Medium: “Hot and Sweet” Jazz
Location: 5th Avenue Easter Day Parade!
Email: michael@dreamlandorchestra.com
Phone: (646) 201-6624
Website: www.dreamlandorchestra.com

Bio: Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra is an ensemble steeped in the hot-dance band tradition of the Jazz Age. Their size ranges from a full dance orchestra to smaller incarnations. They play their “Hot-and-Sweet” music anywhere that fine and eclectic tastes meet.

The Dreamland Orchestra is authentic. Arenella transcribes by hand their entire repertoire from period recordings. Their delivery, as well as their instruments, attire, and equipment — are faithfully accurate. Arenella’s strong yet vulnerable baritone lacks pretense or sarcasm. He treasures each lyric, and has faith in the songs he sings. Even the most optimistic Tin Pan Alley tune has a disarming quality in his hands.

Though certainly anachronistic, the orchestra’s presence invokes the vibrations of something unmistakably timeless. While authentic to a “T”, Michael Arenella prefers not to be labeled a recreationalist. He takes an antiquated template and infuses it with the immediacy of the present. Spontaneity is what gave the original music of the era its magic, and it is also the primary ingredient and imprimatur of the Dreamland Orchestra.

His men are dapper dandies; hair pomaded and shoes shined. They are based in New York, which with London were the halcyon capitals of decadence. All of this allows them to capture the essence of what this music and times were all about: joy, romance, modernity, and possibility.

These are essential themes, just as valid today as eighty years ago. Ask the punk and heavy metal kids who end up liking the orchestra more than the bands they originally came to hear at the same venue. Truly, this music was the rock ‘n’ roll or punk of its day: rebellious, reckless, and in the eyes of the older generations, dangerous. The Dreamland Orchestra’s mission is to mine the forgotten yet vital beauty of the past and bring it into the light of today — to be danced and romanced to by a new generation of flappers and sheiks.

———

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Medium: Saxophone
Location: MUNY
Email: keeshea@keeshea.com
Phone: 718-531-2259
Website: http://www.keeshea.com/

What began as a hobby, became a profession out of passion.

After growing up in Amriswil, Switzerland, keeshea went to London when she was 19, where she gathered her first experience as a perfomer in the London Tube Stations. Back in Switzerland she first performed as a street musician and at the same time studied at the Swiss Jazz School. She then decided to become a professional musician and went to live in New York, where she studied with several renowned saxophonists and where she continually found her own distinctive style.

In 2005 her first CD “So Sexy” will be released. The wide scope of this passionate saxophonist reaches from Smooth Jazz, Blues, Funk to Pop and R&B, as can be heard on her CD.

She proved her versatility with appearances at many international events:

1994-1996 Performances as “Special Guest” at Clubs and Discotheques in The Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland

1996-2002: Performances at the Euler Bar in Basel, various corporate functions and galas of Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, several Swiss Banks as well as Exhibitions and Fashion Shows – keeshea also performed for Swiss Federal Councillors and Members of Parliament.

1997 Moves to New York
Plays with several bands in different Clubs all over the City
Other performances in New York:
British Airways Sales Convention 1997
VIP-Lounge at the Goodwill Games 1998
Arrival Lounge at JFK International Airport 1998
Annual performances at the Belmont Racetracks in Long Island
Hi-Tec Show in Dallas 2001
National Franchisee Association 2001
Forum of the U.S. Navy 2002

Europe:
Orbit in Basel 1999
Cebit in Hannover 2000

Video

Medium: Classical, Latin American and jazz Guitar
Location: MUNY
Email: dwitterjr@aol.com
Phone: 718-855-8604
Website: donsguitarsite.com, donsguitarblog.blogspot.com

Eu So Quero Um Xodo

Jobim Medley

Bio: Don Witter could probably be called a guitar nut, and I don’t think he’d mind. In fact, his subheader on his blog basically states it: “I am the most passionate guitar man out there. I eat, drink, sleep, looooove everything about the guitar. Have guitar – will travel. I will report, review and give my 2 cents on this my guitar blog for everybody who is interested. ENJOY.”

