Grupo Yuri
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Grupo Yuri

Band Latin Jazz

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"Grupo Yuri in Concert"

THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009 by Christina Kotlar RED BANK, N.J.

The annual Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival, held this year on June 5-7, kicks off the summer season for the Jersey shore. Friday was rained out with an all-day downpour, and overcast skies lingered most of Saturday morning into early afternoon. By late afternoon, however, most of the clouds cleared out and the sun came through starting to set over the Navesink River basin just at the time when Grupo Yuri was ready to step out on the Marina Stage set against the backdrop of the harbor and cruisers. Grupo Yuri, a phenomenal group of musicians led by violin virtuoso Yuri Turchyn, brought its blend of World Beat, Latin and Jazz styles to the receptive crowd packed on the hillside facing the stage and beyond.

As the set progressed, more people filled in the few spots left between the seated audience, and many moved down to the forefront dancing to the electrifying blend of instrument and musician perfectly enhanced by the festival’s professional sound stage personnel. Everyone was moving – the rocking roadies, the vendors in their booths, even members of another group, M’Zume, who climbed on stage, joining the percussion for a Mozambique rhythm number, “Fresh Grass,” and staying on for a couple of numbers. Despite a broken thumb on his bow hand (from a leaf blower accident a few days earlier), Mr. Turchyn showed no signs of pain or letting up throughout the performance. Later, he remarked it was as if his violin “took on a life of its own and was leading him” from one number into the next, almost leaping out of his hands. Through it all he maintained the tight technical, improvisational sync with the rest of the group – Ernie Fortunato on guitar, Al Selert on drums, Jim Grant on bass and Stacy Grant on table percussion. Starting with “Nightingale,” “Song For My Father” (by Horace Silver), “Slinky" and "Stone Companion,” Grupo Yuri then slowed a bit with “Fortune,” a song dedicated to a friend, musician Danny Petraitus, who passed away on June 2 in Nashville.

The second half of the set brought a dancing crowd back on its feet down and in front of the stage with “Caraboo,” “Mr. Magic” (by Grover Washington), “Fresh Grass,” “Fate is The Hunter,” and ending with a soulful “Heart of a Woman Part 2.” (Aside from those indicated, all songs are written by Mr. Turchyn.)

The crowd appreciated Grupo Yuri’s efforts and applauded wholeheartedly by the end of the set with the festival continuing with the next scheduled performer.

Beyond the food court and display booths, the downtown streets teemed with people overflowing from the marina park, out of restaurants onto street seating and beer garden courtyards. Open storefronts were plastered with festival posters and hordes of young talent awaiting their turn at an open audition call at the Count Basie Theater. The marina was a perfect setting for a swelling crowd strolling along the causeway during the sunset, listening to the sounds of jazz and blues into the night. Grupo Yuri helps kick off summer season at Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival Christina Kotlar, producer and host of Film Festival Reviews, searches out conversations on current trends in film festival circuits worldwide, independent films and filmmaking, emerging film markets and distribution models.

See www. filmfestivalreviews.com. Grupo Yuri on stage at the Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival. Christina Kotlar *** Readers can learn more about Grupo Yuri on the website www.grupoyuri.com, as well as from a podcast conversation on the Film Festival reViews website www. filmfestivalreviews.com.

The Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival (www.redbankfestival.com) is produced by the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization made up entirely of volunteers. - Ukrainian Weekly Newspaper


Discography

Gypsy Dance (Grupo Yuri CD on cdbaby.com).

Photos

Bio

Grupo Yuri integrates Latin and World Music- based rhythms and seductive melodies captivating audiences with interweaving instrumentals wherever they perform. Grupo Yuri has performed at world-class jazz festivals, regional concerts and A-list clubs; With enthusiastic fans from Australia to Argentina, Grupo Yuri unites music lovers across the world over.