PopDose Premieres Gary Lucas and Jann Klose’s New York City Music Video, “Secret Wings”

Pre-Order Link Of Songwriters’ Album On Amazon; more links to come for album to be released January 8
 

POPDOSE's website is premiering Jann Klose and Gary Lucas’ new music video “Secret Wings” at http://popdose.com/popdose-premiere-gary-lucas-and-jann-klose-secret-wings/.

Coming out January 8, STEREOPTICON is now available for pre order on Amazon at www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018ZPIXGE and at itunes.apple.com/us/album/stereopticon/id1065240432 .

Says the eclectic website’s Senior Associate Editor DW Dunphy, ”POPDOSE is thrilled to be the first line when it comes to exposing the audience to new and upcoming music. As a site which is steadfastly genre-agnostic, having the ability to post these premieres is important to us, and goes to the core of our mission statement as a multimedia venue."

The music video “Secret Wings” is a video Jann and Gary’s first song collaboration together when the duo started writing songs three years ago after Gary heard Jann perform the song “Mojo Pin” that Gary wrote the music to with lyrics by Jeff Buckley.  

Jann says that “SECRET WINGS” is about the City beating you down and us making it through the crap that can pile up." The SECRET WINGS video was created by DeAngela Napier and will be seen on YouTube, VEVO, Gary & Jann’s Facebook pages. The video features scenes of the City, with motion from skateboarders, pigeons, cabs and bike riders, trains, runners, dragon dancers, commuters and shoppers, fine art, street art, musicians, including a scene of Jann and Gary playing in the Rockwood Music Hall. (In fact Gary will be sitting in with Jann at the Rockwood Stage 3 on Monday, the 21st of December at 8:30 PM. After that date, the two will be back on the road in Germany, Washington, DC…).

This January 8, 2016 STEREOPTICON will be released on Cosmic Trigger Records/The Orchard. The album was recorded in New York City’s premiere analog studio The Maid’s Room in September 2014 and June 2015.  It is a 10 song album with mainly voice, guitar and sax on 2 songs. The album’s genres are songwriter/AAA/Roots music.  

STEREOPTICON is produced by Jann, Gary, and Dan, who call themselves “Dr. Tre.” The album was engineered by Jack McKeever (Joan As Police Woman, Anna & Kate McGarrigle) and Jason Candler (Queen Esther), who also plays soprano sax on “Nobody’s Talking” and tenor sax on "Well of Loneliness." STEREOPTICON was mastered by Ben Kesler (Robert Randolph and the Family Band).     

Dan Beck (Dion DiMucci, Iron City HouseRockers, Felix Cavaliere) contributes lyrics on six of STEREOPTICON’s songs. His co-write “Mary Magdalene,” has found support from a variety of New York City-area stations as the song is dedicated to the New York and New Jersey people still struggling to get their lives back to normal since Oct. 29, 2012's Superstorm Sandy. Gary and Jann encourage their fans to donate to the Island Park Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O Box 500, Island Park, NY 11558 or online at 2ndbattalion.org/departments/island-park/.

Gary’s co-written hits with artists Joan Osborne: “Spider Web,” and Jeff Buckley’s signature songs “Grace” and “Mojo Pin” from the singer’s double platinum album, GRACE. He’s worked extensively with Captain Beefheart. ROLLING STONE says Gary is, "One of the best and most original guitarists in America...a modern guitar miracle.” He’s currently writing with Chris Shinn, lead singer of Live. In 2014, Gary received the Ambassador's Award for Cultural Diplomacy from the US Consul General of Milan. His long-awaited GARY LUCAS’ FLEISCHEREI: MUSIC FROM MAX FLEISCHER CARTOONS will be released on Cuneiform, February 2016.   

Born in Germany and raised in Kenya, South Africa and the United States, Jann is currently collaborating with Ann Hampton Callaway, Renaissance’s Annie Haslam, Hall & Oates’ John Oates and The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty. In 2015 Jann and his music appeared in the short film THE BEAUTY OF DISASTER (Glimmer Girl, USA) and the award-winning Australian feature documentary A VENUE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD (BrinkVision, USA). His most recent album, MOSAIC won three 2014 Independent Music Awards and charted for several months on the AMA and Roots Rock charts.

Gary and Jann both worked on the movie GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY (Tribeca Film/Focus World/Universal). Jann is the singing voice of Tim Buckley, while Gary consulted and played guitar. Tony Award winner Frank Wood plays Gary in the film. 

Pre-sale link at: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018ZPIXGE

Stay tuned for announcement of iTunes’ Pre-Sale at www.twitter.com/JannKloseBand and www.twitter.com/LucasGary.  

www.LucasKlose.com
SECRET WINGS music video: youtu.be/kvNeh8ozt_I
www.vevo.com/artist/lucas-klose

www.GaryLucas.com
www.JannKlose.com

Contact: Anne Leighton, 718-881-8183 Anne@AnneLeighton.com
Dan Beck: Dan@bighonchomedia.com

Anne Leighton and Priscilla Harriett Looking For Musicians’ Whose Eyes Wander... To Santa

Win $100 Making the Best Youtube Video of Songwriting Duo's XMAS Song

It was a spontaneous decision that Anne Leighton had with her friend, songwriter Dianne Baumgartner, “Everyone would have fun with your Christmas song.” Dianne, whose songs have been recorded by Carla Olsen and Shelby Lynne, also taught Anne how to write songs when she was starting in the music business.

Anne dabbles a little bit in songwriting, winning a DAR Songwriting contest in the 1970s as a high school student, and then in the ‘90s sharing an honorable mention with Buffalo’s first lady of Rock, Jessie Galante in a Billboard songwriting contest, Other than that, her career is in artist development and as a writer, doing publicity, management/music services, and poetry these days. (Anne’s new book, THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION on Canada’s Soul Asylum Records—released this past October—is still selling into the Christmas Season).

Priscilla Harriett is more focused as a songwriter and musician, and still is popular in the New Jersey/LeHigh Valley music scene. Famous rock musicians who later went on to play in Cinderella, Enuff Z’nuff and Britney Fox were in Priscilla’s bands.

“I Got My Eye on You, Santa” is a flirtatious Christmas song. Anne wrote most of the words and music. Priscilla improved it, tweaking some the melody plus getting specific with the lyrics, “waiting by the chimney with homemade cookies and a smile that is sparkling so bright!”

“I Got My Eye on You, Santa” lyrics and melody, plus the contest rules are available at soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/i-got-my-eye-on-you-santa.

The contest is free to enter.

These are the rules:

Make the best youtube music video of this song, with a wandering eye of "I Got My Eye on You, Santa," by Jan. 1, 2016, 12:00 AM EST, and you will be awarded a money order of $100 by Jan. 20, 2016.

Be creative-if you rap, go for it. If you do choir arrangements, get your choir to flirt with Santa. Rock it, folk it, funk it, showtune it. Most of all, have fun!

Choice of video to be determined by songwriters Anne Leighton & Priscilla Harriett. Money will be sent via money order from New York State.

Once you post the video, please tweet to Anne at @LeightonMedia on Twitter or feel free to post the youtube link below in the Comments' section for this song on soundcloud.

Downloadable flyer to share with musician friends for the contest:

Gary Lucas and Jann Klose’s STEREOPTICON To Be Released January 8, 2016

Pre-Order This Songwriters’ Album on iTunes and Amazon Starting December 18

This January 8, 2016 guitarist Gary Lucas and singer Jann Klose are releasing 10 songs they’ve collaborated on the past three years. Look for STEREOPTICON on Cosmic Trigger Records/The Orchard. The album was recorded in New York City’s premiere analog studio The Maid’s Room in September 2014 and June 2015.

STEREOPTICON is now available for pre order on Amazon at www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018ZPIXGE and at itunes.apple.com/us/album/stereopticon/id1065240432 .

Jann says “A Stereopticon is a classic slide projector that combines two images to create a three-dimensional effect. The title fit since there are the two of us and the album was recorded live on two-inch tape, the classic analog recording technique.“  

Gary explains how the two create their new songs, “There is a lot you can do with just voice and guitar; we took influences from all over the Americana spectrum, and added a few odd surprises.”

“Secret Wings” was one of their first collaborations. Jann says, “it’s about the City beating you down and making it through the noise and craziness, especially in New York City!” Created by DeAngela Napier, “Secret Wings” is the duo’s new music video and available on YouTube. “Secret Wings” features scenes of the City, from jarring cabs and graffiti to comfort zones like Jann and Gary playing at the Rockwood Music Hall and breathing in Central Park. (In fact Gary will be sitting in with Jann at the Rockwood Stage 3 on the 21st of December at 8:30 PM. After that date, the two will be back on the road in Germany, Washington, DC…) 

The jazzy “Fair Weather” is about two-faced people, while the Canned Heat-influenced “Walking And Talking” and the dramatic “Take Your Medicine” fit perfectly on blues radio.

