OSCAR PEÑAS

Oscar Peñas
Guitarist/composer Oscar Peñas is a Barcelona, Spain native and a U.S. naturalized citizen. Leader of his ensembles, Peñas first started taking guitar lessons at eight and got acquainted with jazz at seventeen years old. At twenty-one, he left law school for his “mistress,” music, and at twenty-four, he moved to Boston, where he graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1999 and New England Conservatory of Music in 2007. Since then, he has lived in NYC.

Peñas’ innovative compositions, whose training began with classical studies and later progressed to jazz, have won the USA’s press and audiences’ attention, attracting a wide variety of fans through its unique combination of different grooves over the American jazz base. He leads his band with harmonic imagination and authenticity, writing his original compositions with minimalistic and sensitive musical strokes and exchanging spontaneous creativity with his bandmates. Though his early work was rooted in bebop, he later developed a more personal style thanks to a few conversations with the latest pianist Cecil Taylor in 2008, who advised him to embrace his cultural heritage. Subsequently, Peñas’ began crossing jazz with Iberian, South American, and classical strains.

His precise finger-picking technique is not a flashy one. It gives his fellow band members space for improvisations and shows all its artistry work, retaining considerable humility that remains no less impactful.

Frequently, he creates arrangements using the guitar, resulting in a sonic mix that never sacrifices clarity for density or volume despite the added layers of complexity. His compositions are visual with a story tale and improvisation. Oscar’s clever musical experimentation is the essence of his style. His diverse use of different genres to express ideas beyond those in his writings creates extraordinary musical experiences through novelty and particular artistic excellence when performing with his band. Peñas’ intuition and ear drive him into an amalgam of melodies aiming for the innovative unexpected.

Oscar does not look for cohering to a single signature style, sharing his five recordings with renowned American jazz masters Gil Goldstein, Paquito D’Rivera, Esperanza Spalding, and Ron Carter.

He is using his uniqueness in writing his originals for non-traditional instrumentation in jazz. As an independent artist who self-produces all his work it is astonishing to see his access to the best venues in the U.S. to showcase his work.

Oscar’s newly released album, “Almadraba,” features legendary bassist Ron Carter, is available to buy in L.P. and digital formats ONLY at CDBaby. The work is Peñas’ first arranged jazz-classical suite for a jazz quartet and string quartet (eight-piece ensemble). “Almadraba” premiered at BAM Next Wave Festival in 2018.

Sara Caswell
Violinist Sara Caswell is from Bloomington, Indiana, USA. A Grammy Nominee, jazz educator. Rooted in early exposure to various musical genres, Sara’s technical facility intertwined with her gift for lyricism continues to attract growing attention to her artistry as a jazz soloist, sideman, and teacher.

Sara is currently faculty at Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. She was raised in a musical family and began playing violin at age 5. A graduate of Indiana University, which she attended under full scholarship as a Wells Scholar, Sara received B.M. Degrees with High Distinction and an Artist Diploma in Violin Performance and Jazz Studies. In 2006 Sara completed her M.M. Degree in Jazz Violin at the Manhattan School of Music.

Sara has been performing with Oscar Peñas at different prestigious venues, and she is part of Peñas’ album “Music of Departures and Returns” 2014.

Motohito Fukushima
Born in Kobe, Japan, based in NYC, six-string bass player, composer, and shamisen player Motohito Fukushima was given the Outstanding Performer Award before graduating Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music. He studies Western Classical music, Japanese traditional music, and the African-inspired musical sensibilities of South American tunes in his jazz improvisations. Moto’s playing is a fantastic combination of finesse, subtlety, and power seen in his performances as a sideman with many other artists.

Motohito has enjoyed playing with Oscar Peñas since 2011 at Peñas’ quartet, and he is part of two of Peñas’ albums recordings, “From Now On,” 2011 and “Music of Departures and Returns,” 2014. Fukushima is an endorsed bass player by: Aguilar Amplification.

Richie Barshay
Richie Barshay began drumming inside kitchen cabinets early and continues banging on things worldwide. Born in Connecticut, he has led outreach projects across five continents as an American Musical Envoy with the U.S. State Department. Richie has recorded over 80 albums as a sideman and his two self-produced albums. Based in New York City and Northampton, MA, he is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher and maintained a private practice for performing artists and others to regain better mind-body coordination and ease of movement.

Barshay and Oscar have been performing together since 2009. Richie is on both U.S. albums releases, “From No On” and “Music of Departures and Returns.” Also, on the coming out, “Almadraba.”

