Artists In New York, Part 4, Jazz Man Joe Alterman.

Pianist Joe Alterman is one of the bright new jazz artists in New York City.

Joe Alterman

On of the most rewarding parts of  reviewing young artists in NYC, is watching them grow as artists and become popular in the ever so tough jazz genre in The Apple. Joe Alterman is on his way.

Here is a review of Joe I did about a year ago.. 
http://streetcredmusic.blogspot.com/2011/01/pianist-joe-alterman-at-cafe-vivaldi.html

I spoke with Joe just after his graduation from NYU, this spring..

Q; Joe, how great is it to be a graduate of a great University and playing jazz in NYC?
Joe... It’s great. I mean, of course, I’m in the midst of still trying to figure out how to actually make a living at this, but I feel very lucky to be able to do something that I love and something that I’ve always wanted to do. I remember driving around in my car in Atlanta back in high school and I'd be blaring some jazz, just thinking to myself, "This is New York, I have to go to New York." So being here and doing what I've always wanted to is a dream come true.

Q; I know you got back to Atlanta recently, must have been a blast going back as an NYU Grad?
Joe... It was great. I love going home; plus, getting my Waffle House fix is always a major plus! In all seriousness though, it’s really great to go back to visit Atlanta. There’s a jazz club there called Churchill Grounds, which was the spot that I really got to know jazz, live. In fact, when I was 17, I got myself a fake I.D. just so that I could sneak into the club and listen to the music there. Anyways, I went home to play there. It’s really surreal to be playing there, because I have so many memories as a youngster there.


Q; Has it set in yet that you are one of the bright new stars in Jazz in New York City?
 Joe... Not at all. That’s kind of weird to hear! Honestly, I’m just doing my best to try and play music that would make my musical forefathers proud. That’s very nice of you to say, though.

Q; Besides having more free time and making some $$$$ do you feel any different since graduation?
 Joe... Honestly, no. I don't feel any more mature than I did at the beginning of college, hah! I guess that's a good thing, though. The only thing that does feel different is that all of my friends are in different places now; while I've been focusing on music and pursuing it for a long time (basically what I've been doing for a while), it's strange to see many of my friends supporting themselves and having real jobs. It's weird how quickly that's all changed.

Q; Tell us a bit about the great musicians you have been working with recently.
Joe... Playing with Houston Person has been an absolute dream come true. We first met at an NYU where he came to give a class. It's been a dream of mine to play duo with him on one of my favorite songs, "I Cover The Waterfront" for years, so, luckily, when I was called on the stage to come play, he said that he wanted to play duo, so I had my chance. After the class we exchanged phone numbers and we stayed in touch. I'd go to all of his shows and call him pretty frequently, and eventually a friendship formed. At first, I was just hoping to connect with Houston, one of my favorite musical heroes, on a musical level, but we've really connected on a personal level, too, and that has been the biggest plus of all. He is one of the kindest people I've ever met and he's really helped me out a lot. He even came down to NYU to play with me at my senior recital!
Houston's outlook on music is extremely refreshing and inspiring. Everything he plays is with regard to the audience, and I really admire that about him. I'm really thankful to have met him.

Q; How is the best "bassman", my man James Cammack?
Joe...That's it exactly. James really is the best. Every note he plays (and the way in which he plays every note) is perfect for every moment. He also has this way of working the melody of songs into his walking bass lines that really knocks me out. It's really a thrill to play with someone who has swung so hard for so long; it's really showed me what swinging, really swinging, is all about. Just like he has done with Ahmad Jamal for the past 30 years, James reads my mind and knows exactly what to play, where. It's super fun playing together and playing with James is the closest I've ever gotten to playing the music I've been hearing in my head for so long.


Q; Anything we should know about, up coming gigs?
 Joe... I'm very excited about a show I'll be in next February at the Tribeca Center for the Performing Arts. Jack Kleinsinger produces a jazz series each year (it's the longest running jazz concert series in New York...next year will be it's 39th season) called "Highlights In Jazz" Each year he has some sort of show which mixes young musicians with older musicians and he's chosen me to be the pianist in next season's show. It'll be me with Houston Person, among others, and I'm really excited about that!

