010, 2013, 2015).
INkBlot is Daniele’s third solo album, and marks an even greater melding of high-energy electric guitar and 20th century composition.
CHRISTIAN GALVEZ
Christian Galvez is directly related with the generation of electric bass players of the post-Pastorius era.
Gálvez playing is closely related with colleagues like John Patitucci and Stanley Clarke, influences where Christian starts from, going into other personal universes, thanks to his original virtuoso style, colorful and musical, where the use of harmony and chords at highest level are a key part of his own language; style that comes close to great geniuses of the “chord melody” as Joe Pass, Tal Farlow, George Benson and Pat Martino.
His vision of the electric bass as harmonic instrument is unrivaled: “His bass is not only a bass, but pretty much a guitar with bass strings … Galvez does everything a guitarist can do, but when its time to be bass player he plays all what a bass is able to play.
Christian Galvez is currently promoting his last project album “The Art of Chord Melody“, album edited by Pez Records in date 14/06/2019.
“Since 2005 he worked closely with the Argentine guitarist Luis Salinas, and national accompanied great musicians like jazz fusion drummer Billy Cobham or the bassist Stanley Clarke. The meeting between the two musicians came to fruition in early 2007 and resulted in the departure of Gálvez to Los Angeles as member of the Stanley Clarke Electric Band. with which he was in tour worldwide during the next three years. Very active as teacher, he creates the Escuela Superior de Jazz and he plays with his Christian Galvez Quartet in the whole Latin America. He toured the world for around 7 years with América Comtemporánea, one of the most important latin American projets of the las 20 years. He’s member of the Masters of Bass with Gary Willis, Dominique di Piazza and Hadrien Feraud, of the Frank Gambale Quartet and recently of Paolo di Sabatino Trace Elements, alongside with drummers as Peter Erskine, Dennis Chambers and Jojo Mayer. He is currently part of the Billy Cobham Band, touring Europe with the legendary drummer.
He has recorded 13 albums and 3 DVD with Pez Records label, plus his Concert N. 1 for bass and symphony orchestra (the first concert for bass and orchestra in the world) that Christian already performed live together with the most prestigious orchestras in Chile, Bolivia, Panama at most important festivals of Latin America. At today Galvez is for sure the best bass player in Latin America and makes part of the selected small group of the best bass virtuosos of the planet.
GIUSEPPE RISITANO
Giuseppe Risitano is an italian drummer, percussionist and improviser. Along with a strong
background in jazz and improvised music, he plays in a wide range of musical styles as a session player and with his own projects.
He attended the Conservatory and various seminars in Italy and abroad, studying with John Riley
(Summer jazz workshop 2009, Conservatorium Van Amsterdam), Stefano Bagnoli (private lessons), Ellade Bandini, Eric Harland (Siena summer workshop) and many others.
From 2010 to 2017, he has been a member of the Laboratorio Permanente di Ricerca Musicale, held by M° Stefano Battaglia (Siena Jazz University): within the group, he worked on improvisation and musical research, recording a work based on some Bela Bartok’s compositions. Lately, he attended the Elite drummer accelerator drum coaching programme, held by renowned drummer Ferenc Nemeth.
Since 2015, he has been playing with guitarist and composer Daniele Gottardo as a member of his new trio: he recorded the drums tracks for Giant Nuts (2016) and participated in important events in Italy and throughout Europe.
As a percussionist, he recorded the latest Daniele’s solo album INkBlot (2022): he also helped in
the composition of the percussions parts.
His credits include collaborations in concerts and recordings both as a session man and as a band
member.
Recordings as a co-leader:
• Oddithrees (Emme Record label, 2019);
• Oddities (a Simple lunch records, 2016);
• Fabbrica 5 (a Simple lunch records, 2016);
• First degree of Else! (Ultrasound Records, 2012).
