Anthony Geraci
Marshfield, Massachusetts, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
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If you could look deep within the soul of Vermont jazz pianist Anthony Geraci, you would be able to envision to what is laid down on his brand new jazz CD,
There is a wonderfully classic feel about Anthony Geraci's s piano playing. His profuse ability to create a traditional, classic and legendary sounding CD of music is a throw back to the earlier eras of jazz music. Aside from the jazz styled arrangement of the Green Day song, "Wake Me Up Before September Ends." Geraci includes his own compositions on the (9) nine songs compact disc set.
The first song is entitled "Alyakim" and is a classic ballad with major influences from old school jazz artists. "Flakey Foont," his composition with incredible piano and organ work. This song is fittingly the next (second) song on the record and is a great representation of Anthony Geraci at his best. You can the great influences of the best players and the likes of Bill Evans, Gene Harris and Bud Powell, all the while developing his own legendary sound. On this disc as a solo artist, The Gift takes jazz fans back to hearing that a renewed sense of melody to what are classic tunes. The third song and eighth song on The Gift CD are two of three songs (Alyakim) named after his (Anthony Geraci's) children, "Jason's Lament" and "Toddicus Rex" envoking what was described to "reveal new wonders" in the liner notes written up by Michael "Mudcat" Ward.
The end result is a full length CD of traditional jazz styled songs with great melodies, beautiful chordal structures and a classic jazz sound.
(Anthony) Geraci can be heard on classic jazz works and has played with legendary music artists like Chuck Berry, Otis Rush, B. B. King, Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Charles Musselwhite, and Ronnie Earl and is one of the founding members of the classic band, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones. Geraci had been nominated on two separate occasions for the 2008 W.C. Handy Awards and was a Grammy Nominee in 2000.
Geraci seems to also be a fine artist on his own. His new album, The Gift is impressive modern day albums that no doubt a timeless jazz album. The CD shows that Anthony Geraci top pianists and arrangers on the jazz scene. This CD presents the best opportunity for jazz aficionados to become very familiar with the jazz styled pianist. What is most impressive for jazz, Geraci's use of his piano, creating what sound like old-time jazz classics. His obvious influences with Art Tatum and other pianists of that early era, is easy to see on songs like Neda and Provence, and you can also look for other inspiring feelings such tunes as "I Can't Go Back To You." And, rounding off the nine (9) song CD set is the third song, "You Don't Know What Love Is" another times jazz ballad.
Anthony Geraci is fast becoming a fixture in the global jazz scene playing countries like The Netherlands , and playing jazz festivals around the United States starting in June (Nebraska). Whether it's creating its own interpretations and arrangements of modern rock tunes, like Green Days "Wake Me Up Before September Ends" let alone his own composed material, he is indeed a master at his craft. And, while he's (Geraci) performed on many albums, its great to hear the featured Geraci exclusively in this solo context, music with the kind of playing that's impressive for jazz aficionados and it's an accessible album for all newcomers that are just getting into jazz music.
- epress
Discography
Anthony Geraci CD liner notes by: Michael “Mudcat” Ward
"Serendipity"
Melody and Balance. If, as I have, you have heard lots of music during your brief stay on this planet, melody and balance become more vital and turn out to be paramount to compositions and performances alike. With limited time and exhaustive quantities of music literally pouring forth from musicians from all parts of the globe, sifting through and finding music with highly melodic elements and a primary sense of balance is no easy task. It seems that musical works with moving, memorable melody and expressive balance are increasingly limited. Why that is, I have no explanation to offer. But I am aware when an artist with a brilliant sense of melody and an almost uncanny natural sense of balance emerges from the audio void. Anthony Geraci, composer, arranger, pianist, organist, and one who lives a life connected to music, is one such artist.
This latest collection of tracks illustrates the multiple ways Anthony has created and performed beautiful melodies set forth entirely in harmonic and emotional balance. Whether serious or lighthearted, this is high-spirited, meaningful music.
