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Meet ‘Trek’ actress Chase Masterson at RoberCon

pressconnects.com | Sept 21, 2016

Sci-fi convention returns to Binghamton with panels, authors, costume contest and more

Earlier this month, “Star Trek” celebrated 50 years since Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy and the intrepid crew of the starship Enterprise first appeared on American television screens.

Even the cancellation of the original series after only three seasons couldn’t stop “Trek” and its optimistic spirit. The franchise currently stands at 13 films (including the most recent “Star Trek Beyond” this summer), four additional TV series (with a fifth one coming out in 2017) and millions of devoted fans worldwide.

One of the memorable characters from “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” was Leeta, an attractive Bajoran casino worker at Quark’s Bar tasked to relieve travelers of their money through a roulette-style game called dabo.

And although the character wasn’t the main focus of the frontier outpost’s space saga, it proved to be a pivotal role for actress Chase Masterson, who played Leeta over five of the seven seasons that “Deep Space Nine” aired.

This weekend, Masterson will be the guest of honor at the fourth annual RoberCon, the science fiction / media convention held at Roberson Museum and Science Center in Binghamton. She’ll participate in interview panels, sign autographs, pose for photos with fans and discuss the Pop Culture Hero Coalition, an anti-bullying group she founded that uses heroes onscreen to inspire heroism in real life.

Since “Deep Space Nine” ended in 1999, Masterson has gravitated toward a number of sci-fi roles, including one in the first Sci-Fi Channel Original Movie, “Terminal Invasion” (opposite “Evil Dead” actor Bruce Campbell) and leads in “Manticore” for Syfy and “Creature Unknown” for STARZ. She also starred in the award-winning sci-fi noir “Yesterday Was a Lie” and the critically acclaimed short “R.U.R.: Genesis,” currently in development as a feature film. Most recently, she was a guest star on CW’s “The Flash.”

This weekend, Masterson will be the guest of honor at the fourth annual RoberCon, the science fiction / media convention held at Roberson Museum and Science Center in Binghamton. She’ll participate in interview panels, sign autographs, pose for photos with fans and discuss the Pop Culture Hero Coalition, an anti-bullying group she founded that uses heroes onscreen to inspire heroism in real life.

Since “Deep Space Nine” ended in 1999, Masterson has gravitated toward a number of sci-fi roles, including one in the first Sci-Fi Channel Original Movie, “Terminal Invasion” (opposite “Evil Dead” actor Bruce Campbell) and leads in “Manticore” for Syfy and “Creature Unknown” for STARZ. She also starred in the award-winning sci-fi noir “Yesterday Was a Lie” and the critically acclaimed short “R.U.R.: Genesis,” currently in development as a feature film. Most recently, she was a guest star on CW’s “The Flash.”

Among her current projects are her lead role as an intergalactic assassin in Big Finish Productions’ audio series “Vienna” (a spinoff of Big Finish’s “Doctor Who” range) as well as Big Finish’s “Survivors” series, which was nominated in the BBC Audio Drama Awards.

Still, it’s through “Star Trek” that most fans know her best, and this year has been especially busy.

“It’s phenomenal to be part of the 50th anniversary,” she said. “This show has such a legacy and is such a powerful thing to be a part of. I relish my time with the other actors and the fans of the show, largely because of the history of it and how much has gone on through ‘Star Trek’ and because of ‘Star Trek.’ It certainly has enveloped 50 years of reinventing itself and making a difference in the world.”

In an interview earlier this month, Masterson talked about interacting with “Star Trek” fans, her role on “Deep Space Nine” and why she started the Pop Culture Hero Coalition.

QUESTION: You’re attending many conventions and events this year to celebrate the anniversary. What have been some of your favorite experiences this year so far?

MASTERSON: People often ask me about my favorite moments from “Star Trek,” and I think they usually are referring to stuff onscreen — but my very, very favorite moments have happened offscreen, even just recently.

For instance, last week at a convention in Cherry Hill [N.J.], there were two soldiers who came up who had fought in the Gulf War. They told me that when they would come back from a mission, if there was a new episode of “Deep Space Nine” that they hadn’t seen yet — because the show was running live at the time — they would drop everything and watch the show before they’d even change their clothes or take a shower. They said that it reminded them about what was important, that peace was possible. They said it reminded them of where they came from and that they would be going home.