...He chose you for a reason Joe, please let us know the dates when available, I'll be there!
    
Thanks to Joe a great guy and musician, for taking time for me, see you soon Joe... 

          check out the latest news on Joe...http://www.joealtermanmusic.com/


         by Pete Carma, follow Pete...  www.twitter.com/petecarma

Dylan Releases Mix Tape...Rappin!

Yes America, Dylan has just released a "Rappin" mixtape! Called "Ten Minutes"
Fifteen year old Pablo Dylan, that is, the grandson of icon Bob Dylan.

 "I mean, really, my grandfather, I consider him the Jay-Z of his time, and he definitely has a legacy that a lot of people look up to... He feels strongly about my music and I love him to death."

That was young Pablo's answer to a Rolling Stone question, of how he feels having an Icon in music in the family.

listen to it here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeQc_MDyyZU


by Pete Cataldo follow Pete www.twitter.com/petecarma

Artists In New York, Part III... Clara Lofaro

Clara Lofaro is as New York as it gets. Performing and busy writing all the time.
Her hit single and video, "Just Smile" paints a picture of how much fun she is having
meeting the challenges of being successful in Da Apple.

Clara Lofaro, Caffe Vivaldi

 

Clara has one of the best CD's I have heard in years, the self titled "Clara Lofaro".
 http://claralofaro.com/

A great work, with an amazing eleven original
tunes that will cover all the emotions you expect from a great CD.


Her is an earlier review I did of CLo live.
http://streetcredmusic.blogspot.com/2011/04/american-songstress-clara-lofaro.html

Clara agreed to answer some questions for my Artists In New York series.

Q; How great is it living in NYC and the influence it has on you writing?
Clara; NYC is the first place I've lived that has felt like home to me. It is amazing because I am constantly inspired and the community of talented musicians and artists I surround myself with is endless. It's totally fulfilling although pretty smelly in the summertime;-). It also keeps me centered in who I am because I always feel challenged to achieve my ultimate potential as an artist, writer and person in NY.

Q; When you go out to hear music, what are some of your favorite venues?
Clara; Rockwood Music Hall is probably my favorite. I also love the Blue Note and Le Poisson Rouge.

Q; Who among the not so famous singers or bands around the Village do you go to see?
Clara; Hiromi, a jazz pianist from Japan who I went to school with at Berklee, but she is well known in the world of jazz.

Q; What are the shows that use your songs on TV?
Clara; ABC Network, and my single, Just Smile, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyRgt527oL4 will be in a national commercial campaign in 2012. More info will be released soon:).

Q; When they used your voice for the Super Bowl commercials, did they invite you to the game, did you go? 
Clara; No, they didn't. It was pretty unglamorous on my end. I was called in for a private audition the year before it was used. I sang the chorus of "When You Wish Upon A Star", 3 times. They loved it and I never heard from them afterward. The next year, the Friday before Superbowl weekend, I get a call saying they needed me to come in right away and sign papers because they were using my voice. They had taken my audition, went to Prague to record an orchestra behind it and voila! I wouldn't have known they used it again the following year if it weren't for the check in the mail:).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO3i0Zsz1-I
 Clara...The most recent song I am working on is called "Humanity".

My thanks to Clara for as always being cooperative with my blog   xoxo!

http://claralofaro.com/ 

Clara will be at....Hugh's Room, Toronto, December 13th!
                  ............a marvelous performer, get out and see her.
            have a listen...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUVABq5T9bU



 by Pete Cataldo follow Pete at  www.twitter.com/petecarma

Eleanor Dubinsky, "Touch The Sky"

If you studied in Prague, Czech Republic, and you sing in English, French and Spanish, and you 
play cello, guitar and percussion, you must be an "Artista Internationalista".

....and if you have a CD titled "Touch The Sky" you would have to be, Eleanor Dubinsky!

Eleanor Dubinsky

The CD is truly diverse and international. Eleanor
delivers a wonderful collage of tunes, all original!