On the serious side: a 26-year-old Iranian woman, Neda Soltan, murdered during a June 20, 2009 demonstration in the cause of liberty, was the inspiration for Geraci’s own Neda, a very evocative tribute. Or consider Sugar Ray Norcia’s deep blues-based rendering of I Can’t Go Back To You or vocalist Taryn Noelle’s delicate, stunning pass at Wake Me Up When September Ends. Incidentally, the latter number, composed by the rock band Green Day, has been turned into resplendent jazz ballad material through the wizardry of Anthony Geraci’s arranging skills.
Flakey Foont, his composition demonstrating marvelous ability to play both piano and organ in ways that fully complement each other, is an example of a lighter, less serious demeanor, although of no less musical consequence. And, who could guess from the exquisite take of You Don’t Know What Love Is that this Gene DePaul-Don Raye composition was originally written for inclusion in the Abbott and Costello World-War-II-era film “Keep ‘Em Flying”?
Alyakim, Jason’s Lament, and Toddacus Rex, each named and inspired by one of Anthony’s three children, are compositions that, like one’s own progeny, continually reveal new wonders with each subsequent encounter.
I have to wonder if Anthony Geraci’s many years in the roll of sideman contributed to this sideman-turned-session leader’s keen ability to identify and assemble perfect counterparts in order to achieve his musical vision. His selections of the very gifted and inventive reedman Paul Ahlstrand; the solid rhythm section of acoustic bassist Anthony Santor and consummate drummer Gabe Jarret; blues specialist on trombone, Carl Querfurth (heard on Jason’s Lament and I Can’t Go Back To You); flutist Patricia Julien (on Provence and Neda); trumpeter Barry Reis (on Neda), as well as the aforementioned vocalists Norcia and Noelle were crucial, insuring a collaborative fixed focus by all on captivating melody and artistic balance, the underlying essence.
My suggestion: don’t squander however much time you have left in this world. Beautiful melody and balance are right here awaiting you, and all you have to do is listen.
Serendipity
1. Alyakim (Geraci)
2. Flakey Foont (Geraci)
3. You Don’t Know What Love Is (Depaul/Raye)
4. Jason’s Lament (Geraci)
5. I Can’t Go Back To You (Geraci)
6. Provence (Geraci)
7. Wake Me Up When September Ends (Armstrong)
8. Toddacus Rex (Geraci)
9. Neda (Geraci) Dedicated to Neda Salehi Agha Soltan
Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9: JaToMe Music, ASCAP
Musicians: Serendipity
Anthony Geraci-Acoustic Piano, Hammond B-3 Organ
Taryn Noelle-Vocals “You Don’t Know What Love Is” and “Wake Me Up When September Ends”
Sugar Ray Norcia-Vocals “I Can’t Go Back To You”
Paul Ahlstrand-Tenor, Baritone Saxophone
Patricia Julien-Flute on “Provence” and “Neda”
Barry Reis-Trumpet on “Neda”
Carl Querfurth-Trombone on “Jason’s Lament” and “I Can’t Go Back To You”
Anthony Santor-Acoustic Bass
Gabe Jarrett- Drums
John Moore- Guitar on “Flakey Foont”
Produced by Anthony Geraci and John Moore
Recorded at Mountain View Recording Studio by John Moore
Underhill Center, Vermont
Mixed by John Moore and Anthony Geraci
Mastered by John Moore
Photographs by Orah Moore
All songs Copyright 2010 JaToMe Music ASCAP except: “You Don’t Know What Love Is” (DePaul/Raye) and “Wake Me Up When September Ends” (Pritchard, Michael; Wright, Frank E., Armstrong, Billie Joe)
Discoraphy:
Anthony Geraci:
Serendipity (HugaDog Records) 2011 Release
Wake Up (Independent Release)
With Little Anthony and the Loco-Motives:
Can’t Take It (Deluge Records)
Don’t Wait On ME (Deluge Records)
With Sugar Ray Norcia:
Take It From Me (Tone Cool Records)
With Sugar Ray and the Bluetone
Photos
Bio
New CD "Serendipity" (HugaDog Records) is now available from CDBaby.com; Itunes; Amazon.com
If you were to think of any modern Blues Legend chances are that Pianist Anthony Geraci has backed them up. Muddy Waters, B.B., King, Otis Rush, Big Mama Thorton, Chuck Berry and countless others have had Anthony’s fiery piano accompanying them. Anthony has been nominated for two 2008 W.C. Handy and the Blues Foundation awards for best Blues Album (My Life, My Friends, My Music; Severn Records) and for Song of the Year "Little Green Talking Frog" with Sugar Ray and the Bluetones. Anthony was also nominated for a Grammy in 2000 for his work on Super Harps I (Telarc Records) that also features James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, Billy Branch, and Sugar Ray Norcia. You can also hear him on Ronnie Earl’s first two releases on the Black Top record label; They Call Me Mr. Earl, and Smokin’. Anthony’s first all Jazz CD Serendipity will be released in Summer 2011.
