Results for "Gary Versace"

Gary Versace

Since basing himself in New York City in June of 2002, jazz organist, pianist, and accordionist Gary Versace has quickly become one of the busiest and most versatile musicians on the scene, often featured in bands led by musicians such as John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Maria Schneider, Matt Wilson, Lee Konitz, Eliot Zigmund, Scott Wendholt, Joe Magnarelli, Danny Gottlieb, Seamus Blake, John Hollenbeck, Andy LaVerne, Adam Nussbaum, Brad Shepik, Ingrid Jensen, Tim Ries and many others. Versace was voted a "rising star" on the Hammond organ in the last three Downbeat critics polls, and was the subject of a feature article in the July 2004 issue of Keyboard magazine. Versace has been a featured soloist on several critically acclaimed recordings of recent years: accordionist on Maria Schneider's Grammy-winning recordings "Concert in the Garden" and "Sky Blue" and as the pianist on John Hollenbeck's Grammy-nominated large ensemble recording, "A Blessing." Over the past five years, Versace has appeared as a leader for the Criss Cross and SteepleChase labels, and as a sideman on over 50 recordings with artists on various labels including Palmetto, ACT, Omnitone, Songlines, Pirouet, High Note, Justin Time, ArtistShare, Fresh Sound, Kind of Blue, and many others. As a pianist, Versace performed in a two-piano recital with Marian McPartland, and in April of 1999 appeared on her acclaimed National Public Radio program, "Piano Jazz." McPartland has called him "...endlessly inventive...(Versace) really has an extraordinary talent." Gary Versace has a masters degree in music performance from the Eastman School of Music, and spent eight years as a tenured associate professor in the jazz studies department at the University of Oregon

Moment of Clarity

By PAUL SHAW

Label: Summit Records
Released: 2020
Track listing: Heartland; Shapeshifter; Song for Everyone; Mary Oliver; Peekaboo; Moment of Clarity; Showdown.

Chamber Jazz

Label: Summit Records
Released: 2020
Track listing: While in Pass Manchac; Charlotte and Evan; Don’t Explain; Bebe; Pee Wee; Oska T; Abschied, Ray; Atchafalaya Fiction.

Act Three

By JOHN HART

Label: SteepleChase Records
Released: 2020
Track listing: Act Three; Poinciana; Bad Penny; I Guess I'll hang My Tears Out to Dry; Out of Somewhere; Heretics; Like My Attitude; Low Point Avenue; Indian Summer.

John Hart: Act Three

By EDWARD BLANCO

Guitarist John Hart has long had an affinity for working with groups that feature the organ as a primary instrument. Having worked with Jimmy Smith and logged a 16-year tenure with organist Jack McDuff, the guitarist now presents Act Three, yet another project with another organ master, this time New York-based keyboardist Gary Versace on the ...

Charles Pillow Ensemble: Chamber Jazz

By JACK BOWERS

Chamber Jazz, alto saxophonist Charles Pillow's eighth recording as leader of his ensemble, is a generally sedate but remarkably engaging series of tone poems that combine contemporary jazz with elements of classical music to produce a hybrid that underlines what is most harmonious and charming in each genre. Chamber Jazz is what it says, and chamber ...

New sounds from Postma, Gould and Shaw

By BOB OSBORNE

On this show new releases including: The seventh album from Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma. Her first since 2014,  a come-back album as a leader. Together with trumpeter Ralph Alessi, bassist Matt Brewer, drummer Dan Weiss and featuring pianist Kris Davis she has delivered an excellent set. A remarkable live album from Bill ...

Paul Shaw Quintet: Moment of Clarity

By JACK BOWERS

Drummer Paul Shaw, best known as a reliable sideman in groups large and small, strides into the spotlight with panache as leader of his own quintet, having written every number on Moment of Clarity and entrusted them to the capable hands and singular talents of his earnest colleagues. He also gives those teammates ample space to ...

Rudy Royston's Flatbed Buggy

By LUDOVICO GRANVASSU

Rudy Royston's latest project, Flatbed Buggy (Greenleaf Music), is an expertly crafted, chamber-like jazz ensemble with musical influences that range from blues and Americana to rock and gospel. Featuring a stellar line-up with Hank Roberts on cello, John Ellis on woodwinds, Gary Versace on accordion and Joe Martin on bass, the music of this project is ...

Andrew Rathbun: Character Study

By JEROME WILSON

The political and social landscape of the last couple of years has inspired music that expresses anger, sorrow, solidarity and other strong feelings. For saxophonist Andrew Rathbun, the times have brought up reflections on what “character" means and what is the place of integrity, honesty and conviction in the modern world. Some of this was addressed ...