Some songs “Nobody’s Talking” (about cellphone users who text in the company of friends) and a few with double-entendres: the sea shanty “Jewel Julia” and acoustic blues song “Let No One Come Between Us” were co-written with Dan Beck (who has collaborated with Dion DiMucci, the Iron Cityhouse Rockers, and the Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere). Dan also contributed to the Renaissance-esque “Overture,” and the pop-influenced “Well of Loneliness.”  

Dan co-wrote “Mary Magdalene,” which has found support from a variety of New York City-area stations as the song supports the people in Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and New Jersey still struggling to get their lives back to normal since Oct. 29, 2012's Superstorm Sandy. (Gary and Jann encourage their fans to donate to the Island Park Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O Box 500, Island Park, NY 11558 or online at 2ndbattalion.org/departments/island-park.)

STEREOPTICON is produced by Jann, Gary, and Dan, who call themselves “Dr. Tre.” The album was engineered by Jack McKeever (Joan As Police Woman, Anna & Kate McGarrigle) and Jason Candler (Queen Esther), who also plays soprano sax on “Nobody’s Talking” and tenor sax on "Well of Loneliness."STEREOPTICON was mastered by Ben Kesler (Robert Randolph and the Family Band).   

While Jann and Gary write as collaborators in the Roots Music Genre, both artists are eclectic musicians that tour throughout the world on their own.  

Gary’s co-written hits with artists Joan Osborne: “Spider Web,” and Jeff Buckley’s signature songs “Grace” and “Mojo Pin” from the singer’s double platinum album, GRACE. ROLLING STONE says Gary is, "One of the best and most original guitarists in America...a modern guitar miracle.” He just received the Premio Ciampi Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy, named for one of Italy's most famous songwriters. In 2014, Gary received the Ambassador's Award for Cultural Diplomacy from the US Consul General of Milan. His long-awaited GARY LUCAS’ FLEISCHEREI: MUSIC FROM MAX FLEISCHER CARTOONS will be released on Cuneiform, February 2016. He is currently collaborating with Steve Kilbey (The Church), and Chris Shinn (new lead singer of Live), and was (this fall) Music Director of "State of Grace,” a multi-artist Australian tribute to Tim and Jeff Buckley.

Born in Germany and raised in Kenya, South Africa and the United States, Jann Klose is currently collaborating with Ann Hampton Callaway, Renaissance’s Annie Haslam, Hall & Oates’ John Oates and The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty. In 2015 Jann and his music appeared in the short film THE BEAUTY OF DISASTER (Glimmer Girl, USA) and the award-winning Australian feature documentary A VENUE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD (BrinkVision, USA). His most recent album, MOSAIC won three 2014 Independent Music Awards and charted for several months on the AMA and Roots Rock charts.

Gary and Jann both worked on the movie GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY (Tribeca Film/Focus/Universal). Jann is the singing voice of Tim Buckley, while Gary consulted and played guitar. Tony Award winner Frank Wood plays Gary in the film. 

www.LucasKlose.com
www.vevo.com/artist/lucas-klose

www.GaryLucas.com
www.facebook.com/gary.lucas
twitter.com/lucasgary
https://www.youtube.com/garylucas

www.JannKlose.com
www.facebook.com/jannklose
twitter.com/JannKloseBand
www.youtube.com/jannklose

Left to Right: Dan Beck, Gary Lucas, Jann Klose

Contact: Anne Leighton, 718-881-8183
Anne@AnneLeighton.com
Dan@bighonchomedia.com

JETHRO TULL Written And Performed By Ian Anderson Tours the U.S April 2016

The new JETHRO TULL concert tour returns to the States starting April 2016, in which Ian Anderson celebrates the life and times of English agriculturalist Jethro Tull.

Ian Anderson is known as the legendary frontman for the classic rock band Jethro Tull and reimagines his namesake with a narrative set in the near future. The show presents some of the best known songs from the repertoire of the band Jethro Tull.

JETHRO TULL (The Story), written and performed by Ian Anderson, runs from April 1 through the 16, with shows in Waukegan IL, continuing through the Midwest in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, and through the south in Tennessee, Alabama and Atlanta.

In JETHRO TULL, Ian touches on topical issues including including climate change, intensive food production and population growth. New material specially written for this show includes "Prosperous Pasture," "Fruits Of Frankenfield,” "And The World Feeds Me," "Stick, Twist, Bust," and "The Turnstile Gate."

JETHRO TULL features amongst many Tull favorites "Heavy Horses," "Farm On The Freeway," "Songs From The Wood," "Aqualung," "Living In The Past," "Wind-Up," "A New Day Yesterday," "The Witch's Promise" and "Locomotive Breath," sometimes with slightly re-written lyrics to better tell the tale.

The show has already played in the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Brazil and Argentina, recently finishing an eight day run in the North East U.S. to widely encouraging reviews. The Oakland Press writer Gary Graff offers: “A characteristically exceptional Tull concert…entertaining and original.”

Blogcritics’ Jon Sobel writes that Ian Anderson has “got plenty of creative tricks up his sleeve.”
philly.com’s A. D. Amarosi says that the show is “something new” and “weirdly winning.”

Ian is accompanied by David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests on screen including Ryan O’Donnell who shared the stage with Ian in recent tours for HOMO ERRATICUS and THICK AS A BRICK and Icelandic singer/violinist/actress Unnur Birna Björnsdóttir who appears on screen throughout the show.

In addition to U.S. dates in April and October 2016, JETHRO TULL will be performed by Ian Anderson in Czech Republic, Sweden and Germany plus more cities and countries to be announced. Look out for tour dates and much more information at www.jethrotull.com.

JETHRO TULL By Ian Anderson Tour Dates, North America: April 2016
4/1/16    Waukegan IL  Genesee Theatre 
4/2/16    Appleton, WI  Fox Cities Performing Arts Center 
4/4/16    Kansas City, MO  Uptown Theater
4/5/16    Omaha, NE  Holland Performing Arts Center 
4/7/16    Fort Wayne, IN  Embassy Theatre
4/8/16    Indianapolis, IN  Murat Theatre
4/9/16    Grand Rapids, MI   Devos Performance Hall
4/11/16  Akron, OH  Akron Civic Theatre
4/12/16  Cincinnati, OH  Aronoff Center for the Arts  
4/13/16  Nashville, TN   Ryman Auditorium
4/15/16  Montgomery, AL  Montgomery Performing Arts Center 
4/16/16  Atlanta, GA  Fox Theatre
 

www.iananderson.com www.jethrotull.com

Billy Sherwood’s album CITIZEN on Frontiers Music Srl

www.billysherwoodhq.com

Billy Sherwood’s new album, CITIZEN is out now.  Called “a landmark” album by the DAILY VAULT, this “imaginative concept album whose A-list guests deliver in spades, making this trip through time a memorable ride well worth taking.”

Players on the album include almost every keyboardist from Yes (Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz, Geoff Downes, and Tony Kaye), plus Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess.  There is singing from Alan Parsons and XTC’s Colin Moulding, and Yes’ current frontman Jon Davison. CITIZEN features guitar playing from Deep Purple/Kansas/Dixie Dregs’ Steve Morse and Genesis’ Steve Hackett, plus violinist Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, and Mahavishnu Orchestra.  

Of special note is the appearance of Billy’s mentor, the late Chris Squire of Yes, who plays bass on the opening song, “The Citizen" for what would wind up being his last studio recording. 

Billy created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history. 

A special songwriter’s edition of the album is available on Spotify, where listeners can hear commentaries from the artist, himself, explaining the inspiration and meaning behind each song between the songs.

Songs and historical figures on CITIZEN include:
* “No Man’s Land” about a runner in World War 1
* “Just Galileo & Me” about the famous scientist’s earth being flat or round debate,
* “A Theory of its Own” with Charles Darwin, 
* “Trail of Tears” on the Indian Removal Act of 1830,
* “Empire” about the Roman Empire’s final days,
* “Escape Velocity” about space exploration, 
* “Man and the Machine” about the industrial revolution,
* “Age of the Atom” on the Atomic Bomb,
* “The Great Depression” about the stock market crash,
* “Written in the Centuries” about Nostradamus,
and * “The Citizen.”
 