To hear that the show held that kind of meaning for people and was so powerful not just in terms of its story and intrigue and entertainment, but to make a difference in the lives of people who were themselves in dangerous situations, it really means a lot. The show had such strong themes about war and peace and family. “Star Trek” has always had transcendent themes, but “Deep Space Nine” particularly had stories that took a risk and really made a difference, especially during its time.

Q: I imagine that getting to meet fans like that is one of the special parts of being part of “Star Trek” and other roles you’ve done over the years.

MASTERSON: Yes, people do open up to us. If you think about it, it’s because we’re in their living rooms. They often feel like they know us because they’ve invited us into their homes. There’s an intimacy to television when you’re all sitting around in your pajamas and you watch a show together. You really do feel like it’s closer to you than a lot of films when you see them in the theater. It’s a really cool relationship we have with our audience.

Continue reading “Meet ‘Trek’ actress Chase Masterson at RoberCon”

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Chase Masterson to be guest of honor at RoberCon

pressconnects.com | Apr 6, 2016

Actress Chase Masterson — best known to science fiction fans for playing Leeta on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” — will be this year’s guest of honor atRoberCon in Binghamton.

The media convention’s fourth year, set for Sept. 24-25 at the Roberson Museum and Science Center, also will include vendors, authors, discussion panels and fan groups covering a wide variety of geeky topics, as well as gaming, cosplay and a costume contest.

In addition to her role on “Star Trek,” Masterson has most recently been seen guest starring on CW’s “The Flash,” which won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Drama. She also plays the title role in the Big Finish’s “Doctor Who” audio spin-off “Vienna,” currently in Season 3, after originating the role opposite seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy in 2012. She also stars in “Survivors,” a Big Finish production currently in Season 2 that was nominated for a 2015 BBC Audio Drama Award.

Over her career, she has held recurring roles on “General Hospital” and “Live Shot”; guest-starred on programs such as “The Flash,” “E.R.”, “Presidio Med,” “Sweet Justice,” “Sci-Fi Vortex,” “Sliders” and “Acapulco H.E.A.T.”; and served as host of “Sci-Fi Entertainment,” “Showtime: Nighttime” and Encore’s STARZ On Demand. Her film credits include Stephen King’s “Sometimes They Come Back For More,” “Robin Hood: Men In Tights” for director Mel Brooks, “In a Moment of Passion,” “Married People Single Sex,” “Sammyville,” “Manticore,” “Chastity,” “Terminal Invasion,” “Creature Unknown” and a cameo as herself in “Comic Book: The Movie.” She will play the title role in “Vendetta Vette,” currently in development.

In 2013, Masterson — along with “heroism experts” Carrie Goldman and Matt Langdon — founded the Pop Culture Hero Coalition. It is the first-ever organization that uses the universal appeal of comics, film and TV to create anti-bullying programs at pop culture events as well as in schools and communities. Continue reading “Chase Masterson to be guest of honor at RoberCon”

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Music Connection – PRODUCER CROSSTALK: RICH MOUSER

MUSIC CONNECTION – CROSSTALK, FEATURE ARTICLES, LATEST, MAGAZINE | MAY 23, 2016 | BY ROB PUTNAM

Producer and engineer Rich Mouser began his career much as Les Paul did: by taking things apart to see how they worked. At 12 years old, his first piece of audio gear was a Sony reel-to-reel tape machine. He discovered that by removing the erase head, he could achieve something much like a multi-track recording. When he later found that friends would pay to be recorded, he realized he’d struck a rich vein. He now works primarily from The Mouse House, his Los Angeles home studio. Past clients include Chris Cornell, Dream Theater and Weezer.

His first taste of success came when he recorded Black Market Flowers’ demo after moving to L.A. from Colorado in 1993. It landed the band a deal with Relativity Records. “They went to do an album with [famed producer and musician] Butch Vig in Wisconsin,” Mouser recalls. “I thought that was the last I’d hear of them. But I got a call. They’d finished recording with Butch and realized they liked the demo we’d done better. They asked me to mix their album. That helped me advance from just doing demos. After that, I started meeting people and budgets got bigger.”