The opening tune "Jeu De Deux" does exactly what cut #1 is suppose to do, it makes you want more. It leads you in with Eleanor's sultry, elegant voice in French and English, and a haunting melodic line....and some solid percussion to add a bottom.


"Missouri Sky" is a marvelous tune. Guess you could call it a Blues/Folk number, that's not important to me, this is a great tune. Eleanor's smooth ultra feminine rendition of this simple but poignant lyric, surrounded by a great piano riff give this song high marks from me.

The purity of  Eleanor's voice along with her range, make her sound and this work unique.
This is never more evident then on "Two People". A song of love (an acoustic work) and the trials and tribulations of a love affair. Eleanor uses her vocal range to add elegance to this beautiful melody.
A wonderful out of love, love song.

The lyrics and the array of melodies all written by Eleanor on this CD are remarkable. Passion, a love of music and her talent wrap you up, and hold you, and take you on a tour of one woman's music.

                                                                       ******

CD "Touch The Sky"

I asked Eleanor the questions I ask everyone; If you were leaving Earth and could only take one album with you, which would you take?

.....I would take "Balance" by Sara Tavares
Sara Tavares is a Portuguese singer and songwriter who writes in her own fusion of African/Fado/soul.  Her roots are Cape Verdean but she grew up in Portugal, and she has a beautiful way of capturing a happy, uplifting feel with meaningful lyrics and African rhythms. Her music makes me want to dance and also to listen to what she has to say.
I'd take Balance to the far off planet because the music helps me find my inspiration as an artist, calms me down when I feel sad or nervous and and lifts my spirits.  It would be a good hand holder while getting used to the aliens :)  Sara's songs remind me of what I really care about - international mixing, soulful expression and personal voice.  I also know that Sara has suffered and triumphed in her life - was somewhat abandoned by her parents when she was young, then rose to the top of Portugal's music scene when she was a teenager by winning several songwriting competitions.  You can feel the overcoming of suffering in the honesty of her lyrics and she encourages me to be honest in what I say, and play.

Sara Tavares; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfPq9eil64k

The other question I ask everyone is, If you could perform with anyone, who would it be?

...If I could work with anyone who would I work with...
Herbie Hancock.  He's a musical pioneer who continually takes risks and expands his musical horizons.  He brings younger and upcoming artists into the mix and I imagine that he mentors them to some extent.  His path has been so varied, through jazz, pop, soul and classical, and I would love to experience first-hand how he follows the inspiration of an idea from beginning to end.  I love his last record The Imagine Project and I SO want to do something like that with him!  Each song has a groove that support a melodic vocal and instrumental changes, and the singers are so sweet - Ceu, John Legend, James Morrison, Oumou Sangare and more.  I recognize in Herbie's work something of myself, meaning that my music also challenges genre boundaries and embraces multiple cultures.  I aim to keep expanding what I do and to challenge myself for as long as I make art, and live.  In my own music, I am working on developing grooves and I enjoy setting the general structure of a song while, like in jazz, leaving space to improvise and create a dialogue between the performance of the song, the vibe of the venue and the audience.   From this blog to Herbie's ears!
Herbie Hancock; http://youtu.be/-2QBmBYvVfE

Undoubtedly you will be hearing more here from Eleanor Dubinsky, a live review is a must for me on my next trip to NYC.

Get a copy of "Touch The Sky" here  http://www.eleanordubinsky.com/

Eleanor Dubinsky will be at;  Rockwood Music Hall, NYC,  July 10th
                                                  Aroma Cafe, NYC,  July 21st
                                                  NUBLU, NYC,  July 22d

by Pete Cataldo follow Pete; www.twitter.com/petecarma
                         

Jason Yeager Trio, "Ruminations"

"The tunes on this album are elaborated through improvisation into fuller compositions, taking on new and distinct characteristics as the trio continues to develop its musical language".
                                                  Jason Yeager ...

 I first heard Jason Yeager on Emily Wolf's "Nevermine", he now has this wonderful CD..............

I have two ear marks I like to apply to trios, one they must sound like more then a trio, and they do.

Two they must share the spotlight and they do. Blending together is a must of course, and again they do.

 

The Jason Yeager Trio; Jason Yeager, piano, Tal Gamlieli, bass, and Michael Gleichman, drums.