Black Orpheus Medley

Escadoo – Laurinda Almeida

It’s hard not to enjoy Witter’s stuff. His technique is crisp, clean, and spot-on. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and pretty-much every other venue in the city. He has also been a part of MUNY for a decade. He also lists about two dozen guitar teachers on his bio, “and many more,” he says. So he’s done his homework.

Baden Powell Medley: Sad Samba, Waltz, Fim de Linha, Song of the Jet, Canto de Ossahna

Girl from Ipanema – A.C. Jobim

These audio tracks aren’t some guy strumming a guitar. They show years of devoted perfectionism and an inspired spirit. Mr Witter Jr. should changing how you see subway guitarists. Nice.

Milonga – Jorge Cardoso

Medium: Solo Guitar/vocal Roots music..Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Latin.
Location: MUNY
Email: thethumb2002@yahoo.com
Phone: 440-590-1328
Website: www.jasongreenguitar.com, myspace/jasongreenguitar

Bio:
Jason Green was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1973. He began playing guitar at the age of 15 and was immediately bitten by the blues and jazz bug. By the time he was 17, he was already playing professionally in local clubs, with guys more than twice his age.

After a few years in college studying music theory and composition, Jason decided that his education would be better achieved learning the business in bar rooms and through meeting elder jazz and blues men. It is a decision he does not regret. At 21 he decided to make music a full-time career and has been at it ever since.

In 1995, Jason joined the JIMMY LEY blues band (former piano/harp player and bandleader for Robert Lockwood Jr.) and for 4 years toured both regionally and nationally, as well as recording several Cd’s with Jimmy for SLIPPERY NOODLE RECORDS, an Indianapolis blues label. This was Jason’s first taste of the road, playing various blues clubs and festivals around the country.

In 1999, Jason formed the COALHOUSE WALKER band and became a first call guitar player in the Cleveland area doing recordings, weddings, clubs dates and lessons. Coalhouse Walker was led by Jason, who had not yet ventured into the world of singing, and therefore featured Jerome Hawk Freeman on vocals, as well as drummer Mike Ward and bassist Tony Fortuna. After Jerome and the band parted ways Coalhouse Walker used different front men including Ron Prince from the KINSEY REPORT, Tad Walters from STEADY ROLLIN BOB MARGOLIN and many other top Cleveland area vocalists.

But he missed the road and in 2000, he got the chance to go back out with blues legend BIG JACK JOHNSON from Clarksdale Mississippi. He had the honor of playing with Big Jack at the 2001 WC HANDY BLUES AWARDS sharing the stage with KIM WILSON from the FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS and SAM CARR, legendary Delta blues drummer. For the next 3 years Green practically lived on the road. During that time he played the NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL, the CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL, the KING BISCUIT BLUES FESTIVAL, the SAN FRANCISCO BLUES FESTIVAL and many more. Being with Big Jack and the Oilers took him through almost all 50 states, half of Canada, Japan and Australia as well. When not on the road with Big Jack, Jason performed and recorded with the popular Ohio jazz trio THE TRITONES, featuring Jason on guitar, Jim Wall on drumsand Mike Barrick on bass.

In the year 2004, Jason decided to relocate to New York City in hopes of finding bigger and better opportunities. He began playing solo in the subway to make some extra cash but soon realized it could actually be a fairly lucrative endeavor, in addition to being a great way to make contacts and get his music out to people that he would not normally come across. He is now a member of the prestigious MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK(MUNY) program.

Injust four years, Jason has become a part of the New York music scene. He works freelance with several different groups including the CHRISTINE SANTELLI, NIKKI ARMSTRONG, FRENCH COOKIN’ BLUES BAND, FELIX CABRERA,GINA FOX and many others. He also leads his own trio, JASON GREEN AND THE LABOR OF LOVE,does solo gigs, recordings, gives lessons and plays in the subway.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Medium: Flutist, Singer, Songwriter
Location: MUNY
Email: sukiatry@aol.com
Website: Sonic Bids, www.sukiatry.com
Bio:A native Chicagoan, flutist/singer/songwriter Suki Rae has been playing music since the age of five.A classically trained flutist,she has an MA in Music/Film and has been performing internationally for the last 20 years. Awards include: only American finalist in the Hoeillart Jazz Festival in Belgium; Honorary Award in Great American Song Festival; Runner up Song of the Year Award, Viewer’s Choice Award at Kweevak.com; ASCAP Awards since 1994; American Song Festival; Nashville Song Festival and nominations for the Just Plain Folks Awards and the NAR Best Song Awards.