Fans can order the album on Amazon at radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
and on iTunes: radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes  

Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.  

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

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Enjoy a CITIZEN EPK following this link: youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I

www.billysherwoodhq.com

www.facebook.com/BillySherwoodMusic

Amazon store: radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes store: radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes

Anne Leighton Releases Her First Book of Poetry, THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION!

Tour dates and merchandise to follow, bit by bit, through 2017!

Anne Leighton is pleased to announce the birth of her first poetry book, THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION, which has always been the title Anne has wanted to use. “Inspired by The Music Explosion who rocked with a favorite song, ‘A Little Bit Of Soul.’ It's optimistic, glorious, fun, and self-empowering, which are qualities I love in art... “

Empowerment was something Anne felt all the way through the making of the book. She pre-sold THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Lots of friends, including her stepbrother Ken Bluttman, helped her along. “Through my whole adult life, when my dad was telling me to get ‘a real job with the phone company,’ Ken was one of the biggest cheerleaders I had.” In the campaign, Ken would cc Anne and some of her closest friends in round-robin emails, “Come on, let’s spread the word; she’s gonna reach her goal.” Anne says,”He believed in me.”

Her father’s attitudes changed for the better as Anne became an editor at a rock magazine, HIT PARADER, and built a freelance career as a writer in rock, fitness, and cat magazines including BILLBOARD, GOLDMINE, CREEM, CATFANCY, INSIDE KUNG FU/KARATE, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, and then authoring books: USING YOUR ART AND THE MEDIA TO COMFORT PEOPLE (Free to Run, California) and PAWS FOR THOUGHT HOW TO KNOW WHAT YOUR CAT IS THINKING (Rockwell UK), and her own 2014 ebook, GET THE GIG: COMMON SENSE CAREER CONSULTING. Her plays are read in churches, libraries, and bars. They were also performed at the Howl Fest and by The Poets Repertory Theater of Long Island. She won some small writing awards and honorable mention for a 1993 BILLBOARD songwriting contest for the song “Carry Across” with Jessie Galante. She also works in music and publicity with clients that include Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson (who wrote the foreword to THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION).

Anne has also performed on radio and in a variety of recordings, from Jay Tausig’s TRIP AROUND THE MOON series to the the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT. It was with the making of HFFT that she met Canadian poetry publisher Ken Cowle.

THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION is available for order at every major book chain in North America, Australia, Europe, South America. Next, look for Anne’s growing merchandise line (e-books, home recordings of the book, USB sticks, and her T-shirts, all designed by Anne!).

As for her agoraphobia, she’s becoming more mighty every day. She travels by buses throughout the city, and then asks people to help her cross the street till she reaches her destination. She will be traveling and sharing her poetry live through 2017 in New England, Washington, DC, eastern Pennsylvania, Buffalo, Bronx and Manhattan. She would love to open for Courtney Barnett.

E-books as PDF files will be available for media; please email Anne at Anne@AnneLeighton.com

“Anne Leighton is hilarious.” — Bebe Buell, author of REBEL HEART, singer, animal lover

“Whether musing about pets or past loves, the pleasure of her word-play is palpable.”— Sander Roscoe Wolff, LBPost.com

“You have an awesome book, Anne, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and found myself, smiling often, and laughing out loud at times too, with your great sense of humor and wit.” — Ken Cowle, Anne’s publisher at Soul Asylum books

www.anneleighton.com

Ordering page for Autographed copies anneleighton.com/store/

THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION on Amazon: www.amazon.com/The-Leighton-Explosion-Anne/dp/1926876539

Photos at www.flickr.com/photos/8320698@N05/albums/72157611847817960 between Vonda Shepard and Brenton Wood.

Elliott Murphy Honored by the French Minister of Culture

www.elliottmurphy.com

American singer-songwriter-novelist and long time Paris resident Elliott Murphy has been honored with the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture. The medal will be awarded to Elliott in a ceremony on November 4 in Paris. He recently released his 35th album AQUASHOW DECONSTRUCTED, wherein he revisited the songs of his first album AQUASHOW (1973) and his novel MARTY MAY was published by Gallimard in 2013.

The Order of Arts and Letters includes such American artists as Clint Eastwood, Patti Smith, Terry Gilliam, Paul Auster and Meryl Streep.

He is planning a US tour in 2016.

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Vonda Shepard Plays New York City November 21

www.vondashepard.com

Schmooze with us after the work week.

Vonda Shepard will be performing at (le) Poisson Rouge on November 21 at 7:45 pm.
(Opening act—to be announced) is on at 7 pm.
(le) Poisson Rouge is at 158 Bleecker St., in New York City, near the A, D, F train lines.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
The venue phone is 212-505-FISH.
The website is lepoissonrouge.com/ lepoissonrouge.com/

This is an “after work schmooze” with Vonda Shepard. This intimate room with Vonda (and her band or solo) should bring some wonderful memories.

ROOKIE, Vonda’s 14th album, is a title that bears no little irony, since last year marked 25 years since the release of her self-titled Warner Bros. debut and her hit “Don’t Cry Ilene” from 1989. Being of independent ways and means now, Shepard doesn’t necessarily have to raise a fortune to make a record that’ll sound like a million bucks, thanks to the ongoing participation of producer/maestro Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Crowded House, Bonnie Raitt, Paul McCartney), who’s been behind the boards for all of her albums since 1999’s BY 7:30.

ROOKIE promises a mixture of moods and tempos, with perhaps slightly more emphasis on the upbeat than some past efforts. Vonda says. “I felt a need to go a little bit crazy on this album.” The album features classic Vonda Shepard, whose pop-singer songwriter style weaves soulful and heartfelt pop ballads, with influences from gospel, country and jazz.

Vonda belts the mighty song “Rookie,” which is about not being a rookie. “It’s actually the opposite of what the title suggests,” she says. “It’s about a person who’s been around the block, around all the blocks! The chorus says ‘I’m not a rookie,’ and it really conveys this feeling that I’m a ‘bad-ass’ who’s going to throw it down.” “Need Your Love,” and the empowering “Walk On Water” are some of ROOKIE’S soulful highlights.

Her styling of ballads including “Saturday,” and “I just Don’t Get It” (with its surprising twist on love and shyness) is passionate. Vonda’s relationship songs also include ROOKIE’S “Train To Inverness” and “Long For The Days,” which offer both depth of dialog with ear-catching melodies.

ROOKIE ends with two live tracks of recent songs that have become show stoppers in Vonda’s sets, the funky “Downtown Dirtytown,” and the tender-hearted pop ballad, “Roll In The Dirt.”

Vonda is charging into an active touring season in the States and Europe after enjoying her belated debut as a musical stage actress, portraying sassy tart Martha in Randy Newman’s FAUST at New York’s City Center this past summer. Ms. Shepard earned such grand reviews from New York’s tough theater critics, you could almost believe she’d paid off the devil! Said Playbill: “Indie-pop singer/songwriter Shepard was the find of the evening, at least for audiences unfamiliar with her five years of acting and singing on Ally McBeal.” The Theatermania.com critic called the Newman/Shepard duet of “Feels Like Home” “one of the year’s great stage moments to date.” New York Times theater critic Christopher Isherwood weighed in with a rave, too, calling her duet with the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer on “Feels Like Home” “the song that received the warmest reception” and adding: “Ms. Shepard’s soulful singing brought out the yearning quality in Mr. Newman’s own.”

With over 12 million album sales to her name, two Golden Globes, two Emmy Awards, two Screen Actor's Guild Awards as well as the Billboard prize for selling the most television soundtrack records in history for the hit TV series “Ally McBeal,” Vonda is a world-renowned artist who continues to delight audiences with her magnanimous live performances. She dedicates songs, tells stories, and-at the same time-projects dynamic charisma and intimacy with her audience.

Over the past few years Vonda has opened for Sugarland, who once opened for her, and she has performed live with the Indigo Girls and The Funk Brothers (a highlight of her life), and has shared the stage at music festivals with Sting, The Eurythmics, Santana, and Matchbox 20. She is also known for "Can't We Try," her duet with Dan Hill, which hit number 6 in 1987. She played keyboards and sang with Rickie Lee Jones, Al Jarreau, and Jackson Browne, eventually opening for Browne in the U.S. and Asia. Fans all over the world have been listening to Vonda for years, and there's a reason why Vonda Shepard live is getting the attention of fans everywhere.

