Hank Wedel, “What Happens in Cork”

"Clearly loved by his peers for his generosity, Hank is very happy to share his stage."

-The Irish Examiner 

With songs inspired by good time artists including The Lovin' Spoonful, Grateful Dead, and Richard Thompson, Hank Wedel brings comradery to his music and his fans in both recordings and shows. His new album, the 10-song “What Happens in Cork” –released August 25— was produced by Declan Sinnott (Christy Moore). The album features 9 songs written by Hank, and one song written by Declan. Guest artists on the album are a who’s who of players especially from the Cork County scene. 

"There are a few reasons I decided to give the name, '"What Happens in Cork,'” says Hank. “First, I find myself saying ‘it’s what happens in Cork,’ when I explain nightly events in Cork City and County. I’ve heard it said, ‘if you love Cork, it has a way of keeping you,’ and ‘if you marry a Cork woman, you’ll end up living there…’ ‘Cork City is the only city in Ireland that hasn’t forgotten what it is.’”

When Hank saw an image by Cork’s longtime music photographer, “Murphy Kie” of Hank hamming it up like a warrior with his guitar versus soldier statues at Cork’s Elizabeth Fort, “What Happens in Cork” became his slogan, (future) podcast, and this collection of songs! 

Hank recorded “What Happens in Cork” at Declan’s studio in The Hills of Bandon, Co. Cork during the global lockdowns from 2020 into 2023.    

Hank Wedel was born in Dayton, Ohio, USA 1963, raised in New York City and Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland. Based in Cork City, this guitarist/vocalist/ songwriter/recording artist/band leader has performed thousands of gigs from The North Pole to The Canary Islands, all over The USA and Europe as well as recording/releasing albums and singles of his own material, solo or with bands "Princes Street," "Open Kitchen," and "Small Town Talk."  This year 2024, Hank celebrates 50 years of living in Ireland, 40 years of being based as a musician in Cork City and 30 years of a Monday Night residency with mandolin supremo Ray Barron at Charlies Bar, Cork City. In his time Hank has performed onstage with Shane McGowan, Mary Black, Christy Moore, Kila, Philomena Begley, and Bono.

JETHRO TULL “The Seven Decades” Summer/Fall 2023 U.S. Tour

 

Jethro Tull live, photo by Nick Harrison 

Legendary rock band JETHRO TULL has announced "The Seven Decades" tour. Led by Ian Anderson, the concert will feature a rich collection of the best-known JETHRO TULL repertoire from 1968 to date. Fans will recognize the key songs from the band’s rich heritage.  These are songs which put JETHRO TULL and Ian Anderson on the map during these seven decades. "The Seven Decades" tour will hit the U.S. from August through November, with stops in the Midwest (Chicago, Indianapolis, Dayton, Cincinnati, Northern Virginia), in California (San Diego, Los Angeles, Lincoln, Saratoga, Santa Rosa), and the Northeast (New Hampshire, Boston, Uncasville, New York City, Port Chester, Albany).

Tickets to all shows are now on sale. Visit jethrotull.com/tour-dates/ for ticket links to all shows.

JETHRO TULL’s  23rd studio album, "RökFlöte" is now out on all streaming media and in stores via Inside Out Music. Following 2022's "The Zealot Gene," the group's first LP in two decades, Anderson and his bandmates’ new 12-track record is based on the characters and roles of some of the principal gods of old Norse mythology, and exploring the "RökFlöte" — rock flute — which JETHRO TULL has made iconic.

With more than 30 albums to their credit and sales totaling more than 60 million, JETHRO TULL are one of the most successful rock bands of all-time with a catalog that contains classics that still resonate today. Led by Anderson, TULL continue to tour throughout the world, entertaining audiences of all ages.

The band consists of:
Ian Anderson - Concert and Alto flutes, Flute d'Amour, Irish whistle and vocals
David Goodier - Bass
John O'Hara - Piano, keyboards and Hammond Organ
Scott Hammond - Drums
Joe Parrish-James - Electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin

Tour dates:
Aug. 18 - Ravinia Festival - Highland Park, IL
Aug. 19 - TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park - Indianapolis, IN
Aug. 20 - Rose Music Center at The Heights - Huber Heights, OH
Aug. 22 - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend - Cincinnati, OH
Aug. 24 - Wolf Trap - Vienna, VA
Sep. 26 - The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park - San Diego, CA
Sep. 27 - Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Sep. 29 - Thunder Valley Casino Resort – The Venue at Thunder Valley - Lincoln, CA
Sep. 30 - The Mountain Winery - Saratoga, CA
Oct. 01 - Luther Burbank Center for the Arts – Ruth Finley Person Theater - Santa Rosa, CA
Oct. 27 - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom - Hampton, NH
Oct. 28 - MGM Music Hall at Fenway - Boston, MA
Oct. 29 – Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, CT
Nov. 01 - Beacon Theatre - New York, NY
Nov. 02 - The Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY
Nov. 04 - Palace Theatre - Albany, NY

Phoebe Legere's New Art Exhibition "Body Worship/New Abstraction" in NYC

 

BODY WORSHIP/NEW ABSTRACTION   Peel Me A G_ Lavender Oil, Polyester, Egg_58x68_2022

A New Voice_Wood, Linen, Pastel, Lavender Oil, Egg_58 x 72_2022 Body Worship_Lavender Oil, Egg_16x20_2019  Leg Man_Lavender Oil, Egg, Polyester_36x42_2022    Fresh from her “Retrospective: Evanescent Landscapes, Vanishing Women” exhibition at The Bundy Museum, multidisciplinary artist Phoebe Legere is showing a new collection of paintings “Body Worship/New Abstraction” at her ArtLab Gallery, 324 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017 through July 10. You are cordially invited to meet the artist and view her new works.   The latest collection focuses on paintings that celebrate the spiritual relationship between the Body and non-objective painting.   The works feature a cosmic approach to gesture and chance.   Phoebe Legere (Abenaki/Cajun) is a multidisciplinary artist whose paintings will be on view at the Bundy Museum of Art, 129 Main Street, Binghamton, NY, through August 7.    Legere uses old master techniques like dissection, perspective, glazes, lavender oil and egg as well acrylic, ink, collage, digital performance and embedded sound files.   Born to artist parents and trained to paint in oil and egg tempera from age 5, Legere had formative friendships with some of the greatest artists of modern times. Her parents met Larry Rivers in Provincetown when they were studying modern abstraction with Hans Hoffman. Many years later, Larry became Phoebe’s teacher, mentor, collaborator and friend. Rivers had this to say about Legere: “She is an intellectual with the heart of child. Legere is what art is all about.”     Legere’s paintings are deeply contemporary; each painting is a comment on the high value of the coordinated action of hand,  body, and  eye; as well as the aleatory gesture as a gateway to the Unknown.   “Computers have colonized and occupied our minds. The only cure, the only way to restore the health of the Human Soul, is to return to the well spring of all human endeavor: Art and Music,” according to Legere.     Phoebe Legere is also the founder and executive director of the Foundation for New American Art, an arts education nonprofit dedicated to nurturing the visionary artists of tomorrow. She teaches the children traditional Old Master techniques she learned at age 5. Legere is also an Apple Certified Art teacher, bringing digital art skills, video, animation and image manipulation to underserved children who get no art training in their schools.   The Foundation is hosting a two-day cultural diversity “Festival de la Posibilidad” July 16 & 17th at the Clemente Center, 107 Suffolk St., New York, NY 10002. The festival is sponsored in part by a grant from the National Endowment from The Arts.   According to Founder and Executive Director of FNAA, Phoebe Legere, “We have no words to express our gratitude to the people who helped us and fortified our resolve on our beautiful journey: fourteen years of service as a grassroots nonprofit charity organization! Now, the National Endowment for the Arts joins us as partner. Gracias a todos nuestros amigos y vecinos.”   FNAA grew from a curating and presenting arts organization called the New York Underground Museum to an arts education and cultural resource for children and families.    “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support arts projects like this one from Foundation for New American Art that help support the community’s creative economy,” said NEA Acting Chair Ann Eilers.   “Foundation for New American Art in NYC is among the organizations nationwide that are using the arts as a source of strength, a path to well-being, and providing access and opportunity for people to connect and find joy through the arts.”   I would be happy to arrange a visit to Phoebe’s ArtLab to meet Phoebe and see her new collection.    Visit phoebelegereart.com and phoebelegere.com to learn more about the multidisciplinary visual art and performance art of Phoebe Legere.     Thank you for your time and consideration.   At your service,   Xander…for Phoebe Legere Art

Dec. 20 Kathy Zimmer at the Rockwood Music Hall. NYC

 

Kathy Zimmer

Recommended if you like:
Phoebe Bridgers, Kacey Musgraves

Equipped with beautiful storytelling and an enchanting voice, NYC-based singer-songwriter Kathy Zimmer will be playing a show at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3 on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Blurring the lines between folk and pop music, this artist showcases her style of music that she describes as "cosmopolitan folk."

