Thomson Kneeland | Mazurka for a Modern Man

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Acoustic Bass, Bass, Jazz, Thomas Kneeland

Thomson Kneeland

Thomson Kneeland | Mazurka for a Modern Man – [Weltschmerz Records, 2010] Music Review

… bassist and composer Thomson Kneeland originally finalized “Mazurka for a Modern Man” back in 2007. Within two weeks after the completion of this project, Kneeland’s life was suddenly traumatized by the departure of his musical comrade, composer & percussionist Take Toriyanna who passed away.

Being revered by your peers is humbling … Kneeland was considered by some of New York’s finest musicians one of the Big Apple’s most promising bassist and composers on the local jazz scene. To stay in shape, Kneeland worked diligently by honing his skills as a sideman and proved himself as a formidable leader and performing with such as luminaries as Ted Rosenthal, Kenny Werner, Billy Drummond and a host of others to strengthen his unbending spirit to enrich his composing, playing and leadership.

Ada Rovatti | Green Factor

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Ada Rovatti, Jazz, Saxophone

Ada Rovatti - Green Factor

Ada Rovatti | Green Factor – [Piloo Records, 2009]

Italian native Ada Rovatti started playing saxophone in high school after years of classical piano training. After winning a scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Italy she divided herself between Boston where she studied with Joe Viola, George Garzone and Italy where she was working in Big Bands with guest artists such as: Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker.

After spending one year in Paris touring Europe and Africa she moved in New York City. She has performed in important festivals such as JVC in NYC Rochester Jazz Festival, IAJE, Detroit Jazz Fest, Montreal Jazz Fest appearing and performing with an impressive and diverse list of artists and bands such as: Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Miroslav Vitous, John McLaughlin, Anne Ducros, Bob Mintzer, Victor Bailey, Rodney Holmes, Joanne Brackeen, Tony Levin and many others.

David Benoit | Earthglow

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David Benoit, Piano

David Benoit - Earthglow

David Benoit | Earthglow – [Peak Records, 2010]

In October 2008, David Benoit took a much needed breather from the frenetic pace of life in Los Angeles and headed up to the mountains near Saratoga to become an artist in residence at Villa Montalvo. Finding peaceful solitude and discovering fresh inspiration in a small cabin near the non-profit Montalvo Arts Center, the five time GRAMMY® nominated veteran composer and pianist–one of contemporary jazz’s most acclaimed artists for over two decades–wrote “Botswana Bossa Nova” and “Will’s Chill,” two unique pieces unlike any he had done before. These became the foundation for the overall global music concept behind Benoit’s stirring and provocative new CD Earthglow, his first set of original material in four years.