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| Zawinul Legacy Band: Rave Reviews on Current European Tour Jazz, world music and fusion fans and critics are raving about the Zawinul Legacy Band's latest performances during the group's current European tour. Zawinul Legacy Band celebrates the life and music of one of the most accomplished and innovative jazz composers, musicians and band leaders of all time. The group was created by the family of the legendary Joe Zawinul, founder of Weather Report, Weather Update and Zawinul Syndicate, and features former members including Scott Kinsey, Robert Thomas Jr. and Mike Baker. (Bios below.) The group's recent headline performance at the 22nd Annual Prešov Jazz Festival prompted kudos from music critics, including a reviewer that called the Zawinul Legacy Band's performance "energetic" and "the highlight of the evening, " saying the show "delighted viewers including 71 -year-old guitar legend Philip Catherine." The Zawinul Legacy Band's "Walk Tall" tour continues with these shows: Nov. 3-8 Opatija, Croatia Jazz ExTempore@ Kvarner Nov. 9 Aalen, Germany Aalener Jazz Festival Nov. 10 Leverkusen, Germany Leverkusen Jazz Fest Nov. 11 Koblenz, Germany Koblenz Jazz Club Following the European tour, the group returns to the U.S. for a March 8 performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC. The Carnegie Hall concert is being presented as part of the Shape Of Jazz and Vienna:City Of Dreams Series, a collaboration between Carnegie Hall Festivals, The George and Joyce Wein Foundation and Absolutely Live Entertainment, LLC. For more info about the Carnegie Hall show, click here: Carnegie Hall in NYC (http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2014/3/8/1000/PM/The...) Last week, the group performed to great acclaim during a sold-out show at the most famous jazz club in Austria - Porgy & Bess in Vienna. During the show, they were joined on stage by Catherine Wollmann, winner of the first "Joe Zawinul Awards" presented by the Zawinul Foundation. The Zawinul Legacy Band's Walk Tall tour features: Keyboardist Scott Kinsey, who serves as the band's musical director, seems to be channeling his musical mentor, Joe Zawinul, on stage. Scott was Joe's "Star Pupil" and producer for The Zawinul Syndicate album, Faces and Places. Also, Joe Zawinul was the executive producer for Scott's critically-acclaimed album, "Kinesthetics." Scott is also well known for his work as leader of the band, Tribal Tech, and has worked with James Moody, Tim Hagans, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Nicholas Payton, Dan Aykroyd and Joe Walsh. He was a contributor to the Ocean's Eleven and Ocean's Twelve motion picture soundtracks. Two-time Grammy winner Robert Thomas Jr., the band's hand drummer, is burning up the stage during the current tour. The Miami native began his career with Zawinul at age 19 after being "discovered" by Jaco Pastorius. He is the only musician to have played in all of Joe Zawinul's bands: Weather Report, Weather Update and The Zawinul Syndicate. Robert can be heard on the groundbreaking '80s albums Night Passage and Weather Report, and many of The Zawinul Syndicate releases. Robert co-wrote songs with Zawinul including the wonderful, "South Africa" and "In an Island Way." He was also a core member of Jaco's Word Of Mouth Band and now leads his own group, 7th World, featuring Jaco's twin sons, Felix and Julius Pastorius, who are Robert's godsons, along with keyboardist Leroy Romans and Israeli guitarist, Yotam. In addition, he has toured and recorded for three decades with such greats as Stan Getz, Ahmad Jamal, Monty Alexander, Herbie Mann, Zoot Sims, Eddie Harris, David Sanborn, Dion Parson and Wallace Roney. Drummer Mike Baker, who was a regular recording and touring member of The Zawinul Syndicate and appears on the Grammy-nominated album, Lost Tribes, is helping the Zawinul Legacy Band wow audiences around world, which is nothing new for him. As the former drummer and musical director for the legendary Whitney Houston, Mike's music has earned global recognition. He currently leads his own group. Plus, he has recorded and toured with the likes of Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Sting, Elton John and Aretha Franklin. Mike was drummer and musical director for the legendary Whitney Houston. He also leads his own group. For the Walk Tall tour, the band also includes Hadrien Feraud on bass and Katisse Buckingham on sax and flute. While in Zawinul's native country last week, the band also toured the Joe Zawinul MusikSchule in Gumpoldskirchen, Austria, and the Joe Zawinul Museum, which opened last May with the support of the Zawinul Foundation. The Zawinul Legacy Band is the only group performing Zawinul music that is recognized and endorsed by The Zawinul Estate. Zawinul Legacy Band will be performing at festivals and venues around the globe next year with details to be announced soon. Tickets are going fast for all upcoming shows. Contact the venues for ticket prices and details. write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Jazz News :: home page |