Southern Excursion Quartet
The Southern Excursion quartet features four of Tennessee's most innovative jazz composers and performers
Originally from Pittsburgh, a city with a rich jazz tradition, saxophonist Don Aliquo grew up listening and learning from his father, a well-respected jazz artist himself. He soon began his professional career, performing with the legendary Buddy Rich band at 18.In 1999, he moved to the Nashville area to teach at Middle Tennessee State University where he is now the Director of Jazz Studies. Don has performed in concerts and recordings with some of the nation's leading jazz artists including Gary Burton (Journey Home, Summit- DCD416) , Rufus Reid (Jazz Folk Young Warrior YW300), Clay Jenkins, David Liebman, Claudio Roditi, Louie Bellson, Herbie Mann, Charlie Haden,Doc Cheatham, Marvin Stamm and Scott Robinson.
His latest recording, “Jazz Folk” has been described as “a strong, engaging effort, full of inspired moments”, and showcases his talents as a composer as well as his melodic approach to the saxophone. Aliquo's previous release Another Reply (CAP 964) also broke the top 20 for airplay on the Jazz Week charts. Don's previous releases were also critically acclaimed. Power of Two was featured on Jazz South Radio; a syndicated program carried by more than 240 stations on four continents and was nominated for Nashville Music Award’s Jazz Album of the year in 2000.
Pianist/Composer Michael Jefry Stevens (born 1951 in NYC) performs extensively in Europe, Latin America and North America. He has composed over 400 works for both large and small ensemble. Over 100 of these works are currently recorded and broadcast throughout the world on various radio networks. As an active band-leader for over 30 years his working musical ensembles include the Conference Call Quartet, The Fonda/Stevens Group, the Swiss “In Transit Quartet, the Hungarian Eastern Boundary Quartet, the Griffith/Stevens Quartet, Brass Tactics Quintet, Stevens-Siegel-Fergusion Trio and the newly formed Southern Exposure Quartet. Michael has released over 60 cds of his own music, most recently Conference Call’s “Poetry in Motion” on Clean Feed Records out of Portugal (2008). Mr. Stevens has performed and/or recorded with some of the top names in Jazz including Dave Liebman, Dave Douglas, Valery Ponomarev, Cecil Bridgewater, Dakota Staton, Bill McHenry, Leo Smith, Perry Robinson, Matt Wilson and many others
Jonathan Wires is originally from New Hampshire where he played bass in high school bands and in his own groups. Wires decided to uproot and move to Memphis to study music. He soon became a regular contributor to the Memphis music scene playing in various rock, blues, and jazz groups. Wires then began collaborations with saxophonist, Chad Fowler and pianist, Chris Parker and became intensely interested in jazz and improvisation. His development as a skillful improviser has frequently placed him in performances with Frank Lowe, Billy Bang, Abbey Rader, Michael Marcus and master percussionist, Alvin Fielder. He is currently completing his Master’s Degree at MTSU.
Tom Giampietro was a member of Grammy-winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin's eclectic jazz group the Mu-tet. While with the Mu-tet, Giampietro performed on Coffin's award-winning and critically acclaimed CDs, Go Round, and Commonality. During Giampietro's tenure with Coffin, the Mu-tet also completed national tours of the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest, including an appearance at the 2001 IAJE conference in New York City. Giampietro has also recorded or performed with such artists as Rod McGaha, Scott Robinson, The Middle Tennessee Jazz Orchestra, Victor Wooten, Beegie Adair, Ben Monder, Chris Walters, Liz Johnson, Pat Bergeson, The Chris Merz X-tet, Ricky Woodard and Peter Erskine. From 2003-2005, he was a member of the University of Northern Iowa Faculty Jazz Ensemble. He has also been active in leading his own group, featuring his compositions, in and around the Nashville area.