Collaborations, live and studio, on a regular basis or occasional:
Samuele Garau, Enrico Degli Antoni, Daniele Gottardo, Achille Succi, Stefano Battaglia, Saverio
Vita, Tommaso Taurisano, Frank Martino, Carlo Atti, Claudio Vignali, Luciano Troja, Giovanni
Renzo, Enzo Cimino, Laboratorio “Suoni è ritmo” (feat. Paolo Fresu), Adnan Dura, Kenny Werner Siena jazz combo, Tobia Bondesan, Piero Bittolo Bon, Andrea Balestra, Pierluigi Mingotti, Roberto Spadoni, Roberto Manuzzi, Michele Bondesan, Simone Di Benedetto, SIdMa Orchestra, Frescobaldi Big Band and others.
He has performed in major national and international festivals, including Guitar en Scene Festival (France), Ziua Chitarelor Guitar Fest (Romania), Eddie Lang jazz festival (Isernia, Italy), Umbria Jazz Festival – Piazza IV Novembre (Perugia), Piazza Verdi RAI Radio tre (Milano, Italy), Ferrara Jazz – Torrione San Giovanni, JazzIt fest (Collescipoli), Terni in Jazz, Bologna Festival delle Arti, Blue Note – CvA (Amsterdam, Holland), La Spezia Jazz festival, PercFest (Laigueglia, Savona), JazzIt club Festival (Roma), Siena Jazz, Fara Jazz music Festival, Chieti in Jazz Festival, Novametis (Modena), Piacenza Jazz Festival and many more.
Website: https://officialdanielegottardo.com/
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18
Nov, 2023
ANDY JAMES & JON COWHERD ALL STAR | Standard/Latin Jazz (USA)
ANDY JAMES & JON COWHERD ALL STAR
AVAILABILITY
2025 | JANUARY and SUMMER
In the ever-evolving tapestry of music, few tales resonate as profoundly as that of Andy James. Emerged from Australia and currently living in Las Vegas, NV, James is not just a name; she’s an experience, a confluence of dance, song, and soul that traces its roots back to familial ties and an indomitable spirit.
For all her accolades in the realm of jazz, James ‘journey remains one of evolution and exploration. With her latest album, “Rhythm in New York,” James continues to defy categorization, blending genres and collaborating with an ensemble of musical virtuosos. From the lyrical genius of Piero Pata and Jon Cowherd to the unparalleled artistry of John Patitiucci, Marcus Gillmore, Nate Smith, Chris Potter, Alex Acuna, Marcus Strickland, Chico Pinheiro, Adam Rodgers to name a few “Rhythm in New York” is a testament to James’ enduring passion for collaboration and innovation.
In a world where commercialism often overshadows authenticity, Andy James stands as a beacon of artistic integrity. Her journey di lei from the Flamenco stages of Milan to the jazz clubs worldwide is a testament to her versatility di lei and a poignant reminder of music’s transformative power. With each performance and each album, James reaffirms her place among the pantheon of jazz greats, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape and captivating audiences with her unparalleled artistry.
LINE UP
Andy James | Voice
Jon Cowherd | Piano
Alex Acuña | Percussions
Marcus Gilmore | Drums
Chico Pinheiro | Guitar
John Ellis | Sax
James Genus | Bass
Andy James | Voice
(Bill Cunliffe, Ernie Watts, Joe LaBarbera, Jake Langley, John Patitucci, Vinnie Colaiuta, Juan Antonio Suarez, Antonio Canales, Rafael Amargo, Carlos Benavente, Ramon Jimenez, Chris Potter, John Beasley, Nicholas Payton, Terell Stafford)
Jon Cowherd | Piano
(Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Iggy Pop, John Scofield, Lizz Wright, Brian Blade Fellowship)
Alex Acuña | Percussions
(Weather Report, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Chick Corea, Whitney Houston, Plácido Domingo, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Beck, U2…)
Marcus Gillmore | Drums
(Chick Corea, Pharoah Sanders, Savion Glover, Pat Metheny, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ravi Coltrane, Common, Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Natalie Cole, Steve Coleman, Vijay Iyer, Derrick Hodge, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, Thundercat, Brad Mehldau, Cassandra Wilson, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Nicholas Payton, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, Queen Latifah, Norah Jones, Black Thought, Zakir Hussain, The Cadillacs, Bilal, Terrence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove, Terrace Martin, Taylor Mcferrin, Fred Armisen)