 

Tickets are $12.86 with service fees.  The ticket buy link is at: www.seetickets.us/event/Kathy-Zimmer/452790

The Rockwood—Stage 3 is at 185 Orchard Street, in New York City.

This is a 21 and over show.

 

Her first live performance since pre-pandemic, Zimmer looks forward to debuting a set of almost entirely new songs which were written over the past year and a half. Are any of us the same now as we were in February 2020? Kathy Zimmer felt as though she was evolving during this time, and had to create music that reflected that. Add to that the fact that her band moved from the city as a result of the pandemic, and she is challenged and excited to find a new performance format with which to present her songs.   

Kathy Zimmer has released several recorded collections of her music, most recently a vinyl record in 2019 combining two EPs, White Noise and Sparkling Smile, and a separate single, a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” (all of which are available on all streaming platforms). A resident of New York City, Kathy Zimmer is a native of rural Nebraska.  Her original love of acoustic guitars and tight vocal harmonies was the product of being raised in a large musical family.  In school, Zimmer studied classical music, her education culminating in a master's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.  Zimmer's roots and musical explorations have led her to create music she terms "cosmopolitan folk"--music that is sophisticated, sincere, smart and accessible with a variety of identifiable influences including country music, 1960s girl groups and classic pop singer-songwriters.  However, ultimately, Kathy Zimmer strives to make something new.

Rock n’ Reel Magazine has declared her the “latter day Joan Baez.” The Roots Music Report proclaims, “At various turns enchanting, haunting and soothing—and at times a bit of all of these—Ms. Zimmer’s sophisticated song crafting never fails to charm.” 

www.kathyzimmermusic.com

  

*www.kathyzimmermusic.com*

~cosmopolitan folk in your ears~

 

Elliott Murphy’s “Broken Poet” Movie World Premier New York City, March 25

BROKEN POET will have its world-wide premiere at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) on Wednesday 25 March at 8:00 at the Dolby Theater. The film will be preceded by a short acoustic concert by Elliott Murphy. BROKEN POET is directed by Emilio J. Ruiz and is based on a short story by Elliott Murphy, who also stars in the film and provides songs for the soundtrack including his classic LAST OF THE ROCK STARS. Other members of the cast include Joanna Preiss, Marisa Berensen, Michael O’Keefe and cameo appearances by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. The story itself is that of a ‘70s US rock star who disappeared in Paris and may still be alive. Rolling Stone magazine sends a journalist to investigate, and the results are surprising. A fresh look at rock stardom and success and a gripping story shot within enchanting and sumptuous views of Paris and New York. Not to be missed! 



Ticket buy link: https://nyciff.com/line-up-2020

The Legends of Boston At The Cutting Room, April 27

Please share downloadable flyer of
Legends Of Boston, April 27, NYC

Magic Dick & Shun Ng and Johnny A. will perform at the Cutting Room, April 27 at 7:30 PM.

The Cutting Room is at 44 E. 32nd Street, in New York City.

Admission is $25 in advance/$30 day of show (with a minimum food/drink of $20 per person).

The ticket buy link is https://tickets.thecuttingroomnyc.com/event/1655553-legends-boston-johnny-new-york/.

Facebook event page is: https://www.facebook.com/events/190515521567684/.

The venue phone is 212-691-1900.

The website is http://thecuttingroomnyc.com.

MAGIC DICK & SHUN NG

The soulful blues rocking duo of Magic Dick (the legendary harmonica player for Boston's legendary J. Geils Band) and guitarist/vocal sensation Shun Ng EP is called ABOUT TIME.

Since 1969, Magic Dick has toured the world playing and blowing away clubs and stadiums with the J. Geils Band. But he heard Shun Ng’s album, FUNKY THUMB STUFF, and wanted a musical collaboration with the upcoming musician, “Shun’s sound simply made me feel very alive and induced in me a synchronous alignment of musical DNA as if it was his intention as well as mine all along!”  

Shun Ng is an award-winning fingerstyle guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter, known for his unique style which infuses elements of Soul, Funk, Blues and Jazz. He’s won praise from legendary producer, Quincy Jones, who says, “I was simply blown away by both his soul and his science – his creativity and his uniqueness is astounding.” Shun is a recipient of the Songwriters Hall of Fame 'Holly Prize' and winner of 'International Artist of The Year'  at the Boston Music Awards.  

