Jan 10 2010
Kurt Elling - Moved By This
Elling is one of my favorite Jazz Vocalists. His phrasing is out of this world and his writing is always intriguing. Found this tonight…
Archive for the 'Jazz' Category
Nov 29 2009
The Mars Trio Live at Bonefish Grill
My group, The Mars Trio, will be starting a new steady gig at Bonefish Grill on N. Dale Mabry in Tampa this Wednesday and Thursday. We will be playing every Wednesday and Thursday thereafter and through April from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Bonefish Grill is a great night spot and offers a great club like setting to enjoy drinks, great food and live music. If you are not a fan on facebook, become a fan now and stay up to date on news, upcoming shows, and other information about The Mars Trio. ======>
Current Personell
Rich Van Voorst - Saxophone
Alejandro Arenas - Bass
Jose Cochez - Drums
About The Mars Trio
The Mars Trio was formed in 2004 by bass player Alejandro Arenas, drummer Mark Feinman and saxophonist Richard Van Voorst. At the time, all three were students at the University of South Florida in the Jazz program. The group began by playing together for the purpose of researching, studying, and learning new music, but soon a passion sparked among the members as they discovered the freedom and adventurous nature of the acoustic trio orchestration. The trio found itself in high demand and thus solidified itself as a working band in the West Florida area, while developing into a passionate artistic endeavor for the members.
In August of 2007, Steve Davis stepped into the drum chair and the group took a new turn. While still keeping the original principals of the group intact, the different approach that Steve brought to the table took the group in new directions in improvisation, interaction, as well as some new and interesting repertoire. Following a short hiatus in 2008, the trio reformed in 2009 with drummer and composer Jose Cochez joining the group. Jose brings a fresh approach with an emphasis on spontaneity and conversation between the musicians.
The Group Performs many different styles of music from Be Bop, Hard Bop, and Modern Jazz to show tunes, as well as pop or Classical tunes with a jazz twist. You might hear music from Cole Porter, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Miles Davis, as well as The Police, Jimmy Buffett, and Van Morrison.
The Mars Trio plays restaurants, clubs, private parties, concerts and festivals and more. We can perform and tailor any type of music for any event, in any space. The repertoire is tailored to meet any and all needs, and we work closely with each employer to develop the desired ideal experience for our audience.
The Mars Trio is a also proponent of new music and always welcomes original compositions and arrangements from composers desiring to have their music performed.
Oct 11 2009
The Forefront Returns to Canvas 5
The Forefront will be returning to perform at the Canvas 5 Art Show at The Element Church in Tampa on Friday October 16th.
The event begins at 8:00pm and will feature various artists from Florida. The Forefront will be performing from 10:30pm to midnight. The group has been working on a recording to be released in late 2009 and will be feature some of the music from this recording as well as various new original pieces as well as some new arrangements of songs by artists such as Britney Spears, Sufjan Stevens, Passion Pit, and Deftones.
Canvas is in their sthird year and exists as a annual art premier. This is an excerpt of their purpose statement: “Canvas exists simply to promote a community of inspiration. Our idea, our dream, was born to provide a springboard for up and coming artists, in such a way that would benefit both their craft and career.”
Feb 26 2009
Stevie Recieves Well-Deserved Gershwin Award
Last night, President Obama awarded Stevie Wonder the Library of Congress George Gershwin Award at a private event at the Whitehouse. Mr. Wonder’s massive body of work has become a significant addition to the standard jazz repertoire. I might even go as far as to say that he is one of the greatest and most influencial songwriters of American Popular Song, and in my opinion deserves to be mentioned among names such as Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and John Lennon & Paul McCartney.
Here is an article from musicradar.com by Ben Rogerson entitled “5 Reasons Why Stevie Wonder Deserves His Gershwin Award.“
Nov 27 2008
Performing with Jose Cochez at Cafe Hey
I will be performing with drummer and composer Jose Cochez’s new group “Bob Hope was a Pedophile,” (Don’t ask me!)on Friday December 5th. The festivities start around 8pm and there will be food and libations. The music is composed mainly by Jose, with some selections by cellist and composer Tom Kersey. The pieces are heavily improvised and draw from a vast group of musical influences.
Café Hey Celebrates One Year of ‘Prosperity’
We will be celebrating our one-year anniversary on Friday, December 5th starting 8pm with Prosperity, a celebration of art, music, and small business.
Over the past year the we’ve been laboring away in Downtown Tampa’s still-emerging North Franklin business district and have started to build a loyal following with out homemade menu items, organic free trade coffee, laid back atmosphere and cutting-edge art exhibitions.
Friday’s anniversary celebration features art and photography from Heather Forsyth, Irma Diaz, Cathy Hughes, Amanda Gahan, Nicole Sutherland, Christina Cedeno, Molly Malnic, and Bradley L’Herou, with music by D.J. Fuego, Hooker and the Cheap Hotels, Bob Hope Was a Pedophile, Various Others and Bill Johnston.
Nov 23 2008
Lynne Arriale To Perform Solo Concert
Passed on from Bob Seymore:
“In her first solo concert in the Tampa Bay Area, pianist Lynne Arriale will perform at Tampa’s historic Springs Theater on Sunday, November 23, at 3:00 PM.
Arriale’s recordings and live shows have earned her international critical acclaim, comparing her in stature to Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Ahmad Jamal. The New York Times said, “Lynne Arriale’s brilliant musicianship and bandstand instincts place her among the top jazz pianists of the day.” JazzTimes lauded her “flawless touch,” and “impeccable sense of complex rhythms” while the BBC Music Magazine raved about her “luminous tone and superlative melodic flair.”
Although the November 23 concert, presented by the Tampa Jazz Club, marks Arriale’s first solo performance in the Tampa Bay area, this Florida resident’s trio performances have been among the area’s outstanding jazz events at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival in the past. As noted in Jazz Week: “She pinpoints a song’s power, majesty, and soul simultaneously.”
In early 2009, Arriale releases a new CD/DVD on Motema Music, backed by a new trio of jazz icons featuring Randy Brecker, George Mraz and Anthony Pinciotti. Titled NUANCE, The Bennett Studio Sessions, the studio produced CD will be accompanied by a bonus DVD capturing the group’s debut live performance with a studio audience.
The Spring Theater is located at 8029 Nebraska Avenue. Tickets are $23, $18 for Jazz Society members and $5 for students, and will only be available at the venue on the day of the show. For further information, contact 813/915-0074. For additional information on Lynne Arriale, visit www.motema.com/lynnearriale, or www.lynnearriale.com.
Please contact cary@gomediapr.com for high res images or to schedule an interview with Lynne.”
Nov 22 2008
The Forefront Performing at The USF Winter Wonderland
The Forefront will be performing at the annual USF Winter Wonderland on December 4th at 9:00pm. It will be held on the USF Tampa campus right outside the. There will be music, dancing, a Christmas market, and other holiday festivities. The group will be playing some of it’s usual repertoire, and some new stuff, along with all of your Holiday favorites. We hope to see you all there!
Nov 07 2008
Prayers for Mark Turner
Mark Turner, perhaps one of the most brilliant saxophonists of our time, recently sustained severe injuries to his fingers from a power saw accident. This is a horrifying thought for any musician. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers that he will have a complete and speedy recovery as he plays music for his livelihood.
Updates from Darcy James Argue and Aaron Parks.
© hansspeekenbrink.nl
Oct 29 2008
Wayne’s Winds
Wayne Shorter Quartet featuring Brian Blade, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez and Imani Winds (1er juillet 2008 - Vienne France)
Oct 18 2008
Performing At Clearwater Jazz Holiday
On Saturday, October 18, I will be performing at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday with the Ken Loomer Big Band. Here is an excerpt from the Band’s Bio: “The idea behind this band Ken states is to “First keep Jazz and Big Band Music Alive”, which is America’s greatest true art form, and having this music played by the best jazz musicians in the country. Many of the charts in the Ken Loomer Big Band are original arrangements, plus those done by Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Bob Mintzer and other famous big bands. The performance of this big band, driven by the consummate drummer Ken Loomer and his exciting musicians go through the repertoire of vital and brilliantly arranged contemporary music to produce a sound you will not forget!”
It should be a great concert and I hope to see you all there!
Where: Coachman Park, Clearwater FL
When: Saturday Oct. 18, 2008 3:45 - 5:00pm
How Much: Free!!!