Vonda Shepard's "Need Your Love"

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Gary Lucas and Jann Klose Sing For Homeless Superstorm Sandy Survivors

Songwriting Duo Spotlights People Still Without Homes Due to October 2012 Weather Disaster

Guitarist Gary Lucas (Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart) and award-winning singer Jann Klose are adamant about bringing attention to our neighbors in need. With January 2016 plans to release STEREOPTICON, an album of song collaborations, the two continue to spread the word about their 2014 music video "Mary Magdalene.” Co-written with Dan Beck (who has written with Dion DiMucci and the Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere), “Mary Magdalene” brings attention to people in Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and New Jersey still struggling to get their lives back to normal since Oct. 29, 2012's Superstorm Sandy. 

Among the other indignities these disaster victims have faced, some people who didn’t have flood insurance were told by FEMA that they needed to return money.

These songwriters still hear stories of people desperately wishing Long Beach had its hospital back. “An urgent care center is not good enough for the different health emergencies any of us would have on a given night,” says resident and musician, bassist Joanne “J-Bird” Phillips. “I needed to go to the emergency room but the hospital has been boarded up since Superstorm Sandy. I had an eye emergency and went to the Urgent Care Center that's on the grounds of the former hospital. They had no ophthalmologist and a very limited pharmacy that didn’t have the medication I needed. I had to drive almost a half hour to a 24 hour pharmacy, with my eye problems, while waiting 3 hours to be seen by a doctor who didn't even physically examine my affected eye!”

Gary Lucas says, “Until everybody is back in their homes and things are back to normal, we are getting the word out in support of everyone affected by Superstorm Sandy.”  

Dan, Gary and Jann created the video for “Mary Magdalene” with help of Long Beach, NY travel agent Debra Michaels who cleared locations with colleagues in Island Park within a half hour of hearing about the video. They all said, "We want to get the message out that we're having a rough time getting Island Park back to normal."

Recalling tragic songs like Gordon Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” Christy Moore’s “Back Home in Derry, Peter Adamson's "The Titanic,” "Mary Magdalene" is about living through Superstorm Sandy. Jann, Gary and Dan, plus a three-person production crew: Z3Rro The Comet, and Ashley Christopher (recent graduates from Five Towns' College) and EDM DJ James Messina filmed "Mary Magdalene" throughout Island Park. They showcased footage of condemned homes, the local firehouse and a favorite pub, The Local Ale House. In addition to cinematography in Island Park, the video uses footage of Breezy Point supplied by Getty Images Editorial Footage/Getty Images. Jann and Gary's songwriting style is based in the Roots Music Genre. In actuality both artists are eclectic musicians, who tour throughout the world on their own.  

Through his career, Gary Lucas worked extensively with both Jeff Buckley and Captain Beefheart. He is a solo artist and band leader with 27 albums of his own to his credit.  He just toured Australia as the music director of A STATE OF GRACE, the music of Jeff & Tim Buckley; Martha Wainwright shared the stage with Gary. He shared a GRAMMY nomination with Joan Osborne for co-writing the song “Spider Web.” ROLLING STONE says Gary is, "One of the best and most original guitarists in America...a modern guitar miracle." His long-awaited Fleischerei album (Music from Betty Boop) will be released on Cuneiform, end of January.  

Jann Klose recently finished touring South Africa where he grew up as a child; he sang with South Africa's National Symphony Orchestra’s conductor Richard Cock and talented orchestra students from South Africa and Nambia. He is a multiple Independent Music Award (IMA) winner. In December, the award-winning Australian documentary VENUE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD, that Jann appears in alongside of Dick Cavett and Ian Anderson, will be out on Brink Vision.  

Gary and Jann both worked on the movie GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY (Tribeca Films/Focus World/Universal). Jann is the singing voice of Tim Buckley, while Gary consulted and played guitar. Tony Award winner Frank Wood plays Gary in the film. 

www.GaryLucas.com
www.JannKlose.com

"Mary Magdalene" appears on youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA-GJNH0I38.

Gary & Jann encourage their fans to donate to the Island Park Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O Box 500, Island Park, NY 11558 or online at 2ndbattalion.org/departments/island-park/.

Billy Sherwood's New Single "Just Galileo and Me" Features XTC's Colin Moulding

Billy Sherwood Available for Interviews in Advance of Album Release of CITIZEN due November 6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 13

Frontiers Music Srl has released the single, “Just Galileo And Me” from Billy Sherwood's upcoming concept album, CITIZEN: and it can be heard on youtube at youtu.be/9Rp-Gblyzpw. The song features XTC’s Colin Moulding on lead vocals. 

"Just Galileo And Me" is about Galileo’s friend and confidante trying to convince the scientist to keep his theory that “the earth is not flat,” which is also the song’s hook, to himself for fear he’ll be labeled a heretic. The friend does acknowledge the scientist’s conviction, and the lyrics show how he knew that “eventually they would see.”

CITIZEN will be in stores and online November 6th.  Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. 

Fans can pre-order the album on Amazon at radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon and on iTunes: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes . All digital pre-orders include instant downloads of "No Man's Land" and "Just Galileo And Me."

 Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.  

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

#### 

Listen to "Just Galileo And Me" at youtu.be/9Rp-Gblyzpw

Amazon pre-order link: radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes pre-order link: radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes
CITIZEN EPK: youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I
BillySherwoodHQ.com
Facebook.com/BillySherwoodMusic
   

Martin Barre To Tour America-The South and East Coast-Nov. 15-Dec. 20

Jethro Tull Guitarist’s music also has touch of blues; he’s doing tour press

Martin Barre will be headlining his first solo tour of the States, starting this November as he is playing CRUISE TO THE EDGE November 15-19 with Yes, Marillion, Spock’s Beard, Enchant and rising prog guitarist Randy McStine. (In 2004, Martin co-billed in the United States with Willie Porter, whom he met when Porter opened for Jethro Tull in 2003.)

After Cruise to the Edge, Martin starts his solo date in Del Ray, Florida at the Arts Center on November 21, which is almost sold out. The tour moves up the east coast through Fayette, Alabama, Tupelo, MS; Jackson, MS, Shreveport, LA; Atlanta, GA; Asheville, NC; Vienna, VA; Rocky Mount, VA; Sellersville,PA; Binghamton, PA, Cleveland, OH; Rochester, NY; New York City, and other TBA shows. For the past four years Martin has toured the world with his own band to play the "classic" music from the Jethro Tull catalogue, but also many new tracks written by Martin including his new album, BACK TO STEEL, (plus his two recent solo albums MARTIN BARRE and AWAY WITH WORDS).

For 43 years Martin Barre was the renowned guitarist of Jethro Tull, and his role in the band cannot be overestimated. Bruce Eder wrote on allmusic.com, “His playing has provided much of the energy that allows the band to soar on record and in concert.”

His unique sound and style contributed enormously to their success, which includes several chart topping albums, eleven gold and five platinum albums, a Grammy Award for CREST OF A KNAVE in 1988, and album sales exceeding 60 million units. Tull continues to be played worldwide, representing an important part of classic rock history.


Martin’s guitar playing has earned him respect and recognition; he’s been voted among the best ever in the USA and in the UK for his playing on “Aqualung.” Beyond numerous Jethro Tull albums, Martin has plied those award-winning chops with many other distinguished artists, including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Chris Thompson. He has shared a stage with such legends as Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.


Redoubtable drummer George Lindsay, alongside super songwriter and bass player Alan Thomson form the core of Martin’s accomplished band, with vocals performed by the talented and distinctive Dan Crisp. All members are committed to giving the Tull fans and a broader audience the chance to hear tracks not performed for many years with a few surprises along the way.

www.martinbarre.com
twitter.com/tullguitarist
www.facebook.com/officialmartinbarre

VIDEO “Song For Jeffrey”

MARTIN BARRE’S CONFIRMED TOUR DATES

November 15-19: Cruise to the Edge
w/ Yes, Marillion, Randy McStine, Enchant, Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Spock’s Beard…
November 21, 2015 Arts Garage in Delray Beach
November 24 Fayette Civic Centre Alabama
w/ opener Chris Simmons
November 25: Tupelo, MS, The Blue Canoe
November 26 and 27: off
November 28 Bears on Fairfield, Shreveport, LA
November 29 Duling Hall, Jackson, MS
December 2, Smith’s Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA
December 3: Asheville, The Grey Eagle
w/ opener: The Get Right Band
December 4:  Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount, VA
December 6, 7:30 pm: Jammin’ Java, Vienna, VA
w/ opener: The Get Right Band
December 10 Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA
w/ opener: Joe Deninzon & Randy McStine
December 11, Dublin Double Celtic Pub, Endicott, NY
w/ opener: Joe Deninzon & Randy McStine
December 13 Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, Cleveland, OH
opener: Cuda Krishna & Cuda
December 15 The Lovin’ Cup (Presented by the Bop Shop)
December 18: The Spire Center for The Performing Arts, Plymouth, MA
December 19: Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
w/ opener: Black Cat Groove
December 20: The Ballroom at Outer Space, Hamden, CT
w/ opener: Phoebe Legere

Click the Downloadable Poster of Martin Barre To Enjoy It Fully

Jethro Tull, Written and Performed by Ian Anderson on tour in the United States, Nov. 1-11

1

The British Press loves JETHRO TULL, Written and Performed by Ian Anderson. Now delighting audiences in South America, the production wrapped up its first leg in the UK last week.

