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| Metropolitan Room Presents An evening of acoustic jazz The John Ambrosini Quartet Metropolitan Room Presents An evening of acoustic jazz with the The John Ambrosini Quartet (John Ambrosini - piano, Massimo Biolcati- bass, Ferenc Nemeth – drums, Joel Frahm - saxes). Friday October 3, 2014. Metropolitan Room - Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Cabaret: 34 West 22nd St., New York, NY 10010 The quartet will be performing jazz and pop in a unique and memorable style – as well as original compositions. John Ambrosini Improvisational jazz pianist/composer/educator john ambrosini writes, performs, and teaches in the nyc area and has played with a wide variety of jazz, folk, and pop artists, including; Drew Gress, Ratso Harris, Deanna Kirk, Dave Binney, Mike Moreno, Ferenc Nemeth, Massimo Biolcati, Jim Cammack, Frank Bellucci, William Galison, Brad Mason, Ben Wittman, Teddy Riley, Robin Hackett, Pete Seeger, Joey Arias, Marcus McLaurine, and many others. John's consistency of piano tone, strong sense of time, and commitment to improvisation of both jazz standards and pop/folk classics has made him a significant player in the NYC improvisation scene. John's discography as composer and pianist includes 'storybook', 'soulmaking', 'be as you are', 'nine stories, and 'sketches of you' - which was premiered at Trinity Church in November 2012. John's recordings can be heard at www.johnambrosini.com as well as www.cdbaby.com/jmoore. There are also many live performances which are viewable on 'YouTube'. His unique compositions have been heard on radio and television and his song 'homeless' was featured and performed at the Kennedy Center by the Harlem School of the Arts Choir. He studied piano with Fred Hersch, Harold Danko, Kenny Werner, JoAnne Brackeen, and Jean Michel Pilc; and, studied composition, arranging, and orchestration with William 'Bill' Holland. He also plays guitar and sings with Huntington-based acoustic trio 'the taylor brothers' performing original songs, and creative covers of classic pop and rock songs. Huntington, Long Island is where John and Lorraine call home; and, they share life with their two children Alexondra and John and their dogs 'roodles', 'scout', and 'laika'; cat, 'brother', and several chickens. Ferenc Nemeth Ferenc is an accomplished and versatile musician who continues to push the boundaries of jazz drumming and composition. Nemeth has since the early days of his career, been one of the most sought after drummers both, in his native Hungary as well as in the United States. Coming from a musical family, his unique dynamism and versatility was fostered from a very early age. An exciting performer and imaginative collaborator, Nemeth is well regarded for his work with the Lionel Loueke Trio and GilFeMa and has also travelled, performed and collaborated extensively as a bandleader, co-leader, sideman and educator as well as initiating creative projects of his own. From his early days at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Thelonius Monk Insitute of Jazz in Los Angeles, Nemeth has learned from and worked with the world's finest jazz musicians and groups including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Terence Blanchard, the Billy Childs Trio, Bob Sheppard, Dave Carpenter, John Clayton, Jimmy Heath, The Henry Mancini Orchestra amongst others. Relocating to New York in 2003, Nemeth's distinctive energy and drive saw his career continuing with many of the same musicians, and also expanding to include the likes of Christian McBride, John Patitucci, Lionel Loueke, John Abercrombie, Dave Samuels, Mark Turner, Hal Crook, David Benoit, Bud Shank, Greg Hopkins, Phil Wilson, Dave Grusin, Eddie Daniels, Eddie Henderson, Ron McClure, Chris Cheek, Aaron Goldberg, Kenny Wheeler, Eli Degibri, Jonathan Kreisberg, John Ellis, Omer Avital, Ilayaraja and most recently Dhafer Youssef. An ever-present thirst for exploration and experimentation has seen Nemeth travels widely and plays with musicians from a variety of backgrounds and countries. This occupation in turn, has also resulted in Nemeth's regular participation in workshops and teaching programs in the United States and internationally, the most recent being stints at the University of Siena, the Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music in India, the Kodolanyi University in Hungary, the Bartok Conservatory in Hungary and the Asheville Percussion Festival in North Carolina. Massimo Biolcati Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Massimo Biolcati grew up in Sweden and Italy. He began his musical career at age 16, performing jazz on acoustic bass in Torino, Italy. For five years he studied both classical and jazz bass while performing at area festivals and clubs. At age 21, Massimo returned to Sweden to study at the Royal Music Academy of Stockholm. He soon became a presence on the local jazz scene, appearing with an array of musicians at the city's most important jazz clubs and festivals. He also played with several Scandinavian folk music groups. At age 23, Massimo received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and moved to Boston. There he performed and recorded with some of the best jazz musicians in town including such masters as George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mick Goodrick and Bob Moses. After five years in Boston, Massimo was selected for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at the University of Southern California where he received his Master's Degree in Music and got the chance to study and perform with Jazz giants such as Dave Holland, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Barron, John Scofield, Christian McBride, Lewis Nash, Mark Turner and many others. After finishing the Thelonious Monk Institute, he moved to New York City where he quickly joined the NY music scene and started to play with his peers in addition to established masters such as Terence Blanchard, Paquito D'Rivera and Ravi Coltrane among others. Currently Massimo shares his time between touring the world and being in New York where he regularly performs and records. Joel Frahm As a child Frahm studied piano and also played bassoon but while in eighth grade at the Stephen Bull Fine Arts School where he had tuition from music teacher Gary Mollenkopf, he began playing tenor saxophone. In 1985 he moved with his family to West Hartford, Connecticut, where, as a student at William H. Hall High School, he came under the wing of Bill Stanley, founder of the school jazz band. It was here that Frahm also encountered fellow students with an interest in jazz. One was a drummer named Bill Dobrow, the other was pianist Brad Mehldau. Frahm and Mehldau formed what was to become a long-lasting and productive musical relationship. They teamed up for a weekly engagement at a local club, a portent of much to come. While playing in the high school jazz band, Frahm also augmented his musical knowledge by listening to records by artists such as Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver and Miles Davis, paying particular attention to saxophonists Wayne Shorter, Bob Berg and Charlie Parker. After leaving high school in 1988, Frahm attended Rutgers University for a year before transferring to The Manhattan School of Music, and following graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz Performance he entered Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead workshop. Thereafter, he played with Maynard Ferguson and Larry Goldings and was also a member of Mehldau’s early 90s quartet with bass player Dwayne Burno and drummer Greg Hutchinson. In 1996, Frahm, who also plays soprano saxophone, reached the semi-final of the Thelonious Monk competition. After a 1998 duo fundraiser concert with Mehldau, on behalf of their old high school, the pair recorded in this format including 2004’s Don’t Explain. In the early 00s, Frahm toured and recorded with Jane Monheit, appearing on Taking A Chance On Love. In October 2004, Frahm was back again at his high school, this time with his quartet, for another benefit concert, this time on behalf of Gifts of Music, a non-profit community group that collaborates with Hartt School of Music to provide local students with music lessons. A session with Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid and Victor Lewis, the members of Stan Getz’s magnificent quartet, produced We Used To Dance in 2007. Not only does Frahm have full command of the instruments he plays, he is inventive and adventurous in his playing. The verve and enthusiasm he has for his music is thoroughly communicated to fellow musicians and audiences alike. write your comments about the article :: © 2014 Jazz News :: home page |