Chico Pinheiro | Guitar
(Placido Domingo, Brad Mehldau, Dianne Reeves, Bob Mintzer, Herbie Hancock, Brian Blade, Ron Carter, Chris Potter, John Patitucci, Mark Turner, Tom Scott, Joe Lovano, Eddie Gomez, Gary Novak, Lee Ritenour, Cachaíto Lopez, Peter Erskine)
John Ellis | Sax
(Kendrick Scott Oracle, Edward Simon, Darcy James Argue, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Helen Sung)
James Genus | Bass
(Out of the Blue, Horace Silver, Roy Haynes and Don Pullen, Nat Adderley, Greg Osby , Jon Faddis, T.S. Monk, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, Michael Brecker, Branford Marsalis, Chick Corea, Didier Lockwood, Ravi Coltrane, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Daft Punk)
IN COLLABORATION WITH
17
Aug, 2023
Maaike Girardin | Singer songwriter (CA)
Maaike Girardin
Singer songwriter (CA)
AVAILABILITY FOR EUROPE 2024
APRIL
Maaike Girardin is a Dutch Canadian singer and songwriter who travels the world with her music. Her signature voice, full of feminine sensitivity, discusses hidden thoughts, confessions and broken hearts, which she conveys with charm to her listener as an expert by experience.
Maaike invites you to relive her physical and emotional journeys, but this time through her poetic lyrics and folky guitar playing. In recent years, Maaike has played on stages all over the world, including in Israel, Vietnam and Australia. She collaborated with many musicians of different nationalities and genres. Performances at the Swedish embassy in Hanoi and the Blue Note Jazz Club in Milan are moments she can look back on with pride.
She has something personal. She introduces you to her world. She is naked and shares her emotions. She shares who she really is. It doesn’t sound like anyone else. She is only Maaike Girardin. This is what an artist does. – Dariana Koumanova Conductor of the Sanremo Festival Orchestra.
Maaike Girardin has won multiple awards at the Artist Voice Music conference in Italy. In the summer of 2019 she returned to the Netherlands to devote herself full-time to her music in combination with her Songwriting studies at the Rock Academy. Maaike is currently working on her debut album with Italian guitarist Alberto Ammendolia, which will be released in 2022. This year she is in the national final of Tour Music Fest (Rome, Italy) for the second time. She also played at the Circolo Festival, KRANG festival in the Netherlands, and Wonderest festival in Hungary this year. Her ambition is to touch as many souls as possible with her music and to relive the connection between people.
LINKS
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/maaikegirardinmusic/
FB –https://www.facebook.com/maaikegirardinmusic/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@maaikegirardin2710
Soundcloud –https://soundcloud.com/maaikegirardin
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4
Aug, 2023
DAVIDE PANNOZZO TRIO | Blues/Funk/Fusion (USA)
Davide Pannozzo Trio (IT/USA)
Fusion Jazz-Funk
AVAILABILITY
2025 | October
LINE UP
Davide Pannozzo | Guitar
Danny Gottlieb, Pippo Matino, Nathan East, Verdine White, Andrew Gouche, Mel Brown, George Benson, David Garfield, Phil Palmer, Nicola Piovani, Steve Jordan, Will Lee, Oleta Adams, Oz Noy, Shawn Pelton
Etienne Stadwijk | Piano
Louis Sclavis, Michel Portal, Tigran Hamasyan, Manu Katché, Youn Sun Nah
Clint De Ganon | Drums
Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Bob Mintzer, Paul Simon, Lizz Wright
DAVIDE PANNOZZO
Davide Pannozzo has been described by critics as one of the most interesting artists of contemporary Blues guitar. His style is very much his own, with splashes of Jeff Beck, John Scofield, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix.
“There are very few artists these days that can inspire and are filled with inspiration and great ideas; Davide Pannozzo is one of them. When you first hear his music, you know something special is going on…” Will Lee (Late Show with David Letterman, The Brecker Brothers, 24th Street Band, …)
Having studied Classical Guitar since the age of six, Davide Pannozzo graduated from the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome.
