“Frank Vignola is the perfect guitarist really. He knows every chord under the sun, he can drive the rhythm so hard that you really don’t need any more of a rhythm section practically for anything. And then when he begins his solos, one knows immediately that the music making is on the highest plane….Frank is a soloist to the very extreme limits that you would assume a soloist could ever be, a genuine virtuoso.” ~Mark O’Connor “Guitar virtuosity at its highest level-- a must hear.” ~djangoblog.com “…the monstrous Frank Vignola….is one of the most vicious tremolo-pickers on the scene.” ~Jude Gold, Associate Editor, Guitar Player Magazine Triple Play: Bill O’Connell with Dave Valentin & Richie Flores There is a difference between Latin Jazz and Jazz Latino. Latin Jazz dips heavily into the poly-rhythmic chocolate richness of Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican dance forms. Jazz Latino weaves itself through the luxurious harmonic fabric of big band swing and be-bop. Latin Jazz, while caressing the ear, never loses its magnetic attraction to the dancer. Jazz Latino, while keeping the clave in its inner ear, demands that you listen, really listen, to the journey of its melodic line and think. Pianist Bill O’Connell’s exciting new venture, Triple Play breaks all the rules about Jazz Latino: that you need a bass, that clave has to be threateningly hung over you like the sword of Damocles and that Jazz Latino is too passionate, too full of percussion, too multi-faceted to be contained within a trio form. By breaking with form, Bill O’Connell, flutist Dave Valentin and percussionist Richie Flores found freedom and the sheer joy that freedom rises, shouting from every cut. --Felipe Luciano, excerpt of liner notes form Triple Play
Jazz Guitar Summit
.John "Bucky" Pizzarelli is an internationally renowned man of music. His instrument of choice is the guitar, and his style is jazz. For more than half a century, "Bucky," as he is affectionately known, has been a part of the fraternity of musicians who have kept mainstream and traditional jazz alive. The list of big bands and vocalists with whom Bucky has performed and recorded reads like a veritable Who's Who of Jazz. He joined Vaughn Monroe's band while still in high school and later played with studio bands at the major networks. There he distinguished himself as one of the best rhythm guitarists in the business. Not contented with studio work alone, he jammed with and accompanied the best in the pop and jazz world including George Barnes, Stephane Grappelli, Slam Stewart, Zoot Sims, Flip Phillips, and his songs Martin and John Pizzarelli. Dedicated to swing and American popular song, Bucky is one of the most sought-after guitarists in the business, and continues to enchant audiences worldwide.
http://classicjazzguitar.com/artists/artists_page.jsp?artist=23
Gene Bertoncini is one of the pre-eminent jazz guitarist active today. His fluid technique and lyricism have won him international praise and accolades as the “Segovia of jazz.” An eloquent and versatile improviser, Mr. Bertoncini has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws and Paul Desmond among others, as well as such distinguished singers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone and Edye Gorme.
The Washington Post proclaimed his solo appearances in New York City the best jazz concert of the year (1999). Mr. Bertoncini‚s acclaim is hardly confined to this country. His CD, Someone to Light Up My Life, his own arrangements of the international raves of the including recognition in Brazilian critic‚s and listener‚s polls, who also named him the best acoustic jazz guitarist. Gene Bertoncini releases include a striking CD, Body and Soul, and his Acoustic Romance reached the top ten of the jazz playlists. Jazziz Magazine‚s March, 2004 issue named it #1 of the top twenty acoustic guitar Cds. His most recent CD, Quiet Now, was released in March, 2005.
