Results for "New York City"

James Austin, Jr.

Jazz Pianist James Austin Jr. Debuts Plunging Heart First into the Bedrock Book of Wonder - Stevie Wonder

Blissful Songs in the Key of Wonder Brilliantly Covers Motown Legend’s Prolific Mid-`60s to Mid-`80s Heyday in Straight Ahead and Latin Veins

Pianist James Austin Jr. traveled from his hometown of Chicago to New York City to tackle Jazz on its highest level after surprising himself as a semifinalist in the 2006 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. That day, James met many prestigious icons – Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and George Duke. But it is Stevie Wonder that left the most indelible impression on James – before, during and after that day. And it is Stevie Wonder’s incomparable songbook that Austin salutes on his debut as a leader: the scintillating, self-released 10-song set, Songs in the Key of Wonder.

Tyr Morris

As leader of Perfect Pitch Project, Tyr has stepped out front to boldly explore his musical ideas through the medium of jazz for the past decade after years of preparation as a sideman and freelance artist. A student of renowned trumpeters Eddie Allen and the late Jim Rotondi, whether on flugelhorn or solo trumpet, his smooth tonality and minimalist colorings reflect the styles of legendary musical influences Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and Roy Hargrove. With continued devotion to his craft and hard work, Tyr continues to grow as an artist while surrounded by the talented musicians within his ensemble.

Bryan and the Aardvarks

Born: December 9, 1977

Bryan Copeland formed Bryan and the Aardvarks in order to explore an inventive new sound that derived from his jazz training as well as his upbringing in pop and country music. The music he writes for the quartet combines a hushed intimacy with memorable, singable melodies and a narrative directness that nevertheless leaves space for expressive improvisation. In pianist Fabian Almazan, vibraphonist Chris Dingman, and drummer Joe Nero, he has assembled a distinctive ensemble able to flesh out his unique compositions. “These guys are all very sensitive musicians,” Copeland says

Ian Stewart

Ian Stewart was born and raised in Syracuse NY, growing up with the sounds of his father’s record collection which included the likes of Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Return to Forever and Weather Report. He took up the electric bass at age 12 and the upright bass at 16. While in high school he had the privilege of having numerous mentors including Phil Flanigan, Ed Castillano, Jeff Campbell, Howard Potter and many of the other musicians and educators in Central and Western New York. He was also fortunate enough to begin gigging at an early age in the various bars, clubs and restaurants in the Syracuse and Rochester areas. Upon graduation Ian continued his studies at State University of New York at Purchase College were he received his BM in Jazz Studies in 2008

Richard X Bennett

Pianist/Composer Richard X Bennett plays modernistic and soulful music with a wide ranging sound all his own. He has six jazz and electronica releases on Ubuntu Music and Ropeadope Records as well as six critically acclaimed raga-based records on Indian labels. His quartet album with dynamic saxophonist Matt Parker, Parker Plays X arrived in May 2023.  Beyond the sonic, lies the visual, an indispensable element of his creative process. RXB's art videos accompany most of his compositions, evoking a myriad of emotions through their abstract, whimsical, and esoteric nature. In 2022 he delved even further, expanding his artistic horizons with WIREPARK, a twenty-seven-minute post-industrial lo-fi film. In the convergence of these seemingly disparate elements, a new art form emerges, born of a restless spirit that refuses to be confined by tradition or convention.

Tom Coppola

Born: June

Education M.M., Jazz Studies, University of Southern California Organizations International Association of Jazz Educators, ASCAP, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Employment Recording and touring musician with Paul Simon, Herbie Mann, Peggy Lee, Marvin Gaye, Brook Benton, Cissy Houston, The Average White Band, Patti LuPone, Orchestra Harlow, Tito Puente, The Tommy Dorsey Band, Otis Blackwell, and Lenny White. Concert and club appearances with Chet Baker, Marcus Miller, David “Fathead” Newman, Dave Valentin, Jeff Berlin, Manolo Badrena, Jeremy Steig, Carlos “Patato” Valdes, Tony Levin, Mark Egan, Eddie Gomez, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Dave Bargeron, Leon Pendarvis, Steve Turre, Jon Faddis, Kenny Kirkland, Dave Taylor, Chris Parker, Will Lee, Paulinho da Costa, Ernie Watts, Bernard Purdie, Anthony Jackson, Cornell Dupree, Paul Jackson, Jr., Manhattan Transfer. Television appearances with Herbie Mann, Bill Withers. Orchestra member of Broadway Show, Dreamgirls. Consultant for New England Digital, Synclavier. Writer-performer on CBS TV’s As The World Turns, with Rob Mounsey and Will Lee

Dor Sagi

Elam Friedlander

Naama Gheber

Born: January 2, 1991

NAAMA GHEBER is a New York-based jazz vocalist inspired by the emotionaly direct compositions of Rodgers and Hart, Fields and Hugh, Cole Porter and other great composers and lyricist of the 1930’s and ‘40’s. Possessed with an urbane and elegant voice, Gheber’s sensitive interpretation and crisp phrasing have become recognizable elements of her signature style and timeless appeal.

​ Naama was born in 1991 to aspiring scientists in Be’er Sheva, a southern city in the Negev desert. When she was four years old, the family relocated to Baltimore MD, for a period of four years. “When I think of it, that was probably where my infatuation with American culture and music was first formed” she recalls. Her parents thought it best for her to study piano. "That was where music first entered my life, but after ten years of classical piano, I kind of got tired of it. I realized that I actually wanted to sing".

Filtron M

Active since: 2012

Filtron M is a free-form project by pianist, keyboardist and composer Manu Koch. Exposed to numerous cultures and genres by touring, performing and recording with many leading figures in contemporary music for the past 25 years, Manu’s compositions and perspective define the direction of Filtron M. The sound evolves with contributions from a multi-national network of collaborators. The core idea of Filtron M goes back to Manu’s Boston years during the late 90’s when he led his first band that was influenced by the jazz-fusion group Weather Report and various Brazilian artists