Musician. Composer. Guitarist. One of the best MPB and Jazz guitarists plays classical and electric guitar. Born in the neighborhood of Bangu, west of Rio de Janeiro, he was raised in Italy by his father, the “immense” guitarist IRIO de PAULA, a musician residing in the country since the 70s. Robertinho De Paula has played in several European countries (Germany – France – Greece – Spain – Netherlands) and Argentina He has played in several festivals “Festival de Jazz de Castelbuono”, “Ariano Irpino Jazz”, “Seravezza Jazz”, “Teggiano Jazz”, “Padova Jazz Festival Centro Porsche” “Jazz Pantelleria Festival” “GuitarMaster” (Germany), Ecojazz Festival “(Italy), “Peperoncino Jazz Festival” (Italy) “Jazz in Sud de France” (France) “Roma Jazz Festival” (Italy) “San Marino Jazz” (Republic de San Marino) “San Martin Jazz Festival” (Italy) “Beat Onto Jazz Festival” Italy “Etno Jazz Festival” Italy the others… In 2004 he released his first solo CD entitled “Bate Papo”, along with his father Irio De Paula being voted one of the best albums of 2004 in Italy, touring several cities in Italy: Verona, Torino, Ná poles, Palermo, Acona Cevignano di Friuli, Borgo Valsugana, San Donà di Piave, Vilminore di Scalve, Bolzano and Venice. He released solo albums in Europe, especially “Cores” (RDP Quartet – Italy) “Vera Cruz – Vertere and RDP String Quartet” (Italy); “The Seed of Love, jazz guitar, Brazilian style – RDP” (Italy) “Chameleon Jazz – RDP Jazz Quartet” (Italy) “ITBRIT – RDP” (Italy) “Live In Berlin – RDP ” (Italy); “Bebo Best and Our Soul Sings – Special Guest RDP “Atras Da Porta” Nadia Cancila – RDP (Italy) “Roda De Bossa” Nossa Alma Sings with RDP (Italy) “Natural” RDP (Brazil) ) “Bate Papo” Irio De Paula and Robertinho De Paula (Italy).
Robertinho De Paula has played with musicians such as: Larry Coryell – Martin Taylor – Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group)- Dave King – Ivan Lins – Fabrizio Bosso – Massimo Manzi – Vito Di Modugno – Seu jorge – Soweto Kinsh Robertinho Silva
Hakan Başar, who was born in 2004 and started playing the piano at the age of 8, continued his studies with his father, who is a guitarist, after short private lessons. In this process, he made the first jazz piano studies with the curriculum of jazz pianists such as Walter Norris, Clare Fisher, Noah Baerman, Jeb Patton, David Berkman, Bill Dobbins, Andrew D.Gordon, Neil Olmstead, Bill Cunliffe, Andy LaVerne. Afterwards, he completed the second part of his studies by studying “Jazz Piano” styles of Michel Petrucciani, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Hank Jones, Bill Evans, Tommy Flanagan, Kenny Barron, Sonny Clark, Art Tatum, Scott Joplin, Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea and developing his etudes. While all these studies were going on, Başar was 10 years old when he gave his first concert within the 5th Pera Music Festival. Continuing her music studies and education life together, he made her first studio recordings in 2015 at İTÜ MİAM. In addition to international special events, he gave a concert at the age of 12 as part of the Istanbul Jazz Festival.
The concert series, which started with the “Akbank Sanat Young Talent” concert in February 2017, continued with the Izmir-European Jazz Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival Promotion Night and Ahmet Ertegün Memorial Night. Afterwards, World Jazz Day, Zorlu PSM Jazz Festival, Ankara Jazz Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival and Akbank Jazz Festival were the concerts that followed this series. During this time, he met names such as Ron Carter, Russell Malone, Eddie Gomez, Donald Vega, especially Chick Corea, and had the chance to do a workshop with Chick Corea before the Istanbul concert. After this meeting, Chick Corea’s views, who admire Hakan’s talent, are as follows:
“La releve est assurée.”
