The group had some excellent action this summer, with gigs, airplay on 50 radio stations, and solid write ups from the media, including Blogcritics’ Jon Sobel: “An interesting and spirited journey into outrageous creativity,” Cashbox’s Justin Scro: “taking the listener by the hand and whipping them around an Alice In Wonderland like journey of musical exploration” and PROGSHEET’S Jon Wilcox: “Joe Deninzon showing some vocal chops in addition to his Herculean violin skills.” Robert Silverstein's new write up in 21ST CENTURY GUITAR, “Deninzon really cuts loose are reminiscent of the spirited late ‘70s albums of Jean Luc Ponty with guitarist Peter Maunu." Even drummer Luciana Padmore's received some long-awaited media attention, sitting in with Joe on radio interviews, and offering her opinion about Stewart Copeland's playing for DRUM! Magazine. (Stratospheerius covers the Police's “Driven to Tears” on HEADSPACE.)
We're continuing promotion for the group, with tour dates in the Mid West and New England. More dates for the Mid West tour are going to be filled in. I'll let the locals know, plus feel free to visit the group's web siteweb site at www.stratospheerius.com.
September 20: DOCKSIDER, ERIE, PA
September 21: STERLING STAGE AMPHITHEATRE, HANNIBAL, NY
September 22: BEARDSLEE CASTLE, LITTLE FALLS, NY
October 5 & 6: HARVEST FEST, STARKS, ME
October 6: RAY KELLY’S PUB, BRIDGEPORT, CT
October 9: GRAPE STREET PUB, PHILADELPHIA, PA
October 10: JOHNNY DS, BOSTON/SOMERVILLE, MA
October 23: CLUB MIDWAY, NEW YORK, NY
November 7: BEACHLAND TAVERN, CLEVELAND, OH (w/Jann Klose)
November 8: GLOBAL THURSDAY, ARAB AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, DEARBORN, MI
November 9: TBA: YOUNGSTOWN, OH (w/Jann Klose)
November 10: CAROL’S SILVER DOLLAR, JAMESTOWN, NY
November 15: THE UNDERSCORE, NEW YORK, NY (w/Lewd Buddha)
Joe Deninzon has a few activities outside of Stratospheerius. This past June he played a black tie benefit for the environment, that was attended by both Ed Begley and Laura Bush. Joe kept asking Begley questions about the alternative energy car that the actor used to drive cross-country. After this benefit, he joined Luciana, Mack and Bob to play a pro marijuana rally in Maine!
Now Joe is also working on new movie soundtracks for the same producers of WHAT'S UP SCARLET, which he did with guitarist John LaBarbera. Their song, “Sun Goes Down” from the movie was a finalist in the John Lennon songwriting contest two years ago. WHAT'S UP SCARLET's premiere was on September 14 in Los Angeles. It will be shown again. Get on the media list at www.whatsupscarletmovie.com.
For the past eight Septembers, Joe's supported harmonica player Robert Bonfiglio at the Grand Canyon Fest in Grand Canyon, Colorado. There, Hess also teaching music to Navajo kids. This past year Joe and songwriter Chris Millaterri decided to teach eight of the children some rock and roll songs. So they're developing their own "School of Rock"-like program, with two days of rehearsals and a real fun time.
http://www.joedeninzon.com
http://www.stratospheerius.com
http://www.myspace.com/stratospheerius