Giampietro is currently the drum set professor at both Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State Unviersity. He has also appeared as a clinician or adjudicator at The University of Iowa, The University of Georgia, Belmont College, Austin Peay University, Brevard College, The SEIBA Jazz Competition, Coe College, The University of Northern Iowa Tallcorn Jazz Festival as well as various high schools in Tennessee and Iowa. He is also a member of the all-volunteer faculty at the non-profit W.O.Smith Community Music School.
Tom Giampietro proudly endorses Istanbul Agop Cymbals and Attack Drumheads.
About our first release "Trading Post"
This recording marks the joyous meeting of four creative, dedicated musicians currently residing in the Southeastern United States. Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee in February 2007, the record is a true musical collective highlighting compositions and inspired, imaginative playing by all. Southern Excursion features Michael Jefry Stevens, Don Aliquo, Tom Giampietro and Jonathan Wires.
Pianist Michael Jefry Stevens recently moved to Memphis after residing in New York City for over twenty years. His many recordings, tours and concerts with the likes with Mark Feldman, Dave Douglas, Gerry Hemingway, Dave Liebman, Miles Griffith and many others feature his enigmatic playing and vital compositions. Saxophonist Don Aliquo moved to the Nashville area in 2000 from his native Pittsburgh. He is extremely active as a soloist and educator, has recorded four solo cds and has performed or recorded with Rufus Reid, Gary Burton, Roger Humphries, Clay Jenkins and Marvin Stamm. Don is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. Tom Giampietro is one of the most creative and sought-after drummers in the region, and his creative approach is featured in performances and recordings with artists like Jeff Coffin, Rod McGaha, Scott Robinson, , Victor Wooten, Beegie Adair, Ben Monder, The Chris Merz X-tet, Ricky Woodard and Peter Erskine. Currently residing in Oxford, Missisippi, bassist Jonathan Wires is a relative newcomer whose stellar compositions and melodic solos point out a young artist with an extremely bright musical future.
Liner Notes by Don Aliquo
The set begins with a haunting melody, Ashes, written by the late, extraordinary jazz pianist Andrew Hill. I was introduced to the piece by my friend and innovative alto saxophonist Greg Osby, and it features a shimmering solo by Michael Jefry Stevens and a beautifully melodic bass solo by Jonathan Wires. Giampietro’s playing on the track is subtle yet muscular adding the perfect balance to the solos.
Next, Out In The World, is an alluring, ¾ metered composition written by Jonathan Wires that starts introspectively but rapidly builds in intensity. The melody of this piece is one that never fails to stay with me after hearing and in many ways this piece is my personal highlight of the recording.
The Chant was something I wrote many years ago but never found the right context to record it. This group is that context! These guys can shift gears and play free with knowledge of the tradition that I personally love and respect. The single take was divided on this recording into Chant I &Chant II because of its length and the two distinct moods created in the performance.
A Long and Lonely Nights Work was composed by Tom Giampietro and, as the title suggests, is a moody, thoughtful piece. Tom’s interesting compositions prove he is another in a long line of jazz drummers who are equally at home expressing themselves with the pen.
Longing is a piece I composed while a student at Lake Placid Institute in 1999, and I have been told suggests Billy Strayhorn. It is great to hear Michael’s stellar solo on the tune!
Four Wheeler is a composition by Michael Jefry Stevens and is dedicated to the great jazz artist, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. The first solo by Jonathan again display’s his melodicism and harmonic knowledge and the interplay between he and Michael is outstanding. Michael strolls to great effect on the changes and the vamps in the tune give Tom & I ample room to stretch.
Jonathan Wires again proves he’s a gifted composer with the funky December. The quirky melody features soprano saxophone and piano and like Jonathan’s previous compositions, produces a mood and energy that is great fun to play.
The set wraps up with Michael’s bluesy Spiritual, which showcases the depth of feeling and soul that is at the heart of everything he plays and writes! Jonathan also captivates the listener with his solo on the piece.
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Michael Jefry Stevens, PO Box 40551, Memphis, TN 38174-0551 (USA)
ph: +1 901 276-6544, mobil: +1 917 916-1363
e-mail: mjsjazz@mac.com, facebook.com/mjsjazz, skype: mjsjazz
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