“The hardest thing to record is someone that’s not putting out much on their instrument,” the producer observes. “You’re only recording what somebody is throwing out to the microphone. You get the sound from the source first and then when you put a mic on it, you make sure you capture that. People retrigger and resample drums and they don’t put the time and care into making them sound good off the bat. I try to get character in the sound from the beginning. Getting drums to sound good is something that I’ve always worked hard at.”

Mouser regularly records to tape but doesn’t use it exclusively. Certainly, though, he nurtures a fondness for it. “When you erase something, it’s lost,” he explains. “If somebody says, ‘I can sing that line better,’ you know that when you hit the erase button, it’s gone forever. In Pro Tools, a guy can keep asking for more tracks and soon he’s got 15 takes. There’s not that worry of having to repeat what you’ve erased. That’s what I like about tape: the urgency. I have so much analog gear in my studio that I try to use that [rather than Pro Tools].”

Much of his work comes by word-of-mouth. He’s never advertised and he finds that coaxing a band into using him is a strategy that’s never borne fruit. “Feeler calls sometimes work,” he says. “But you can’t talk anybody into recording with you. When people find you and want you, they’ll do it. But I have found clients by overhearing people talking about music. I’d strike up a conversation and mention that I have a studio.”

Bands don’t always adapt well to the studio. Mouser shares one story. “I did a four-track demo with a band in two days,” he recalls. “They got a deal with MCA, and when it was time to cut the record, they wanted me to produce. The working title was The World’s Greatest Album. Suddenly a band that cut four songs in two days was scared of every little thing. They psyched themselves out. We had to recut vocals and at that point they’d been in the studio long enough they’d given up. Suddenly the singer was back to his old self. He wasn’t worried anymore and it worked out great.”

Mouser’s current and upcoming projects include albums with Farmikos (featuring former Ozzy and David Lee Roth guitarist Joe Holmes), supergroup Flying Colors and prog-rock outfit Spock’s Beard.

Contact The Mouse House Studio, themousehousestudio.com

Continue reading “Music Connection – PRODUCER CROSSTALK: RICH MOUSER”

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Akademia Music Awards Chooses Kaylene Peoples “Giant Steps” as Best Jazz Song

Congratulations are in order to Kaylene Peoples for winning Best Jazz Song for the December 2015 Akademia Music Awards.

‘Giant Steps’ has always been known as a rite of passage amongst jazz musicians.  Coltrane pretty much set it up like that with his complexities in his soloing and the rapid, consistent chord changes. When I decided to do the song, my first attempt at the recording was more subdued, but I always had intended to have my mentor Hubert Laws play on this track. Imagine how excited I was to learn that Bobby Lyle and Bunny Brunel would also be guest performing,” says Peoples.

Kaylene Peoples and Hubert Laws During MY MAN Recording Session at the Mouse House Studio, Altadena, CA

Kaylene Peoples is a flutist/vocalist and performs both crafts with veteran skill and expertise; and with great pride, she highlights her favorite flutist and mentor Hubert Laws – and it’s no surprise this piece is such an award-worthy recording. Kaylene Peoples sings it with mixed styles reminiscent of Manhattan Transfer and Ella Fitzgerald. Peoples’s own flavor of scatting makes this version of “Giant Steps” commercial and the most unique yet!

Personnel on “Giant Steps” (from My Man CD) are as follows: Kaylene Peoples (Vocals, Producer/Arranger); Mark Hammond (Guitar); Hubert Laws (Flute); Bobby Lyle (Acoustic Piano); Bunny Brunel (Upright Bass); Cory Mason (Drums).  Rich Mouser engineered/mixed/mastered the song at The Mouse House Studio in Altadena, CA.

This music award belongs to everyone who participated in making “Giant Steps,” especially John Coltrane for such ingenuity.  We jazzers always want to put our own spin on such an incredibly historical piece of music!” – Kaylene Peoples

More from Akademia Music Awards on “Giant Steps.”