Anthony is an original member of Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, and Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. He also was the leader of his own band “Little Anthony and the Loco-Motives” that toured extensively in the Northeast United States and Canada, where they played at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and many Labatt Blues Festivals throughout Quebec. Their two records on the Deluge Label Can’t Take It, and Don’t Wait on Me, both received rave reviews.
Anthony has toured extensively in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South America, Lebanon, and the United States, playing such premiere Festivals as The Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Zouk Mikael Festival (Beirut, Lebanon,) The North Sea Jazz Festival (The Netherlands,) Rome (Italy) Olympic Stadium Blues Festival, Free Jazz (Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil,) The Peer Rhythm and Blues Festival (Belgium,) The Newport Rhythm and Blues Festival(Newport, Rhode Island) and many more. Anthony was also an original member of the first House of Blues (Cambridge, MA.) Blue Monday All-Star Band and occasional “Blues Brother” member with Dan Ayroyd, John Goodman, and James Belushi.
In September 2005 Anthony played for over 250,000 people at Festa Do Avante in Lisboa, Portugal and returned again in 2007. In summer 2006 Little Anthony and the Locomotives rejoined to play at the Mt. Tremblant International Blues Festival (Tremblant, Quebec) to overwhelming critical acclaim.
Anthony has had the honor to back up the following great musicians:
Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Jimmy Rodgers, Big Walter Horton, Hubert Sumlin, Big Mama Thorton, Otis Rush, Big Joe Turner, Hal Singer, Chuck Berry, Wilson Pickett, Bo Diddley, Mighty Sam McClain, Buddy Miles, Billy Boy Arnold, Sugar Ray Norcia, Jimmy Vaughn, Ed Cherry, Eddie Taylor, Jimmy “T 99" Nelson, Snooky Pryor, Lazy Lester, Left Hand Frank Craig, J.B. Hutto, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Carey Bell, Brownie McGhee, Memphis Slim, Dickie Betts, Van Morrison, Jeff Healey, Steve Miller, Peter Wolf, J. Geils, John Hammond, Kenny and Raphael Neal, G.E. Smith, Keb’ Mo, Roomful Of Blues, Duke Robbilard, Ronnie Earl, Otis Grand, Kim Wilson, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Billy Branch, Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, Bob Margolin, Debbie Davies, James Montgomery, Jerry Portnoy, Mark Naftalin, Big Joe Burrell, Paul Asbell, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Zora Young, Big Time Sarah, Eddie Shaw, Darrel Nulish, Monster Mike Welch, Gordon Beetle, Angela Strehli, Sarah Brown, Lucky Oceans, John McGale, Billy C. Farlow, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, Mark Hummel, Michelle Wilson, Monty Amundson, and many more musicians throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia.
www.anthonygeraciblue.com
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