During his career, he has performed at several clubs and festivals in Italy (Pistoia Blues, Ameno Blues, Blues in Town, Accadia Blues, …) and in the world (The Bitter End in NYC, Bass Player in Los Angeles, IBC in Memphis, Ronnie Scott’s in London, Fete de la Musique in Paris, International Jazz Fest in Bucharest, Taubertal Festival in Frankfurt, …) and has played alongside artists such as George Benson, Steve Jordan, Will Lee, David Garfield, Clifford Carter, Phil Palmer, Matt Schofield, Oz Noy, Robben Ford.
Davide Pannozzo won the Emergenza European Acoustic Festival as Acoustic Solo Guitarist in 2009, followed by the Groove Master Award for Best Italian Blues guitarist in 2010, and most recently the Highland Uproar competition where he received hundreds of votes from listeners of the station in Scotland.
His album “Born Electric” was released by EmArcy/Universal Music, featuring very special guests: Robben Ford, Carl Verheyen, and David Garfield.
His Jimi Hendrix tribute, “A Portrait of Jimi Hendrix” features off-the-floor recordings – with no overdubs – it gets #1 on iTunes’s top100 Blues Albums in Italy and iTunes’s top100 New Blues Release in the USA.
His latest album, “Unconditional Love” has been produced by Steve Jordan & Will Lee, with the participation of Ricky Peterson, Oli Rockberger, and Shawn Pelton. The song “Chasing Illusions” is still in heavy rotation on SiriusXM, and it got the Top50 Jazz Blues Album Radio chart in the US.
His last single, “Be Blessed” was produced by Steve Jordan, and at its release, it was added to two big Spotify editorial playlists, “All New Jazz” & “Fresh Finds Jazz” getting hundreds of airplay in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and many enthusiastic reviews on blog and magazines.
“Be Blessed” is delicate and emotional. Davide takes his instrumentation on the guitar to another level, a place that very few can say they’ve been to. It’s a song for any occasion and is one of the best instrumental songs we’ve heard in a while.”
“Be Blessed” is a chill instrumental that overflows with understated emotion and casts its shadow somewhere between the upscale blues of Robben Ford and the deep melodicism of Duke Ellington.
Davide is the founder of “GUITARlab”, an Online Academy dedicated to the teaching of the Modern Blues Guitar.
ETIENNE STADWIJK
Etienne Stadwijk is a Dutch jazz pianist, keyboard player, and composer known for his innovative approach to jazz and modern music. He has collaborated with renowned musicians and gained acclaim for his unique musical expression on both national and international stages. His notable collaborations include working with artists like Richard Bona, Raul Midon, Paul Simon, and KJ Denhert.
Link on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/it/artist/395683-Etienne-Stadwijk
CLINT DE GANON
Clint de Ganon is a versatile and highly skilled drummer renowned for his dynamic playing and extensive collaborations across various musical genres. His rhythmic precision and dedication to creating exceptional music have made him a respected figure in the industry. He worked with Stevie Wonder, Kiki Ebsen, Hiram Bullock, John Tropea, Art Garfunkel, and the Blues Brothers.