(All photos by Arun Nevader/Getty Images)

Captions in Order: Hubert Laws, Bunny Brunel, Bobby Lyle, Mark Hammond, Cory Mason, Rich Mouser

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BUNNY BRUNEL DESIGNS FOR ESP

bunny-brunel-holding-his-esp-design
Bunny Brunel holding his ESP design

After 25 years of designing basses for Carvin, legendary bass player Bunny Brunel has changed companies.  He now designers for ESP Guitars, and has
designed four basses, including the special one-of-a-kind bass with his daughter Gigi’s handprint.  The basses are available in ESP Guitar stores worldwide, as well as online.  Carvin and Carvin patrons didn’t take the news well at all, but when we asked Bunny how he felt about the change, he was delighted.

Bunny Brunel:

Bunny Brunel’s Bass with Gigi’s handprint (Photo: Devino Tricoche)

“It’s been a good 25 years with Carvin, but all good things must come to an end.  I feel I will be doing great things as a designer for ESP.  I’m excited about the possibilities!”

Image 1 (L) – Bunny Brunel holding his first newly designed bass from ESP Guitars (Photo: Arun Nevader)

Image 2 (R) – The ESP bass which is one-of-a-kind, designed by Bunny Brunel.  It has the handprints of Gigi, his 12-year-old daughter. (Photo: Devino Tricoche)

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Sandeep Chowta, Sanjay Chitale release new album ‘American Pilgrimage’

timesofindia.indiatimes.com | Dec 11, 2015

Music director Sandeep Chowta and vocalist Sanjay Chitale are all set with their new album ‘American Pilgrimage’ which comprises Indian melody and jazz improvisation – a cross-cultural intersection seldom heard.

The album is the culmination of a life-long dream of Bollywood music director, multi-instrumentalist and composer Chowta. He wanted to meet and record with his jazz idols, including John Scofield, Bunny Brunel, Eddie Daniels, Andy LaVerne, Dave Valentine and more.

His friend and musical partner, Chitale, made it his mission to bring this dream to reality. Several years ago, the two embarked on a two-year-long journey across the US, knocking on doors, calling friends, crashing on couches and recording music with the aforementioned legends they sought out.

Scofield said: “I rarely find myself in a wholly different musical world but in this instance I did. It was a pleasure to work with these fine musicians.” Jay Oliver said” “I was so amazed at the freedom with which Indian singers choose their notes. The whole experience was simply incredible.

While Chowta is a prolific music director whose work can be heard in some of the biggest Bollywood films such as Om Shanti Om and Rowdy Rathore, Chitale’s life was rooted in music until he found himself working in IT but when the opportunity to record American Pilgrimage came along, he sold his investments and drove head first into the project.
Original Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Sandeep-Chowta-Sanjay-Chitale-release-new-album-American-Pilgrimage/articleshow/50134433.cms
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‘Jaco’ Premiere Attracts L.A.’s Bass Elite

variety.com | Nov 24, 2015

It seemed almost every great bassist in L.A. turned out for the Sunday night premiere of “Jaco,” the documentary about the late bass virtuoso Jaco Pastorius, including Robert Trujillo of Metallica, the film’s producer, Verdine White, Lee Sklar, Bootsy Collins, Hadrien Ferraud, Bunny Brunel and Darryl “The Munch” Jones, who holds up the bottom end for the Rolling Stones.

Not since Anaheim’s immense National Association of Music Merchant’s convention in January had so many professional bass players assembled under one roof.

The capacity event, which took place at downtown’s Theatre at the Ace Hotel, stood as a fitting tribute to a musical force of nature whose career took a tragic turn at the pinnacle of his creative powers. On-screen testimonials from such musicians as Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers — who introduced the film, along with Trujillo and the film’s co-director Paul Marchand — as well as Wayne Shorter, Peter Erskine, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Sting and so many others reinforced the notion that Pastorius was the Jimi Hendrix of his instrument.

Trujillo recalled first seeing Pastorius play with Weather Report in 1979 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium as a teenager. “I witnessed something I will never forget,” he recalled form the stage. “It really changed my life. The thing that was amazing beyond him being a composer and an incredible bass player was the performance itself, the stage presence. It made me realize that you could be fearless.”