I am not one who uses comparisons to more established artists, but here I must say the Modern Jazz Quartet comes to mind, in that there are some totally new concepts here.

Especially with "Zen Chant". If you like chords coming from all angles and rhythm variations you will love this tune. The bass work of Tal Gamlieli takes you from an almost Tibetan "tweek" to a more traditional
riff to get back to the chords of Jason Yeager's keys. And then a "Zen" like run to conclude a piece that I found to be excellent "jazz for the brain".

The deeper I got into this album, the more I realized this was a case of today's artists keeping the music alive.
Respecting the genre and taking it into the 21st century. Wonderful work!

"Inner Journey" took me back to the progressive jazz era, when guest vocalist Aubrey Johnson
spread her range and vibrato on me, in a Yeager composition. Miss Johnson seems to just reach in and
take the group to a place where she is the guiding force.

"In Pursuit"a piece featuring Yeager is another wonderfully done number that is for the jazz hearted.
More great rhythms that work on you throughout the piece.Yeager is smooth, clean and inventive and this tune will show he is a talent to be heard from.

Trio; Jason Yeager, Michael Gleichman, Tal Gamlieli

The final cut on Ruminations is "Lullaby For A Better World"...A composition of Yeager's that includes strings. Beautifully done! The tune has the strings lead you in to a moving piano riff, and a mix of the two create a sound of just what the title implies, a better world. Piano and cello...a great sound and when the genre is jazz, so much the better. This is the evidence that Yeager is a force on the rise in composition too.
(the strings; Rose Drucker, Marjorie Gere, violins,  Betsy Hinkle, viola and Catherine Bent , cello)

Nine cuts on the CD, all are unique and jazzzz top to bottom.
                                                             *****

I asked Jason the two questions I ask everyone;
If you were leaving the planet and could take only one album with you, which would you take?
Jason;  "Speak No Evil" by Wayne Shorter.

If you could play with anyone, who would it be?
Jason; Roy Haynes.

Jason Yeager Trio will be at;   July 16th Amazing Things Arts Center,
                                                                 Framingham, Mass.
                                                  

http://jasonyeager.com/
innercirclemusic.net

by Pete Cataldo follow Pete www.twitter.com/petecarma











 

Artists in New York, Part II, Greta Panettieri

Greta Panettieri, CD "Brazilian Nights"

Greta Panettieri (Greta's Bakery) was one of my favorite singers in New York City for years.

She has now returned to her home, Italy.

One of the most talented and versatile singers I have ever heard in the Greenwich Village club circuit, has left us, but not only are her friends and followers sad, Greta has a constant Big Apple mania tugging at her from New York as well.

Here is my last review of Greta.http://streetcredmusic.blogspot.com/2011/02/greta-is-back-with-brand-new-sound.html


I spoke with Greta last week, I wanted to see how she was doing;

Q; How much do you miss New York?
Greta;  I miss New York City a lot, I feel like I'm more of a New Yorker than an Italian...sometimes I'm so New York sick that I can't think about it!

Q;  I know the way of life there must seem to be in slow motion, how do you stay busy?
Greta; Well yes it's slower but it's got its good sides, Italy is going through some hard times, you must work really hard to get gigs and  "break the wall" and stuff, but as you know art is more inspired during dark times, so there is a lot to do, and it's nice to find out that there is a lot of people that are trying to change things here, so it's not too bad...

Q;  What do you think of your Prime Minister's problems? (I know that answer already)
Greta;  You can post "Astroprincipe" and you'll have an elegant answer...But I'll try to give you some more without getting too nasty ( he can get the worst out of me)...I think the situation got to a very dramatic point, it's clear to everybody that this man is involved not only in corruption scandals, tax evasion (we're talking about millions of euros) sex scandals etc...he's destroying this country, all his ministers are not capable and not even legally eligible to do their job, they are seriously damaging the financial, schools, sanitary work even the postal system...Italy has always had a corrupt political scene but at least the public system worked, they were stealing money but at least they were covering it up. Berlusconi has no shame he can do whatever he wants  under the sun, and still it's really difficult to stop him. I mean it's a complicated matter we could talk about this for hours, they will write history books about this case. Anyway I can't wait for him to go...