Shun explains the goal was to “make music in a way that no one had quite done before while remaining grounded in our roots. Magic Dick brings a powerhouse attack with ferocious precision and a killer groove to this duo. I have great respect for him, he has seemingly done it all, but is still constantly trying to push the boundaries of music and chase the best in himself, a true artist. To be working with a true Boston legend is a real privilege."

JOHNNY A. 

"Just Me...and My Guitars" is what Johnny A. calls his solo concert.  For nearly 20 years Johnny A. has travelled the world effortlessly gliding through, bending and blending, musical genres to deliver his own unique style of instrumental guitar music.

To quote the LONDON FREE PRESS (Johnny A. is...) "a musician who resists easy categorization and that's always cool by us." JAZZIZ Magazine perfectly stated, "Johnny A. has eclectic musical vision and the skills to realize it... A.’s music is both accessible and sophisticated." 

Never content with complacency, and always up for a challenge, Johnny again takes an adventurous musical left turn to present his distinct, instrumental guitar approach for the very first time in a completely “solo” intimate atmosphere. 

With strong emphasis on melody and arrangements from the British songbook of the 1960s, he brings his fluid guitar style to select venues all across the United States. 

The evening promises to be a very special "living room experience" with some of Johnny's favorite songs and stories all of which have molded him into the musician and person he is today. 

It's no wonder that Gibson and Epiphone guitars have honored him with not one but three signature model guitars designed to his specifications.  Don't miss this rare and unique opportunity to see Grammy-Nominated, Boston Music Hall of Fame Inductee and one of America's finest instrumental guitarists, Johnny A., up close and personal. 

  

https://www.facebook.com/magicdickshun/

http://johnnya.com

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

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

 

Joe Deninzon Group celebrates life of Bob Bowen, October 14

Concert Celebrates Life of Late Bassist Bob Bowen

The Joe Deninzon Group will be having a record release celebration for its new album, EXUBERANCE at the P&G Bar, 380 Columbus Avenue (at 78th Street),in New York City, on October 14, at 10 PM. Admission is free. The venue phone is 212-787-5150. The web site is http://pandgbar.com/. This concert marks the Trio's public debut in New York City, although the group has performed at a number of private functions over the years.

"It will be a celebration," says Deninzon, "because we're remembering Bob Bowen," the Trio's bassist, who passed on early September, after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle in New York City.

Deninzon(violin) and Steve Benson (guitar), will have Bob Sabin (a friend of Bowen's) on bass plus drummer Luciana Padmore. There's be three sets--the last a late night jam with guest musicians. Bowen was a fixture on the local jazz scene. While admission is free, the sales of the EXUBERANCE CD at this event, plus donations to the tip jar will go to his two children. There've been a few fundraising concerts since his passing, and WKCR-New York presented a tribute to him.

Bowen played with Clark Terry, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Mark Murphy, Art Lande, Vassar Clemens, Roseanna Vitro, Mike Clark, Jack Wilkins, Eric Person's Metamorphosis, Tony Trischka and Joe Deninzon's rock group, Stratospheerious. He co-led the MOB Trio with drummer Matt Wilson and tenorman Ohad Talmor. Another collaborative project is Slog. Bob graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Music Composition from the University of Dayton, and studied in the classical double bass masters program at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and has a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. He was the bass instructor and director of the Jazz Combo Workshop at Hofstra University on Long Island NY, and helped develop the jazz prep program at the Center for Preparatory Studies in Music Queens College (CPSM), and the Manhattan-based Creative Music Workshop.

Bowen composed the album's title song "Exuberance In The Face Of Utter Anguish and Despair." The goal of the EXUBERANCE sessions was to capture the essence of three musicians in a room, playing live with no overdubs and a stripped down production. The Trio draws influence from jazz stylists including the gypsy explorations of Django Reinhardt and the hot swing of violinist Stephane Grappelli along with rock and pop standards of the past 50 years including compositions from Steely Dan, Alice in Chains, Radiohead, Jimmy Webb. “Sun Goes Down” (featuring Luba on lead vocals) is an original song by the trio that has been featured in the independent film, “What's Up Scarlet?” and a recent winner in the Jazz category of the Billboard and John Lennon International Songwriting Contests.

