JC and the JazzHoppers
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JC and the JazzHoppers

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"J.C. and the JazzHoppers..Chillin' At Home..JH001"

This is a trio (guitar,B3, drums) that has the right idea. Nice swinging tunes with cats who are unafraid to stretch out and swing.

"Our Delight" Tadd Dameron's classic is taken for a speedy ride with all players driving in the fast lane. Solid guitar is omnipresent in a brilliant solo with the B3 adding muscle most empahatically."Our Delight" is also on an alternate take done at a slower tempo.

This is a hip group that knows which side the jazz bread is buttered on. Keep on doing what you do most admirably.
5 Stars - Ejazz news-Reviewer John Gilbert


"Media Alert:JC and the JazzHoppers"Chillin@Home""

For his debut album, Australian guitarist Jason Campbell leads a trio that also includes organist{Col Nolan} and drummer{Andrew Dickeson} on a program that cunningly combines elements of both the new and the old:few combo configurations are as tradional as this, but his repertoire is a mixture of jazz standards, original compostions, and unusual settings of pop standards like{Bobby McFerrin}'s {Don't Worry, Be Happy} and {Janet Jackson}'s {Anytime, Anyplace}.Rest assured that {Campbell} isn't trying to pawn off any kind of predigested jazz-pop fusion here--his style is strictly straight-ahead , "funky" only in the jazz sense of the term, and firmly grounded in the playing of his heroes and teachers from the old school. It's just the themes he chooses as the basis for his arrangements sometimes come from sources other than the Broadway and Tin Pan Alley books that have supplied most of the standard jazz repertoire. For most of the album he stays in a simmering, midtempo mode, imparting a gentle but insistent groove to {Don't Worry, Be Happy} and the {Norah Jones} hit {Don't Know Why}. But on his own sweetly grooving {Fresh Roast} and a wonderful rendition of {Tadd Dameron}'s {Our Delight}(presented here in two separate takes), he puts a bit more steam behind the swing and the result is both muscular and lightly graceful. Overall, this is a very satisfying record from a talent that will bear watching in the future.
By Rick Anderson - All-Music Guide


"Featured Artist:JC and the JazzHoppers"

JC & The Jazz Hoppers are new to the American jazz market. Australian jazz guitarist,Jason Campbell, formed the trio a few years ago with organist Col Nolan and drummer Andrew Dickeson.

Chillin' at Home is a studio production and will be released on this side of the ocean in early january 2007. The combo kicks off the session with a most unlikely number, Bobby Mcferrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy". Campbell doesn't water-down his jazz style in order to sell a few more copies of his CD. A disciple of George Benson, the guitarist travelled to the USA for workshop studies with the likes of John Scofield, Tal Farlow, Freddie Hubbard, Pat Martino and Rodney Jones.
This writer noticed a classy 1950s flavor to some of the trio's work. Listeners are treated to two versions of Tadd Dameron's 1948 compostion "Our Delight". Two Jason Campbell originals are thrown into the mix in the form of the up-tempo"Fresh Roast" and the romantic "Aria 4 Daria."

This is a tightly woven unit with a single voice emanting from the center of the mass. The players have not forgotten their music's roots and the blue notes flow freely as they dish out their exciting sounds. Chillin' at Home is worth a close listen. - jazzReview.com


Discography

Chillin' at Home (Jazz-Hop Inc. Recordings)
Tr.1-Don't Worry Be Happy
Tr.2-Fresh Roast
Tr.3-Don't Know Why (I didn't come)
Tr.4-Aria 4 Daria
Tr.5-Our Delight
Tr.6-Anytime, Anyplace
Tr.7-Our Delight (alt.take)

"JC and the JazzHoppers-LiveVibe" due for release September 2007.
Tr.1 Segment
Tr.2 The Sidewinder
Tr.3 Baby It's Cold Outside
Tr.4 Old Folks
Tr.5 Ritha
Tr.6 Low Down & Dirty
Tr.7 Over & Out

"JC and the JazzHoppers" have been featured on over 50 jazz, and more than 30 college radio stations across the US. In addition, radio play in Canada and Europe from Italy to London and as far down as Australia to New Zealand, has seen "JC and the JazzHoppers" enthusiastically received and reviewed.

