Internationally-known New York musicians - core alumni members of the
freewheeling, Grammy-winning Gil Evans Orchestra of the mid and late '70s -
reunite to celebrate the band's "Monday Night At Sweet Basil" era.

 

Live from the Cutting Room: Click on it to watch
 


Front: John Clark, Alex Foster, Lew Soloff, Tom Malone, Dave Stryker
Rear: Pete Levin, Beth Gottlieb, Danny Gottlieb, Mark Egan
@ The Cutting Room, NYC   Photos: Samantha Levin

Tom Malone, John Clark, Alex Foster, Dave Stryker, Lew Soloff, Pete Levin, Mark Egan, Lenny White

A consummate fixture on the New York jazz scene, Lew Soloff’s career is filled with a rich history of renowned sessions and world-class collaborations. From the time he eased into the east coast world of trend setting musicians in the mid 1960s, Soloff’s creative ventures have resulted in a respected body of work that places him in a category of true accomplishment and keeps his elegant and lyrical signatures in constant demand. Soloff is known as a virtuoso with tremendous range and superior technical command, yet he exudes a wisdom for quietness and melody.
By 1966, Lew was performing with Maynard Ferguson and became a regular in the Joe Henderson / Kenny Dorham Big Band. That year he also joined the Gil Evans Group, an affiliation he considers his most influential. His longtime collaboration with Evans resulted in a new relationship with the Bohuslän Big Band in Sweden, with whom he performed George Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess, originally arranged by Evans for Miles Davis. Besides his association with Evans, he considers his work with Ornette Coleman to be particularly pivotal. Lew played lead trumpete in the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band under the direction of Jon Faddis and spent six years as first trumpet in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. But it was in the groundbreaking pop group Blood, Sweat And Tears that Soloff’s trumpet solos became an indelible part of American culture. He was an integral part of the band from 1968 to 1973. Lew is a regular in Carla Bley’s Big Band and The Manhattan Jazz Quintet.

http://www.lewsoloff.com/

 

Saxophonist Alex Foster has been a part of many of the world’s most influential sounds to date. Best known in recent years for his work as the alto saxophonist in the house band of Saturday Night Live, he has also shared the stage with numerous world-class performers in varying genres. Alex is the musical director of the Mingus Big Band, Orchestra, and Dynasty and is currently completing his latest solo album.

He has been heard on recordings and has performed alongside greats such as Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Jack DeJohnette, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Nat and Cannonball Adderley, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gil Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Charles Mingus, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones, Hank Jones, Tito Puente, Michael Brecker and Duke Ellington. In the pop rock music scene he has recorded and/or performed with Arethra Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Dr. John, Paul Simon, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, Eddie Van Halen, Diana Ross, the Village People, Sister Sledge and Al Green. His versatility as an artist is not only present in the jazz and pop music scene, but is also prominent in the classical realm as well, performing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Oakland Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony and the National Symphony. His unique voice can best be heard on latest solo album, “Alex Foster’s Condition” which can best be described as passionate, energetic and melodic.

http://www.alexfostermusic.com/

As one of only a handful of horn players proficient in non-classical genres, Clark has performed or recorded with a wide variety of musicians. These include Glen Velez, Jerome Harris, Anthony Jackson, Linda Ronstadt, B.B. King, Oliver Lake, Ornette Coleman, McCoy Tyner, Sting, Joni Mitchell, Gerry Mulligan, Isaac Hayes, Carla Bley, Ashford & Simpson, Pat Metheny, Frank Sinatra, Dave Grusin, John Scofield, Spyro Gyra, Carly Simon, LL Cool, Joe Lovano, Jaco Pastorius, Paquito D'Rivera, Jim Hall, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Paul Winter Consort, and The Gil Evans Orchestra.

http://hmmusic.com/drupal/home

Since the late 60's, Tom has worked in bands of Woody Herman, Duke Pearson, Louis Bellson, Doc Severinsen, Frank Zappa, Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan, Blood Sweat & Tears, Billy Cobham and The Band. In 1973, Malone began a close, 15-year association with Gil Evans, who exerted considerable musical influence on him.  In 1970 he got a call to join the Saturday Night Live house band. Malone arranged for the show from 1975 to 1985 and served as musical director from 1981 to 1985. A single SNL comedy skit featuring John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd mushroomed into The Blues Brothers. Tom continued as an integral member of the Blues Brothers over several recordings and films.  In the movie he appears as a fictionalized version of himself. In 1993, Malone reunited with SNL veterans Paul Shaffer and Will Lee in the CBS Orchestra which performs on Late Night with David Letterman.

https://www.facebook.com/tom.b.malone

One of the most prolific sax players in the business, Chris Hunter has forged successful careers in two great music cities, London and New York.  He is known internationally not only as a jazz virtuoso, but also as an indispensable session ace, recording and performing as featured player with a vast spectrum of artists, spanning musical genres from 80’s Glamrock to Twelve tone orchestral jazz. Chris has performed and recorded with Gil Evans, Michel Camilo, Michael Franks, Robben Ford, Hiram Bullock, Jonathan Butler, Manhattan Transfer, Airto Moreira, Sting, Tania Maria, The Illinois Philharmonic, The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra, George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Mike Gibbs Orchestra, and the WDR Big Band.

http://www.huntercsax.com/

Dave Bargeron is a versatile low-brass jazz artist hailing from Athol, Massachusetts. He won his first lead trombone job playing with Clark Terry's Big Band and from 1968-1970 played Bass Trombone and Tuba with Doc Severinsen's Band. In 1970, he joined "Blood, Sweat and Tears." Dave joined the Gil Evans Orchestra in 1972 and became a sought-after recording musician in New York. He has recorded with many artists playing diverse musical styles, including Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Sanborn, Pat Metheny, George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, George Russell Living Time Orchestra, Bob Mintzer, Jaco Pastorius, Michel Camilo, and Howard Johnson's band "Gravity.

