Results for "jazz"

Robert Balzar

Robert Balzar is one of the leading bass players on the Czech jazz scene

“....he sounds great, his solos are thought through, he's got unerring rhythm, he creates just the right sound for the band.” George Mraz

Born in Nachod, Czech republic. Robert Balzar began playing the acoustic bass at age eleven. Robert studied classical bass at Brno Conservatory- bass, piano. In 1985, he continued his career in Prague as a studio musician (TV Big Band) and a jazz artist.
In 1996 he establish group under his own name - Robert Balzar Trio.
As a performer, he has played with John Abercrombie, Benny Golson, Tony Lakatos, Victor Lewis, Hal Galper,  Raul Midon...
In the year 1990 Robert had begun working with the legendary Czech chanson singer Hana Hegerova.
Since 1998 began his association with funk group J.A.R.
Since 2000 Robert establish and play as a part of the Dan Barta’s - Illustratosphere, along with Filip Jelinek on keyboard, Stanislav Macha on piano, Jiri Slavicek on drums and Jaroslav Friedl on guitar.
In 1996, Robert Balzar formed a group under his own name - the Robert Balzar Trio
and 1998 recorded their first CD called TRAVELLING (Jazzpoint),
In 2000, The Robert Balzar Trio recorded their second CD titled ALONE (Cube),
In 2005, Robert Balzar Trio recorded OVERNIGHT (Sony/BMG),
In 2008, Robert Balzar Trio release CD with John Abercrombie TALE (B.C.W.D.Music).                                           In 2010 RBT release CD with Dan Barta - THEYORIES (Taita.Rec).                                                                              In 2013, Robert Balzar Trio recorded in New York - Sear Sound Studio with sound engineer James Farber                  CD - DISCOVER WHO WE ARE (BCWD rec.)                                                                                                             In 2014, Robert Balzar Trio release CD VuJaDé (BCWD rec.)                                                                                    In 2016 realease DVD One (Day BCWD rec).                                                                                                              In 2023 recorded in Poland (Bielsko Biala) album CONVERSATION

Roland Guerin

Born: November 15, 1968

With a new band and a new project entitled PROG:FUNK, New Orleans based singer-songwriter-bassist Roland Guerin is starting a new musical chapter. Drawing from a wide spectrum of genres, including American folk, blues, zydeco, rock and jazz, Guerin creates a singular style at the heart of which are stories told through multi-layered melodies, rhythms and expressive lyrics in the range of Steely Dan, Sting and Peter Gabriel. 

Raised in a musical family – his father was a great lover of jazz and classical music, his mother, a blues and zydeco bass player – Guerin began playing bass at the age of 11. Throughout his formative years, Guerin was strongly influenced by pop, rock and R&B music of the 70’s and 80’s. Bands and artists such as Cameo, Dazz Band, Rush, the Brothers Johnson, Gerry Rafferty, America, and Booker T & The MG’s seeded his love for great songs and inspired him to write music of his own. 
  
While studying Marketing at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Guerin joined legendary jazz educator Alvin Batiste’s Band, The Jazztronauts. Having inherited much of Batiste’s musical innovations and concepts, Guerin developed ways to bring his own musical voice to life. The jazz genre became his avenue toward success. Over the course of his career, Guerin toured and performed with legendary musicians, such as George Benson, Jimmy Scott, Frank Morgan, Vernel Fournier, Gerry Mulligan, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, John Scofield, Mark Whitfield, Ellis Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, and Paul Gilbert. He also participated in the recording of numerous albums, including the Blind Boys of Alabama’s Grammy Award winning album Down in New Orleans, Marcus Roberts’s Grammy Award nominated recording of George Gershwin’s classic Rhapsody in Blue, and Allen Toussaint’s album Connected. 
  
As a member of the Marcus Roberts Trio from 1994 to 2009, Guerin performed at the head of symphony orchestras across the world, among which the Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, and Seiji Ozawa’s New Japan Philharmonic. From his collaboration with Ozawa and Roberts, Guerin developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of orchestration and arrangement, both of which carry great importance in his own musical composition. 
  
In 1998, Guerin released his first album, The Winds of the New Land, featuring Peter Martin on piano, Nicholas Payton on trumpet, Donald Edwards on drums, and Mark Whitfield on guitar. The record was acclaimed for its innovative style of composition and arrangement. JazzReview called it "a literal piece of art", while the New Orleans Magazine named Guerin a Contemporary Jazz All-Star. He followed up with an album from the Roland Guerin Sextet, Live at the Blue Note, released by Half Note Records, and Grass Roots on Louisiana Red Hot Records. Guerin performs with his own band at major venues and festivals worldwide, such as the Blue Note in Tokyo and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. 
  
Guerin joined the Allen Toussaint Band in 2008, touring and performing with Toussaint until his passing in 2015. Soon thereafter, Guerin joined the band of legendary Dr. John, becoming his last Musical Director. During his time with Toussaint and Dr. John, Guerin found his way back to his musical roots. Integrating American folk melodies, blues, zydeco, African rhythms, and rock with jazz soloing and orchestral arrangements, Guerin creates an entirely new and singular musical experience.

