Jazz Night

PLG Arts Jazz Night | Jazz Night Artist Bios

PLG Arts Jazz Night at the Inkwell

Upcoming Dates: February 9, March 8, April 12 2012
Time: 8 - 10:30 p.m.
Location: Inkwell Jazz Comedy Cafe
408 Rogers Avenue, between Sterling and Lefferts Avenues
Brooklyn, NY 11225
Subway: 2 or 5 to Sterling Street Station. Walk one block West. Or take the B, Q, or S to Prospect Park and walk 3 blocks East on Empire and one block south on Rogers.
Food is now available from the Inkwell's great soul food kitchen!
suggested Donation: $5; all proceeds support the performers and PLG Arts, a nonprofit organization. This program is made possible with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered in Kings County by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC).

This Month: Jocelyn Medina

On Thursday, January 12, 2012, from 8-10:30 p.m. PLG Arts Jazz at the Inkwell presents Jocelyn Medina. The sounds and styles of New York vocalist and composer Jocelyn Medina cross cultures, creeds, and continents. Her original music fuses elements of Brazil, Spain, Africa and India with jazz harmonies, funk grooves and adventurous improvisations delivered through compelling lyrics and a distinct sound. Whether by means of an unexpected melodic turn, a hook that leaves you hopeful, or the rich resonance and dexterity of her voice, she seeks to touch on each listener's individual experience with messages of universal truth and an inventive artistic approach.

Jocelyn has recorded two CDs with original compositions, "The Journey Begun," and "We Are Water." As a bandleader, she has toured with jazz ensembles at venues and festivals throughout the United States, Europe and South America, including Spain's JAZZPARLA festival, Alte Feuermache in Mannheim, Germany, and the Goethe Institute in Salvador, Brazil. Her most recent U.S. appearances have been at such NY venues as the Iridium Jazz Club, Cornelia Street Cafe, Cachaca, Zinc Bar, Sweet Rhythm and 55 Bar with her own group, at Lincoln Center with the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra, and at Carnegie Hall with Calpulli's Music of Mexico.

(her) seductive voice transforms each live performance into an authentic multicultural experience...demonstrating her remarkable finesse in the renovation of musical styles and genres."
—"...(La Mundial, Spain)

Email: jocelyn@jocelynmedina.com
Website: www.jocelynmedina.com

For more information visit www.inkwellcafe.com, call 888.8INK-WELL, or email rina@plgarts.org.

Jazz Night Artist Bios:

Monvelyno Alexis: December 2011

Monvelyno was exposed early to the "rasin" movement while growing up in the vicinity of Carrefour Feuilles, Haiti. He learned from the founding members of ""Groupe Ca"" (known as Foula in the late eighties), a musical combo with a revolutionary concept of creating music that would preserve the authenticity of the African legacy in the Haitian musical heritage. Lesly Marcellin, alias Samba Zao, one of the most innovative musicians of this movement, guided the young musician and helped him understand the language of the drum as it relates to the percussive nature of the guitar. His journeys took him to the temples of the African musical legacy, Soukri, Badjo, Souvnans. The idea of Kod ak Po (Strings & Skins) originated from conversations with voodoo clerics and deep studies of their rituals and spiritual songs.

Monvelyno has played with great artists from various countries and has produced two albums with his new Sound Kod ak Po: Kouzen Azakamede (2010) and Conscience State of Mind (2011).

Email: monvelynoalexis@gmail.com
Website: www.monvelynoalexis.com

Camila Meza: November 2011

A native of Santiago, Chile, singer and guitar player Camila Meza has found a unique way of blending jazz with Latin American, Brazilian, folk and pop elements. She creates musical landscapes that are full of color, interesting rhythms, deep melodies and felt improvisations with a strong vocal presence.