This multi-media night of music by the band Jethro Tull offers new life on both the songs and the inspiration of the original Jethro Tull, the famous 18th Century agriculturist and inventor of the seed drill.

It’s “something remarkable to beheld,” writes Andy Snipper of London’s MUSIC NEWS. “It isn’t often that I go overboard about live performances but I have to say that if you don’t have a ticket for a show on this tour you need to be out there searching. It wasn’t about the performances – although they were excellent – or about the songs – once more great songs. It is about a concept brought through to completion that is in itself circular and thoroughly original but also immediately familiar to anyone familiar with the band.”

It was only recently that Ian began researching the life of the man that his band took the name of 48 years ago on a weekly audition night at London’s famed UK club, The Marquee.

The performance of Jethro Tull includes favorites “Aqualung,” “Living In The Past,” “Wind-Up,” “A New Day Yesterday,” and “Locomotive Breath” alongside of songs that could be about Jethro Tull including “Heavy Horses,” “Farm On The Freeway,” “Songs From The Wood” and “The Witch’s Promise.” Some of them are rewritten slightly to better tell the tale.

The band features Greig Robinson (bass), John O’Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and virtual guests including Ryan O’Donnell who toured with Ian from 2012-2014/15. Bassist David Goodier, who has played with both Jethro Tull and with Ian since 2002, appears in Ian’s virtual world. Also on the big screen is Unnur Birna Björnsdóttir as the Agricutluralist’s wife. Writes Public Reviews Selwyn Knight, “She is expressive and has a beautifully clear and pure voice that cuts through the rumble of drums and guitars. She’s a mean violinist, too.”

Knight also raves about Ian Anderson’s charisma, “to whom all eyes are drawn… a looming stage presence, stalking the stage like a caged animal casting notes from his flute far and wide, occasionally rising to stand on one leg in his signature silhouette. Even singing at the microphone, one feels there is great energy barely held in check as he is never quite still. A consummate showman with a unique voice and flute style.”

Ian Anderson recently won The Prog God Award from Prog Magazine, celebrating the innovators of rock who have inspired generations and carved a way for others to be at their creative best. There is no one who has pushed the boundaries more than Ian Anderson, who to this day remains immersed in his love for the music.

Fronting seminal Prog outfit Jethro Tull and performing simply under his own name, Ian Anderson has performed in more than 54 countries over 45 years; he is widely considered an icon of the genre and is recognized as the protagonist of the flute in rock music. With over 60 million albums sold in its career, Tull has been characterized by Anderson’s trademark acoustic textures created with ethnic flutes and whistles together with acoustic guitar and the mandolin family of instruments. In many recent shows, Anderson has played with orchestras, string quartets and featured soloists. His eclectic acoustic performances are also a hit with fans of the progressive genre. Look for more dates in Russia and throughout Europe and South America before the end of the year. Below are the November U.S. shows. Below that are the full reviews. 


DATES:  
November 1: Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL
November 3: Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI
November 5: CITI Performing Arts Center, Boston, MA
November 6: Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, NY
November 7: Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
November 8: Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT
November 10: Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
November 11: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ

#####

Selwyn Knight’s write-up in THE PUBLIC REVIEWS of JETHRO TULL from Symphony Hall in Birmingham, UK. http://www.thepublicreviews.com/jethro-tull-the-rock-opera-symphony-hall-birmingham/

Say the name ‘Jethro Tull’ to people and you are likely to elicit one of three responses depending on their age and interests – a blank look; if of a historical bent: ‘Oh, yes, the famous 18th Century agriculturist and inventor of the seed drill’; or, if someone of a certain age, ‘Oh yes, the famous progressive rock/folk fusion band led by Ian Anderson’. The central conceit of this evening is that Ian Anderson and other musicians tell the story of Jethro Tull (the man) using songs from the extensive repertoire of Jethro Tull (the band, now, according to Anderson, officially disbanded).

Anderson tells how it was only relatively recently that he began looking into the life of the man and that he recognised that songs from his back catalogue could represent events and moods during Tull’s life. So the seed of the idea for Jethro Tull The Rock Opera germinated, was tended and grew.

Tull was an agricultural pioneer. His design of the seed drill improved productivity and he continued to invent ways of improving yields throughout his life. Anderson has taken the outline of Tull’s life and replanted it in the near future; in this vision, Tull becomes a leading government scientist and wealthy businessman in the field of genetically modified crops before becoming disillusioned and returning to a more organic lifestyle.

The song choices Anderson has made do indeed suit the story with little modification. And he has wisely ensured that some real crowd-pleasers are included – Heavy Horses, Aqualung, Songs from the Wood, Living in the Past, The Witch’s Promise and Locomotive Breath all feature. The story is largely told through video projection with characters from the story – Jethro Tull, his father, wife and son chief among them – appearing and singing with the onstage band. This is very effective and allows Anderson and the musicians to do what they do best – rock Symphony Hall to its foundations – while maintaining the narrative. On screen, Unnur Birna Björnsdóttir sings as Tull’s wife. She is expressive and has a beautifully clear and pure voice that cuts through the rumble of drums and guitars. She’s a mean violinist, too. Ryan O’Donnell, currently starring as Ray Davies in The Kinks’ musical, Sunny Afternoon, cuts a suitable figure as the young Tull trying to make a name and also the mildly disillusioned son. He sounds disconcertingly similar to the young Anderson as well. The whole is technically perfect with the onstage band and the video footage synchronising perfectly. A nice touch is the use of archive Jethro Tull footage showing a young Ian Anderson in full flow on the flute alongside today’s model live onstage.

And it is Anderson to whom all eyes are drawn. He has great charisma and is a looming stage presence, stalking the stage like a caged animal casting notes from his flute far and wide, occasionally rising to stand on one leg in his signature silhouette. Even singing at the microphone, one feels there is great energy barely held in check as he is never quite still. A consummate showman with a unique voice and flute style.

The other musicians are first rate: Scott Hammond’s drums provide an insistent, almost industrial driving force contrasting with the delicacy of some of Anderson’s flute work. Often understated keyboards from John O’Hara add to the tonal mix. However, the lead guitar of Florian Opahle really strikes the ear. Technically superb, he makes notes soar over the heads of the audience. All are equally at home rocking it and also with the pastoral more introspective pieces.

As an evening celebrating the music of Jethro Tull, a greatest hits evening, the performance works. The use of some other singers is refreshing and gives familiar songs a new sound and life. However, the narrative of the story of Jethro Tull (the man) is less well developed – one really needs to read the synopsis in the programme to see the narrative arc. However, this aspect of the evening is perhaps the least important to fans of Jethro Tull (the band). Wearing T-shirts celebrating all eras in the band’s long life from 1967 to 2014, they, and this reviewer, are happy to hear iconic songs performed with gusto by the man who originally wrote them. And in this regard, one cannot fault the evening.

 

 

From London’s MUSIC NEWS, this is Andy Snipper’s review. It isn’t often that I go overboard about live performances but I have to say that if you don’t have a ticket for a show on this tour you need to be out there searching.


It wasn’t about the performances – although they were excellent – or about the songs – once more great songs. It is about a concept brought through to completion that is in itself circular and thoroughly original but also immediately familiar to anyone familiar with the band.

To clarify: Ian Anderson named his band Jethro Tull after an 18th Century farmer and agriculturalist who invented a mechanical seed drill and mechanised hoe. Jethro Tull (the band) were extremely successful and Ian Anderson decided to make a rock opera of the life of the man who the band were named after, set in the modern day and using the songs of the band to illustrate his life.

 

The performance at Shepherd’s Bush last night was superb and the use of filmed and digital backdrops with some of the performers on the album singing in the film and perfectly synched with the live performance happening on stage added immensely to the ‘show’. 