Q;  Do you have a circle of friends there like you had here in New York?
Greta;  I am one of those very lucky people that has really good friends spread around the world, and it has been really good to find out that with almost all of my old friends, nothing has changed. It almost feels like we've been in touch all along, even though some have kids, changed career, moved away and came back, you know 11 years have passed...

Q;  How do you find the audiences in Italy?
Greta;  Well there is not one kind of audience anywhere, NYC can be great and can be really rough, and it's the same here, but generally speaking NYC is of course better trained to listen to new sounds, it can be straight ahead jazz or experimental punk, and you will always find someone ready to enjoy it, here you have to work your way to the listener but once you get through of course you feel really special...

Q; So all in all, you are working hard, and bringing your beautiful voice to everyone?
Greta;  This summer is gonna be good since we're playing some great shows, we have 3 days at the Matera Jazz Festival (July 28th thru 30th), we're very exited about this because the person who hired us is a great Italian jazz singer, who is curating some of the best music events in Italy, his name is Gege' Telesforo, check him out, we feel like it's the beginning of a very prolific collaboration, both artistic and business wise.We also have a RAI event (national public television) in August, and that is also gonna be a very exiting event for the band, since we will be the house band for the entire event. I will send you the link to a formal program once it's ready . Oh! I don't know if I told you but we have put together a new EU Greta's Bakery, of course Andrea Sammartino is playing the keys, with the addition of a vintage "synth" that has a killing sound, one of the above old friends on Bass, his name is Daniele Mencarelli and I must say he used to be a talent when he was a teen, and now he's one of the best musicians you can came across ...on drums we found a young Florentinian, Stefano Tamborrino that has one of the most unique drumming personalities I've heard in a long time, and man I played with some good drummers as you know. So at least the band is making the distance from New York more bearable.

I feel good knowing Great and Andrea are working and doing well, but we all here in New York, miss them sooo much!

Here is Greta's "Astroprincipe"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwd-VIDnA7g
Here is Greta "live" in Perugia, Italy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjK0Mc8Pvqk
Here is Greta's page...http://www.gretapanettieri.com/
by Pete Cataldo...follow Pete  www.twitter.com/petecarma

Vividly Dim, EP "Quicksand"

Vividly Dim, EP "Quicksand"

Vividly Dim, an emerging young group that I would like to put you on to...

Once again I found this great young group of talented and unique musicians when I showed up early to review other artists. That is what makes NYC the music capitol of the world. Yes I know there are other cities where there is a lot more recording going on, but neighborhood by neighborhood and for diversity Da Apple is #1.

Their EP is "Quicksand".

Weather it's the soulful seductive sounds of lead singer Chasidy Ryan, blending with the cool but unconventional guitar sounds provided by Joni Stephens, on "Tell Me I'm Wrong"...or...

the more Pop/Punk beat of the final cut "End Of Time", it is evident to me that this mix of young musicians has the potential to produce some profound
sounds, and make their mark on the New York music scene.

The group: Chasidy Ryan, Vocals/writer  .. Joni Stevens, Guitar  .. Donni Lee, bass and 
Ashley Jayde,  drums/percussion.

Here's a bit about them, and another story we love telling about the young artists that work hard to give us all some great music:

Chasidy;  born in Bushwick, Brooklyn, raised in Ridgewood, Queens, her influences were Sade and Janet Jackson.
Ashley;  also raised in Ridgewood, said "Sheila E made me pick up the drums, I love her" 
Donni;  raised in "DUMBO" that's downtown Brooklyn, and was influenced by Kittie and "A Perfect Circle"
Joni;  born in Nicaragua and raised in South Jamaica, Queens, was influenced by Nirvana and The Ramones.

Knowing it would be a difficult question to answer I asked .."what genre are you guys?"
Joni, "man, we've been trying to figure that one out for a while"
Chasidy, "bookers call us "Post Punk", and she's cool with that".
Ashley; "we don't fit any genre, we are not trying to start a movement, we just want to be heard".
Donni; "you can label us whatever you want, we just want to play, and if you dig us, even better".