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Bio

“JC and the JazzHoppers” are reigniting the classic guitar driven organ combo for today’s listener!

Reminiscent of the great albums of this genre such as those by Wes Montgomery/Jimmy Smith, Grant Green/Larry Young and George Benson/Dr Lonnie Smith, “JC and the JazzHoppers” are continuing the legacy of incorporating popular tunes of the day and reworking them into jazz vehicles. On their debut album “Chillin’ at Home” you will hear tunes associated with Janet Jackson, Norah Jones and Bobby McFerrin sounding as if they were always meant for the guitar/organ trio. The repertoire and playing on this album although performed by monster musicians, gives the utmost respect to the listener, as opposed to the wanton self indulgence that seems to be appearing on other recordings these days, leaving many previously faithful audiences deserting jazz.

The tropical rainforests of North Queensland Australia, is probably the last place you would expect to find inspiration to become a jazz guitarist. But that is exactly where Jason Campbell was first exposed to the music of John Coltrane and Charlie Parker at 7 years of age by his stepfathers record collection, and later on at 13 to the guitartistry of Wes Mongomery and George Benson. Growing up in an environment which was part hippy commune and part aboriginal settlement, where you were more likely to find spiritual discussions on “secret men's business” than jazz training, the proclamation by Campbell at 13 years of age to his stepfather that he wanted to play jazz-guitar for life seemed even more unrealistic, considering the lack of actual musicians who performed or even listened to jazz locally, which is now better known as the area where the popular “crocodile man” Steve Irwin lost his life to a stingray. But JC was adamant and studied all the music he could whilst still at High School, even taking up the clarinet and alto saxophone simultaneously whilst playing guitar. Then at 16 he opened the Sunday paper and saw the advertisement which would set him on a marathon journey-George Benson was performing in Sydney-the other end of Australia. JC promptly booked tickets to every concert and bought a one way ticket to Sydney.

It was JC's reasoning even at 16 years of age, that if he wanted to understand how to play jazz guitar with it's myriad of options for techniques and approaches, who better to approach for front row lessons than George Benson? Seeing George's unequalled technique, coupled with his total playing from the heart, left an impression on JC that to this day see’s other guitarists seek him out on tips on how to improve their ease of performance. He continued on with periods of jazz studies with visiting American musicians including John Scofield, Johnny Griffin, Woody Shaw, Vic Juris and Steve Erquiaga. Then in 1992 on his first foray to New York, studied with Rodney Jones, Pat Martino and Barry Harris.

Back in Sydney, JC has performed with the great vocalist Barbara Morrison of the Phillip Morris Superband, Dale Barlow (an Art Blakey alumnist) Gordon Brisker(Deceased), Tom Baker(Deceased) Col Nolan, Errol Buddle, Bob Barnard and many others including jamming with visiting musicians from Harry Conick Jnr's band, and also Sting's band, where he got to play with Kenny Kirkland (now deceased).

Now permanently located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, JC performs in the many organ rooms of Harlem, which he considers his specialty, and coaches aspiring organ trio guitarists on getting the most out of the combination. You will find him on stage with the likes of Seleno Clarke or Nate Lucas, or jamming with Dr Lonnie Smith or Melvin Davis.

Presently working around New York with his organ group “JC and the JazzHoppers” , you will also find him every Sunday with Seleno Clarke at the “American Legion Post” at 132nd st in Harlem, where his journey recently came full circle after George Benson dropped in to listen and play, and invited “JC” to discuss “secret jazz-guitar men’s business” with him in the near future!”

New York City based Hammond Organist , Akiko Tsuruga, has established herself as an 'in demand' player since arriving from her home town of Osaka, Japan in 2001. Akiko began Organ lessons at age three, and starting performing professionally throughout Japan after graduating from Osaka College Of Music. While performing in Japan, she encountered and played with many noted American musicians, Roy Hargrove, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Grady Tate to name a few. Grady Tate has been most influential in her career. He played on her debut CD, “Harlem Dreams” and encouraged her to move to New York. She has worked at many of New York's jazz nightclubs including, Dizzy’s (at Lincoln center) and The Blue Note and also has an endorsement deal through Hammond Suzuki officials being awarded a Hammond XK-3 organ and endorsement. Among her accomplishments is an organ jazz instructional book “Hammond Organ Complete” (Berklee Press) which was t