“Bertoncini is an affecting, highly original guitarist who moves easily back and forth between classical and jazz guitar.” The New Yorker
http://www.genebertoncini.com/
Frank Vignola
Frank is one of the most accomplished, multi-dimensional players walking the planet today. Monster player, composer and improviser, Frank plays proficiently in every genre, from jazz to bluegrass, and works with everyone and their brother. Frank’s pedigree is a mile long, but a quick Google will illustrate why he is considered one of the best on the planet. Whether he is featured on a Donald Fagen recording, a jam with David Grisman, as Les Paul's right hand man or leading his own groups throughout the years, he has proved himself to be in the elite creating his own unique sound.
http://www.frankvignola.com/
JEFF CIAMPA BIOGRAPHY
Contemporary Jazz Guitarist Jeff Ciampa, nonpareil among superb artists deserving wider recognition, has worked and toured with some of the most demanding practitioners, including vocalists Harry Belafonte and Jon Lucien. His fluid melodic style, steeped in the jazz tradition, continues to inspire fellow musicians and listeners worldwide
.Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, the aspiring performing artist began formal guitar lessons at the age of twelve. Upon entering college as a pre-med student, his passion for music overshadowed his desire to enter the medical profession. In short time, Jeff found himself studying at the esteemed Berklee School of Music in Boston under the tutelage of guitarist extraordinaire, Pat Metheny. In fact, several years later, he would find himself fronting a trio composed of Mr. Metheny’s sidemen who accompanied the guitarist on many of his seminal recordings: bassist Mark Egan and drummer Danny Gottlieb. Further intense studies in improvisation with Charlie Banacos elevated his talent to such heights that in short time Jeff found himself touring with Caribbean icon, singer/actor Harry Belafonte and subsequently with popular jazz vocalist, Jon Lucien
.After a lengthy stint with the aforementioned artists, Jeff befriended long time Ornette Coleman bassist, Al McDowell with whom he recorded three critically acclaimed sessions for Gramavision Records.
In the early 1980’s, Jeff extended his music studies with the much heralded jazz guitar master, Billy Bauer while at the same time delving into classical guitar studies with William Matthews.
Eventually, Jeff and his family moved to the bucolic village of Warwick, New York where he cultivated a close professional relationship with neighbor, Mark Egan. For several years, Jeff and Mark with drummer Danny Gottlieb would perform to sell-out audiences for Sugarloaf Music Series on their home turf throughout Orange County, New York. Jeff recorded two critcally acclaimed recordings from this collaboration, Signs of Life and House of Mirrors. Subsequently, the popular trio was booked into major jazz festivals, including the JVC in New York City, the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, and the St. Kitt’s Jazz Festival.
In addition to performing and recording, Jeff is an accomplished writer and has collaborated with Luis Bonfa and Hazell Sherbill on the score for the musical, Carioca.
Founder and Executive Director for Sugarloaf Music Series, Russ Layne says, “For years I would never complete a season of jazz without Jeff Ciampa. His enthusiastic followers coupled with his ability to generate excitement through his virtuosity became the backbone of Sugarloaf Music. Jeff’s trio always necessitated a double-night billing…quite a feat for a jazz artist in rural ‘downstate’ New York.”
Guitar Magazine says, “Always the true professional, Mr. Ciampa performs with exuberance and aplomb . . .”
The Times Herald-Record wrote “ . . . another jazz gem residing and performing in the Hudson Valley.”
DANNY GOTTLIEB BIOGRAPHY
Danny Gottlieb is one of the most popular drummers in jazz and contemporary music. While best known as the drummer in the original Pat Metheny Group, Danny, during the past 25 years, has performed and recorded with some of the world's greatest musicians.
Manhattan Jazz Orchestra: GRP Big Band; Vanguard Jazz Orchestra; Joe Beck Trio; Lew Soloff Food Group; George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band; WDR Big Band; NDR Big Band; Tip Toe Jazz Orchestra; Randy Brecker Quartet; Neenah Freelon Group; Blues Brothers Band; Booker T and the MG's; Jazz is Dead; Pete Levin Trio; Ali Ryerson-Joe Beck Group; Joanne Brackeen Quartet; Bobby Rydell; Joe Farrell Quintet; Andy Laverne Quintet; Jacqui Naylor Band; Fritz Renold Friends; Haru Trio; Knut Varnes Group; Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra; Loren Schoenberg Big band; Airto and Flora Purim Group; Chuck Owen Jazz Surge; Jack Wilkins Group, and many more...