Link on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/it/artist/319912-Clint-De-Ganon
LINKS
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/davide.pannozzo/
FB – https://www.facebook.com/davidepannozzomusic
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/davidepannozzo
SPOTIFY
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8
Feb, 2023
JEFF BERLIN | Fusion (USA)
JEFF BERLIN TRIO | (USA)
Fusion Jazz
AVAILABILITY
2025 | JULY
Jeff Berlin | Bass
John McLaughlin, Isaac Hayes, Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham, Yes, Allan Holdsworth, Toots Thielemans, David Liebman, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny, Van Halen, Rush, Stanley Clarke, Kazumi Watanabe, Frank Gambale, Vinnie Colaiuta, Paul Wertico, Danny Gottlieb, Dennis Chambers, David Fiuczynski, T Lavitz
Jorge Vera | Piano
Miguel Bosé, Ara Malikian, Billy Cobham, Christian Gálvez, Carlos Figueroa, Lamonart, Martina Lecaros, Andrés Pérez
Asaf Sirkis | Drums
Soft Machine (currently official drummer), Tim Garland, Larry Coryell, Gary Husband, John Abercrombie, Robert Wyatt, Kenny Wheeler, Jacob Collier, Billy Sherwood, Natacha Atlas
Jeff Berlin is a flexible and powerful electric bassist. He was one of the major fusion bassists to emerge during the mid-’70s. His father sang opera and his mother played piano. Berlin had nine years of violin lessons starting from when he was five and was considered a child prodigy, appearing with orchestras in New York City. However, when he was 14 he switched directions and began playing electric bass; Jack Bruce was an early hero. Berlin attended the Berklee College of Music for a time and then moved back to New York. For a short period he was in a trio with Allan Holdsworth and Tony Williams. In 1975 he recorded in Europe with Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz and then in New York he became quite busy with studio work, club dates, and record sessions. Berlin played with many top musicians including Pat Martino, Gil Evans, Toots Thielemans, Al DiMeola, George Benson, Earl Klugh, Larry Coryell, Bob James, Dave Liebman, Herbie Mann, Ray Barretto, the Brecker Brothers and others. Jeff Berlin was also a regular member of Bill Bruford’s band (which included guitarist Holdsworth and keyboardist Dave Stewart) for a couple years starting in 1977; four recordings resulted.
Jeff Berlin subsequently moved to Los Angeles, worked in clubs with Scott Henderson and Frank Gambale, became an educator (helping to found the Bass Institute of Technology), played rock (including with Frank Zappa), and turned down an opportunity to join Van Halen. During 1985-1986 Berlin recorded two fusion/rock dates for the soon-defunct Passport label. He moved to Florida in 1990 and toured with Yes, John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Kazumi Watanabe, and other musicians from a wide variety of creative genres. In addition, he began teaching at the Players School. His third set as a leader, 1997’s Taking Notes for Denon, was Berlin’s most jazz-oriented set to date. He continued releasing a number of albums into the 21st century, including Lumpy Jazz (2004) with his core trio featuring pianist Richard Drexler and drummer Danny Gottlieb; the highly regarded In Harmony’s Way (2004) with guest appearances by saxophonist David Liebman, vibraphonist Gary Burton, and guitarist Mike Stern; Ace of Bass/Aneurythms (2006); and the piano trio-oriented High Standards (2010), again featuring Drexler and Gottlieb in addition to the session leader.
Website: https://www.jeffberlinmusicgroup.com/
JORGE VERA
Pianist, composer, drummer, music producer began his professional career very early at the age of 14 in Santiago de Chile where he was born. He quickly became one of the most requested musicians in his country and participated in various musical programs accompanying artists such as Miguel Bosé, Luis Jara or David Bisbal. He was also the official pianist of the well-known “Festival de Viña del Mar” between 2005 and 2010 while recording with the local jazz elite, artists such as Christian Gálvez or Carlos Figueroa.
ASAF SIRKIS
Asaf left Israel to Europe and eventually settled in London in April 1999. He soon become part of the UK Jazz and world music scene, and started working with Adel Salameh, a Palestinian aud player/composer with whom he recorded the album ‘Nuzha’ which featured Asaf’s Middle Eastern frame drum playing. Soon after arriving in the UK Asaf re-formed the Inner Noise band with Steve Lodder (Church Organ) and Mike Outram (Guitar).
In 2000 Asaf met Gilad Atzmon, which was the start of a major creative collaboration. With Atzmon they formed The Orient House Ensemble, and this band went on to record 7 albums (‘Orient House’, ‘Nostalgico’, ‘Exile’, ‘Musik’, ‘Artie Fishel & the Promised Band’, ‘Refuge’, and ‘In Loving Memory Of America’). OHE’s album ‘Exile’ won the ‘Best CD of the Year’ category at the BBC Jazz Award 2003 and nominated for the ‘Best Band’ category in 2004. Asaf performed with The OHE in many prestigious festivals and venues in the UK and in Europe until April 2009 when he left the band to focus on his own writing and work with his trio.
In 2003 Asaf recorded the Inner Noise’ first album (‘Inner Noise’, Konnex KCD 5113). ‘Inner Noise’ is widely considered a groundbreaking album and the music has been described as a new gender – ‘Gothic Jazz’. The CD was chosen as one of the best albums of 2005 at the CHUOFM89 radio jazz station in Canada.