"Jazz has been called 'The Sound of Surprise' and Camila Meza surprises with her unexpected conceptions of the beautiful songs she sings, the freshness of her improvisations, her bold rhythmic sense, and the interaction of her voice and guitar with the musicians of her band."
—Martin Joseph, El Mercurio

Email: camilameza@gmail.com
Website: www.camilameza.com

Tina Richerson & Alex Levin: October 2011

Tina is a well-versed saxophonist whose many years of classical training bring skill and versatility to the jazz idiom. She currently tours and composes for The Tiptons Saxophone Quartet, leads The Tina Richerson Trio, and is a side musician for a wide variety of projects. Tina recently released her first album, "Up Against the Rail!" and is now collaborating with accomplished pianist and composer Alex Levin in a project featuring new, hard-swinging original jazz compositions.

Email: saxophonetina@gmail.com
Website: www.therichersonic.com

Manifestation of Bennchoumy: September 2011

Growing up in Haiti, Bennchoumy has survived two major civil wars, which partially explains "The Manifestation" band name. In Haitian culture, a manifestation is a march or strike by the people, revolting against anything or anyone who wants to take away their rights. The Manifestation has a tight groove, and lyrically Bennchoumy keeps the crowd hanging on every word. His stage presence makes it impossible to focus on anything but the music and the rhythm. Having graced the stage at notable venues such as S.O.B.'s, Sullivan Hall, and the Shrine in Harlem, The Manifestation Of Bennchoumy is now revving its musical engine, allowing you to open your heart and mind.....Time to manifest.

Email: Nikisha.Bailey@atlanticrecords.com
Website: www.negusworld.com

Christian Finger, Christian Finger Band: September 2011, October 2009, April 2009, July 2008

Through the exciting, entertaining, and diverse compositions of award winning drummer Christian Finger and his elite ensemble of master musicians, the Christian Finger Band explores the many facets of American jazz tradition and mixes it with European sensitivity for fast-paced and exciting, hauntingly beautiful and evocative, spontaneous and playful music. The musicians' biographies read like a "who's who" in jazz: Christian has recorded with living legend Lee Konitz and others and has won several awards in Europe; Vadim Neselovskyi plays with master vibraphonist Gary Burton and is the winner of the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composers Competition; Adam Armstrong has played with Kenny Kirkland, Kenny Wheeler and Billy Cobham.

Email: christianfingerband@yahoo.com
Website: www.christianfinger.com

Jazzmensoul: July 2011

As an R&B, soul and jazz vocalist, Jazzmensoul, with his 4-octave range, takes you from the depths of Will Downing, Jon Lucien, Lou Rawls and Barry White all the way up to El Debarge, Phil Perry and Phillip Bailey. This Brooklyn, NY, native has a band that is equally at home with playing jazz as any other genre of music. Growing up listening to Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn, Nat King Cole, Joe Williams, Carmen McRae, Al Jarreau, George Benson and Patti Austin among many other notable musicians gave Jazzmensoul his inspiration to sing jazz and to be able to interpret their stories in his own personal and distinct way. Music is his life story. Welcome to his world. Welcome to JAZZMENSOUL.

Website: http://www.jazzmensoul.com/
Email: jazzmensoul@gmail.com

Rajdulari: July 2011

The lead voice for many of New England's eclectic world, jazz and funk groups, Rajdulari is a recent transplant to New York from Boston and is a ten-year veteran of the local performance scene. Performance credits include Regattabar, Ryles, Scullers, Billie's Black, The Shrine, Village Underground, the Emerson Majestic Theater, Saunders Theater, Boston's Hynes Convention Center, The Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, Agassiz Theater, and The Mayor's Summer Jazz Concert Series.

As a lead vocalist, Rajdulari has performed as a member of the 8-piece, all female world music band, Zili Misik, (winners of the ROCKRGRL/Berklee All Female Battle of the Bands competition), with the David Zoffer Differential (voted Boston's Best Music Act 2005), and currently with her own band, simply titled "Rajdulari."