The band were Anderson’s touring band of Florian Opahle on guitar, John O’Hara on keyboards, Scott Hammond on drums and Grieg Robinson on bass but there were also excellent filmed performances by Ryan O’Donnel as the young Jethro, David Goodier as the older Tull and wonderful singing and violin from Unnur Birna Bjornsdóttir as Jethro’s wife and mother. All were excellent but Ian Anderson is such a perfect front man that when he was on stage all eyes were inevitably on him. 



Speaking of Ian Anderson, when the band started in 1967 he was whip-thin, lithe and as hairy as any of his contemporaries. He also had a great and very unique voice and occasionally played flute. In 2015 he is stockier, bald and has less of a voice than 50 years earlier. However, he is the same prancing and gesticulating actor/artist, can still balance on one leg while playing flute, plays more and better flute than in the past and is still utterly captivating onstage.

The show itself featured a veritable ‘best of’ of Jethro Tull music including songs not heard for years – ‘Living In The Past’, ‘Witch’s Promise’ – tracks from ‘Aqualung’ and also the later albums such as ‘Heavy Horses’. These were not shoe-horned in to fit but, where necessary, the lyrics were tweaked to add relevance.

It is NOT a bog standard concert, it really does have a readily understood theme and the show in toto is something remarkable to behold.

Billy Sherwood's New Music Video "No Man's Land" on October 6

Singer/songwriter/bassist/multi-instrumentalist releasing music video exactly one month in advance of upcoming album, CITIZEN

Billy Sherwood has unveiled the first single and music video, “No Man’s Land,” from his album, CITIZEN via Frontiers Music Srl's Facebook page as well as his own. It can be viewed at this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp4hLAonqUo . The video and the song, which features Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse, are about a World War I runner, someone who runs from trench to trench where his fellow soldiers are fighting, to pass messages from their leaders—the generals who are giving orders from behind friendly lines.

In “No Man’s Land,” the Runner sees his buddies die, and, as the video progresses, seems to be walking more and more in a daze. Billy says, “You get the idea that he’s the only guy who walked away from the battle.”

Billy used three distinct sources for footage in “No Man’s Land”: 1) archival footage from World War I, 2) a cameraman taping him up-close and facing front in a brightly-lit room, 3) modern day footage of a tall and powerful looking young man being the runner. “That is David Hussey,” explains Billy. “He’s in the prog band XNA which I produced/recorded. We shot the footage in the desert behind my house.”

The video is directed by Devin DeHaven, and it reflects on war—the losses, pain, and darkness.

“No Man’s Land” appears on Billy’s upcoming album, CITIZEN, which is being released on November 6, 2015 by Frontiers Music Srl. All digital pre-orders of CITIZEN include an instant download of “No Man’s Land." Here are the pre-order links.:

Amazon:radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes:radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes

Billy Sherwood created CITIZEN, a concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history. 

A who’s who of the prog world appears on the album:

* Guitarists Steve Morse and Genesis’ Steve Hackett contribute some amazing fret work.

* Both Alan Parsons and XTC’s Colin Moulding sing on the CITIZEN album.

* Keyboardist Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and violinist Jerry Goodman (the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) are also on the album.

* Billy’s Yes friends: all these keyboardists: Tony Kaye, Geoff Downes, Rick Wakeman and Patrick Moraz, plus current singer Jon Davison, and Billy’s mentor the late Chris Squire.

Chris Squire handpicked Billy to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his recent passing. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.  

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

Amazon pre-order link:radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes pre-order link: radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes
CITIZEN EPK youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I
BillySherwoodHQ.com
Facebook.com/BillySherwoodMusic

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Sonic Voyage Fest Announces Fall Dates in October and Novemember

Progressive Rock’s Newest Traveling Festival Returns This Fall with Events in New York and Michigan.

On October 16, Stratospheerius, Shadow Eden, and Lovetester will be playing at Olives in Nyack (Rockland County), NY. LIKE Olives at www.facebook.com/OlivesNyack.

On Friday, October 23, the Sonic Voyage Fest will be at the Diesel Concert Lounge in Chesterfield, MI (Detroit). Featured are Tiles, Faded Main, Discipline and Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius.
www.dieselconcertlounge.net

On Friday, October 30, Halloween Eve, the Sonic Voyage Fest takes place at Gussys in Queens, NY (New York City). Performing are Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius, Shadow Eden, Joe Stump, and Rob Balducci.
www.facebook.com/pages/GUSSYS-BARinASTORIA

On Friday November 13, Shadow Eden and Ad Astra will be playing at Binghamton’s Cyber Cafe West. www.cybercafewest.com/

On Saturday, November 28, look for the Sonic Voyage Fest to rock Long Island in Bayshore, NY at Even Flow with Joe Stump, Shadow Eden, Stratospheerius & Ad Astra. www.evenflowbarandgrill.com/

Created Memorial Day 2015 by three incredible bands: Circuline, and Shadow Eden & Stratospheerius, Sonic Voyage Fest’s purpose is to create a night of music that dazzles with virtuosity, ignites the senses, and pushes boundaries. Writes ProgSheet’s editor John A. Wilcox, “Sonic Voyage Fest was like General Tso's chicken: spicy, filling, and I already want more!”

Part of Sonic Voyage Fest’s goal is also to raise consciousness of younger artists and also military veterans’ relationship with music. In the Fests band members invite dialog with fans and musicians between sets. Band members exchange notes on improvisation and composition, and other musical genres like jazz.

We are looking for sponsors to pay admission of interested veterans or students who might be going through financial hardships but would feel an event by musicians would help them. Please contact Anne Leighton, who works with Joe Deninzon, at 718-881-8183 if you can either help financially or know a veteran or student who’d benefit from going.

THE BANDS WHO CREATED SONIC VOYAGE FEST

Shadow Eden, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius, and Circuline: Now Available for Interviews. Please contact Anne Leighton at 718-881-8183

Their bios are below. Please note that Stratospheerius plus Shadow Eden will be on this Fall’s Fest.

Under the founders’ bios are bios of other confirmed acts for the Fall Sonic Voyage Fest: Tiles, Faded Main, Discipline, Rob Balducci, Lovetester, Joe Stump, and Ad Astra.

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius
www.stratospheerius.com

Led by electric violinist/vocalist Joe Deninzon (www.joedeninzon.com), who has been called “The Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” Stratospheerius have showcased their “frenzied mélange of progressive rock, jazz fusion and funkabilly” throughout the world. The New York-based group has opened for The Levin Brothers (Tony and Pete), Tim Reynolds, Mickey Hart, and John Scofield… Their live performances are filled with funky dance grooves, rip-roaring guitar/violin jams, and hooks that mix jazz, funk, rock with Gypsy influences. Stratospheerius was a winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition, and was named "Best Jam Band" in the Musician's Atlas Independent Music Awards. Joe recently premiered “Dream Diary: Concerto for Seven String Electric Violin and Orchestra” with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra.

Shadow Eden
www.reverbnation.com/shadoweden

SHREDGUY RECORDS recording artist Shadow Eden deliver well crafted, listenable songs which feature virtuoso performances designed to please the ear of musicians and music lovers alike.  "Shadow Eden combine elements of progressive rock, fusion and guitar-driven metal into well structured, highly musical, and very listenable tunes.”-Shred Academy.

Circuline
circulinemusic.com

What do you get when you take two theatrical lead vocalists,  a keyboard player from Juilliard, a musical savant playing guitar, and a drummer with progressive rock in his DNA?  The new modern ProgRock band Circuline. Performing original and classic progressive rock, Circuline was founded in 2014 when former progressive rock tribute band Downing Grey members  Andrew Colyer (keyboards, vocals), Bill Shannon (guitars, vocals), and Darin Brannon (drums, percussion) had a burning desire to write original material.  Lead vocalists Billy Spillane and Natalie Brown were up for the challenge, having performed in countless venues as singers, actors, dancers, and rock musicians.

Circuline’s debut album features Guest Artists Matt Dorsey (Sound of Contact) on bass, Randy McStine (Lo-Fi Resistance) as a songwriter and vocalist, and Joe Deninzon (Stratospheerius) on electric violin. Paul Ranieri (Shadow Eden) is currently the touring bassist with the band.

“Cinematic…refined…polished…smooth as silk…not what you usually hear
from a first album…” – Marty Dorfman (The Prog Doctor), House of Prog

“There are many layers here on first listen…delicately placed strips of all
manner of sounds interwoven and joined without a hint of the seam…It’s
that good, and only gets better upon each playing…Trust me – You’ll know
what I mean when you listen to Return yourselves.” – Paul Watson, Progarchy

In addition to Shadow Eden and Stratospheerius, the following bands are confirmed for Sonic Voyage Fest, Fall 2015.