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In February 2018, Hakan was entering his first recording, which will turn into an album in 2019, at Babajim Studios, this time with Turkey’s most important musicians Ferit Odman, İmer Demirer, Engin Recepoğulları and Kağan Yıldız. The last part of the recordings was completed with the contributions of Halil Çağlar Serin, and the statement made by Martin Hummel ,who is director of Ubuntu Music, when he came to Istanbul and the Hakan Başar Trio at another Akbank Art Concert, indicated the album date as 19 October 2019. The album, which was released by Ubuntu Music in London, was distributed by Equinox Music.
The album “On Top Of The Roof” was a very important start for Hakan. Because he was on an international platform for the first time, and this time the London Jazz Festival opening concert was Hakan’s second stop after the album launch. The concert on November 15, 2019 was held at Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho and received serious coverage in the British press. The interview by Mike Collins on behalf of London Jazz News was followed by the broadcasting of the album tracks on Jazz FM, one of the world’s most important jazz radios.
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In 2020, which started very quickly with concerts, unexpected pandemic process brought its negativity. Although there were no concerts, the album On Top Of The Roof have been broadcasted on many jazz radios and interviews were held in the written jazz press. One of them was Radio Boğaziçi’s nomination of Hakan among the jazz musician candidates of the year. Hakan Başar’s explanations for the challenging pandemic process are as follows: “This period has been a new beginning for me again. Because I think that I got the necessary substructure with the preparations I have made so far. I switched to a different system. I can say that by making good use of this free time, I gained different opinions for my creative development by analyzing the compositions of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Kenny Dorham, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Ornette Coleman etc. Also, I have listened jazz guitarists such as George Benson, Pat Martino, Wes Montgomery, Bireli Lagrene. Besides, I try to enrich his music by listening to Debussy, Chopin, Bach and especially by studying Debussy.”
On the anniversary of his album, another surprise was awaiting Hakan. His recording which was made with Jimmy Haslip and Will Kennedy who are two invaluable legendary musicians of Yellow Jackets, came out in the world, again by Martin Hummel who is Ubuntu Music’s director, this time as “Hub Art Special Edition Single”. The views of Jimmy Haslip, Will Kennedy and Martin Hummel about this project are as follows:
Jimmy Haslip
“Hakan Başar is a brilliant young pianist and the New Hub Art project frames the beauty of his performances and his compositions.”
Will Kennedy
“The future is in the hands of the young and as we do our best to encourage, inspire, and guide those who we pass the baton to, we rest in the knowledge that the future is in good hands. The hands of Hakan with the spirit and soul behind those hands gives us confidence for the future.”
Martin Hummel
“Another dream comes true for this amazing young talent. And everyone should expect many, many more to come! Hakan is a truly gifted artist and a very special person. We love him!” he concludes.
Horacio “El Negro” Hernández | Drums
Dany Noel | Bass
Jorge Vera | Piano and keyboard
Amik Guerra | Trumpet
HORACIO “EL NEGRO” HERNANDEZ
“El Negro” follows the influences from Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Ignacio Berroa, and others. His drumming reflects a musical heritage rooted in folklore tradition.
“El Negro” first gained international recognition as the drummer for the pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and his group Proyecto. Since leaving Cuba in 1990, Hernandez has played in the U.S. with many different pop, rock, jazz and Latin jazz acts, including on many albums, some of which have received Grammy awards, including Roy Hargrove’s Havana (1997), Carlos Santana’s Supernatural (1999), Alejandro Sanz’ No es lo mismo (2003) and Eddie Palmieri’s Listen Here (2005). Hernández owns a Grammy award for the 2001 Latin Jazz album Live at the Blue Note with Michel Camilo (piano) and Charles Flores (bass). Since 2004, Hernandez has recorded and toured with his own band, Italuba.
In July 2010, Hernández was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music. He was presented with the award at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy by Berklee’s former Vice President of Academic Affairs, Larry Monroe.
In 2011 he recorded the album Proposición, with a band including Dany Noel Martinez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ivan Lewis, Dario Chiazzolino, Ivan Bridon and Amik Guerra. In the same year he played at the Modern Drummer Festival with his new band The New World Order; the concert was released on the Modern Drummer Festival 2011 DVD. Also in 2011 he began playing with Marc Ribot y Los Cubanos Postizos.
In 2016 Hernández joined Salazh Trio, a jazz fusion group featuring bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling. Their debut work Circulations was released in December 2017.