BAND MEMBERS
Oscar Penas – Leader, Composer, Electric Guitarist
Sara Caswell – Violinist
Motohito Fukushima – Electric Bass
Richie Barshay – Drums

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

HOT PANTS DE FRANCE

Assembling some of the hottest talent from around the world, touring/session guitarist (Maynard Ferguson, NKOTB, Kenny Loggins) and Emmy nominated film/tv composer Sam Kaufmann formed the Gypsy Jazz and Swing Group – Hot Pants de France. Sam has liberated himself from the Hot Jazz canon and presents his own uninhibited, modern style with Hot Pants de France and highlights what is still to come. Well received by both listeners and the press, the vision was to bring a fresh, contemporary feel to hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s by arranging them in the style of jazz great Django Reinhardt. The intention was not to simply recapitulate the music, but to interpret it with a uniqueness, incorporating modern influences, while remaining true to the innovative style created by Django and Stéphane Grappelli in Quintette du Hot Club de France, one of the first all-string jazz bands.

The dichotomy between musical styles of the ’40s and the ’90s is bridged by our various vocalists including Lisa Rittner, and Valeria Koka. Each elegantly bringing the music into the sound of “today”. Lisa honed her chops for a decade on the Queen Mary and the band Sound F/X. In addition to her voice, Lisa gracefully adds her Saxophone prowess to Hot Pants’ samba-esque version of “Black Hole Sun”. While Valeria is best known for her vocal work with Ukranian Superstar Artem Pivovarov and her own Valeria Koka Sextet.

Harkening back to the establishing sound of OG – Stéphane Grappelli, Jane Young (2nd Place International Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Swiss Dream Circus, NBC, Nova/PBS) constructed excellent counterpoint to Sam’s guitar lines. The two play off each other like a conversation between old friends.

Finally, touring/session bassist Jack O’Roonie (Andre Williams, Danny B Harvey, Wanda Jackson and Labella Strings endorsee) outlines the harmony while controlling the dynamics and pace of the band with his fantastical yet proficient bass lines.

Years of experience and effortless interaction are clear – noteworthy on the recordings as well as on stage. Standing on the works by Django Reinhardt, it is this unique mix of pop, jazz, americana and inventive compositions that makes the unmistakable sound of the group.

BAND MEMBERS
Sam Kaufmann – Reharmonizer and Guitar
Lisa Rittner – Vocals and Sax
Valeria Koka – Vocals
Jack O’Roonie – Bass
Andrea Reynolds and Jane Young – Violin

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

EMILIE~CLAIRE BARLOW

Emilie-Claire Barlow is an award winning and critically acclaimed Canadian jazz singer, arranger, record producer and voice actress. A two time Juno Award winner and 6 time nominee, she has released 12 self-produced albums on her own label, Empress Music Group.
​
Her performing career spans over 24 years in venues ranging from Toronto’s storied Montreal Bistro & Top of the Senator, to Tokyo’s Cotton Club and more recently concerts with symphony orchestras at Toronto’s Massey Hall and Montreal’s Maison Symphonique. She has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival on seven occasions including a 2015 performance on the Main Stage with 50,000 people attending.
​
Ms. Barlow has led bands featuring the finest musicians in Canada. Her work as a band leader and producer has been recognized with a Juno Award nomination for “Producer of Year” for her recording “Clear Day” (2015) — notable for being only the 2nd Jazz recording nominated in this category. Ms. Barlow is also one of a very few women to be honored as “Producer of the Year”.
​
Ms. Barlow’s all francophone recording “Seule ce soir” won a Juno and Felix Award in 2013 representing an unprecedented achievement in Canadian bilingualism.
​
After releasing her second holiday album Lumières d’hiver in 2017, Emilie-Claire turned her attention to her duo project with Steve Webster, Bocana. Bocana has released 8 singles over the last couple of years in the electro-pop, lounge, world music genres, amassing a healthy following on streaming platforms. ECB has also released a collection of James Taylor covers as part of her JT Project.
​
Up next is her 13th full album, due for release in early 2023. In the meantime, you can listen to ECB’s newest single, a hauntingly beautiful version of Sidney Bechet’s “Si tu vois ma mère”.

BAND MEMBERS
Emilie-Claire Barlow – Voice
Kelly Jefferson – Sax
Reg Schwager – Guitar
Jon Maharaj – Bass
Amanda Tosoff – Piano
Fabio Ragnelli – Drums

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

YVETTE NORWOOD-TIGER: CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN JAZZ TOUR

International jazz vocalist, recording artist, songwriter, vocal coach, Recording Academy voting member, and founder/director of the Palm Beach International Jazz Festival, Yvette Norwood-Tiger is a Detroit, Michigan native who hails from a family of musicians, including a father who played guitar and a mother who played drums. Her CDs, A’LA ELLA! and whY NoT… Love, Peace, Joy, Jazz feature music from great composers such as Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and the Gershwins. Yvette’s latest released CD, LOVE IS, is a wonderful compilation of great jazz standards and original songs and music to celebrate the works of musical geniuses John Coltrane and Duke Ellington. LOVE IS stayed on JAZZWEEK’S charts for over twelve weeks. Yvette performs with vocally clean and pure interpretations of the great American Songbook, while emphasizing intonation and storytelling. Many of her audience members worldwide have commented that watching Yvette perform is like being in her living room. Her vocal styling and texture is often compared to that of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. In addition to jazz standards, her repertoire includes gospel, bebop, Latin jazz, classic songs from popular music, and arias of the great composers such as Puccini. She also performs songs in other languages which includes French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Xhosa, and Mandarin. After going through extensive treatment and a tedious recovery from a benign brain tumor in 2012, Yvette’s mission has evolved into not only entertaining her audience, but uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging them as well.