As a group member, he has worked with the following ensembles: Jeff Berlin Trio; Gary Burton Quartet; Stan Getz Quintet; Pat Metheny Group; Gil Evans Orchestra; Bobby McFerrin Trio; Eddie Gomez Group; Michael Franks Band; John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra; Al DiMeola Project; Mike Stern Trio; Manhattan Jazz
Danny has also performed or recorded with: Sting; David Byrne; Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea; Jim Hall; Miroslav Vitous; Wayne Shorter; Larry Coryell; Kenny Barron; Rufus Reid;
Branford Marsalis; Hiram Bullock; Bill Evans; Nana Vasconcellos; Trilok Gurtu; Dino Saluzzi; Mark Murphy; Chris Conner; Mike Abene; Gerry Mulligan; Clark Terry; Ernie Wilkins; Mike Wolff; Badal Roy; Hubert Laws; Mike Richmond; Jeff Richman; Russell Ferrante; Jimmy Haslip, and many more...
Danny appears on over 300 cd's to date, including 5 Grammy winners. As a leader, Danny has 5 cd's under his own name, 9 as co-leader of Elements, with Mark Egan; 2 as co-leader with Pete Levin, and 3 as co-leader of the Contempo trio, with Mark Soskin and Chip Jackson.
MARK EGAN BIOGRAPHY
Mark Egan is considered to be one of the most respected and in-demand electric bassists on the music scene today. His unique fretless bass sound and style is both distinctive and versatile and his musical contributions incomparable. With eight platinum & three gold albums to his credit, Mark has recorded with the likes of the Pat Metheny Group, Sting, Arcadia, Roger Daltry and Joan Osborne; performed with the Gil Evans Orchestra, Marianne Faithful, David Sanborn, John McGlaughlin and Sophie B. Hawkins and has added his musical prowess to such movies and television shows as; Aladdin, The Color Of Money, You've Got Mail, A Chorus Line, NBC Sports, ABC's All My Children, CNN/Headline News and numerous award winning television commercials.
Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, Mark began his musical studies on the trumpet at the age of 10, mainly through the influence of his father who was an avid player. He continued to play the trumpet through high school in jazz bands, R&B groups, the high school orchestra and started playing bass at age 16. He enrolled in the University of Miami School of Music under the direction of Jerry Coker and studied privately with the late, great Jaco Pastorius whose influence remains with him to this day. "When I heard Jaco play it made me aware of what could be done on the electric bass, particularly with regard to grooving and soloing - - Jaco just made me aware of another way of thinking about the bass and music."
While in Florida Mark formed a band with fellow University of Miami students; Clifford Carter (keyboards), Hiram Bullock (Guitar), Billy Bowker (Drums) and Phyllis Hyman (vocals). They came to New York in 1976 and soon afterward, Mark hooked up with the Pointer Sisters, Deodato and David Sanborn. Mark's notoriety was gaining and he quickly caught the eye of U of Miami School mate, Pat Metheny - joining the group in 1977. It was through this association that Mark would team up with Metheny drummer, Danny Gottlieb and go on to form the group Elements. To this day, Elements is one of the most highly acclaimed experimental contemporary jazzgroups in the world. The band has recorded over ten full length albums and have toured in over twenty-seven countries. Their uncompromising live sound continues to be on the forefront of the jazz music scene. While Mark continues to work with Elements and hold down the chair in the Gil Evans Orchestra (a position he has held for over thirteen years), his solo projects represent a more personal side of his musical makeup.