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ITALUBA
Of all the Afro-Cuban musicians playing the “conventional” [if you could at all call it that] North American – or “Jazz” – drum sets there is no one more dazzling to watch and listen to than Horacio “El Negro” Hernández. He can play at extraordinary speeds with both hands, never losing control of pulse or time, he seems to have wrists – not lubricated by but – made of liquid and his hand-eye-foot co-ordination is diabolically brilliant. This miraculous dexterity enables him to morph from montuno to swing, mix things up with machine-gun-like “bebop” rhythms as well as odd metres… and best of all he can make it all sound perfect and exactly where it belongs – all in the space of a fine or six minute song.
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With “El Negro” commanding proceedings from his drum chair and Joaquín Betancourt at the helm of affairs [of] the rest of the ensemble, the Italuba Big Band pull off this perfect repertoire showing off their mastery of music redolent of soaring melodies, luscious harmonies, and dynamic, meteoric rhythms that dive in and out of the traditional and the contemporary. There is a magnificent balance of composition and invention throughout. Soli are brief, meaningful and always make elegant musical statements and soloists ascend in soaring parabolas and loops above the melodies before returning the music to its original themes. Music such as “Pati Metal” and Divertimento” are dense in orchestration, and you made ever- aware of the textural strands that make the music unique.
Meanwhile, speaking of the “unique”, it should not be lost on all of us, especially as we have been starved of live music [Cuban music in particular] for almost a year and a half. So what better way than to enjoy a live performance vicariously than on this double-DVD of what is easily one of the most memorable performances of that year – and to do so not only by “listening” to the music, but experiencing it as if it were “live” on DVD? As a production as well, this is a dizzying [sometimes a little too dizzying] production with 13 cameras, including the Go-Pro cameras now-ubiquitous on sound-stages worldwide. The jump-cuts may make things feel a little rushed at times, but nevertheless it is still an enormously rewarding musical experience.
Franck Biyong is available with two different amazing projects:
Franck Biyong & Lipombe Jazz (Afrobeat-AfroJazz) and Afrobrainz (Electronic-Funk-Rock)
BIO
FRANCK BIYONG
AFRICA’S 21ST CENTURY ROCK GUITAR HERO
Growing up in Gabon, Nigeria and Ivory Coast before settling in the UK at age 14, Franck Biyong lived in households filled with good music. Little wonder why the towering Cameroonian artist is a composer, guitar player, singer, band leader and producer. This master of musical interpretation recalls American Jazz guitarist, Wes Montgomery’s “Canadian Sunset” as the song that set him down his musical path as a pre-teen.
Fanck Biyong went on to cultivate a personal and passionate relationship with music, recognizing it as “spiritual food for the soul”. Receiving musical instruction and training at the National Institute of Arts in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), he scorched a brilliant path with his electric guitar and became a reporter of human emotions and feelings. Franck translated these experiences into several Afro Beat and Afro Jazz albums that made people move, laugh, dance, cry and meditate.
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Fanck Biyong has played at countless spots around the globe including SOB’s in New York and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Franck has also enjoyed European tours with music legends such as Nigerian Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen and Ghanaian Highlife guitarist Ebo Taylor. Franck has also worked with Wyclef Jean as well as Salif Keita, King Sunny Ade, Culture Musical Club, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Waje, Phyno, Efya, Diamond Platnumz and Vanessa Mdee during his time as Music Director on Coke Studio Africa Season 1 & 2.
But Franck Biyong, a consummate performer and creator, has reinvented himself.
In 2016, he shared his vision for Alternative Afro-Electro-Rock and Crossover Music with the recording of the LIYOMBA CHURCH single. This exciting single mined the link between rock and electro with dazzlingly good results. Clever use of Swahili lyrics made it immediately familiar with fans in East Africa and the rest of the continent for whom this Bantu language resonates with many of their own.
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This is in line with the Pan-African ideals underpinning Franck’s new sound. And, one of two logical evolutions of African Music; the other being creating musical forms that would appeal to diverse audiences regardless of their age and knowledge about new types of African music: “We have to adapt to change, not to dissolve totally our identity and unique approach to music, but to bridge the gap between where we were and where we should go”.