I say get out and see them, you be the judge and you won't be disappointed!!

They will be @  National Underground, June 10th
                          Goodbye Blue Monday, July 1st
                          Sullivan Hall, July 26th and
                         "The Rew & Who Show" (via ustream) on 7/27.

                            https://www.facebook.com/#!/VividlyDim



by Pete Cataldo, follow Pete..  www.twitter.com/petecarma
                          

Artists in New York City, Part 1... Emily Wolf

This blog was set up by me to encourage and help in any way I could, young artists.

No genre was excluded except Rap, because I simply don't like the negativity of it.

After all my years (67) I began to notice the lack of consistency, quality, and respect for the artist who blazed trails, and opened doors for the “stars” of today.

Don't misinterpret the above, there are many brilliant musicians, singer/songwriters,

working hard today, leaving a huge mark, making a fortune and doing it with class.

For every one of them, there are many, many others just as talented, working just as hard,

producing some wonderful music. These are the ones I would like to expose you to.

So...in a series of articles I will do just that. Every few weeks I'll have a conversation with one of them and I'll share it with you. We'll kick this off with .....

Emily Wolf ;   

Here is my original review of her, back in March.

http://streetcredmusic.blogspot.com/2011/02/can-wolf-scatyes.html

Q; Emily is from the UK by way of Boston, I asked how she was adjusting to NYC,

and compare it to other cities.

A; “Life in NYC”- I've just been here a few months, and discovered the great thing in NYC is that anything will happen if you let it- you can go out one evening and meet great people, new places, or a whole new scene you didn't know existed.  Forgetting what time it is and never having to worry about what times the trains finish is a huge plus, and makes me question if I could live anywhere else...

Q; Do you get back to England much?

A; “The UK”, I get back to the UK about once a year.  It feels like more because I also get to meet up with my family when they come to the US.  It always surprises people when they find out I'm a dual citizen because I have such a strong English accent, but my parents grew up in the States, so we meet up every year here too!

CD, "Nevermine"

      Q; Your competition around the city, is plentiful, have you seen anyone recently that impressed you?

      A; Singers in NYC are varied and interesting.  I have randomly stumbled across some great ones, for example Kay Lyra, a great Brazilian singer who was playing after me at Caffe Vivaldi.  I had never heard of her but was really impressed by her tone and feel.  Generally the city is so full of talent- so it's hard for people to make a mark, but it's great because you can always hear people who really know what they're doing, and there's something for everyone, as well as some really cutting edge stuff.

    Q; Do you prefer the classic jazz you do so well, or other genre?

A; Classic Jazz... I see Classic Jazz as an essential template for anyone who wants to become an educated and ultimately progressive Jazz musician.  If you don't know where you've come from, how can you know where you're going?  It's important to identify and absorb it so that you can later make an informed decision about how much of it you want to use.  It is a little arrogant to assume you know better than the "Greats", and you also have to take into account what your audience wants to listen to on a night off from work, and their life; nine times out of ten, they won't object to something smooth, swinging and feel-good!

Emily Wolf, CD "Nevermine"

...Other styles' that I am into are R&B, Soul, Latin, Blues, and Baroque music which I feel is intrinsically linked to Bebop.  As many have said before, Bach was the first "jazz man".

Q; What are you involved in now, are you keeping busy?

A; New Projects-  Right now I am writing more, with the aim of recording a full length album within the next year consisting of my own writing and arrangements.  My tunes are becoming part Pop, part Bebop, part Jazz standard as far as I can see, and I'm trying to extend my ideas and really say what I mean.   However I continue to explore Jazz rep, and other tunes that interest me.   I have regular gigs with my awesome Trio in NYC and although I went to school for Jazz I am not done learning! I continue to study Piano and Theory, to keep my brain ticking and my skills growing...

See Emily @  Caffe Vivaldi, NYC, June 18, and LIC Bar, Long Island City, July 25.

                          * http://www.myspace.com/emilywolfjazz
 

 by Pete Cataldo follow Pete at;  www.twitter.com/petecarma