Jazz Articles about Gary Versace

Gary Versace: Outside In

by C. Andrew Hovan
July 7, 2008

Coming in on the most recent wave of popularity for the Hammond B3 organ, Gary Versace has quickly established his reputation on the New York scene. A versatile and chameleon-like musician, Versace's approach to the instrument is unique in that he strives for his own sound, while avoiding the copycat sounds or runs of such modern icons such as Jimmy Smith or Jack McDuff. Most recently, he has brought much of his talents to the fore working with drummer Matt ...

Gary Versace: Four Views of a Sideman

by Ken Dryden
November 4, 2007

Although Gary Versace isn't the leader on any of these four CDs, there's an obvious reason why each artist chose Versace for their respective record date; the organist/pianist brings strong technique and skill as an improviser while maintaining a degree of restraint to meet the needs of each leader. Andy Laverne Trio Intelligent Design Steeplechase 2007 Although Intelligent Design isn't the first band to feature both a pianist ...

Gary Versace: Many Places & Organic-Lee

by Matthew Miller
January 13, 2007

Gary Versace Many Places SteepleChase 2006 Lee Konitz/Gary Versace Organic-Lee Going Places SteepleChase 2006

For those who've yet to hear the multifaceted Gary Versace in action, there is no better time than the present. His two most recent efforts, Many Places, a trio date featuring his soulful Hammond B3, ...

Joe Magnarelli: Hoop Dreams

by David A. Orthmann
September 15, 2006

Over the past dozen years trumpeter Joe Magnarelli has gradually transformed a bebop-derived vocabulary into a highly personal style. Utilizing a full-bodied tone that never turns strident, Magnarelli invites the listener to focus on the substantive dimensions of his playing, rather than drawing attention to technique, velocity and influences. Beautifully crafted melodies spring from his horn in varying shapes and sizes. Sometimes he'll sustain a chain of thought for several measures; in other instances he'll parcel out a complete idea ...

Jonathan Kreisberg Trio: New for Now

by John Kelman
November 15, 2005

Guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg's recent Mel Bay Records release, Unearth, focused exclusively on his own writing, with a contemporary aesthetic that placed him smack dab in the middle of turf also explored by Kurt Rosenwinkel and Adam Rogers. New for Now, on the other hand, divides Kreisberg's attention between four original compositions and an equal number of jazz standards. While both records are of a decidedly mainstream nature, New for Now rests more closely towards the center, but that needn't imply ...

Gary Versace: Time and Again

by John Kelman
November 3, 2005

Gary Versace sure gets around. Since relocating to New York in 2002 following a ten-year professorship at the University of Oregon, he's become such an in-demand player that he's rarely at home--a situation bound to remain status quo well into 2006. Whether playing accordion on Maria Schneider's acclaimed Concert in the Garden (ArtistShare, 2004), piano on John Hollenbeck's multifaceted large ensemble A Blessing (OmniTone, 2005), or organ in John Scofield's Ray Charles Tribute touring band, his amazing flexibility is becoming ...

Gary Versace: Time and Again

by Francis Lo Kee
October 24, 2005

Some band leaders put recordings together as if they should be the only soloist, the other musicians mere accompanists. Gary Versace, here as organist, has successfully sidestepped that boring, egotistical approach. “First Things Last, a simple piece that serves the function of an up-tempo swing tune, is a good example of how the band really plays together. It's great to hear how drummer Billy Hart and Versace interact during his organ solo, trading snappy rhythmic ideas. Rich Perry's tenor solo ...