In 2006 Asaf started a unique collaboration with the highly acclaimed saxophonist/composer Tim Garland and has enjoyed making seven albums with him so far; notably ‘The Mystery’ (featuring Chick Corea and the Northern Sinfonia Orchestra), ‘Lighthouse’ (released on ACT, featuring Gwilym Simcock on piano), and ‘Songs For The north Sky’. Asaf has tours around the world with Tim’s various projects.
With the Inner Noise band Asaf made two more albums, ‘We Are Falling’ (Konnex 2005) and ‘The Song Within’ (SAM Productions/Egea 2007) which was selected as one of the best albums of 2007 at the ‘All About Jazz’ web-site by John Kelman. While developing his own compositions, Asaf formed the Asaf Sirkis Trio in 2007 which features Greek guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos and Israeli bassist Yaron Stavi. This trio has released three albums; ‘The Monk’ in (SAM Productions/Egea, 2008), ‘Letting Go’ (Stonedbird Productions, 2010) and ‘Shepherds Stories’ (2013, Stonedbird Productions) which has been selected twice as one of 2013’s best Jazz albums of the year at the All About Jazz website.
Since 2014, Asaf has been co-leading the SIrkis/Bialas IQ together with Polish composer/singer extraordinaire Sylwia Bialas (with Frank Harrison on keyboards & Kevin Glasgow on bass). Their debut album ‘Come To Me’ has been receiving some rave reviews and been selected as one of the best of 2015 by Mark Sullivan at the All About Jazz website.
In recent years Asaf has been studying Konnakol – the south Indian vocal percussion language – with master mridangamist Paramasamy Kirupakaran and has been integrating this system in his teaching, composing and rhythmic approach. Asaf has developed an easy, step-by-step method of practicing Konnakol that can help any western instrumentalist or vocalist of any musical genre and level to increase rhythmic awareness and focus. Nowadays, Sirkis is involved in a variety of educational work, bringing Konnakol as a useful tool of understanding rhythm to western music education. Notably he has given many workshops and seminars around the world on the subject and has a YouTube channel with some basic Konnakol tutorials.
In 2016 Asaf started a collaboration with the Moonjune record label (founded by Leonardo Pavkovic) – a collaboration that has led to the recording of about 20 albums to date with international artists such as Gary Husband (UK), Jorge Padro (Spain), Carles Benavent (Spain), Beledo (Uruguay), Nguyen Le’ (France), Dwiki Dharmawan (Indonesia), Mark Wingfield (UK/USA), Dusan Jevtovic (Serbia/Spain), Nicolas Meier (Switzerland/UK), Markus Reuter (Germany), and many more.
In 2021 Asaf joined Emma Rawicz ‘Chroma’ band and recorded an album for the ACT record label as well as touring with her band in Europe and UK.
In January 2023, Asaf joined legendary British Jazz-Rock group Soft Machine and has been touring world-wide with the band as well as recording a single (released 2024) for My Only Wish record label. 2024 sees Asaf touring with the band extensively.
Asaf played or has been playing around the world with artists such as: Dave Holland, Jacob Collier, Tim Garland, Celine Bonacina, Gwilym Simcock, Larry Coryell, Nicolas Meier, Jeff Berlin, John Abercrombie, Bob Sheppard, Jeff Berlin’s Quartet, Norman Watt-Roy (off the Blockheads), Wilco Johnson, Soft Machine, Robert Wyatt, Mark Egan, Mark Wingfield, Natacha Atlas, Dave Liebman, David Binney, Gary Husband, pianist John Taylor, Norma Winstone, Kenny Wheeler, Andy Sheppard, Lenny Stern, John Law, Peter King, Stan Sulzman, Barbaros Erkose (Turkey), Dwiki Dharmawan (Indonesia), Bela Szakcsi-Lokatos (Hungary), Glauco Venier (Italy), Yuri Goloubev (Russia), Klaus Gesing (Austria), Eyal Maoz (NYC), Simon Fisher Turner, Phil Robson, Mark Latimer, John Etherigde and more…
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