Post screening, the evening shifted into a bass clinic extravaganza, with multi-bass groups; Pastorius’ bassist sons Felix and John performed original jams and also covered their father’s music, while Trujillo thrashed with Mass Mental, joined by Flea.

The film is scheduled for a Nov. 27 release on VOD, DVD and Bluray.

Original Source: http://variety.com/2015/film/news/jaco-premiere-attracts-l-a-bass-elite-1201648110/

 

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Review: ESP Bunny Brunel Signature Models

bassplayer.com | BY  ED FRIEDLAND | October 7, 2015

Bunny Brunel is well known as an early progenitor of fretless electric bass in fusion, but he has also been involved in instrument design for many years. His previous signature model was one of Carvin’s most popular instruments, and his electric-upright design is a unique and effective contribution to the EUB genre. But even before that, Brunel helped to design prototypes with Gibson that never hit the open market. Now teamed up with ESP Guitars, Brunel brings out version 2.0 of his signature instrument, in fretless 5-string and fretted 4-string models. The new BB1005FL and 1004 basses bear a close resemblance to their predecessors, but a detailed look reveals changes to the platform that could make this the best Bunny bass yet.

All-Access Basses

Brunel’s design goal has always been an instrument that gives unfettered access to all the notes, is well balanced physically and musically, and provides a wide variety of tones. The ESP models certainly live up to those ideals, and they stand out in the crowded import field as a real alternative to higher-priced exotic models. While you don’t have to be a fusion player to appreciate the Brunels’ playability, those who use the entire range of the fingerboard will find the necks very player-friendly. The fretless 5 felt roomy, but not too spread out. The asymmetrical neck profile gave me better access to the lower strings in high positions and fit my hand’s shape naturally. The fretted 4-string model has a nicely rounded C profile that reminded me of a mid-’70s Jazz Bass. The ebony fingerboard looks great and provides plenty of snap for the slap lover, and the fretless 5 is unique for its polyester- coated fingerboard. Ever since Jaco slathered marine epoxy on his Jazz Bass fingerboard, fretless players have been fascinated by this idea. Brunel himself has always preferred this on his personal instruments, but his previous signature model did not offer this option. To be fair, applying the coating is a messy, toxic, and painstaking job that most luthiers try to avoid. It is unusual for a production line instrument to come with this feature, so kudos are in order. The main purpose behind the coating is to protect the wooden fingerboard from damage inflicted by roundwound strings, but it has a sonic influence as well. The high-frequency response from the string against the super-slick surface is definitely present in the final tone—it’s the icing on a very substantial cake. The fretless board was dressed to perfection, allowing each register to sustain naturally. As for mwah? We’ve got your mwah right here. The spreading, vocal-like articulation is easily produced in any spot on the 1005FL lined fingerboard. One feature held over from previous models is orienting the 5-string’s position dots as if it were a 4; if you’re new to 5-string, it’s comforting, as the dots are easier to see.

The new ESP BB basses are powered by Aguilar electronics, with a MM-style humbucker in bridge position, and a hum-canceling J-pickup in the neck slot. The Aggie OBP-3 preamp provides plenty of gain, a 3-band EQ implemented with a concentric pot for bass and treble, and a separate control for the mids with a push/pull pot to switch the frequency from 400Hz to 800Hz. While I’m not opposed to concentric controls, they can be tricky to set up properly, and I found that on both review instruments the stacked knobs tended to stick together, making it hard to adjust just one band. A push/pull pot for the volume control accesses passive mode, and the Aguilar pickups have all the output you need for a more old-school tone. Both instruments come with Hipshot hardware, and the traditional clover- style paddle tuners look extra cool in the flatblack finish. Both instruments also come standard with the Hipshot Bass Xtender. While the previous incarnation of the Brunel signature model offered a wide range of wood choices, cosmetic options, and pickups, ESP has decided to limit the finishes for now to Burnt Orange or Black Aqua for the 5-string and a Black Burst for the 4, both over nicely figured quilted maple veneer.