RELIX magazine wrote, “If the violin has a future in Jazz and Rock, it is with Joe Deninzon.” Best known for his work on the 7-string electric violin and as lead singer for STRATOSPHEERIUS, Deninzon has been called the "Jimi Hendrix of the elecric violin". He has collaborated with Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Phoebe Snow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Smokey Robinson, and Les Paul. He has also performed as a solo violinist with the New York City Ballet. His original music has been used on CMT, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, National Geographic, the Travel Channel and the History Channel.He has taught rock violin at Mark O'Conner's String Camp in New York, and is writing a book about the electric violin for Mel Bay Publications.

Guitarist Steve Benson is one of the most highly demanded Broadway and session guitarists in New York, being comfortable in a variety of musical settings including jazz, classical music, rock, rhythm and blues, Broadway, bluegrass, and Klezmer music. He has performed and/or recorded with Phoebe Snow, John Sebastian, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Natalie Cole , Giora Feidmand, Jackie McLean, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Lukes and the American Symphony Orchestra. He currently performs on Broadway in the orchestra pits of The Lion King, Chicago, Mary Poppins and Hair. He is on the jazz faculty at Montclair State University.

http://www.joedeninzon.com/joe-deninzon-jazz-trio.php
www.myspace.com/joedeninzontrio

LET'S GET A GENUINE UNSIGNED BAND INTO THE CHARTS: TWO ARTISTS' STORIES

Internet contest based in the UK and featuring talented musicians from all over the world

Voting Page: http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/index3.html
Facebook Page:   http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=404204360003
Vote for Jann Klose site:http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/klose.php

New York City-based pop singer/songwriter Jann Klose's song "Doing Time" is in the semi-finals of an intriguing Facebook "battle of the bands"-styled Internet contest called, "Let's Get a Genuine Unsigned Band into the Charts." The contest allows everybody to listen to songs by independent musicians, rate them by how they like the songs at the link http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/index3.html . On February 21st a winner will be chosen, publicised, and members can buy the artist's MP3 single over the course of a week, making the song hit the charts.

The contest was thought up by Oliver Tooley, a London-based singer who fronts the group Led Zep Too.  He also has a volume of original music, and has always supported independent music. An example is how Klose met him, after his agent mistakenly called Tooley's number to find a gig in London. As Tooley was familiar with the talent buyer's name, he gave the agent advice and UK leads for gigs, and then turned out for Klose's first show in England.

Through the years Tooley's presented small battles of the bands on MySpace, and only "got as many as 12 votes for one band!"

In late 2009 he realized it takes about 5000 people to buy an MP3 to have it place on the UK radio charts, and decided to start up the Facebook group. First, he invited all his friends, on the first day he had 250 members in his group, by day two there were 500 people.  Says Tooley: "It was growing exponentially, at the end of the first week there were over 2500 people. Now we have 8000 members and this is only five weeks old."
 
84 bands were in the first round. The second round of voting features 31 bands.  Most are from the UK. One group, Anielka, is from Finland. Klose (who was born in Germany, raised in Kenya and South Africa) lives in New York City. Power trio-with-a-singer Paint Box and songwriter Bill Monaghan are from Pennsylvania.

The contest has found Internet airplay, including BBC 6 and Hamiltonradio.net, as well as terrestrial radio in the UK. Birmingham, UK recording studio XRP has been featuring contestants' music on its station and self-promoting heavily on the Facebook page to the point that members are listening to that station throughout the day.

Tooley understands that some of the voters work with bands in the running, and will purposely down-rate competing artists. He also understands that some of the contestants, who lose the contest may not stick around to buy the winning recording. "I believe there'll be 10,000 group members by the time we assault the charts. If half our members buy it, the song will get into the top 40." He hopes the musicians will be supportive in order to have this contest run again and--maybe--other people in different countries run their own contest to get onto the indie charts.

While Tooley agrees that all musicians would like to have their music at the top of the charts, he says, "My target number for this Facebook page is to have one of our bands hit “37” on the charts. After that, let the rest of the UK get them to the top. There's a band in the contest called Deferred Sucess, and they have a song that states the sentiment, 'Make a living.'  That is what this contest is about."

please spread the word: It's good to talk with your federal representatives

This is your mouth on open--Use it!

I want to start by writing that I think most of my Facebook friends are smarter than many people who work in TV news. I am seeing that many news folks are sensationalizing unfacts or how people react at Town Halls. We need to spend time getting to the source for news stories, the web has a lot of information related to most of the news stories. We can actually go to sites like http://thomas.loc.gov/ to read pending legislation, works that are still in committee, and also get the voting record of the folks in DC. After that, we can contact our legislators (thomas.loc also has leads to each legislator at every State.)