http://www.davebargeron.com/

In a diverse music career spanning several decades, keyboardist/arranger Pete has performed and recorded with hundreds of Jazz and Pop artists - including Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Lenny White, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Robbie Robertson and John Scofield - receiving critical accolades for his work during a 15 year association with the legendary Gil Evans, and his 8 year stint with jazz icon Jimmy Giuffre.  In 1990 he released his first solo album, “Party in the Basement,” for Gramavision, followed by “A Solitary Man” and “Masters In This Hall” in 1991.  Following four CDs for Alternate Mode Productions during the '90s, Pete returns to the cutting edge as a band leader with “Deacon Blues,” while also returning to his first love, the Hammond Organ.

http://www.petelevin.com

Gary Giddins in the Village Voice calls him "one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years." He was voted one of the Top Ten Guitarists in the 2001 Downbeat Readers poll, and a Rising Star in the 2001,2004, 2006 and 2007 Downbeat Critics Poll. His approach combining the jazz burn to a soulful blues feeling is communicating to new fans wherever he plays. Dave Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to New York City in 1980. He played in organist Jack McDuff's group during 1984-85, an invaluable experience, paying his dues night after night with the soulful jazz organist. Stanley Turrentine asked Stryker to join his quintet. For 10 years he played with the legendary saxophonist at festivals, concert halls, and clubs throughout the world, and is featured on two Turrentine CD's. His time with the tenor legend helped Stryker realize the importance of having his own sound.  Dave continues to record and perform with The Stryker / Slagle Band as well as his other projects: The Dave Stryker Organ Trio, and The Blue to the Bone Band.

http://davestryker.com/

One of the most respected and in-demand electric bassists on the music scene today, Mark's unique fretless bass sound and style is both distinctive and versatile. With three platinum & three gold albums to his credit, Mark has recorded with the likes of the Pat Metheny Group, Sting, Arcadia, Roger Daltry, Joan Osborne, the Gil Evans Orchestra, Marianne Faithful, David Sanborn, John McGlaughlin and Sophie B. Hawkins.  His solo debut, Mosaic (Windham Hill Records) delved into adventurous territory on his exotic custom-made eight and ten string basses, painting beautiful soundscapes over multi-layered musical textures. His follow up LP, Touch of Light ( GRP Records) displayed another facet of Mark’s creativity. In 1993 Mark signed with Bluemoon Records and released Beyond Words,  which featured Danny Gottlieb, Cliff Carter and Bill Evans. It also introduced to the American music scene famed Brazilian guitarist, Toninho Horta whose bossa nova style and melodic compositions would take the music in a new direction.

http://www.markegan.com/

One of the great innovators of the modern drum set, Lenny White's sonic fingerprints are all over modern jazz and funk. Not many drummers can claim a first gig with Jackie McLean and a Top 10 R&B hit ten years later. The soulful edge and innovative approach he brought to Miles Davis' classic Bitches Brew and Chick Corea's Return to Forever defined the sound of fusion; his influence has only grown since then, producing for stars like Chaka Khan and Nancy Wilson and earning a reputation as one of the most respected bandleaders and producers in any genre. Best known as the drummer in the recently reunited Return To Forever, Lenny White is much more. Along with fellow drummers Tony Williams and Billy Cobham, Lenny is rightly considered one of the founding fathers of Fusion Jazz. Distinguishing himself even more, Lenny moved on to lead bands and projects that covered the entire musical spectrum. As with many drummers, Lenny White's career is often overshadowed by the artist/leaders of the bands of which he is a part, but as did Art Blakey, Tony Williams, and Billy Cobham, Lenny has also made important contributions as a skilled composer and arranger who has led a number of his own bands. He has written and produced more than 20 albums of his own.

http://www.lennywhite.com/

While best known as a founding member of the original Pat Metheny Group, Danny Gottlieb has performed and recorded with some of the greatest names in music, including Gary Burton, Sting, Bobby McFerrin, John Mclaughlin, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Wayne Shorter, Jeff Berlin, Michael Franks, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Jon Faddis and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, Manhattan Transfer, Larry Coryell, the NDR Big Band (Hamburg), the WDR Big Band (Cologne), and the original Blues Brothers Band with Steve Cropper and Eddy Floyd. He is featured on more than 350 recordings, including four Grammy Award Winners. For the past 9 years, Danny has performed internationally with actor/bassist Gary Sinise’s (CSI NY) Lt. Dan Band, doing over 50 concerts annually to benefit the US Military and wounded veterans. An active clinician, Danny is currently an associate professor at University of Northern Florida.

http://dannygottlieb.org

Beth Gottlieb is a performer, teacher, clinician, and soloist, whose experience covers the entire musical spectrum. Percussion instructor at the University of Alabama, she has taught at Rollins College in Florida and at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Beth is a member of the Lt. Dan Band with actor Gary Sinise, and principal percussionist with the Walt Disney World Candlelight Orchestra. Beth plays all styles of percussion, including classical percussion, mallet instruments, hand percussion, jazz/rock, and rudimental snare drum. She has performed with the Disney Company, Andy Williams, Henry Mancini, Peabo Bryson, Celine Dion, Sammy Davis Jr., Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Natalie Cole, Shirley Jones, Tony Bennett, Sandi Patti, Roger Williams, Carol Channing, Kansas, Bobby McFerrin, Chick Corea and Victor Wooten. Beth and her husband Danny perform concerts and clinics all over the world, including performing for children with their educational program, “The Rhythms of Music and Life.”

http://www.innovativepercussion.com

 
 

 

 


 

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