Results for "Joe Policastro"

Joe Policastro

Chicago bassist JOE POLICASTRO grew up in the fertile jazz, classical, and popular music scene of Cincinnati, OH. He studied Classical Double Bass Performance on full scholarship at Miami University. Joe earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz/Studio Music from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and his Master of Music in Jazz Studies from DePaul University in Chicago. After performing and recording in Germany, he relocated to Chicago where he quickly established himself an in-demand bassist and arranger/composer. He has performed and recorded with a wide array of artists such as Diane Schuur, Jeff Hamilton, Howard Levy, Phil Woods, Pat and Debby Boone, Tim Ries, IraSullivan, Howard Alden, Rick Margitza, Jim Snidero, David "Fathead" Newman, and Billy Hart

The Legacy of Leonard Bernstein: Policastro, Sanabria, Nash, Moran, Bloom

By RUSSELL PERRY

In 2018, Leonard Bernstein would have been 100 years old, generating renewed interest in his work. His compositions, especially those from West Side Story continue to inspire many fine jazz performances with their beautiful melodies, compelling rhythms, and unique harmony. 100th birthday tributes by Bobby Sanabria & the Multiverse Big Band and, on the other end ...

Nothing Here Belongs

By JOE POLICASTRO

Label: Jerujazz Records
Released: 2019
Track listing: I'm On Fire; Speak Slow(ly); Bloodshot; In The Quiet; The Wandering Sea; Oceans Of Notions; No Idea; Plain Song; This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody).

Joe Policastro Trio: Nothing Here Belongs

By JEROME WILSON

The Joe Policastro Trio is a working band that has been playing together in Chicago area clubs for almost ten years. This CD reflects that history in how the three musicians play off each others' twists and turns with a near-telepathic rapport. Guitarist Dave Miller darts and swoops with cool assurance while bassist Policastro and drummer ...

They're New to Me

By PATRICK BURNETTE

Four 2019 releases are in the dock this session, and three are so new they won't drop until June. We've got two trios who are willing to search beyond the Great American Songbook for material, largely with positive results; a prog epic whose cover is a lot more ethno-musical than its contents; and a young and ...

Joe Policastro Trio: Nothing Here Belongs

By DAN BILAWSKY

Everything belongs here on Nothing Here Belongs, the first Joe Policastro Trio album to focus primarily on original material. The three previous outings from this Chicago-based outfit sold themselves with a pliable approach to covers. On West Side Story Suite (Self Produced, 2013) it was an expansive brush with Bernstein; with Pops! (Self Produced, 2016) the ...

Screen Sounds

By JOE POLICASTRO

Label: Jerujazz Records
Released: 2017
Track listing: Yojimbo (Main Theme); Everybody's Talkin'; Nadia's Theme (Theme From "The Young And The Restless"); Cool Hand Luke (Main Title); Summer Kisses, Winter Tears; Twin Peaks Theme; Angela (Theme From "Taxi"); Hallelujah; The Godfather (Main Title And Love Theme); Blade Runner (Love Theme); Having An Average Weekend (Theme From "Kids In The Hall").

Joe Policastro Trio: Screen Sounds

By DAN BILAWSKY

There are always new wrinkles to be found in the familiar. That's a philosophical stance that seems to serve the Joe Policastro Trio well. This Chicago-based outfit's debut album--West Side Story Suite (Self Produced, 2013)--served as a distillation and expansion on Bernstein's masterpiece, turning Broadway on its head; Pops! (Self Produced, 2016) referenced both the venue ...

Guitars Galore: Major Vistas, Joe Policastro Trio, Dan Arcamone, Charlie Ballantine, Sound Underground, & Kay-Ta Matsuno

By MARK SULLIVAN

A brief overview of several notable 2016 contemporary jazz releases featuring guitarists. Major Vistas Minor Anthems Self Produced 2016 A fresh approach to the jazz trio, and the debut release from Madison, Wisconsin's Major Vistas. Keyboardist Mike Weiser says he thinks of it as a modern “organ" ...

Bob Lark and His Alumni Big Band: Sweet Return

By JACK BOWERS

As was the case two years ago (2012) with its first album, Reunion, trumpeter Bob Lark's Alumni Big Band on Sweet Return is comprised of musicians he has supervised in various groups during a long and eminent career that embodies more than twenty years as director of Jazz Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. Even so, ...