And, Franck is leading the pack…
Having been a musician for decades and with diverse influences and references (from Francis Bebey to Frank Zappa), Fanck Biyong serves as a
“filter” through which two different streams are passing. The first stream is represented by music of the past generation that he hopes to pass on to the next; stretched out, revamped and modernized. While the second is the modern urban sounds that he plans to incorporate, develop and confront working with musical forms that do not belong together in the first place.
Another aspect of Franck’s futuristic idea of African Music is defined by artistic independence and total freedom of expression. This is a marked departure from the current strong push towards commercialization of image in place of music.
Perhaps his new rock oriented project will herald crossover exposure and breakthrough on the international scene…and it may also finally alter the perception of African Music and its musicians at large.
Pedro Makay was born in Bilbao. In childhood he received his first musical experience in piano lessons and at 13 he started playing Spanish guitar. In a trip to Jamaica with his family, while visiting a friend in Negril he’s introduced to Caribbean rhythms, reggae and calypso which would become inspirational to his music.
In Bilbao a reputed gypsy guitarist, Jose Cortes, introduces him to flamenco and teaches him the repetition and discipline necessary to improve and perfect his technique on flamenco guitar. Then he started composing.
In 2007 he recorded his first album by the name of Pedro Makay with Carlos Velasco, Teddy Baxter and Daniel Amat. That same year he traveled to Buenos Aires where he lived the following 4 years. He studies harmony/composition with Rino Rafanelli, singing with Silvia Gaddi and acting with Lito Cruz. In BA he presents his album playing gigs in night clubs, cabarets, theaters and cultural centers in the Buenos Aires scene, promoting his music in radio stations and television.
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In 2010 he records in Argentina his second album, Ojos Negros, with the producer Andres Mayo and musicians Gustavo “El Polaco” Goyeneche, Gabriel Costa, Daniel Leis, Ervin Stutz, Alejo Von der Pahlen and Juanjo “El Chaqueño” Martinez. The record was listed in the Latin Grammy Awards, under the categories of “Album of the year” and “Best New Artist”.
In 2012 he returns to Spain, where he continued his musical career in Madrid, offering concerts in mythical halls such as Sala Barco, El Juglar, Café la Palma, the Berlin Café and Sala Clamores with the participation of Mali, griot Fousseni Fakoly, Abba Suso, griot from Gambia and Cuban singer Lazaro Armenteros, grandson of Benny Moré, as well as appearing in European venues, Beograde, Seville, Bologna, Milan, Venice, Rome and many more.
In Lavapies, an intensely active cultural and multi ethnical neighbourhood of Madrid, where he lives (a European Greenwich Village where all cultures of the world converge) is an important source of inspirational influence in his music.
Since 2016 he has participated in prestigious Italian Music Festivals: The Riccia Folk Festival, The Fiesta Global of Montefabbri Festival and the Bertinoro Festival, amongst others. In 2020 he played at Alkantara Fest – international Folk & World Music Festival, in Sicily, and in 2021 he signed with the Italian label Caligola Records and releases his new album “Colores”, presenting it in various events and Festivals such as the Ravenna Festival of Cultures and the Songwriting Festival in Venice.
“Colores” is an eight song album of own compositions inspired by popular roots and born through musical encounters, experiences and intense collaborations with musicians of diverse cultures. Recorded live in collaboration with, amongst others, Norman Hogue, Miron Rafajlovic, Abba Suso, Roberto Lorenzo, Aboubakar Syla, Pancho Brañas, “Colores” could best be described as offering a “World Music”style.
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REVIEWS
“Colores, an accomplished album full of vibrant rhythms, great for dancing, which we could include in the WORLD MUSIC genre and is crossing beyond our frontiers with Pedro and his band participating in different Music Festivals and International Events”.
Tato Puerto, En Un Mundo Feliz.
“A cheerful and fresh job; different from most of the records in circulation today … Spain, Africa, Caribbean, North America, all the “Colores” of world music in a work that to ascribe to the “world music” genre would perhaps be an understatement: listen to it, there are eight hypnotic songs and engaging, which will not leave you indifferent!“.
Jazz It.
“Original and brilliant mix of: afro-cuban, jazz, funk, blues and rock…with taste and talent, injection of sunny joy“.
Eugenio Mirti, Jazzespresso.
“Colourful album, vital, fresh and greatly optimistic”.
