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::: SOLO PIANO ::: |
About five years ago I began studying classical piano again. Delving into the repertoire led me to many discoveries, but most surprisingly this “new” practice made me aware of my sound before I had any jazz influences to speak of – back then I was writing songs and improvising, but not in any swinging way. I wanted to make a solo piano recording that reflected this way of playing, but in the here and now – not an easy task. It required me to tune out certain elements of my playing style learned since then, while retaining the significant knowledge and improvisational skills I’ve gained. In a way it was like time traveling. This musical journey culminated in the making of my new solo piano CD entitled “Remembering The Way Home” that features a free improvisation (Remembering), ten original songs, and an arrangement of a Scriabin Prelude.
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| ::: STEVE MILLION TRIO ::: |
This project is ongoing having gone through some changes since the release of “Poetic Necessities.” I am still engaged in the creation of new music for piano trio, but the gigs are fewer and farther between. The ensemble itself has changed since Dave Marr moved to San Diego. Recently I have begun to work with the bass player Cliff Schmitt and Tim Davis on drums. Look for us in the coming year.
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| ::: ROB PARTON TRIO ::: |
With a five night a week gig at Catch 35 in downtown Chicago and a repertoire that is growing all the time – including many original tunes by Eric Hochberg and myself – this group is a fresh and entertaining diversion for jazz listeners featuring Rob Parton on trumpet. Contributors to this scene include: Ron Friedman, Eric Schneider, Peter Saxe, Kevin O’Connell, Joan Hickey, Andy Baker, John Wojciechowski, Ron Perrillo, Marlene Rosenberg, Stuart Miller, Kelly Sill, and Steve Rodby to name a few.
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| ::: BAKER MILLION SEXTET::: |
The great trombone player Andy Baker and I have been getting together to play over the last year or so (he is a frequent sub at Catch 35). We are working on a project featuring our original tunes and arrangements. Currently the band consists of Andy, myself, Jim Gailloreto on sax and flute, Art Davis on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tim Davis on drums, and Cliff Schmitt on bass.
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| ::: Thelonious Moog::: |
Joe “Guido” Welsh and I have been friends for over twenty some years. Joe was always a rocker whereas I was always into jazz. He used to engineer some of my early recordings in Kansas City Mo. Many years passed and we both ended up in different cities – Joe in Nashville and I in Chicago, but we always wanted to collaborate on a project. Thelonious Moog was what we decided to do and we have now made two whacky irreverent CD’s as this band using the considerable talent pool of musicians from Nashville. For more info check out www.theloniousmoog.com or www.myspace.com/theloniousmoog.
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