Yvette performs internationally at historic jazz venues and has sat in several times with jazz orchestra The Cotton Club All Stars at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem, NY. She has also sat in with the late saxophonist David Fathead Newman, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, family members of Celine Dion, Tito Puente, Jr., and Jay Beckenstein and Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra. Many musicians, worldwide, find it an honor and joy to perform with Yvette.
Yvette resides in south Florida where she performs extensively, including performances at the Raymond F. Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, the Arts Garage in Delray Beach, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Yvette has performed sold out/standing room only concerts at Royal Albert Hall in London, England; Cape Town, South Africa; Berlin, Germany; Brussels, Belgium; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Havana, Cuba, as well as various venues in New Jersey, New York (Birdland), Florida and Michigan (Cliff Bells).

Yvette is a recipient of the 2022 Cultural Council of Palm Beach County Artist Innovation Fellowship Program Award. In 2021, Yvette was interviewed and featured in the PBS South Florida “On The Town – Black Voices” segment. She was also featured in a short film titled “Art Meets Jazz on J Street”. A film produced and directed by south Florida film maker, James Venable. Art Meets Jazz on J Street was presented at the Boynton Beach Short Film Festival and at the Northeast Film Festival in Teaneck, New Jersey and is the winner of the 2018 Wavelengths Awards. Yvette was also nominated for the South Florida Indie Awards 2022 – Best Jazz Vocalist.
Yvette is a true vocal natural in any setting from jazz festivals to intimate jazz clubs. She captivates the audience whether she’s singing with an ensemble featuring piano, bass, drums, trumpet, and saxophone; with a piano or guitar accompanist; or with a full orchestra. Her CDs are great compilations of popular jazz standards that lends the mind back to the days of the original recordings. Close your eyes while listening to her music and let the sultry sounds of Yvette Norwood-Tiger take you to a place where jazz was the most celebrated American music genre. According to press clippings from the Two River Times, “the swingin’ and groovin’ singer’s career is on the fast track. Whether she is backed with a full jazz ensemble or with a piano accompanist, she sets an authentic jazzy mood for true jazz listeners.”

BAND MEMBERS
Yvette Norwood-Tiger – Vocals
Nevada Hadary – Pianist
Frederick Cleveland – Contrabassist
Jose Roman Duque – Drummer

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

JEFF HARNAR

I KNOW THINGS NOW: MY LIFE IN SONDHEIM’S WORDS

Jeff Harnar is an award-winning cabaret, concert and recording artist. His Carnegie Hall appearances include both the Cole Porter and Noel Coward Centennial Galas. Jeff’s televised PBS concerts include “The 1959 Broadway Songbook” with Music Director Alex Rybeck and “American Songbook: Stephen Sondheim” co-starring KT Sullivan. Jeff tours with Broadway’s Shauna Hicks in their Symphony Pops Concert “I Got Rhythm: Mickey & Judy’s Hollywood.” Jeff has won multiple MAC, Bistro and BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards and The Noel Coward Foundation Cabaret Award. Together with Music Director Alex Rybeck he has released four solo albums. This month marks 38 years since Jeff and Alex made their New York cabaret debut together. Their musical partnership has taken them across the country, aboard cruise ships across the high seas and to London, Paris, Oslo. Most recently they won the 2020 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award for Best Show for the 30th Anniversary encore engagement of “Carried Away,” their tribute to Betty Comden & Adolph Green.

Together with Music Director Jazz virtuoso Jon Weber and Broadway legend Sondra Lee, Jeff has been performing “I Know Things Now” in New York, LA, Chicago, St. Louis and London. PS Classics has recorded the music along with a 20 piece orchestra for a June 17, 2022 release worldwide.

Jeff recently received The Chicago Cabaret Professionals National Honoree Award and The Mabel Mercer Award at The Annual Mabel Mercer Foundation Cabaret Convention at Lincoln Center.

BAND MEMBERS
Jon Weber – Piano/Conductor
Paul Shewchuk – Bass
George Mazzeo – Drums

 

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

« Older Posts       Newer Posts »
© Notorious Jazz 2025