Tiles
www.tiles-music.com

Hailing from the fertile musical landscape of Detroit, TILES features Chris Herin (guitar), Jeff Whittle (bass), Paul Rarick (vocals) and Mark Evans (drums). Formed in 1993, TILES has developed a style that blends the adventure of progressive rock with an aggressive hard rock edge.  The band has released five studio albums worldwide through Inside Out Music and recently commemorated their 20th anniversary with a pair of live recordings, “Off the Floor 01 & 02,” which serve as career retrospectives. “Off the Floor 02” was nominated for a 2015 Detroit Music Award.

TILES has completed their sixth studio album, the double-CD “Pretending to Run” which is scheduled for an early-2016 release.  “Pretending to Run” is produced by Terry Brown (Rush) and features guest appearances by Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Mike Portnoy (Flying Colors, Dream Theater), Mike Stern (Miles Davis), Adam Holzman (Steven Wilson Band), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster), Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Matthew Parmenter (Discipline) and several others.  TILES endorses Mesa/Boogie Amplification, Elixir Strings, Aquarian Drumheads, Eden Bass Amplifiers and Ken Smith Basses & Strings.

Discipline
disciplineband.bandcamp.com

The American art rock band “Discipline” formed in Detroit in 1987. Their earliest shows were memorable for raw energy and unusual theatrics. Discipline’s 1993 CD “Push & Profit” helped the band reach an audience beyond Detroit. After a short tour in Norway in 1993, Discipline would go on to perform regularly at U.S. progressive rock festivals and venues throughout the 1990s. Their latest studio release is “To Shatter All Accord” (2011).

Although Discipline took its name from a King Crimson album, they are most often compared to early Genesis and Van Der Graaf Generator. The progressive rock website ProgArchives.com classifies Discipline as “symphonic prog.” Hundreds of users and reviews at the site give Discipline five-star album ratings, which designates an album as “essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music.”

John Collinge, publisher of Progression Magazine, acknowledged “To Shatter All Accord” with the publication’s highest marks in his 2012 review (16 out of 16 stars).

Discipline’s festival appearances in recent years include a 2012 performance at Gettysburg’s “Rites of Spring” festival (RoSFest), and a 2008 performance at the Northeast Art Rock Festival (NEARfest) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Shows in their native Detroit are rare but not unheard of. Members of the band have performed and collaborated with other artists on occasion, including Phideaux and Tiles.

Faded Main
www.facebook.com/faded.main

Faded Main is a metro-Detroit based rock band that has been together since 2008. Their gritty rock comes from a myriad of influences including, funk, jazz, grunge, and metal. Al Bushe’s powerful lead vocals are backed by the dual guitar sounds of Mike Batke and Craig Dipaola. The rhythm section is driven by Decibel Brown and Jeff Whittle. Faded Main focuses on storytelling with great music that still has an edge. Though Faded Main performs only a few times a year, they recently opened for Ashes of Soma.  Although music is only a hobby for these musicians, Faded Main is passionate about what they do and they plan on continuing to deliver solid rock music to their fans for years to come.

The Rob Balducci Band
www.robbalducci.com

Since his emergence on the music scene Internationally acclaimed guitar virtuoso, producer, composer Rob Balducci has taken the music world by storm.  Balducci recently released his newest CD “821 Monroe Drive.” Rob’s astonishing technique, melodic phrasing and total command of the instrument instantly earned him respect amongst the international guitar and music communities.

The Rob Balducci Band has toured and shared the stage with Michael Schenker, Peter Frampton, Joe Bonamassa,  Vernon Reid, Richie Kotzen, Andy Timmons, Extreme and many more. Balducci is known for his teaching and has performed master classes / clinics for all of the major music manufacturers and top music schools in The United States, Europe. Asia and Australia.

“Steve Vai – “There are two things that make an effective musician, one is the technical ability to perform on the instrument and the second is an emotional investment in what you are playing. Rob has a really good equilibrium for the technical side of things and the emotional investment” Guitar World Magazine –   ” Five Stars , Hum-able shred! What a concept!”

Lovetester
www.lovetester.net

Lovetester was founded in 1999 as a vehicle to play songs from Rick Bartow's solo CD Asstravaganza. The band is currently playing shows supporting their new CD, SLOWMENTUM.

Rick met Wes and Boxy while performing with project object,  a Frank Zappa
tribute band that toured the country with various Zappa band alumni such
as Ike Willis, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Don Preston, and Bunk Gardner.

Lovetester says, "We love all types of music - Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Ween, YES, Rush, King Crimson, ELP, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Weird Al, Wesley Willis. We are always learning, practicing and striving for excellence. We know you have your choice of bands and we really do appreciate your support."

Joe Stump (“The Shredlord”)
www.joestump.com/

Fans of maniacal guitar-driven releases,amazing displays of power and jaw dropping technical command, please, prepare yourselves as the Shredlord returns with his 10th solo album, “The Dark Lord Rises” October 24th on Lion Music.  

Joe Stump, known as The Shredlord, has been raining down full throttle neo-classical shred/speed metal since his debut album, Guitar Dominance was released in 1993 on Leviathan Records.  

Joe was named by Guitar One magazine as one of the top 10 fastest shredders of all time, by Guitar World as one of the 50 fastest players of all time and by Guitarist magazine as one of the top 20 shredders of all time. He has toured the world both as a solo artist and with metal bands Joe Stump`s Reign Of Terror, HolyHell, RavenLord and Exorcism.  

Joe`s also an Associate Professor at the esteemed Berklee College where he`s been the metal/shred guitar specialist for the last 22 years. “The Dark Lord Rises” marks Joe`s 10 solo record and once again the Shredlord has raised his game in every aspect still finding another gear. 

Ad Astra
www.adastraband.com/

New York based guitarist Joe Nardulli's self-titled debut CD inspired and intrigued a bunch of local progressive rock musos. After jamming with a few, Joe finally found the right people and put a band together. David Penna on drums, J. Levine on bass and Eric Davis on keys brought Joe's solo material to life. Harold Skeete and Tony Savasta are now filling the rhythm section duties.

Now as a band, Ad Astra (Latin for "To the stars" - inspired by the title of the closing track of Joe's self-titled debut CD) has taken the compositional process to another level and the new album is called Ad Astra! With tone and melodic sensibilities reminiscent of Steve Morse and Eric Johnson, the focus is on compositions that are tightly structured with smooth, thematic playing styles blending perfectly with soaring, uplifting melodies. Combined with odd and shifting time signatures, you have songs that always keep your interest.

http://sonicvoyagefest.com

https://www.flickr.com/photosSonicVoyageFest

 

Gentle Giant's OCTOPUS remixed by Steven Wilson Out Oct. 27

Gentle Giant On Facebook
twitter.com/GGIANTMUSIC

video EPK:

Gentle Giant’s iconic album, OCTOPUS has been remixed by Steven Wilson and will be released on October 27, 2015 in both BLU-RAY/CD and CD formats.

Originally released in 1972, OCTOPUS is Gentle Giant’s fourth album. The album features band members: Gary Green (guitars, percussion), Kerry Minnear (keyboards, vibraphone, percussion, cello, vocals), Derek Shulman (vocals, alto saxophone), Phil Shulman (saxophones, trumpet, mellophone, vocals), Ray Shulman (bass violin, guitar, percussion, vocals), John Weathers (drums, percussion, xylophone).  The album was produced by the band and engineered and mixed by Martin Rushent.  

The album has been tastefully remixed by Steven Wilson who also remixed Gentle Giant's 'The Power & The Glory' in 2014. Also included is a bonus of Steven’s mix of live 15-minute concert performances of "Excerpts from Octopus"  from the band's 1976 tour.

New sketches by Roger Dean (who produced the original UK album cover) will be included in the new packaging as well as artwork from the USA album (an octopus in a jar created by Charles White).  

The Blu-ray’s remixed album and added 15 minutes of live excerpts will be in 96/24 PCM, DTS 5.1 Surround Sound Master Audio.  The Blu-ray also includes instrumental mixes of 5 of the original 8 tracks from this album. Also included is the flat transfer of the original mix of the album.  

The OCTOPUS releases will be through Caroline-UMG in North America, and on Soulfood in the rest of the world on October 27.