Sonia Frias, Entrelares. Círculo de Bellas Artes
“Bright and fresh music is greatly danceable and in favor of the public”.
Dany Noel | Bass & Voice
Dani Morales | Drums
Jorge Vera | Piano
BIO
DANY NOEL
Daniel Noel Martínez Izquierdo, better known as Dany Noel, was born in Havana, Cuba, on 14th June
1973. He began his musical studies at the age of 10 and graduated in classical guitar at the Conservatory “Ignacio Cervantes” (Havana).
Already as a professional, he started playing bass and double bass with numerous Cuban orchestras and artists of recognized national and international prestige, like Pío Leyva and Omara Portuondo, members of “Buena Vista Social Club”. He recorded discs with Ángel Bonnet, Eddy Gaytán and Xiomara Laugart. In the successful “Que manera de quererte” Dany participates as a bassist and music producer. He works with folk music orchestras and in numerous Latin jazz projects.
So he is considered among the most important bassists on the international scene, he has also collaborated with artists like Celia Cruz, with whom he created the World Tour 2001.
In 2004, together with the famous drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, he founded ITALUBA, a quartet of which he is bassist, composer and arranger. They recorded their first CD ITALUBA1 and quickly gained the favor of the public and critics and start ed an intense European tour. This album won a Grammy nomination for best album in the Latin jazz category and two years later their second CD ITALUBA2 was born. They have continued to release albums, most recently ITALUBA15, in May 2020.
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In 2006 he launched his first solo album, “Mi sentir”, where besides arranging and composing he debuts as a singer, presented in Midem 2006 (Cannes). In the same year he recorded another Rumba CD “Dime si tú sabes” as Duo Chocolate, where there is also his music.
Since 2007 Dany Noel has collaborated with several artists of the international scene including Roy Hargrove, Bebo Valdés, Chucho Valdés, José Luis Quintana “Changuito”, Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, Diego el Cigala, Andy Montañez, Richie Flores, Ivan Lins, Julio Barreto, Dave Valentin, Eric Harland, Alex Acuña, Kenny Garrett, Zucchero Fornaciari, José Alberto “El Canario”, Alfredo De La Fe, The New York Salsa All Star, Orquesta Mercado Negro, Luis Salinas, Niño Josele, Jerry González, Paquito D’Rivera and many others.
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Then he entered the pop-flamenco and flamenco scene, recording discs with the well-known producer and guitarist Javier Limón and with some singers like Concha Buika, with whom he made many world tours.
IHis work can be found on albums of artists such as Luz Casal, Victoria Abril, Lolita Flores, Ainhoa Arteta, Mariza, Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Fito Páez, Hip Hop Roots, Ojos de brujo, receiving numerous awards in the musical field. In addition, to remember his collaboration in the Musical “Enamorados Anónimos” as
arranger for the brass section. He also worked as an arranger in “Perales en directo 35 años” DVD of José Luis Perales.
He collaborated with the director Fernando Trueba in one of his films “Chico y Rita”, as arranger alongside the great pianist Bebo Valdés. He also collaborates on the soundtrack of the film “La piel que habito” by director Pedro Almodóvar.
Lately he won Cuba Disco prize with ITALUBA, in the best Latin jazz record category, with his compositions and arrangements for Big Bands. In addition, two of his songs “Por la Habana” and “Amada Habana” have been included in a book created for the 500th anniversary of Havana. In the latter period he has cooperated, as a producer of new talent, with young Grammy winning artists like Tony Succar, Nella.
In July 2020, thanks to his musical career, the renowned bass guitar brand Laurus made a unique and personalized model called DANY NOEL, which is already available for sale.
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.
Cuban drummer and percussionist rooted in Madrid since 2008 where he participated as an instrumentalist with numerous Spanish artists and bands such as:
Café Quijano, Tamara, Sole Gimenez, Tino di Geraldo, Dany Noel Jazz Trio, Alain Perez Jazz Quintet, Ivan Melon Lewis, & The Cuban Swing Express, Marina Abad (Ojos de Brujo), Aihnoa Arteta, La banda de Jazz fusion Patáx, Erwin Schortt (Opera), Ruben Martín, Jose Feliciano, Carlos Rivera, Eve Cornelius (New York). His favorite styles and his main influences are based on Cuban music, Latin jazz, son, timba, Afrocuban music, gospel, funk, pop. He stands out for being a versatile musician in different ensembles both as: pluri-percussionist and as a drummer.
