Small Groups – Jazz In Madison

Two Jackets

Nick Moran — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 19:28:31 +0000

Two Jackets is a jazz quintet based in Madison, Wisconsin performing original and contemporary jazz. They have performed at various venues and events including the Eau Claire Jazz Festival, the Stoughton Opera House, and the UW Memorial Union. The group has been featured as workshop musicians at the Franklin High School Jazz Cabaret in 2019. Contact: kowalskidrums@gmail.com

Ryan Meisel Quartet

Nick Moran — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 19:37:13 +0000

Meisel’s performances express the story of his lifelong musical journey through song.

Thought provoking, spirited, and idiosyncratic, audiences are drawn into his shows through storytelling, as they relate to the passion on display and see pieces of themselves in the music.

Ryan’s brand of fiery saxophone playing leads his group to take chances while committing to push the envelope of the group’s improvisational limits. Meisel is dedicated to finding his own authentic style within the genres of Swing, Hard Bop, and Contemporary Jazz.

Meisel’s path to jazz was laid through early influences that included Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago jam sessions and on the bandstand mentorship with Clarinetist Chuck Hedges, study with legendary bassist Richard Davis, NIU’s Ron Carter, Steve Duke, and composition study with Les Thimmig and Rodrigo Villanueva.

Ensemble members include long-time partner, Jake Polancich on Drums, Craig Rigby on keyboards, and Dave Dinauer on Bass.

Contact: ryanmeiselmusic@gmail.com

2 Broads 1 Band

Nick Moran — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:12:00 +0000

2 Broads 1 Band is just as it sounds. Singers Lo Marie and Carolynn Schwartz Black are bawdy, sultry, and sweet, singing all your favorite Jazz standards, some as solos and some as duets. With their endearing similarities as well as their obvious differences, the two leading ladies put on quite an entertaining show. The band is made up of some of Madison’s best players: Geoff Brady, John Widdicombe, Cliff Frederiksen and Todd Phipps. 2 Broads 1 Band was formed in the summer of 2017, and you could say it was entirely guitarist Cliff Frederiksen’s fault! The previous October, he recorded separate Jazz albums with Lo Marie and Carolynn Schwartz Black about a week apart. Carolynn released hers in May 2017, and Lo, in July. Before then, these two broads hadn’t really had any contact short of admiring each other’s work from afar, but when Lo’s album came out and Carolynn saw that they had both not only recorded with Cliff, but even recorded a few of the same songs, the idea to team up seemed predestined. The ladies met for lunch and dreamed up the best band they could find. They decided that the tunes they had both recorded should be duos, with Lo taking the high notes and Carolynn covering the low ones. Before long, the band was set, and a new adventure had begun. 2 Broads 1 Band has a little something for every jazz fan.

Contact:

music.lomarie@gmail.com

Craig Mason Combo

Nick Moran — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:02:19 +0000

Craig Mason Combo
Three horns and rhythm play a variety of styles from Blues to Swing to Latin and more. With unique arrangements and original charts this group has been entertaining in the Madison area for over three years and at a variety of functions. Please visit our Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/Craigmasoncombo/

SwingTime Music

Nick Moran — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 19:52:36 +0000

SwingTime Music is a jazz combo headed by drummer John Lombardo and based in Madison, Wisconsin. We provide fun, danceable music for any occasion from in-home parties to wedding receptions, corporate events or fundraisers. You can opt for a classic jazz trio, or add a soloist or two, like a sax, trumpet or vocalist. We’ll help match our band to your event needs. Contact- john@swingtimemusic

The Wilder Deitz Group

admin — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:17:13 +0000

The Wilder Deitz Group performs improvisational music steeped in world, hip-hop, and jazz music traditions. Using both folk textures and electronic sounds, pianist Wilder Deitz, tenor saxophonist Alex Charland, bassist Ben Johnson, and drummer Joe Galligan create music that is at once eclectic, danceable, and eminently tuneful. Deitz, the bandleader and principal composer, honed his emotionally-charged, highly creative piano style while under the tutelage of NEA Jazz Master Richard Davis, with whom Deitz has studied extensively. After four years in existence, the Wilder Deitz Group is releasing “Child’s Play,” a new record devoted to showcasing Deitz’s and Charland’s original compositions, and which will be available for purchase at the concert.

Major Vistas

admin — Wed, 04 May 2016 17:21:23 +0000

Major Vistas is a jazz trio based in Madison, WI featuring Chris Bucheit on guitar, Mike Weiser on keys, and Geoff Brady on drums. The music is groovy, melodic, soulful, dynamic, and hypnotizing with a focus on original music and improvisation. Major Vistas has recently been selected to perform for the Strollin’ and InDIGenous concert series. For booking and other information please visit the Major Vistas website:

http://www.majorvistas.com

Good Trouble

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 05:35:50 +0000

Good Trouble is a jazz septet based out of Appleton, WI. They released their first album in July of 2015. Current/past students at Lawrence University, they are embarking on their first tour of the midwest. Each member of the group comes from a unique musical history, but finds common ground in the interpretation of each others original tunes. Feel free to check out the album below to see what’s in store.

http://goodtrouble.bandcamp.com/releases

The Ben Ferris Quintet and Octet

Nick Moran — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 03:28:25 +0000

Ben Ferris Quintet:

The Ben Ferris Quintet plays new, creative music based in the instrumentation of a standard post-bop quintet (tenor, trumpet, piano, bass, drums).

Ben Ferris Octet:

The Ben Ferris Octet is a 8-piece, 5 horn ensemble that sounds as large as a big band and swings as tight as a trio. We specialize in a diverse musical repertoire, featuring early 1930’s style jazz through modern compositions. The ensemble also regularly features vocalists. A perfect band for dances!

Clay Lyons & Co

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 18:55:56 +0000

Clay Lyons & Co. is a fiercely emotive, studiously informed, and deeply swinging contemporary jazz ensemble that features the original compositions of it’s frontman, Clay Lyons. With an improvisational emphasis and an obligation to carry on the message and spirit of real jazz into the 21st century and beyond, Clay Lyons & Co. will surely not disappoint.

Expect a new CD release in the upcoming weeks, “Business Time,” recorded in Boston, MA at Perfection Studios. Featuring the talents of: guitarist Leandro Pellegrino (2013 Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition winner), bassist David Santoro (Jerry Bergonzi Quartet), drummer Kazuhiro Odagiri (Makoto Ozone Big Band).