I spoke with aides at Eliot Engel's (my congressman) and Kirsten Gillibrand's (one of my senators) offices. Both stated that the Public Option is still in both bills. The Senator's office stated that a lot of work still needs to be done in creating the first bill for insurance reform, including regulation for the insurance agencies. The companies don't want that regulation because they want to make more money. But aren't you sick of spending money to companies who act entitled to everything, but don't value their customers?

My younger brother is a Republican, who worked in Washington, DC in the '80s. He continues to follow current events. He will publicly state the bad customer service practices of insurance companies, and knows they have to be reigned in and regulated. His wife, who works in hospice, also knows that freedomworks is not doing right by the American people by stating the government is going to help Granny die. There is no Death panel for anybody in any of these bills before Congress.

After you chat with your representatives, have them answer your questions, and give insight to what's in these bills, which are still being worked on. Then I urge you to talk with friends and family in different parts of the country. URGE them to call their federal representatives with questions. Urge your friends to urge your federal representatives include the public options for health care. I'm a New Yorker--we have our health care taken care of through a sliding scale. We can have check ups, and pay what we can afford whenever we have cash on hand. It works, and most New Yorkers are very supportive of this. This health care system is one of the reasons that New York City is an extremely productive community.

But there are folks all over this country who are not lucky enough to have the benefits that New Yorkers have. I want the same compassion for them.

Understand that when people are not flooding their hard-earned money to life Insurance company executives' extravagances, they will have more money to spend. It's also okay for a little bit of "sin" tax on sweets and sodas--we know that's extra.

We also should not construe "socialism" with investing in our needs or helping our neighbor. As I see it, more recent than how our country was founded was the way our country was built. If someone's house burnt down, our great grandparents would have helped them rebuild their house. And what the heck, if you consider paying taxes to help the poor people to be socialism, then get to know a poor person-- be social; you'll want to help them after you get to know them. Believe it or not, some of my best friends and I are financially-challenged. But boy are we smart, resourceful, and we can teach the richest person something about budgeting!

The poor people paid their share of taxes to help America hurt other countries. Let's have them get helped because everyone is productive in this country.

Something I realized is the amount of service that many poor people give to the very well-to-do. From waiters and shop workers who sell cigars to auto mechanics, and contractors, even publicists--people are very much of service to rich people. They are only paid a certain amount of money for their work. Making sure everyone gets health care will allow the rich to continue paying whatever they currently pay, while the people who service them will keep their health, and also keep money flowing. That's capitalism, and actually very close to what Adam Smith had intended.

Please think about what the news is saying, and get some answers from your representatives. And remember, Health Care Reform--part one, Insurance Reform is going to take some time to get into a passable amendment, and then take into effect. A lot of our elected officials have not given up on it. Keep after these folks the same way you would go after a job or something else that would benefit you.

Location for Congress bill: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.3200:
(note: that Congress.gov will be undergoing maintenance on Sunday, August 30, and will be back online at 7 PM)

Joe Deninzon-Metro Strings, Stratospheerius

Electric violinist Joe Deninzon has one last Stratospheerius show before he and his classical violinist wife Yulia Ziskel discover the creative world of parenthood. The Deninzons are due a son late January/early February. So while "junior" is growing up, Joe will be writing a book on gear for string instruments and finishing up the next Stratospheerius album, plus gigging with Metro Strings and other pro gigs in the New York City/New Jersey area.

Joe Deninzon

He has two APAP showcases with two different groups:
Stratospheerius, his wild jam/metal/funk/blues/everything group plays Thursday, January 8 at 9 PM at Fat Baby in New York City.

Metro Strings, which includes Brazz Tree's Mazz Swift-Camlet on violin, cellist David Gotay and viola player Hiroko Takuchi, will be performing at Drom, 85 Avenue A (between 5th and 6th Streets), in New York City, at 7:15 on January 12. The group combines vocal and instrumental rock, hip hop, jazz, funk, and electronic music. There are some recordings of covers at myspace.com/metrostrings.

And for fun, visit this link to hear Joe jamming on "If I Were a Rich Man" from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. I think it is the way the song should be performed, especially in today's economy. How about you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAqe4bkUNRU

http://www.joedeninzon.com