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Saxophonist Dominic Amato Releases Fresh from the Groove Produced by Grammy Award Winner Michael Broening
Young talent is the lifeblood of the contemporary jazz scene. Most will attempt to emulate those that have gone before them. Only a brave few will risk it all and dare to create music that defines the future...
nuGroove Records is proud to introduce a rising star - saxophonist Dominic Amato and his Fresh from the Groove CD (released 2/09). Fresh from the Groove is produced by Grammy award winner Michael Broening. Broening's notable work includes George Benson's 2006 Grammy award-winning song “Mornin" and Marion Meadows top 10 hit “Sweet Grapes."
Highly energetic and expertly mastered, Fresh from the Groove is a magnetic tapestry of sound. Dominic Amato shines as a bandleader that intertwines the voice of his instrument with interesting layers of rhythms and harmonies. Bass guitar fans will recognize Mel Brown's funkilicious influence throughout the CD, along with other seasoned sidemen contributions from players like Freddie Fox (guitar), Thano Sahnas (guitar), John Herrera (percussion) and others.
Currently based in Phoenix, Arizona, Dominic Amato was born into a family of musicians. His father is a saxophonist, his mother a multi- instrumentalist, and his brother a vocal artist. Given his musical upbringing, it may come as little surprise that Dominic began experimenting with musical instruments from a very young age. While honing his woodwind skills, Dominic took up the piano and, shortly thereafter, the EWI (electronic wind instrument). Dominic went on to study under the world renowned saxophonist and educator Eric Marienthal. Now, as an adult, Dominic is still the devout music student he was as a child, dedicating countless hours to fine tuning his musical ability and technique. Some of Dominic's heavy influences include Miles Davis, John Coltrane, David Sanborn, Weather Report, the Chick Corea Elektric Band, Yellowjackets, Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, and James Brown.
Throughout his young career, Amato has played at numerous concerts and events to include playing the Naitonal Anthem for 40,000 at Chase Field for the Arizona Diamondbacks, recording music for the 2008 Arizona Office of Tourisim's Superbowl Commerical and much, much more. A current list of his tour dates are below:
Mar 18 2009
8:00P: Casino Arizona with Shining Star; Tempe, Arizona
Mar 19 2009
7:30P: Blue Martini with Shining Star; Scottsdale, Arizona
Mar 20 2009
8:00P: PHX Suns and Stars Event - AZ Biltmore; Phoenix, Arizona
Mar 21 2009
10:00P: Black Forest Mill with STATIC; Phoenix, Arizona
Mar 22 2009
4:00P: Harrah's Casino with Shining Star Band; Maricopa, Arizona
Mar 26 2009
7:30P: Blue Martini with Shining Star; Scottsdale, Arizona - All About Jazzz.com
Highly energetic and expertly mastered, Fresh from the Groove is a magnetic tapestry of sound. Dominic Amato shines as a bandleader that intertwines the voice of his instrument with interesting layers of rhythms and harmonies. Bass guitar fans will recognize Mel Brown's funkilicious influence throughout the CD, along with other seasoned sidemen contributions from players like Freddie Fox (guitar), Thano Sahnas (guitar), John Herrera (percussion) and others.
- Cheryl Hughey - Cheryl Hughey
-Dominic Amato is yet another of the up-and-coming young smooth jazz artists with powerful charisma and skill combined with an uncanny sense of what this music is really all about: character, soul, and intense groovability. The young saxophonist has apparently been able to wrap his head and heart around this concept and exhibits this understanding boldly and brightly on his debut release, Fresh From the Groove.
Grammy Award-winning producer/composer/keyboardist Michael Broening joins in the celebration of this maiden voyage for the young talent, along with bassist Mel Brown and guitarist Freddie Fox (both of whom are instantly recognizable as serious, personified vibes in the business).
The collection of material here shows that Amato and Broening are no strangers to finely sculptured hooks, effects (e.g., the talkbox makes an appearance on “Greezy,” a slinky, funky, tight piece), and diversity in style (check out the rhythmic Caribbean flavor of “Jamaica,” one of my top cuts here). For the romantic, you will find “Still With You” (another fav of mine) a sweet and apropos title for a soulful and seductive tune that , if you pay close attention, sounds like the whisper from one lover to the other, professing his or her commitment and undying love for the fortunate mate. The intensity yet softness is there, the unseen yet felt gaze is there, the bond that was perhaps formed a long while ago still holds as firmly as ever. Yeah, you hear all of that in this piece. When an artist can take you there, he or she has truly arrived.