His solo debut, Mosaic (Windham Hill Records) delved into adventurous territory on his exotic custom-made eight and ten string basses - - painting beautiful soundscapes over multi-layered musical textures. His follow up LP, Touch of Light ( GRP Records) displayed another facet of Mark's creativity. Touch of Light featuring; Danny Gottlieb (drums)Clifford Carter (keyboards) and Bill Evans (sax) proved to be more upbeat and aggressive further exploring the sound of his arsenal of basses (30 at last count). In 1993 Mark signed with Bluemoon Records and released the highly anticipated album, Beyond Words which again featured; Gottlieb, Carter and Evans. It also introduced to the American music scene famed Brazilian guitarist, Toninho Horta whose bossa nova style and melodic compositions would take the music in a new direction.
Mark not only continues his recording and touring efforts which recently included studio performances with Joan Osborne, Michael Franks, Rory Block, Marianne Faithful, and tours with; Elements, Bill Evans and Marianne Faithful, but his passion and visionary approach to contemporary jazz music has led him to the creation of his independent record label, Wavetone Records. He brings his twenty years of performing, recording and producing experience to this new label, dedicated to providing an outlet for creative music projects. To date Wavetone has released to critical appraise six albums; Elements, Far East Volume I and II, Elements Untold Stories, Egan's, Mosaic Joe Beck, Finger Painting and the most recent release, Jeff Ciampa, Signs of Life. In addition, Mark has realized his dream with the completion of is own state-of-the-art recording studio, Electric Fields, designed by the highly acclaimed acoustical architect John Storyk. Electric Fields is equipped with a Multi Track Protools digital recording system and an array of vintage sound processing gear. Projects already in production include Mark's solo project, guitarist Jeff Ciampa Trio and Element's long awaited studio album. Mark continues to explore new sound territories through his extraordinary recording, composing and touring activities. His successful efforts as a musician, producer and label manager keep him on the forefront of the contemporary music scene.
DAVE STRYKER BIOGRAPHY
Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker fronting his own group (with 19 CD’s as a leader to date), or as a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany, you know why Gary Giddins in the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” He was voted one of the Top Ten Guitarists in the 2001 Critics and Readers poll of Downbeat Magazine, and was recently elected again as a Rising Star in the 2006 Downbeat Critics Poll.
Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to New York City in 1980. After establishing himself in the local music scene, he joined organist Jack McDuff’s group, travelling all over the U.S. for two years (1984-85). From 1986 to 1995, Stryker played with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, performing at all the major festivals, concert halls, and clubs throughout the world. He is featured on two Turrentine CDs and with Stanley, Stryker was able to play with jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard.
Dave has 19 CD’s out (mostly on SteepleChase). Stryker’s CD “Big City” Mel Bay Records recently received a 4 Star Review in Downbeat Magazine. Stryker has recorded and published over 100 of his own compositions. Some of the other artists who have recorded his music are: Stanley Turrentine, Kevin Mahogany, Victor Lewis, Steve Slagle, and Ultrablue.
Dave continues to perform with his working unit The Stryker / Slagle Band (with long-time partner Steve Slagle), as well as his other projects: The Blue to the Bone Band, and The Dave Stryker Organ Trio. Recent gigs for The Stryker / Slagle Band have included the Monterey Jazz Festival, The Blue Note in Las Vegas, The Jazz Bakery in LA, and a 2003 tour of Japan.
Sideman work has included vocalist Kevin Mahogany’s group, with Dave writing and arranging music for Kevin's Telarc release Pride and Joy and Another Time, Another Place on Warner Bros, and tours of Europe, Japan, Brazil, Poland and Carnegie Hall. He also has worked with Blue Note saxophonist Javon Jackson and pianist Eliane Elias. He has appeared on over 50 CD's as a sideman.
Dave is also involved in passing along his experience by teaching both privately and at the Outreach Jazz Workshop in Austria, The Litchfield Jazz Camp and the Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop. His book Dave Stryker’s Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method, is available from Mel Bay Publishing. For more information visit http://www.davestryker.com/