TRACKLISTING
• 1. The Advent Of Panurge *
• 2. Raconteur Troubadour   *
• 3. A Cry For Everyone
• 4. Knots
• 5. The Boys In The Band *
• 6. Dog’s Life 
• 7. Think Of Me With Kindness
   • 8. River
• 9. Bonus Live “Excerpts From Octopus 1976”
* Original stereo mixes and Penteo surround sound upmixes
       

LABEL: ALUCARD
ARTIST: GENTLE GIANT
TITLE:  OCTOPUS STEVEN WILSON
RELEASE DATE:  27 OCTOBER 2015

Blackmore's Night Gets Brave on "Will O' The Wisp" Video, Latest Single From ALL OUR YESTERDAYS

Among the things informing the songs of Blackmore’s Night are sagas and symbolism. In the case of the supernatural “Will O’ The Wisp,” the rock-based song continues the band’s vision involving what singer and lyricist Candice Night describes as “nature and folklore from around the world.” “Will O’ The Wisp” is from the group’s tenth album All Our Yesterdays now, offering us a mystical experience.

The “Will O’ The Wisp” video can be seen on Billboard by cutting and pasting this link: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6693008/ritchie-blackmore-blackmores-night-will-o-the-wisp-song-premiere. We are unable to embed that page or the video currently as Billboard is premiering the video!

Spotlighted in the video and the lyrics are lights (the will o’ the wisps), an ancient rock, castle ruins, a forest, as well as the crescent moon.  There is also a path.  Candice saw that path as part of the “Will O’ The Wisp”’s folklore as she watched the Disney/Pixar film Brave with her two children.  She was entranced by an early scene in which the heroine, Princess Merida is led through the woods to a cottage by a will o’ the wisp, a light that floats over swamps and moors. “The visual was amazing,” she says.  Beyond that, the soundtrack of Ritchie’s music spoke to her to blend his music and her lyrics into this enchanting song.

The video enhances the lyrics’ ancient feel.  In stark black and white, the only color element is the title character, a small, light blue will o’ the wisp that leads Night through ruins and moors and wide open spaces that the Celts would have approved of.  The wisps were symbolic and mysterious lights that led her through ancient stone circles to a destination that would ultimately change her fate.      

With concepts for this epic video running back and forth for weeks, Blackmore’s Night admits they took “forever” to finish it, and at the end of the entire production, Candice, Ritchie and the band, pretty much, used symbolism of the path of the light meeting a second light—two Will O’ The Wisps.  

Candice is adamant about one thing, though. “The concept,” she insists, “is in the lyrics.”  

Fans can also watch Blackmore’s Night’s first music video (and single), the title song from the upcoming ALL OUR YESTERDAYS’ album, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8gCGcSlRuw.  

ALL OUR YESTERDAYS will be released on a variety of formats: CD, CD/DVD and Digital versions on September 18 and in LP and Box Set configurations on October 16 (in North America). Pre-orders for the CD, CD/DVD and Digital versions are available on Amazon.com here: http://radi.al/BlackmoresNightAmazon and the Digital version on iTunes/Apple Music here: http://radi.al/BlackmoresNightiTunes     

DETAILS:   

* CD/DVD Deluxe edition includes the full album plus a DVD with music videos for "All Our Yesterdays” and “Will O’ The Wisp,” plus an extensive interview with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night on the making of the new album * LP vinyl edition with a gatefold sleeve * Box Set Limited Collector’s edition includes CD/DVD deluxe edition, LP, T-shirt (L size ONLY), poster, lithograph  

 

Blackmore’s Night is a true musical and spiritual collaboration between vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night and her husband, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. The two met in 1989 when Deep Purple challenged Candice’s then radio station to a charity soccer match. In 1993 she sang on Rainbow’s DIFFICULT TO CURE tour. They co-wrote four songs for Rainbow’s STRANGER IN US ALL and in 1997 they formed Blackmore’s Night; they continue to play festivals and concerts in great, historic venues all over the world.  

Billy Sherwood's CITIZEN Due November 6

Billy Sherwood

On November 6, 2015, Frontiers Music Srl will release Billy Sherwood's latest, a concept album called CITIZEN.

The album can be pre-ordered at Amazon: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon and iTunes: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes.

Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.

The lead off track is called “The Citizen" which sets the stage for what's to come on the recording. “The Citizen” features Billy's longtime friends and members of the legendary Progressive Rock band Yes: bassist Chris Squire and former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye.

Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. In the song “No Man's Land" (featuring Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse) the Citizen appears as a World War I trench runner who passes the message along to the troops that it's time to attack; the Citizen remains behind and is, ultimately, the only survivor. “Empire" (with lead vocals by Alan Parsons & violin from Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) finds the Citizen as a conscript legionnaire in the final days of the Roman Empire. “Just Galileo and Me" (sung by Colin Moulding singer/bassist of XTC) shows the Citizen as a protective friend to Galileo, trying to tell the astronomer that he should not tell people that the earth is not flat or he will be labeled as a heretic.

Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Billy performs drums, bass, guitar, keys and sings several of the songs, including “A Theory of its Own” in which the Citizen appears as companion to Charles Darwin on the evolutionist’s maiden voyage. He sings of Native Americans affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 in the song, “Trail of Tears,” which features Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Former Genesis guitar player Steve Hackett adds his chops to “Man And The Machine,” which is about an assembly line worker and activist in the late 1890s. "Age Of The Atom” is about the creation of the Atomic Bomb and the questions of morality as a result of it; this features Geoff Downes on keyboards. Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess appears on “Escape Velocity,” a song that speaks to the political implications of the space race in the 1960s.

In “The Great Depression,” Billy's songwriter’s pen draws pain from the heart of a distraught Wall Street investor, who has lost everything in the stock market, and steps out to make a final step off the ledge. Rick Wakeman plays grand piano and other keyboards on this one. Finally, in CITIZEN’s 11th song, “Written In The Centuries,” performed by current Yes singer Jon Davison, Nostradamus is the Citizen busily composing his many predictions.

Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

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Enjoy a CITIZEN EPK following this link: youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I
Billy online: www.facebook.com/pages/Billy-Sherwood/137916570076?fref=ts
twitter.com/billysherwood

Downloadable JPG of The Album Cover of CITIZEN

MSO (The Muncie Symphony Orchestra) Presents the World Premiere of Joe Deninzon’s “Dream Diary: Concerto for 7-String Electric Violin and Orchestra”

Hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” Joe Deninzon will be performing his seven-string electric violin concerto with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, September 19, at 4:00PM.  This performance takes place in Sursa Hall on the campus of Ball State University. Sursa Hall is located at 1809 W. Riverside Ave., in Muncie, IN.

For ticket info, please call the Emens Box Office at 765-285-1539.

A 14-time BMI Jazz Composer’s grant recipient and winner of the John Lennon Songwriting contest, Joe is the lead singer and violinist for the progressive rock group Stratospheerius, which had its fifth album, THE NEXT WORLD released on Steve Vai’s Digital Nations. Joe is also a member of the Latin classical hip hop string quartet, Sweet Plantain. His work as a violinist and string arranger can be heard on over 100 CDs and jingles. Mr. Deninzon has worked with Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, and dozens of other projects.

As an educator, Joe has taught rock violin at Mark O’Connor’s String Camp and Mark Wood’s Rock Orchestra Camp. Mel Bay Publications released his book, PLUGGING IN on electric violin technique. Joe holds Bachelor’s degrees in Violin Performance and Jazz Violin from Indiana University and a Master’s in Jazz/Commercial violin from Manhattan School of Music.

“Dream Diary” was inspired, in part, by Joe’s roots in studying classical music and falling in love with ‘80s/’90s guitar virtuosos such as Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt. 

Stating his best ideas come to him when he dreams, Joe’s “Dream Diary” concerto offers surreal imagery and is “very dream-like.” In the concerto, Joe also uses rock guitar effects on his violin such as distortion, delay, whammies, wah-wah, and loops.

Appreciating his style and passion, MSO Artistic Director / conductor, Douglas Droste, approached Deninzon with an idea for a concerto for rock violin and orchestra. "I cannot wait to bring this concerto to Muncie, with the hopes that it will attract new audiences and give our long-time concertgoers a new twist on an old genre."  

Also on the program are Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide Overture” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4.” As part of the  3:00PM pre-concert talk, Mr. Deninzon will share more about his work.

www.JoeDeninzon.com

About Muncie Symphony Orchestra 

Founded in 1948, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra seeks to provide its audience with rewarding musical experiences and to promote social exchange among attendees of the musical events. As an organization that celebrates the cultural vibrancy of East Central Indiana, the MSO uses music as a way to engage, educate, entertain and enrich through traditional classical and pops concerts, children’s concert, chamber events, and community engagement programs.

www.MuncieSymphony.org

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