There are plenty of other examples of how successful Amato should be in reaching his listeners with this project. The chilled “Jazzy’s Flow” will certainly strike a chord (no pun intended) with most, as will the up-tempo “Out The Gate,” and two other sweet and soulful journeys entitled “Letsjustchill” and “Myluvsounds Juslikethis (For Wifey)”—more talkbox action on the latter. All in all, a great first effort for an artist whose work promises more of the same (or even better) in future endeavors. Welcome, Dominic! - Smooth Jazz Vibes
-You don't need to be in love to listen to Dominic Amato's music, but he'll put you there from the start of his latest record, Fresh From The Groove. Produced by his keyboardist/programmer Michael Broening, the album is designed to eject positive vibes straight into the listener's soul from the affectionate caresses of Amato's saxophone in "Nico's Smile" to the R&B grooves and peppy spurts of his saxophone in the title track. Amato shows that he knows how to penetrate the human soul's positive currents via the saxophone and smooth jazz tunage.
The R&B/soul vectors of "Greezy" emote body pulsing beats and produce slinky melodic patterns that rub the listener in all the right places to soak in the ambiance. Equally gratifying is the Afro-Cuban flavoring of "Jamaica" as the music entices some hip-swaying action and an upbeat attitude as the exotic tint of the saxophone sweeps the listener away to alcoves of sheer happiness.
The album cools off with the gentle caresses of "Still Here With You" and the softly billowing gusts of "Jazzy's Flow." The album lifts off again kicking up the tempo a few notches with the dance track "Out The Gate" adorned in finely seamed saxophone curls and aquatic sound effects. The sultry strut of Amato's saxophone in "Let's Just Chill" is temptation at its best and the relaxing strokes of his notes in "My Luv Sounds Like This (For Wifey)" heighten every positive feeling in the listener's soul.
The music makes the listener one with happiness. Dominic Amato's music can seduce the most hardened individual to experience the glory of being in love. Fresh From The Groove is everything that you could imagine happiness would feel like and the satisfaction is everything you could hope for fresh from smooth jazz's ovens. - Jazz Review
Discography
Fresh From the Groove (2009) Nugroove
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Bio
Dominic Amato was born into a family of musicians. His father is a saxophonist, his mother a multi instrumentalist, and his brother a vocal artist.
Given his musical upbringing, it may come as little surprise that Dominic began experimenting with musical instruments from a very young age. In fact, no sooner had he celebrated his second birthday did he begin dabbling with the drums. But drawn to the wonderful sound of his fathers saxophone, it would not be long before Dominic would trade in his drumset for a sax of his own.
While honing his woodwind skills, Dominic took up the piano and, shortly thereafter, the EWI (electronic wind instrument).
Although Dominic's musical affinity emerged at a very early age, it was not until the summer of 2001 that he had ever attended any private music lessons. But what he learned from his instructor in that summer would more
than make up for lost time. Perhaps Dominic feels this way because his instructor was none other than the world renowned saxophonist and educator Eric Marienthal.
Among the many insights Eric has impressed upon me is the crucial role that discipline and humility plays in cultivating musical talent. It's not enough to just pick up an instrument and try to figure out a new lick or
jam along with a favorite tune; it takes focusing on fundamental exercises and personal weaknesses.-Amato
Now, as an adult, Dominic is still the devout music student he was as a child, dedicating countless hours to finetuning his musical ability and technique. Some of Dominic's heavy influences include Miles Davis, John
Coltrane, David Sanborn, Weather Report, the Chick Corea Elektric Band,
Yellowjackets, Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, and James Brown.
In 2004, Dominic was approached by the contemporary jazz group Turning Point with an offer to join them in recording and performing a new album.
Dominic accepted with alacrity and, in March of 2005, the band began recording Matador under the new record label Native Language Music. Dominic is currently touring as a featured player with Turning Point, who are booked for jazz festivals and concerts nationwide.
In February of 2009, Dominic signed his own recording contract with Nu Groove Records and released his first album "Fresh From the Groove"nationwide."Fresh From the Groove" was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Michael Broening and is being added to radio stations across the country.
Dominic wears multiple hats in the music business by writing, performing, recording, managing and musical directing. Dominic is currently musical directing and managing the high-energy dance band STATIC. STATIC is headlining and appearing at some of
the most prestigious events in Arizona, such as, the 2009 NBA AllStar Block Party and
the 2009 Bird's Nest Opening Ceremony at the FBR Open.
Over the past few years, Dominic has had the opportunity to perform for
numerous clients and national corporations. Among them: Jerry Colangelo,
the NBA, Barrett Jackson, ChildHelp, the Thunderbirds, Matell Toys, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, the Jason Kidd Foundation, Amare Stoudemire, Boris Diaw, Mark Grace, Motorola,
SRP, PEPSI, Sprint, FBR Open's Birds Nest, the Fiesta Bowl Party Celebration, BET Jazz TV show Studio Jams,
POST Magazine, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Cigna Health Care, XM Satellite Radio,
KTVK News Channel 3, Good Morning Arizona, KPNX News Channel 12, and Motion Picture
Producer Jean Carlo Tallarico.
As much as he is a dedicated musician, Dominic is a committed family man
who loves nothing more than spending time with his beautiful wife, Tahirih,
and their three endearing children, Jasmine, Nico and Aria. Dominic lives by what
he calls the three M's:
1.) his Master (Jesus Christ)
2.) his Menage
3.) his Mission (Being a light unto a dark world.)
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