Biography
*They combine contrasting styles so flawlessly, it's breathtaking. Like a sleek, fast rollercoaster, the music challenges listeners to hold on tight and enjoy the ride.*
Bob Baur / Music Connection Magazine
*When they play, you can just sit back and enjoy the energy as your senses take a much needed vacation.*
Bob Leggett / Music Connection Magazine
BEST FUSION ARTIST (Long Beach Jazz Search)
BEST JAZZ ARTIST nominee (Orange County Music Association)
BEST JAZZ ARTIST nominee (Los Angeles Music Awards)
FINALIST (Great American Song Competition) for *Smiles* written by Richard J. Frank
Present Tense is an organic experience exhibiting a blend of original contemporary works, unique classic rock, R&B, and pop renditions with moving instrumental jams. Their live performances (often accompanied with special guests) are a feast for the eyes and ears, showcasing each of the musician's individual skills. The following excerpt from a recent press review sums up this point nicely:
*Each musician in this group can stand on his own, and all are allowed to shine singularly. In fact, each instrument is so much a part of the total sound that without any one piece it would change significantly.* ~Music Connection Magazine
While their live performances are not to be missed, Present Tense's studio albums hold to the same level of musical integrity with high-end production values and special guests. As on their debut CD Night Shadows, and their recently released album, Smooth Talkin (featuring Eric Marienthal on saxophone and Alex Acuna on percussion), the main tracks were recorded LIVE in the studio with few over dubs. What you hear is a tight sound that's polished with real-time interaction - not, like many others, layered to a drum machine and looped. This is what makes their sound organic. The majority of instruments are acoustic with some added electric elements, compliments of guitar and keys. In essence, the organic vibe of PRESENT TENSE music is exhilarating.
*Present Tense is a group to watch closely.*
Matt Cibula / Music Critic.com
Instrumentation
Trio to Septet!
Richard J. Frank - Composer, Acoustic Bass
Ronnie Kaufman - Composer, Drums
Eric Marienthal - saxes (on CD and select gigs)
Alex Acuna - percussion (on CD and select gigs)
Chad Edwards - Piano & Keyboards
Tony White - Saxophones
Victor Orlando - Percussion Master!!
Andrea Miller - Vocalist
John Enrico Douglas - Piano & Keyboards
Carlyle Barriteau - Guitars & Vocals
Evonne Rivera - Vocalist
Rochelle Coatney - Percussion
Discography
Released in May, 2008, Present Tense recently completed their second CD "Smooth Talkin'" featuring special guests ERIC MARIENTHAL on sax, and ALEX ACUNA on percussion. Behind the effort is John Leftwich and Gregg Karukas whose fabulous ears made outstanding results.
CD is climbing up the Smooth Jazz Radio Charts and is on over 60 radio stations and syndicated programs.
Debut CD: "Night Shadows" spun on 24 radio stations on the West Coast including NPR�s Tavis Smiley Show and in the air on TED Airlines..
Links
| http://www.ptjazz.com |
| Present Tense Main Website (even newer!) |
| NEW (very!) MySpace Page for Present Tense! |