Her TV credits include "Fernando's Hideaway-BNN" (with Zili Misik), "CCTV-Cambridge Community Television" (with Zili Misik), "Boston TV Magazine-Chronicle- Berklee College of Music." Recordings include The David Zoffer Differential's debut album, "Release" (top 10 and 20 on many college jazz radio stations) (myspace.com/davidzoffer) and Zili Misik's "New World Soul" & "Zee'lee Mee'Seek" both of which are in stores now and available at zilimisik.com or myspace.com/zilimisik. Rajdulari attended the New England Conservatory's Jazz Continuing Education program and Berklee College of Music.

Website: www.rajdularimusic.com
Email: booking@rajdularimusic.com

Princess Pat & The Dynamic Force Band: June 2011

Dynamic Force creates an evocative, textured, flavored jazz/pop featuring the alluring voice of Princess Pat. If you like R&B, pop, jazz, soul, gospel, funk, Afro (good music), you will enjoy the Dynamic Force Band, a jubilant vigor revitalizing a unique concept. Dynamic Force has performed at BB King's Bar and Grill, Sideshow by the Seashore, Coney Island, weddings and special events around the country.

INFLUENCES: Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Bob Marley, Michael Buble, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Commodores, Elvis Presley, James Morrison, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Fela, Manu Dimbargo

Website: http://princesssounds.tripod.com/
Email: princesssounds@gmail.com

Wataru Uchida: June 2011

Wataru Uchida, a Japanese saxophonist and composer, studied with Chico Freeman to achieve the "fat" sound that is the Chicago tenor player's trademark. In 2008, Wataru recorded his CD "Blue Morpho," with NY-based Brazilian jazz rhythm section players Romero Lubambo, Helio Alvis, Nilson Matta. Cafe, and Ze Mauricio. The album is dedicated to Barden Powell, the legendary Brazilian guitarist.

Wataru's jazz quartet features master acoustic guitarist David Acker and Franco Pinna on jazz and folklore drums. They play old-school samba, modern Brazilian jazz, and original compositions.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/people/Wataru-Uchida/100001195441120
Email: watarujazz@gmail.com

NY Choro: May 2011, December 2010

Three childhood friends from Brazil—David Cordeiro, Livio Almeida, and Luiz Ebert—moved to NYC four years ago to share their musical tradition with the rest of the world. After joining forces with Scott Colberg (bass) and Mariel Berger (accordion), the group solidified into NYChoro, a popular Brazilian band that plays regularly around NYC. NYChoro fuses Brazilian genres such as Choro, Samba, Baião, Maracatu, and Frevo with exciting jazz improvisations.

Website: www.myspace.com/nychoro
Email: cordeiro.david@gmail.com

Dustin Carlson: May 2011

For his new quintet, Dustin Carlson has assembled a group of young players who have developed distinct approaches to improvisation and composition. Expect an incredible energy and surprises around every musical turn.

Website: www.myspace.com/dustinjcarlson
Email: carlsondust@gmail.com

David Aaron: April 2011

Saxophonist and composer David Aaron has performed at The Knitting Factory, 55 Bar, The Bottom Line, Minton's Playhouse, Fillmore NY@Irving Plaza, Brooklyn Museum "First Saturdays," The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center "Out Of Doors" Festival, The Apollo Theater, CBGB's, Hammerstein Ballroom, B.B. King Blues Club, and Tonic. Short Memory blends late-50's modal jazz with a more modern free and comtemporary sensibility, coming together into a sound that can only be described as "jazz...sort of."

Website: www.shortmemory.com
Email: davidny4@hotmail.com

Jeff King: April 2011

Jeff King was part of the Jazzmobile and performed on the TV show Positively Black. He opened for Hugh Masakela in South Africa. The music—standards and original compositions—is influenced by jazz greats John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders, Lee Morgan, and Gary Bartz. The band's motto is Music is the Healing Force "Peace on Earth."

