It’s been said, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” That just changed with the double disc set by Twin Cities jazz guitarist Cory Wong, scheduled for release on April 23, 2012. The name of the disc itself encourages a curiosity: Quartet/Quintet.
Can’t decide on listening to a quartet or a quintet? This two-disc compilation will give you the option. Want straight ahead jazz or rock infused jazz? You have that option too—so go ahead and dig in!
Born in New York and growing up in Minnesota, Cory Wong has quickly proven himself to be a standout guitarist and musician. Cory has established himself as the go-to guitarist, composer, and arranger for dozens of artists in all genres throughout the upper Midwest. He has performed locally with the likes of pop sensation Keri Noble, gospel singer Robert Robinson and Caleb Hawley. On the national scene, Wong has worked with the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bootsy Collins, the Radio City Rockettes and Jimmie Vaughan. He is also co-founder co-owner and producer for the locally based record label, Secret Stash Records.
The “Quartet” portion of the two-disc set showcases a great blend of contemporary hard hitting jazz, to straight ahead jazz tunes. The Quartet features Cory on guitar, the legendary Billy Peterson on upright bass, Zachary Schmidt on cymbals and drums, with Dan Musselman and Kevin Gastonguay taking turns on piano. “Vapors” is a burning straight head tune with a quirky melody and an insanely fast performance by all of the Quartet members. “October Snow” is a hard hitting contemporary tune reminiscent of the Metheny Mehldau Quartet.
The “Quintet” disc is much more of a rock infused jazz sound that is reflective of the era the musicians grew up in, listening to all genres of music. This disc features Cory on multiple instruments, Zach Schmidt on drums and cymbals, Kevin Gastonguay on Fender Rhodes, Dan Musselman on piano, and Andy Schuster on bass.
“I knew I wanted to do a double disc record to show two different sides of myself as a player, producer, and composer. The “Quartet” disc is more of a head and solo-based approach. We played these tunes for a year to develop them. I took the opposite approach on the “Quintet” disc. I wanted it to be very story-driven and open to each musician’s interpretation in the moment,” commented Wong.
Cory will be hosting a CD release party, and as you might suspect, it will take place over two evenings Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 at 9 p.m. at the Artists’ Quarter in downtown Saint Paul. $10 cover.
The Cory Wong Quartet, featuring Cory on guitar, Zach Schmidt on drums, Andy Schuster on bass and Dan Musselman on piano, plays at the Artists’ Quarter every Tuesday night, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Can’t decide on listening to a quartet or a quintet? This two-disc compilation will give you the option. Want straight ahead jazz or rock infused jazz? You have that option too—so go ahead and dig in!
Born in New York and growing up in Minnesota, Cory Wong has quickly proven himself to be a standout guitarist and musician. Cory has established himself as the go-to guitarist, composer, and arranger for dozens of artists in all genres throughout the upper Midwest. He has performed locally with the likes of pop sensation Keri Noble, gospel singer Robert Robinson and Caleb Hawley. On the national scene, Wong has worked with the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bootsy Collins, the Radio City Rockettes and Jimmie Vaughan. He is also co-founder co-owner and producer for the locally based record label, Secret Stash Records.
The “Quartet” portion of the two-disc set showcases a great blend of contemporary hard hitting jazz, to straight ahead jazz tunes. The Quartet features Cory on guitar, the legendary Billy Peterson on upright bass, Zachary Schmidt on cymbals and drums, with Dan Musselman and Kevin Gastonguay taking turns on piano. “Vapors” is a burning straight head tune with a quirky melody and an insanely fast performance by all of the Quartet members. “October Snow” is a hard hitting contemporary tune reminiscent of the Metheny Mehldau Quartet.
The “Quintet” disc is much more of a rock infused jazz sound that is reflective of the era the musicians grew up in, listening to all genres of music. This disc features Cory on multiple instruments, Zach Schmidt on drums and cymbals, Kevin Gastonguay on Fender Rhodes, Dan Musselman on piano, and Andy Schuster on bass.
“I knew I wanted to do a double disc record to show two different sides of myself as a player, producer, and composer. The “Quartet” disc is more of a head and solo-based approach. We played these tunes for a year to develop them. I took the opposite approach on the “Quintet” disc. I wanted it to be very story-driven and open to each musician’s interpretation in the moment,” commented Wong.
Cory will be hosting a CD release party, and as you might suspect, it will take place over two evenings Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 at 9 p.m. at the Artists’ Quarter in downtown Saint Paul. $10 cover.
The Cory Wong Quartet, featuring Cory on guitar, Zach Schmidt on drums, Andy Schuster on bass and Dan Musselman on piano, plays at the Artists’ Quarter every Tuesday night, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