A new artistic perspective of Dany Noel, in which Cuban music, flamenco and Latin jazz come together in an atmosphere of fusion. To realize the project he availed himself of the collaboration of great musicians and friends: the New York trumpeter and conga player Jerry González, the drummer Horacio “El negro” Hernández, the singer Concha Buika, the pianists Javier Masso Caramelo, Ivan “Melon” Lewis and Ivan Bridon, Dario Chiazzolino on guitar, Inoidel González on Sax and Carlos Sarduy on trumpet. In this project Dany Noel takes us on a journey full of good music and poetry, in which we feel different and innovative influences in a single fusion genre.
TINTA UNIDA
A fresh work, with a festive atmosphere, that vibrates in the tradition of Cuban rhythmic music that blends with flamenco and Latin jazz, to achieve a surprising result that lives in the memory of the spectators. Tinta unida represents colors, the skin colors of his musicians, the colors of music. It comes in various forms, all of equal importance without losing its essence. The composition, arrangements and melodic, harmonic and rhythmic treatment represent this essence, which Dany Noel imposes as composer, ar ranger, bassist, singer and producer.
CONFIDENCE
An album recorded in duo by Dany Noel and Italian guitarist Dario Chiazzolino. It is a purely jazz work. These two musicians come together to express their feelings and lifestyles through music, in an album that is recorded through the art of improvisation, creating rich melodies that caress the soul of all those who appreciate good music.
POR LA HABANA
“Por la Habana” represents an ode to his hometown for the 500th anniversary of its foundation and thanks to its music reflects the culture of the Cuban people. A record that represents an incitement to the “bailador” that flows from its roots to reach all Caribbean genres. His arrangements are full of Cuban rhythms, where in addition to singing and performing new themes, Dany Noel transforms the Italian song “Stare bene a metà” by Pino Daniele into a danceable theme, making the audience stand up for an evening full of Cuban flavor.
HACIENDO CAMINO *Latest Release*
Dany Noel presents a new project called “Haciendo Camino”. It is an album in which the director and arranger Dany Noel invites us to travel with music; he’s offering a concert for all tastes. It is a fresh and evocative repertoire ranging from bolero jazz to Latin jazz, bebop and other genres. It is a fusion proposal that will transmit a musical richness that can surely be appreciated by every kind of audience.
“I know Dany Noel, we’ve worked together, he’s an excellent bass player capable of playing any genre with absolute skill. He wrote this book as a guide to Cuban bass “Tumbaos” of all time. It’s a good job! Congratulations Dany!”
Chucho Valdés
“In this valuable pedagogical and chronological material Dany takes us on a journey of his own through different styles of Cuban music thanks to his instrument, the bass. Concepts that he himself learned and that were fundamental to his training, leading him to become one of the most important voices in contemporary Cuban bass guitar. Moreover, it is recommended not only to bass lovers, but to all kinds of scholars of our great Cuban music. Congratulations Dany!”
Horacio “El Negro” Hernández
Bobby Sparks|Keyboards
Keith Anderson | Sax
Jay McK | Bass
Brannen Temple | Drums
James Robinson | Vocals
DJ Ernie G
A Grammy-winning jazz and gospel organist, Bobby Sparks II is best known as a member of the band Snarky Puppy, and as a longtime collaborator with gospel leader Kirk Franklin. Following his debut with Franklin in the early ’90s, he was a member of Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor, and played alongside a mix of jazz, gospel, and pop luminaries including Fred Hammond, Marcus Miller, George Benson, Nelly Furtado, and many more. In 2019, he released his long-awaited solo album, Schizophrenia: The Yang Project.
Born in 1973 in Corsicana, Texas, Sparks grew up with parents who were teachers and musicians. His mother, a church organist, started him on the piano at age three, and encouraged his love of hymns and gospel music. Similarly, his father played trumpet and introduced him to jazz, including organists like Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, and Lonnie Smith. Sparks developed quickly, and throughout his childhood played often for church choirs, musical workshops, and vocal ensembles. At age 16, he was gifted a Hammond B-3 which he soon mastered. After high school, he further honed his skills studying music at Eastfield College in Mesquite near Dallas. It was during this period that he met and joined Kirk Franklin’s gospel group. From 1992 to 2005, he worked as Franklin’s musical director, touring and contributing to albums like 1993’s Kirk Franklin & the Holy Family, 1998’s Nu Nation Project, and 2002’s The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. With Franklin he earned a bevy of accolades, including numerous Grammy Awards.