Thumping Bunnies

As a Carvin endorser back in the ’90s, I owned several Bunny Brunel models, in 4, 5, and 6-string versions, fretted and fretless, and while the ESP bears a strong resemblance, it feels very different. The ESP neck profile is a bit fuller, and the area around the body/neck joint is beefier, creating rigidity where it most benefits the sound. While I don’t typically describe neck-through-body instruments as “punchy,” these Bunnies can definitely thump. The fretted 4-string invites the thumb to slap it around, and the pickup configuration covers the classic MM-fueled spank tone of Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson with ease. But the pickup blend produces a thicker texture with depth and clarity. The hum-canceling neck pickup let me fully explore the hollow chunk of a ’51-style P-Bass without 60-cycle dreck spoiling the fun. The preamp made it easy to conjure up virtually any tone I desired, but the nature of the beast is clear articulation. The tone of a bass line will pop while still being supportive in nature, but if you are a soloist, the BB basses are definitely your friend. With the bridge pickup favored, the BBs provided the punch and directness that brings a bass solo to the front. Approached passively, I could get a whole palette of more traditional Fender-like tones from the Bunny, making it applicable for pretty much any type of gig.

As Brunel is highly regarded as a fretless player, his fretless model is predictably dialed in to perfection. I was impressed with the consistency of the fingerboard dressing—I’ve paid hundreds of dollars to get my fretless boards feeling this good, and on an out-of-the-box import? Very nice. The BB11005FL responds to touch like a much more expensive bass; it can burp, hit, spread, and whine if you’ve got the hands to make it happen. Playing moving runs on the BB, it seemed all I had to do was stop on a note to get a lot of sustain. The glassiness of the coated board provides a little edge that gets you heard, and adds some finger mojo to the overall tone.

The new Bunny Brunel signature models are well suited to the demands of hardcore jazz fusion, but their playability and versatility make them a great choice for any gig.

SPECIFICATIONS

ESP

BB1005FL & BB1004
Street BB1005FL, $1,400; BB1004, $1,300
Pros Well balanced, versatile tone, better-than-average build quality
Cons Concentric tone controls “stick”
Bottom Line Basses that play well and sound great for any style of playing.

SPECS

ESP BB1005FL, BB1004
Construction Neck-through
Body Alder
Neck Three-piece maple
Fingerboard 1004, ebony; 1005FL, acrylic-coated
Fingerboard radius 1005FL, 16″; 1004, 12″
Frets 1005FL, 24 fret lines; 1004, 24 XJ
Nut Molded
Neck width at nut 1005FL, 1.75″; 1004, 1.5″
Bridge Hipshot A-style; e” string spacing
Scale length 34″
Pickups Aguilar MM & humbucking J
Tuners Hipshot w/Bass Xtender
Weight 1005FL, 9.2 lbs; 1004, 9 lbs
Made in Korea
Contact espguitars.com

Original Source: http://www.bassplayer.com/gear/1164/review-esp-bunny-brunel-signature-models/54391

 

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Heartfelt Performances and “Remembering Joe Sample” at the Berks Jazz Fest

Reviewed by Sean McKenzie | The Indie Hotspot | April 18, 2015

As I watched the amazing lineup of jazz royalty remembering the true legend, Joe Sample, I had never been so moved by such a fitting musical tribute. I remember it was only a little over a year ago that Wayne Henderson had been given his regal sendoff. And now, amongst other Sample fans, I experienced a healing concert for yet another Jazz Crusader.  Who was on the lineup? Musical director and pianist Bobby Lyle, who also assembled an incredible group of musicians, including saxophonist Wilton Felder; saxophonist Everette Harp; trumpeter Rick Braun; trombonist Jeff Bradshaw; guitarist Randy Jacobs; drummer Jay Williams; percussionist Doc Gibbs; bassist Nick Sample (Joe’s son); and vocalist Lizz Hogue.

(Interesting information: Wilton Felder, Joe Sample, and Wayne Henderson co-founded the Texas based Jazz Crusaders; Joe’s son, Nick Sample toured with his dad right up until illness forced him to retire; and trumpeter Rick Braun was also performing at the Berks Jazz Festival with his band Jazz Attack.)