Radha Thomas

'As I Sing' From SubContinental Records is Radha Thomas's 7th album.

For those who aren't from India, and unfamiliar with her work, she is one of India’s leading and most widely recognized figures in jazz, vocalist Radha Thomas has been creating her unique sound for many decades. Transitioning from early rock & roll and Indian classical roots to present-day jazz as well as her own original compositions, Thomas loves bebop, especially vocalese, which she writes and sings a lot.

Mário Franco

Born: October 20, 1965

Born in 1965, he started music lessons at the age of 4 in Centro de Estudos Gregorianos.

He studied music theory with Maria José Godinho and after moved to Academia de Amadores de Música where he continued his studies in music theory with Cristina Brito da Cruz, started to study double bass and chamber music with Fernando Flores and composition with Pedro Rocha.

In 1986-87 attended double-bass courses given by Ludwig Streicher in Estoril and in 1988 won 1st prize in the Prémio Jovens Músicos (Young Musicians Competition); later became a member of Orquestra Sinfónica Juvenil where he worked on classical repertory with conductor Christopher Bochmann.

Natalie Dietz

Jazz vocalist, composer and songwriter Natalie Dietz has made a strong impression on the Australian and international jazz scene in a short time, impressing both audiences and critics alike with her trademark ethereal vocal tone and original approach as a jazz composer and vocalist. Accepted into the renowned jazz vocal program at New England Conservatory, Natalie honed her composing and performing skills and had the opportunity to work with Grammy-winning artists including Donny McCaslin and Dave Holland. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Voice Performance) in 2012 her original compositions have attracted wide attention among her contemporaries with their complex harmonies combined with strong melodies

Orvel Ray Wilson

Born: December 20, 1953

Drummer and bandleader with The Flatirons Jazz Orchestra.

Alex Madeline

Born: February 15, 1990

From the heart of Europe to the vibrant
landscapes of the USA, saxophonist and
composer, Alex Madeline is continuously
seeking the music that reveals the stories
yearning to be told. He discovered his love
for the saxophone at age 14 and has since
infused 17 years of professional classical
jazz into being a musician - composer
who creatively brings novel sonic
experiences to the international jazz
stage.
Recognized for his exceptional talent, Alex
was awarded a scholarship to the
prestigious Berklee College of Music in
Boston where he studied under the
tutelage of George Garzone, Bill Pierce and
Hal Crook. Since then he has garnered
prestigious awards, including: Paul
Wagner Award in 2014 and the Queens
Council on the Arts New Work Grant in
2022.
His performances have graced renowned
venues worldwide, from the iconic
Carnegie Hall and the Blue Note in NYC to
the illustrious Kennedy Center. As opening
acts for Maceo Parker (as part of his band
TBK) and Iggy Pop (featured in the rock
band Kim Novak), his music has resonated
at international festivals, including the
Saint Germain dès Près Jazz Festival in
Paris and the Mugham Center in Baku,
Azerbaijan, showcasing the depth and
versatility of his artistry.

Peter DiCarlo

For nearly two decades, Peter DiCarlo has established himself in a myriad of worlds. Currently based in Izmir, Turkey, Peter is an accomplished saxophonist with a strong tone and style that is distinctly his own. In addition to his focus on performance and composition, he thrives in the world of music education. Peter balances his passion for teaching while also maintaining a rigorous practice schedule. DiCarlo has performed with Scott Wendholt, Rich Perry, Claire Daly, Jim Ridl, Tom DiCarlo, Keisel Jiménez, Chris Parker, Jerson Trinidad, Ralph Bowen, Sean Jones, Stanley Cowell, Vic Juris, Kenny Davis, Mike Richmond and Julius Tolentino. Peter had the utmost pleasure of performing with the legendary artist Ray Charles at two televised benefit concerts.

Andrea Niccolai

Born: July 21, 1995

Andrea Niccolai, born in Recanati (IT), is a drummer and educator currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. His lifelong passion for music blossomed at a young age, influenced by his father's extensive record collection and a particular interest in Jazz. After graduating from high school, Andrea embarked on a journey to further his musical education, he was accepted at the Jazz Percussion program at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (NL). There, he had the privilege of studying under the renowned Dutch drummer, Eric Ineke.

In 2018, Andrea made the pivotal move to New York City, starting the Masters program at SUNY Purchase, where he honed his craft under the mentorship of jazz drumming luminary Mr. Kenny Washington. Shortly after relocating, he began collaborating with esteemed faculty members such as pianist Pete Malinverni, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and baritone player Gary Smulyan.

Richard Jones

Richard Jones is an exciting, young British violinist recognised for his innovative sound and approach and adaptability in bringing the violin to life within a broad range of musical contexts. Born in Wales and now based in London, his musical upbringing was a diverse tapestry of experiences that ignited his passion for music and provided opportunity to explore and develop. He went on to study music in Bath, where he also took time out from education to play with acclaimed British blues band ‘Kill It Kid’ who recorded their debut album in Seattle and toured internationally for a number of years