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An in-demand session player, Sparks has worked with gospel luminaries like Fred Hammond, CeCe Winans, and Donnie McClurkin, as well as artists from the jazz and R&B world including Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Lalah Hathaway, and Kirk Whalum, among others. He was a key member of trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s funk-jazz outfit RH Factor, appearing on 2003’s Hard Groove, 2004’s Strength, and 2006’s Distractions. Over the years, Sparks also branched out into radio and television, supplying the music for shows like Top Model and movies like The Prince of Egypt. Away from performing, he has also served as organist for Pathway of Life Church.
Since 2016, he has been a regular member of the acclaimed jam band Snarky Puppy, appearing on 2016’s Grammy-winning Culcha Vulcha, and 2019’s Immigrance. Also in 2019, Sparks released his first album as a leader, Schizophrenia: The Yang Project, which featured contributions by Hargrove, Marcus Miller, Snarky Puppy’s Michael League, and others.
TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI – a female groove band formed in 2018 in Tokyo by three Japanese session musicians.
Their producer got opportunity to live in NY for eight years in 1980s and 2010s, and he went to around 500 music live concerts. Especially in late 80s, he experienced creative music beyond genres, and he fell in love with groove music. As Duke Ellington said, “There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind”, he strives to produce TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI as a powerful groove band with music beyond the generations, genders, and genres.
They mainly perform at various music festivals and solo live concerts. Most of the times, they are sold out.
Since the band is formed, they have been collaborating with other musicians also. They made two music videos and the second video “WHAT IS HIP?” became huge hit particularly outside of Japan. On Juna’s YouTube channel, the video got one hundred thousand views within a month, and now hits 10000 subscribers! This shows that TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI has been garnering attention.
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BIO
TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI is a female groove band formed in 2018 in Tokyo by three Japanese session musicians, Emi Kanazashi (keyboard,vo), Juna Serita (bass.vo) and Yuriko Seki (drums,cho).
Their producer got opportunity to live in NY for eight years in 1980s and 2010s, and he went to around 500 music live concerts. Especially in late 80s, he experienced creative music beyond genres, and he fell in love with groove music. As Duke Ellington said, “There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind”, he strives to produce TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI as a powerful groove band with music beyond the generations, genders, and genres. They mainly perform at various music festivals and solo live concerts. Most of the time, they get fully occupied. Since the band is formed, they have been collaborating with other musicians also.
They made music videos and the video “WHAT IS HIP?” became huge hit (over total 2000000hit) particularly outside of Japan. In February of 2020, they went to NY and performed at live music clubs such as THE BITTER END, SHRINE, Suger, GROOVE, cafe Wha?… Famous music producer Ray Angry invited them for those live performances, and they played almost every nights. The audience were so welcoming and warm. They’ve been playing cover songs mainly, and finally they have started making original songs from July 2020. Juna&Yuriko graduated from TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI. (July&Sep/2020) Thay will focus on their individual project, but that will be their special support artist. New bass player Rina Hoshino & New drummer MiMi joined TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI. They did recording the original songs in Aug/Sep 2020. And released single in Sep & EP album in Nov of 2020. Single “HOT SUMMER” is ranked in the 1st in R&B/Soul in iTunes Store(Turkey).EP “TOKYO GROOVE” is ranked in the 8th in R&B/Soul in iTunes Store(Japan).
Swiss based trio hitting your brains, hearts and limbs. The Next Movement: Character, authenticity and urgency – but above all: Groove.
Explosive Groove-pop with enough funky soul might be the most accurate description of their fairly unswiss sound creation. Comparisons to Anderson. Paak and references to Prince show up on a regular. Call it what you want; their music is very meaningful and grooves hard.