Website: www.jazzking.net
Email: jazzking1@tonline.net

Dr. Mambo: March 2011

Dr. Mambo and the Experience Ensemble covers the bases—Caribbean sounds, reggae, salsa, and Latin jazz to soukous and High Life are the rhythmic engines that drive the Experience jazz extravaganza. They are firm believers in a Ghanaian proverb, "SANKOFA, wonkyir," which, when translated, means "There's nothing wrong with going back to your roots."

Website: www.drmambo.com
Email: cdirect147@gmail.com

Akie Bermiss, Akie Bermiss Trio/Quartet: February 2011, January 2010, October 2008, February 2008

Akie is a pianist and singer who has been performing professionally since 2005. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he plays everything from jazz to blues to hiphop—and brings a signature fusion of them all to his own music. He has performed and/or recorded with Sam Morrison, Badal Roy, Peter O'Brien, Kenny Davis, Jon Bates, Greg Glassman, and Marvin "Bugalu" Smith.

Website: www.akiebermiss.com
Email: akie.bermiss@gmail.com

Mariel Berger: January 2011

Mariel Berger plays accordion in Balkanic Explosion, the Anicha Quartet, and NYChoro. She opened for Mos Def at Roseland Theater in Portland, OR, in 2009, playing keyboard with singer Lilla D'Mone. She received a masters in composition and jazz arranging, was a member of the BMI jazz composers workshop in 2006, and in 2008, her music premiered at the Renee Weiler Concert Hall for the Women's Work Series.

Website: www.myspace.com/marielberger
Email: mariel.berger@gmail.com

Yacine Boulares: November 2010

New York-based Yacine Boulares is a French-Tunisian saxophonist and composer. Awarded most outstanding soloist at the international Jazz a Saint Germain festival competition, he was endorsed by Selmer saxophones and Vandoren reeds. He has played with EJ Strickland, James Cammack, Greg Maret, Tony Malaby, Ran Blake, Roy Hargrove and others in various theaters, clubs, and festivals around the world. His compositions, a blend of jazz and contemporary classical music, can be heard on www.myspace.com/yacineboulares.

Website: www.myspace.com/yacineboulares
Email: yacinabox@gmail.com

Igor Lumpert, Igor Lumpert & Inner Textures: October 2010, May 2010, February 2009, September 2008

Born October 27, 1975 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, Igor began his professional training at age 19 at the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria, where he studied with Doug Hammond.

After completing his studies with honors, Igor was invited by one of the world's finest bassists, Reggie Workman, to study at the New School University in New York City. He received a scholarship and moved to New York in fall 2000.

What makes Igor's music and playing so unique is its complexity. There is a quality to his playing and compositions that has absorbed the rich traditions of jazz music in this country but has also added something new and unidentifiable. His compositions flow with ease and vitality while utilizing odd time signatures to create a sound that is all his own. No one else sounds like that-and that's one of the highest compliments you can give to a jazz musician. The complex emotions that feed the sounds of great artists in the jazz tradition have to do with the experience of enormous conflicts. You can't fake that quality, and Igor has it.
—Jane Ira Bloom, Saxophonist/Composer/Grammy winner

Email: igorjazz13@gmail.com
Website: www.igorlumpert.com

Adam Schneit, Adam Schneit: October 2010

Saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Adam Schneit grew up in Portland, Maine, and has made Ditmas Park his home for the last 5 years. He earned a Master's degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with esteemed artists including Steve Lacy and Bob Brookmeyer. Since moving to New York, he has contributed to the work of performers in a range of genres, from jazz musicians to singer-songwriters. His own music combines the freewheeling, improvisational spirit of jazz with the visceral directness and melodic purity of rock and folk music.

