Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
“There’s no buzz on the Internet about pianist John Rangel’s album, but there should be….overall Rangel’s quintet debut is full of satisfying and often exciting jazz. Check him out.” – Pasatiempo, The New Mexican Newspaper - Paul Weideman
“…This performer excels in every way – technique, phrasing, dynamics – and shows himself to be versatile as both composer and performer…. Rangel and crew do it all with panache.” - Music Connection Magazine - Music Connection
…”The pieces are of varying styles, moods, and rhythms. All expose Rangel as a commanding soloist as well as a person who feels at ease working in harness with his sidemen and, as well, in giving them the opportunity to solo.” – Albuquerque Journal, Newspaper - Albuquerque Journal
“The music falls into the modern mainstream, often utilizing complex chord changes and occasionally being modal-oriented while consistently swinging hard….Plenty of sparks fly, the rhythm section keeps the momentum flowing and the solos of Rangel, Williams, and Keller are generally quite exciting.” – LA JAZZScene Newspaper - LA Jazz Scene Magazine
Discography
"PAGES"
Numerous other CD's as pianist, producer, and arranger
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
John Rangel is a dynamic Composer and Jazz Pianist. He has been a professional musician for almost twenty years. John grew up in a very musical family in New York City. His mother and brother are opera singers and everyone in his family played an instrument. John's grandmother played jazz and taught piano. He attended Hunter High School (a gifted program) and studied at the Eastman School of Music. John also studied Composition with John Corigliano and Jazz Piano with Joanne Brackeen, Kenny Werner, Stanley Cowell, Richie Beirach, and Phil Markowitz.
John moved to Los Angeles in the early 90's. He immersed himself in the rich vibrant culture of Leimert Park known as the "African Greenwich Village." Leimert Park is the center of African-American Arts in LA, brimming with poets, artists, and musicians. This community has been a major influence on John's spiritual intention and musical direction. John Rangel is unique because of his tremendous range of musical experience; Jazz, Classical, Film Music, Pop, Hi-Life, Salsa, Reggae, and Calypso.
John Rangel's versatility as a jazz pianist is most evident in his work with the following artists; Nat Adderly, Marcus Printup, Ira Sullivan, Sam Rivers, Ravi Coltrane, Pharaoh Saunders, Sonny Fortune, Zane Musa, Eric Person, Ernie Watts, Sam Most, Azar Lawrence, Phil Ranelin, Scott Whitfield, George Bohannon, Al McKibbon, James Leary, Dr. Art Davis, Nedra Wheeler, Tony Dumas, Dwight Trible, Carmen Bradford, James Torme (son of Mel), Blay Amboley and His Afrikan Jazz Band, Tierney Sutton, Rosemary Clooney, Willie Jones III, Ndugu Chancellor, Sunship Theus, Sherman Ferguson, Ralph Penland, Smitty Smith, Joe La Barbera, Derf Reklaw, and Billy Higgins.
Performance highlights include; Carnegie Hall in NY, Royce Hall in LA, Gene Harris Jazz Festival in Idaho, the Playboy Jazz Festival, LA County Museum of Art, MOCA, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, Clearwater Jazz Festival in Florida, Ronnie Scott's in London, Jazz Café in London, North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, and various venues in Osaka and Tokyo.
In 1996, John premiered his original composition "The Silver Hound" for a sold-out Los Angeles audience. "The Silver Hound" is a major work for Jazz Chamber Orchestra and Rhythm Section based upon the poetry of Ursula Vaughn Williams. John has also written String Quartets, Solo Piano Pieces, Art Songs, two Musicals for children, and hundreds of Jazz Quartet, and Quintet combinations.
John Rangel has also composed for television and movies. He has scored television episodes and created theme songs for TV pilots. His original composition "Time Inside a Memory" was included in the feature film "Levity" starring Billy Bob Thornton, Holly Hunter and Morgan Freeman. John will also be featured onscreen as a pianist in the upcoming "Flags of Our Fathers" directed by Clint Eastwood.
John Rangel is also a very experienced teacher and clinician. He has had a thriving private piano studio for over a decade. John especially enjoys inspiring students of all ages to speak the language music. John also teaches clinics at a variety of educational institutions.
June 2006 marks the release of John’s debut Jazz Quintet recording "PAGES". This is an important milestone in his career. After two decades of writing, playing, touring, and educating, John Rangel is beginning his solo recording career. With hundreds of compositions ready for recording and performance, he is stepping up to a new level in a long and exciting musical journey.
John currently divides his time between Los Angeles and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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