Swiss-based Groove Trio “The Next Movement” announce what they call “The Glorios Return of The Funk” in 2020 – dilldoard, Funk Update
A first listen might suggest: this is a new production emerging from the legendary funk scene of Minneapolis. Wrong by far! Three Swiss musicians are boosting Funk to new heights on the new album THE NEXT MOVEMENT (LEOPARD Records). J.J. Flueck, Pascal «P» Kaeser and Sam
Siegenthaler form the explosive helvetic Trio, with their music unmistakably fusing the influences of R&B, funk and blues from James Brown, Prince, Jimi Hendrix to Miles Davis on this album. And they do it in skillful and sonic perfection.
All three musicians have known each other for decades and have played together in various scenarios, often as sidemen. Up to the day where they decided to bring their own song material to life with THE NEXT MOVE-MENT. Founding the band was the logical next step in
their music careers. And since all three are fans of funk, R&B, blues and jazz, the direction they would take musically, was very clear.
THE NEXT MOVEMENT is a highly danceable, endlessly grooving album that captivates you from the first listen and makes you want to move your body.
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J.J. Flueck
Born in Olten and raised in Solothurn and the USA, drummer, singer and bandleader J.J. Flueck has been one of the most active players and pus-hers in the Swiss music scene for years. After completing his jazz studies at the Musikhochschule Basel and various further training courses in the USA, he has left his unique groove mark on countless projects and bands on the drumset and as musical director. Besides his own bands «The Next Movement», «JJ’s Hausband» or as musical director for the top-class «James Brown Tribute Show», he played and produced for many years with the exceptional rapper Greis or with Nicole Bernegger as well as for the intercontinental project «Rogue State Alliance» (Pro Helvetia South Africa and Switzerland) and many more.
J.J. Flueck was awarded the Förderpreis der Regiobank Solothurn (2005) and the Prize for Music of the Canton of Solothurn (2014).
Pascal «P» Kaeser
Pascal «P» Kaeser Pascal Kaeser, or often called «P» {π} for short among musicians, knows no compromises when it comes to groove. Already during his electric bass studies at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston (USA), he con-centrated on Afro-American music styles: soul, funk, R&B and jazz shaped his 4 years in America, where he studied with Anthony Vitti, David Buda, Whit
Brown and Fernando Huergo. In New England and New York he soon shares the stage with Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny), Tony Escapa (Ricky Martin) and Keith Harris (Black Eyed Peas).
After the occasional struggles to pronounce his name correctly, his fellow musicians soon decide to call him “PK” and eventually just “P” for short. After graduation in 2000, “P” returns and shortly thereafter establishes himself in the Swiss music scene. The next few years are marked by intensive concert activity and a very wide range of different projects. This leads to collaborations with the rapper Greis, the soul singer Nicole Bernegger, the jazz pianist Claude Diallo and the composition commission for the Circus Monti programme in 2013. Together with the production company cucoclip, Pascal works on va-rious short films and nationally and internationally broadcast commercials. As part of the musician pool Take This, “P” is on stage with Adrian Stern, Polo Hofer, William White, Lo & Leduc, Nemo, Marc Sway, Brandy Butler, Max Mutzke, Steffe la Cheffe and other artists.
Sam Siegenthaler
Samuel Siegenthaler, (*1980) professional musician, born and raised in Burgdorf (BE), is a guitarist with heart and soul.
His first influences were his parents’ varied record collection and his father’s guitar playing.
The initial spark came at the age of 12 with the first much longed-for instrument of his own.
Five years of training in classical guitar lead to the world of electric guitars. From then on, selfstudy and lessons with Marco Figini and Zlatko «Slädu» Perica, training at the Lucerne Jazz School.
Since 2003 intensive concert activity, mainly with the groove conglomerate J.J. Flueck and Pascal «P» Kaeser. Performances at home and abroad with renowned artists from the most diverse areas of pop, blues, rock, reggae, funk, hip-hop and soul. He is a permanent member
of J.J.’s house band, The James Brown Tribute Show, Soulvision Allstars, Soul Train, Prince Tribute.
He is also a sought-after sideman for Eliana Burki, William White, Greis, Steff la Cheffe, Msoké, Tommy Vercetti, Manillio, Nicole Bernegger, Mario Capitanio, Luca Hänni.
Concerts throughout Europe, USA, Canada, South America, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.
2005 Awarded the Culture Promotion Prize of the Burgdorf Burgergemeinde.