Website: www.myspace.com/adamschneit
Email: aschneit@hotmail.com

Yvonnick Prene, Yvonnick Prene: September 2010

Yvonnick Prene began his musical career as a harmonica player at age 17, developing his own unique style influenced by Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Wayne Shorter. He has recorded and performed around the world with internationally acclaimed artists, and in NY has appeared at the Iridium Jazz Club, The Zinc Bar, The Miller Theater, among many other venues.

Website: www.yvonnickprene.com
Email: yvonnickprene@orange.fr

Emilio Teubal, Emilio Teubal and La Balteuband: September 2010

Emilio Teubal, an Argentinean born in Spain, has lived for more than a decade in NYC, where he earned a BFA in jazz performance from the City College of New York, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He has also been awarded with the prestigious Meet The Composer's Van Lier Fellowship 2007. He has performed in some of the most prestigious jazz clubs in NYC (Blue Note, Birdland, Sweet Rhythm, Dizzy's Coca Cola Club, Joes Pub, Cornelia Street Cafe, 55 Bar and The Knitting Factory, among others). Emilio has been a member of different New York-based ensembles such as Sebastian Cruz's Coba, Los Chantas Tango Group, and the Marta Gomez group, with whom he has toured the USA, Mexico, Spain, and Argentina. Emilio's band, La Balteuband, is a multinational instrumental ensemble based in NYC. His compositions are a blend of jazz and elements of Argentine music, using rhythms like chacarera and zamba along with the lyricism of tango melodies.

La Balteuband's music consists of rhythmically and harmonically rich pre-composed structures and improvised sections that highlight the musicality of each member of the band, making each performance of the group fresh and special. Emilio Teubal's compositional influences include Astor Piazolla, Hermeto Pascual, Egberto Gismonti, and great masters of the jazz tradition such as Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, and Charles Mingus. Emilio Teubal & La Balteuband have released two critically acclaimed albums: "La Balteuband" (2006) and the recently released "Un monton de notas" (2009).

Website: www.emilioteubal.com
Email: emiteu@hotmail.com

Hollis Headrick, Hollis Headrick, Evan Mazunik, and the Brooklyn Soundpainters: July 2010

Hollis Headrick, drums and percussion, performs frequently with the Axiom Addicts at the Inkwell and other clubs. He also performs with other ensembles, including Walter Thompson, whose Soundpainting concert with Anthony Braxton was hailed by All About Jazz as one of the best jazz concerts of 2009. His work spans jazz, rock, and theater. Hollis lives on Rutland Road in PLG.

At the Inkwell on July 22, Hollis and Evan Mazunik, keyboardist and Soundpainting conductor, will be leading a quartet of Brooklyn musicians using Soundpainting, a live composing sign language comprising over 1,000 gestures.

Website: www.soundpainting.com

Jocelyn Medina, Jocelyn Medina Quartet: July 2010

Jocelyn's original music crosses cultures, creeds, and continents, fusing elements from Brazil, Spain, Africa and India with jazz harmonies and funk grooves.

Website: www.jocelynmedina.com

Nick Moran, Nick Moran Electric Trio: June 2010, January 2010, March 2009, May 2008, September 2007, January 2007

A New York native, guitarist Nick Moran, with a background in rock and classical honed his jazz skills in Germany and New York. His latest CD, The Messenger on CAP records, an all-originals set, is an exciting mix of funk, lyrical jazz and burning swing.

"As a fluid guitarist possessing a unique vocal-like style, Moran sizzles expressively on the program's blazing-fast numbers as well as on his soulful ballads. He drives the trio with fire."
—Jim Santella, Cadence Magzine

Website: www.nickmoranmusic.com
Email: nickmorantrio@earthlink.net

Edouard Brenneisen, Edouard Brenneisen Trio: June 2010

The Edouard Brenneisen Trio delivers sophisticated, yet accessible music. Born overseas, the leader brings his European influences to the table while keeping focus on the great American jazz aesthetic. The result is contemporary improvised music at its finest.

