Joe Deninzon Joins Kansas (press release issued in May by ChipsterPR)

ATLANTA, GA – May 25, 2023 - The band KANSAS is excited to announce the addition of violinist/guitarist Joe Deninzon to the band. He is replacing the departing David Ragsdale.

Joe Deninzon has been hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” because of his innovative style on the “Viper” seven-string electric violin. Joe is the lead singer and violinist for the progressive rock band, Stratospheerius, which has just released their 6th album, “Behind the Curtain (Live at ProgStock).” He can be heard on over a hundred albums and jingles as a violinist and string arranger.

Deninzon has performed and/or recorded with the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Ritchie Blackmore, Alex Skolnick, Smokey Robinson, Les Paul, Peter Criss from KISS, Michael Sadler, Renaissance with Annie Haslam, Kurt Elling, and as a soloist with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the New York City Ballet. A BMI Composer’s Grant recipient and winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, he has written solo works for violinist Rachel Barton Pine, and in 2015, premiered his Electric Violin Concerto with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra.

Joe holds a Bachelors degree in Violin Performance from Indiana University and a Masters in Jazz Violin From Manhattan School of music.

KANSAS original member and drummer Phil Ehart comments, “We are extremely excited for Joe Deninzon to be the newest member of KANSAS. We believe KANSAS fans will enjoy what Joe will bring to the band. We are excited to kick off the KANSAS 50^th Anniversary Tour. As the paragraph in the band’s first album said, ‘KANSAS IS A BAND’ and we remain so to this day.”

Deninzon adds, “As a lifelong fan of Kansas, I am overwhelmed and humbled to have been invited to join this legendary band! I have the deepest respect for Robby and David and will do my best to honor and build on their musical legacy.”

Joe Deninzon’s first performance with the band will be in Pittsburgh, PA on June 2 at the Benedum Center during the premier date of the KANSAS 50^th Anniversary Tour – Another Fork in the Road.

A complete list of KANSAS 50^th Anniversary Tour – Another Fork in the Road is below. Ticket and VIP Package information can be found at KansasBand.com.

For more information on KANSAS and the Another Fork in the Road – 50^th Anniversary Tour please visit:www.kansasband.com 

Joe Deninzon on Facutly at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp, Olathe, KS, July 14-20

Contact: Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp:
Barbara Ring 516-767-6677
barbara@markwoodmusic.com
http://www.mwroc.com/
http://www.joedeninzon.com

Students and Faculty Present Nightly Concerts For The Public At The Bell Center

Joe Deninzon will be joining Mark Wood's Rock Orchestra Camp (MWROC) as a faculty July 14-20, 2013 in Olathe, Kansas.

International recording artist and Emmy-winning composer Mark Wood, one of the founding members of the multiplatinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra and creator of the revolutionary Viper electric violin, has brought together some of the country’s most revered musicians and masters of the violin, viola, and cello to participate in the 4th annual Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp (MWROC) to be held at Mid-America Nazarene University from July 14-20, 2013.

Over 100 musicians and singers from around the world gather in Olathe, Kansas every year to create a powerful summit dedicated to exploring the exciting creative terrain of improvisation, performance, and technology. There will be high-caliber concerts from Monday through Friday, culminating in a final extravaganza featuring all attendees and faculty.

Faculty member Joe Deninzon is the leader of the band Stratospheerius and author of the book, "PLUGGING IN: A Guide To Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist (Mel Bay books). Often called "The Jimi Hendrix of the Electric Violin," his innovative performances on the electric seven-string violin and his compositions blend rock, funk, jazz, classical, and Eastern European Gypsy influences. While leading Stratospheerius since 2001, Joe has worked with Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Les Paul, Phoebe Snow, and Ritchie Blackmore, and President Clinton.  He can be heard on over 100 recordings and jingles as a violinist and string arranger, including the new NIKE commercial which was repeatedly broadcast during the London Olympics. 

Also teaching are world-renowned female classical violinist Rachel Barton Pine, a Billboard chart-topping artist who has performed with Jimmy Page and orchestras throughout the world; Tracy Silverman from the Turtle Island String Quartet, and musicians who have performed with such legendary musicians as Sheryl Crow, Christina Aguilera, Placido Domingo, and more. Mark Wood will be premiering original material and orchestral arrangements of songs by Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and more.

Nightly concerts are open to the public and will take place in the state-of-the-art concert hall at the Bell Cultural Events Center on the campus of Mid-America Nazarene University, located at 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS. Tickets are $15 per concert for advance purchase; $10 per concert for area students. Group rates and package pricing are available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mnu.edu/bellcenter.

As one of America’s leading music education advocates and pioneers, Mark Wood is embarking on his 13th year of inspiring string players with his groundbreaking Electrify Your Strings (EYS) program. MWROC is a natural expansion and outgrowth of EYS. Attendees benefit from the inspirational and motivational techniques Mark has developed through years of research and experience, incorporating techniques from his classical training with American styles of rock, pop, and jazz.

Concert lineups are as follows:
Monday, July 15th - 7:30 PM Joe Deninzon, electric violin (Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen) Tracy Silverman, electric violin (Turtle Island String Quartet, Jim Brickman, Bob Geldof)

   
PO Box 2074 Port Washington, NY 11050 USA MWROC@markwoodmusic.com Phone: 516-767-6677
Tuesday, July 16th - 7:30PM Rachel Barton Pine, acoustic and electric violin (solo artist, Placido Domingo, Jimmy Page) Chuck Bontrager, electric violin (solo artist) Lucas Shogren, electric cello (Clocks and Clouds)

Wednesday, July 17th - 7:30PM David Wallace, viola (solo artist and faculty member, Juilliard School of Music) Bridgid Bibbens, electric violin (Josh Groban, Christina Aguilera) Matt Vanacoro, with members of The Mark Wood Experience

Thursday, July 18th - 7:30PM The Mark Wood Experience featuring Laura Kaye, vocalist (plus, free MWROC Student Combo concerts at 3:30PM)

Downloadable Flyer for MWROC Concert Series

Friday, July 19th - 7:30PM Rock Orchestra Concerts - All campers and faculty perform in the world’s largest PLUGGED-IN ORCHESTRA!

Ticket prices are $15 presale/ $20 door. Area student ticket price is $10. Purchase our “Festival Package” and receive tickets to all 5 concerts for only $60 (1 concert free).

www.electrifyyourstrings.com 
www.markwoodmusic.com
www.woodviolins.com


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