Buy the CD at CD Baby

CREATIVE SPONTANEITY WITHIN STRUCTURE

Time In sets an Ellington-esque vibe as the opening track of Joe DeRenzo's debut CD, but what follows isn't what one would expect after such straight-ahead swing. The title, of Night and Day suggests the juxtaposition of extremes. Compositions of melody and chord changes within a given structure are set alongside amorphic streams of consciousness guided by the musicians experience and creative spontaneity.

The former are akin to the orderly world of day with its times and places as opposed to the latter which inhabits the realm of night's dream-state. Different as night and day? Yes, but only until one song ends and another begins to unfold. It's at these points where for a brief moment one mood is taken over by another creating an audio space of chiaro-scuro.

Such is the case with Russell Ferrante's spontaneous piano motifs on Mexican Hat which dance above the rhythmic mantra and latin pulse provided by Richie Garcia on congas. As Dante's View embarks on its journey between the stars and terra firma, the true nature of this project is revealed.

Tracks such as the surrealistic Lost in Hollywood and Dealing with My Demons have Steve Crum and Jimmy Haslip evoking images of Dali with their respective solos. Crum's trumpet takes a more melancholy turn on Last Lovers and Ferrante's bluesy piano rounds out the evening on Walks Like This.

Keith Jarrett's Take Me Back bursts forth with Ferrante giving us a Sunday morning sermon in Db with Glen Berger and Gannin Arnold both contributing equally infectious choruses. [ It's no accident that this song was covered from the 1972 release Expectations.

That album's eclectic spirit inspired the musical approach for this project. ] Mountain Song features Arnold's guitar cadenza as an open country pastoral and following Berger's joyous soprano, Kevin Axt provides a lyrical outing on acoustic bass. Adonis Tsilimparis conjures up the atmospheres of North Africa with his vocal intro to Moroccan Joyride, the homagé to pianists Zawinul, Guaraldi and McCann. Here, Tom Zink helms the piano with a blusey R&B tip- of-the-hat to the three masters of the keyboard.

The session ends with the trio of Ferrante, Haslip and DeRenzo recognizing Jarrett as a true innovator of the piano. How apropos. If Time In suggests an Ellington-type swing, then We're Rolling acknowledges KJ's gospel like influences with this D pedal summation. Shaping rhythms and sonic colors of darkness and light as creative spontaneity within structure sparks a musical evolution through the cycles of Night and Day.

Victor Zurbel
March 2005

Born Joseph Peter DeRenzo, November 1st 1958 in Orange County, CA. Fashions his own pair of drumsticks after seeing

The Beatles on TV. While his dad's record collection included Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Ray Charles, Joe was drawn to the sounds of the late 60's via album covers. Most notably Jimi Hendrix and Cream. The music from such albums as "Are You Experienced?" and "Disraeli Gears" was in stark contrast to the vinyl turning on the home stereo.

This juxtaposition of jazz and rock would would be the beginning of his musical influences. After hearing the Chick Corea album ''Light as a Feather'' and the Weather Report masterpiece ''Mysterious Traveller'', Joe began listening to the music of Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin and Herbie Hancock.

These influences have continued through the years, culminating in the release of Joe's two CDs he produced with the help of longtime friend and jazz pianist Tom Zink.

Also on board for these projects are founding members of The Yellowjackets, pianist Russell Ferrante and bass player Jimmy Haslip along with longtime member and reedman Bob Mintzer. Jazz guitarist Brian Hughes, bassist Kevin Axt, reedman Glen Berger, vocalist Anne Walsh, trumpeter Steve Crum, guitarist Gannin Arnold, percussionist Richie Gajate-Garcia and vocalist Adonis Tsilimparis round out the rest of the albums personel.

Buy the CD at CD Baby

The inspiration for this project came from my belief that jazz in the late 60s and 70s was as important and relevant to the music as any period before it. Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul and Airto ( all Miles alumni ) were among many artists of that time who refused to have limits placed on themselves by anyone.

The individualism these musicians stood for in the face of criticism from the conservative jazz press ( then and now ) is what I respected them for most. I'm extremely fortunate to have so many musician friends who share my fondness for the music represented on this CD.

The first piece is entitled "Umbria Suite". With the help of my good friend Russell Ferrante on piano, I took a 1975 solo piano piece by Keith Jarrett performed at the Umbria Jazz Festival and arranged it for a full band. Kevin Axt on bass is featured on part II. Adonis Tsilimparis is the voice heard on part III.

"Lenore" was my favorite song off Chick Corea's Leprechaun album. I finally got my chance to record it with Tom Zink on piano and Brian Hughes on spanish guitar. Anne Walsh contributed the vocal parts with her amazing voice. Bob Mintzer on soprano sax helped my out with an old Weather Report tune entitled "2nd Sunday in August". "Pouts' Over" and "She's a Woman" have Glen Berger on Flute and Tenor Sax.

"iEartoe" is my tribute tune to Airto with Jimmy Haslip on bass who has worked with the great percussionist over the years. My bro Richie Gajate-Garcia has an incredible percussion break at the end to cap off the album.

Everyone should be as fortunate as I am to have such great and talented friends. Thanks to all of them!

Joe DeRenzo