Performances include: Universal Jazz Coalition’s Women in Jazz Festival; MUNY’s Texaco Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival; Michigan Womens’ Music Festival; Jerusalem Womens’ Music Festival; St. Peter’s Church; Makor; etc.
She has been a musician in residence at Cornell University; at the Arad Arts Project in Arad, Israel; at the Wurlitzer Foundation in Taos, New Mexico; at the Hilai Arts Colony in Israel; and at the Fundacion Valparaiso in Mojacar,Spain, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Click here to view the embedded video.

She has written songs in many different genres and recently had one of her children’s songs published in “The Music Box and Other Delights.” She has also acted,directed, and written for Theatre and Film and appeared on Radio and TV.

Her five recordings, all self-produced on Reverence for Life Records are all of original songs except Cantique de Noel(Christmas songs). Her recordings include: Water and Fire; Pipedreams; Cantique de Noel; I Think of You and My Bamboo Hat.

Ministry: Suki Rae, MA, is an ordained interfaith minister in New York state. She is available for weddings,holy unions,renewal of vows,blessings of children,and funerals, as well as individual,premarital,and family counselling. She can also perform music which suits your ceremony’s special needs(see bio on this website). Sensitive,caring,and flexible about fees. Together you can create the ceremony which cherishes that which you hold most dear.

Teaching: Suki Rae, BA U. Cal Berkeley, MA NYU, studied classical flute with Ralph Johnson and Walfried Kujala of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She attended Interlochen Music Camp, Interlochen Arts Academy, and Northwestern University Cherub Program where she received an award for exceptional flute performance. She studied jazz flute with Frank Wess of the New York Jazz Quartet and won a scholarship to the Benington College Jazz Lab.

She has performed internationally for over twenty years and has released five recordings, four of original music. She has won many awards and been resident musician all over the world.

Ms. Rae was musician in residence at Cornell University where she taught privately as well as gave workshops in Jazz and Songwriting. She is certified to teach Instrumental Music for HIgh School through the NYC Dept. of Education where she has been teaching on and off for over 15 years. She has taught privately for over 20 years.She has also taught in After-School Programs,and worked as a music therapist.

She teaches all ages,all levels,all styles of flute. She can also teach: beginning piano, recorder, guitar, voice, songwriting, theory and jazz improvisation.

She is also available to teach seminars and workshops.

Medium: Jazz solos
Location: The Mall, Central Park
Format: Saxophones and Flute
Phone: 917-447-1115

Post

As common as boats and bicycles, Ralph has been standing there since I came to the city, and a few more years too. Great technique, a soulful Flight of the Bumblebee style.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Artist: Ashkenazy Collective
Medium: Jazz
Location: Central Park, 70s, East Side
Format: Drums (David Ashkenazy), Sax (Adrian Cunningham), Double Bass (Scott Ritchie)
Website: http://www.ashkenazycollective.com/live/
Emails:
david@davidashkenazy.com
theclarinetman@hotmail.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Around 69th Street, on the East side of Central Park, at around 12:30 p.m., Sunday 15th, the Ashkenazy Collective were gaining fans. Just passing on Fifth Avenue, making my way to Chinatown for dim sum, I heard the sax and had to stop for ten minutes. I got the footage above before my batteries died (thus no photos of the dim sum), then had to race off again on my bike. Overall a nice, well-rounded band, heavy on the improvisation (which I love) and evidently experienced and talented. I’m sure they play on stage often.

I was a little disappointed to find that the CD I bought from them, Resonation, wasn’t the same as I’d watched. What should initially have caught my attention was that there were three in the park, but I’d bought a CD of the David Ashkenazy Quartet. Silly me. In fact, as with most jazz I’ve heard with a jazz guitar, the CD was a little smoother, and not as much to my liking. However, that’s just a personal taste, and isn’t meant to take anything away from the guitarist on the CD – he’s as talented as the others. Still, I hope I’m there when the “Collective” has a CD out.