"Brenneisen plays with a sweet, rounded tone and alert intelligence, his glossy spider-web lines festooning the chord changes." —Ed Hazell, Jazziz

"Brenneisen [plays a] spacious, intelligent, bop-minded guitar." —S. Victor Aaron, Jazz.com

Website: www.edouardbrenneisen.com
Email: eb@edouardbrenneisen.com

House of Waters: May 2010

"The Jimi Hendrix of the hammered dulcimer." —NPR Radio
"Heady and a sight to behold." —Time Out NY

Website: www.maxzt.com
Email: yes.max@gmail.com

Kai Ando: April 2010

Bassist Kai Ando formed Weal & Woe in 2006 along with guitarist Will Graefe while attending the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Band members include Aaron Kruziki, Sam Decker, Dov Manski, and Matt Rousseau. They combine a sophisticated compositional approach with unique improvisational sense to form their special sound. While at NEC, Kai studied with John Lockwood, Danilo Perez, Frank Carlberg, and Don Palma. Kai currently lives in Brooklyn, where he teaches and performs regularly.

Website: www.myspace.com/wealandwoe
Email: kaiandosan@gmail.com

Matthew Silberman: March 2010

Matthew Silberman was born in Los Angeles and moved to New York at age 19. He has performed with such luminaries as Billy Higgins, Nancy Wilson, and Roy Hargrove, among others, and has led his own group since 2001, performing mostly his original compositions.

Website: www.matthewsilberman.com
Email: matt@matthewsilberman.com

Adrian Mira, Adrian Mira Trio: March 2010, May 2009, April 2007

Swiss-born clarinetist/saxophonist Adrian Mira moved to New York in 2004. He performs in many styles and settings, from jazz to musicals, to chamber music, to ethno/world music. The Adrian Mira group will perform two sets of original music featuring tunes in the world jazz genre of his upcoming record "12 Acoustic Journeys."

Email: adrian.mira@bluemail.ch
Website: www.adrianmira.com

Alejandro Florez: February 2010

Alejandro Flórez, guitar/compositions; Daniel Foose, bass; Devin Gray, drums. Guitarist Alejandro Florez earned a Master's degree in jazz performance and composition from the University of North Texas before moving to NYC. A composer/arranger, session player, and educator, Alejandro's current projects include Tibagui (original music); the Alejandro Florez Trio (original jazz); Apama and Torus (free improvisation trios); the quartet Trichrome Roach; and the Gallo/Florez Duo (traditional music of the Colombian Andes in an improvisational and experimental setting). Rolling Stone magazine called Retrato, his first album as a composer and producer, "flawless from start to finish" and "indispensable."

Website: www.alejandroflores.com
Email: alejandro@alejandroflores.com

Alex Clough: December 2009

Alex Clough is a Brooklyn-based jazz pianist, composer and instructor. After graduating cum laude with a degree in Economics and International Relations from Boston's Tufts University, Alex changed his career path to focus on music. He currently is an active instructor, rehearsal pianist, and bandleader in the greater New York City area.

Website: www.myspace.com/agcjazz

George Mel, George Mel Group: November 2009, January 2008

George Mel has worked as a freelance drummer / percussionist in New York City since 2000. Over the past six years, he has performed at various venues including Carnegie Hall, Kavehaz, NYC; Blue Note, NYC; Smalls, NYC; The Bitter End, NYC; The Deer Head Inn, Delaware Water Gap, PA; 55Bar, NYC; and many more.

Email: melgeorge@hotmail.com
Website: www.georgemel.com/

Rufus Cappadocia: September 2009, December 2008, October 2007

Rufus Cappadocia is both a musical maverick to the bone and one of the leading voices of cutting edge cello today. His jaw dropping technique and musicianship inspire awe in even the most discerning critics, who have characterized his playing as "powerful...exploring territory that is positively otherworldly." He has toured throughout the Americas and Europe with both fringe and famous groups that are legion amongst those who search for peerless musicianship, and is celebrated for his unique collaborations with artists from across the globe—from the Balkans to the Caribbean, from West Africa to North America.

