Biography
We are a young band from Asheville, North Carolina, creating our own style of music. The oldest band member is 17. We are making our music while at the same time, following the lead of the great Jazz artists and Funk bands before us such as: Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, Galactic, Herbie Hancock, and James Brown. What sets us apart from many other bands, is that the majority of our music is original.
JTR started out in the fall of 2007 as a jam band. We played together a few months and wrote a song or two. A few band members came and went, but we got serious when Will and James joined the band. We wrote some songs, learned some covers, and played a few gigs around Asheville, trying out our "style". As we wrote more of our own material, each one of us contributing to every song, we began to realize our potential, and that with our combined efforts, we could create a new and unique jazz/funk fusion sound.
As of 2009, Original Bass player for the Band, Ted Marks, has re-joined Jazz The Ripper.
Instrumentation
Jordan Arnold: Drums & Percussion
17, a Senior at AC Reynolds High School,
a 3 time All State Percussionist, attended
the Juilliard School Percussion Seminar,
2007.
Joseph Hamilton: Tenor & Baritone Sax
17, a Senior at AC Reynolds High School,
an All District Saxophonist, also a member
of the YMI Youth Jazz Band.
Julian Samal: Alto & Soprano Sax
17, a Senior at NC School of the Arts,
an All State Saxophonist, attended the NC
School of the Arts, summers of 2007 and
2008. Also a member of the YMI Youth Jazz
Band.
(Big) Will Newman: Keyboard & Effects
13, Home schooled, also plays saxophone
and violin. Attended Stanford University Jazz
Camp. Attended the UNCA Music Camp
2007 and was named "The Most
Outstanding Musician". Also a member
of The YMI youth Jazz Band.
James Hamilton: Bass & Guitar
16, a Sophomore at AC Reynolds High School,
Also a member of The YMI Youth Jazz Band.
Ted Marks: Bass
17, a Senior at AC Reynolds High School and an All District Clarinetist.
Discography
Jazz The Ripper, "Funky and Fresh", June 2008
Purchase online at:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/jazztheripper
Our CD was recently voted #15 in WNCW's 2008 Regional Releases.
Links
| http://www.ourstage.com/profile/jazztheripper |