Each song performed was beautifully and tastefully executed. It met my highest expectations—something I always appreciated when watching Joe Sample perform. “Viva de Funk,” “Spellbound,” “Joe’s Creole Shack (a Lyle original),” “In All My Wildest Dreams,” and “Seven Years of Good Luck” took me way back. Vocalist Lizz Hogue captured the audience with her heartfelt versions of “One Day I’ll Fly Away,” and especially “Street Life!” Aside from the impeccable musicianship showcased that evening, it was a continuous flow of flawless performances, reminding me just how much Joe Sample’s legacy has influenced this genre of music. Hogue also performed “I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today,” which was originally sung by the late Joe Cocker in collaboration with the Crusaders and Joe Sample.

Aside from the impeccable musicianship showcased that evening, it was a continuous flow of flawless performances, reminding me just how much Joe Sample’s legacy has influenced this genre of music. Another big highlight was the breathtaking medley of piano solos, which included “Melodies of Love,” “It Happens Everyday,“ and “Ashes to Ashes.”  Bobby Lyle held the audience captive with such an endearing remembrance of Joe Sample’s talent as a pianist. It was a very creative display of Lyle’s virtuosity on the piano. But I also felt the profound respect as he tickled each note of that ivory! While watching Lyle, I could see the friendship he had with Joe Sample.  I got a sense of the loss Lyle felt for his departed friend. Needless to say I was deeply moved by Lyle’s tribute.

One very appreciative couple who had attended all but one of the 25 Berks festivals stated afterwards that, “This was definitely one of the best shows we’ve ever seen here at Berks. We are both Joe Sample fans, and tonight’s program definitely lived up to his legacy.”—a view apparently shared by many as they stood and applauded the ten performers taking their bows onstage at the show’s end.

The Berks Jazz Festival is known for its excellence in musical performance throughout the years; and “Remembering Joe Sample” on April 18, 2015, in Reading, PA, has lived up to the festival’s high standards. May the memory of Joe Sample’s music live on.

Original Source: http://www.theindiehotspot.com/2015/05/04/heartfelt-performances-and-remembering-joe-sample-at-the-berks-jazz-fest/

 

 

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Bunny Brunel Joins The ESP Family

espguitars.com | Mar 6, 2015

ESP is happy to announce that world-renowned bassist Bunny Brunel, whose talents have been employed by a wide range of artists covering many genres of music, is now part of the ESP Guitars family. As you may already know, we also recently announced the introduction of two new Bunny Brunel Signature Series basses: the BB-1004/QM and the BB-1005FL/QM.

“I’m a fusion player, but I play every style,” says Bunny Brunel. “Pop, rock and roll, and much more. My signature basses from ESP match any kind of music.”

“We are thrilled to have Bunny onboard at ESP,” says Jeff Moore, ESP senior vice president. “He represents the type of bass player who we love, with the ability to astound other musicians with his technical playing chops, and is respected by all. He came to us in search of a bass that would be up to the task of his many live performances and recording dates, and we were happy to deliver.”

Primarily known as a jazz fusion bassist, Bunny Brunel’s resume looks like a “who’s who” of the jazz world, having played with Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Stanley Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, Tania Maria, Patrick Moraz, Ziggy Marley, Al Di Meola, and many more. His melodic approach to bass playing covers everything from smooth fretless growls to tight funk popping. He is a member of the fusion group CAB and also lends his talents to film and TV scoring.

Bunny’s two Signature Series basses are the LTD BB-1004/QM and LTD BB-1005FL/QM. The BB-1004 is a 4-string bass in See Thru Black Sunburst finish, while the BB-1005/FL is a fretless 5-string model in Burnt Orange. Both basses incorporate neck-thru-body construction, quilted maple top, ebony fingerboard, and a special Aguilar pickup set with an OBP-3 active preamp. Bunny was very active in regard to the basses’ designs, with a goal to create an instrument with excellent playing feel and balance, as well as tonal variety that made it appropriate for multiple music genres. He has also just released his latest solo album, Invent Your Future, which features jazz fusion notables Patrick Moraz, Virgil Donati, Patrice Rushen, and many more, and includes songs composed by Brunel as well as Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorius, and others. Continue reading “Bunny Brunel Joins The ESP Family”

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