Email: rufuscello@mindspring.com
Website: www.rufusmusic.com

David Aaron, Short Memory: September 2009

"True to the spirit of jazz, Aaron continues to work at being unpredictably unpredictable while writing music and arrangements that hold together yet do not stifle his terrific band."
—Budd Kopman, All About Jazz

Website: www.shortmemory.com

Joe Hertenstein, OBE: outabodyexperience: July 2009

Joe Hertenstein, drummer and composer from Cologne, Germany, moved to NYC in 2007. He has toured the US and Europe extensively as a sideman for various groups and with his own two bands. The trio project, "OBE - outabodyexperience" began in early 2008.

OBE plays a very personal selection of standards from the All American Songbook with an intimate and open approach. Its emphasis is on versed interaction, well-blended and balanced improvisations, and the melting of the sound of three instruments and musicians into one acoustic embrace.

Website: www.myspace.com/joehertenstein

David Ashkenazy, Ashkenazy Collective: June 2009

The Ashkenazy Collective is Adrian Cunningham (woodwinds), Scott Ritchie (bass) and David Ashkenazy (drums). In addition to playing original music and some choice jazz standards, the collective features folk music from around the world, including Yiddish melodies and themes from Spain, Israel, Mexico, and China.

Email: davidashkenazy@davidashkenazy.com
Website: www.davidashkenazy.com

Andrew Drury and Jessica Lurie, Drury/Lurie Duo: January 2009, December 2007

Email: (Andrew Drury) andrewdrury@andrewdrury.com
Email: (Jessica Lurie) zipa@earthlink.net
Website: www.andrewdrury.com
Website: www.myspace.com/jessicaluriemusic

Bjorn Solli, Bjorn Solli Trio: November 2008

Norwegian jazz guitarist Bjorn Solli now resides in Brooklyn and will perform original compositions with trio. He has won numerous awards, released 4 albums and toured around the world as a band leader. Expect contemporary swing based jazz with a slight european twist.

Email: benny_bird@yahoo.com
Website: www.myspace.com/bjornsolli

Alex Terrier, Alex Terrier Group: June 2008

Alex Terrier is an up-coming young jazzman from France who has settled down in Brooklyn. He presents a set of original compositions and standards in the great tradition of Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane.

Email: terrieralex@gmail.com
Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/alexterrier

Russ Spiegel: April 2008

Russ Spiegel was born in Los Angeles, and raised in Santa Monica, California. While in high school he moved with his family to Germany and traversed back and forth between there and the US for a number of years. While in Europe, he established himself as an award-winning, in-demand musician, touring the Continent with various ensembles, performing at well-known Jazz festivals, and appearing on numerous television and radio shows.

In 2001, Russ returned to the US, settling in the mecca of New York and quickly found himself busy on the music scene. Alongside his performing - from solo guitar to running his ensemble The Russ Spiegel Big Band (a 17-piece jazz orchestra featuring Russ's compositions and arrangements) - Russ is a commissioned composer who has released several CDs, written music for film, TV, and musicals, toured Europe and Asia, taught college-level courses, run workshops & seminars, given private instruction, and has copied music for Broadway shows and major-label recordings, as well as having appeared in a number of feature movies as both a musician and actor. Russ has also worked the last four years as the on-set music instructor for the hit Nickelodeon TV show, "The Naked Brothers Band."

Russ received his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Michigan, majoring in Philosophy, studied Composition, Arranging and Guitar Performance at the Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship, and went on to get his Masters degree in Jazz Performance at the City College of New York, under the aegis of John Pattitucci.

Look for Russ's new CD Chimera on the SteepleChase label - out now!

Email: russ_spiegel@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.myspace.com/russspiegel

Photo Album

See photos from Jazz Night.