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| The Rolling Stones Project at FirstEnergy Berks Jazz Fest The Rolling Stones Project (Tim Ries, Mike Davis, Bernard Fowler and Ben Monder) is coming to the FirstEnergy Berks Jazz Fest, which runs March 16-25 and is presented by the Berks Arts Council. The festival features an abundance of great artists, a plethora of wonderfully intimate venues, a schedule of staggering scale and exquisite ensemble concerts. As usual, the festival features a marvelous medley of musical styles -- contemporary jazz, traditional jazz, big band, blues and more -- at more than 130 events at major venues, clubs and restaurants throughout Reading and Berks County. Ries, a veteran saxophonist who has been on several world tours with the Stones, and his band mates put a jazz touch to the Stones' classic rock songs. Ries is basking in an abundance of critical acclaim for his 2005 Concord Jazz CD debut The Rolling Stones Project. The 11-song collection not only salutes the Stones but also illustrates how fertile their songs are for jazz interpretations." I was shocked that this album came together the way it did, " Ries said. "To get all these performers and to put a jazz touch on the Stones' songs, well, I've got to say that this project was a miracle." The CD featured guest spots by vocalists Sheryl Crow, Lisa Fischer, Norah Jones and Luciana Souza; jazz guitar icons Bill Frisell and John Scofield; keyboardist Larry Goldings; and Wayne Shorter's bass-drum team of John Patitucci and Brian Blade. There were also performances by Rolling Stones members Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood, who contributed the album cover art. Berks Jazz Fest fans will be fortunate enough to see this miracle of an album come to life at The Abraham Lincoln Ballroom when Ries takes center stage with three other jazz vets who made key contributions to the project -- trombonist Mike Davis, vocalist Bernard Fowler and guitarist Ben Monder -- to create a live experience called The Stones Meet Jazz. Ries, who's also a composer, has extensive jazz roots. He has collaborated with such jazz artists as Phil Woods, Tom Harrell, Al Foster, John Patitucci, Dave Liebman, Danilo Perez, Maynard Ferguson and Red Garland. His other recording and performance credits include work with Donald Fagen, Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, Stevie Wonder, Incognito, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Belden and David Lee Roth. Davis has also worked extensively with the Stones, in addition to performing and/or recording with Sheryl Crow, Keb' Mo', Lyle Lovett and The Bob Mintzer Big Band. Fowler also has been part of the Stones' experience, having done backing vocals on many of their recordings in addition to those by Herbie Hancock, Bonnie Raitt, Herb Alpert and George Clinton. Monder is one of most identifiable and sought-after stylists on the progressive jazz scene, an heir to the ethereal yet edgy approach of players such as John Abercrombie and Bill Frisell. Monder has been active as a sideman since 1984, working with Jack McDuff, Marc Johnson, David Binney, Paul Motian, Lee Konitz and Toots Thielmans. Among the other headliners at this year's festival are the Luther Vandross tribute featuring Dionne Warwick; the world premiere Soul Summit concert; Boney James; David Sanborn; Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub and Tim Bowman; Rick Braun; Richard Elliot; Jonathan Butler; Pieces of a Dream; Marion Meadows; Doc Powell; Dave Brubeck; Nelson Rangell; Philippe Saisse; Joyce Cooling; Pat Martino; Mindi Abair; Chuck Loeb; Ann Hampton Callaway; Denis DiBlasio Quintet; Gerald Veasley's Electric Mingus Project with John Blake Jr.; Kevin Mahogany; David Liebman; the Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Steve Cole; Warren Hill; Nick Colionne; Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band; and the Berks All-Star Jazz Jam. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |