Planet Zu "Featuring Dan Baraszu"

Planet Zu is the brainchild of guitarist/composer Dan Baraszu in collaboration with some of the finest musicians in the southeast. The instrumentation is Nylon Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Hammond A-100 Organ, Electric Bass and Drums. Though labeled a “contemporary Jazz” group, Planet Zu’s music is the amalgamation of jazz, funk, rock, acoustic, pop, jam-band and fun. The Bands focus is on original material, though they are known for their unique arrangements of some popular cover tunes. “In The Light Of Day”, Planet Zu’s debut CD, is scheduled for release on August 15th, 2010 on Blue Canoe Records.

Band Member Bios:

Guitars/Bandleader/Composer -DAN BARASZU
Detroit born Guitarist/Composer Dan Baraszu has been playing guitar for over 30 years. Early in his career, he explored many different styles of music. However, when he first heard the genius of Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, Dan devoted himself to becoming a die-hard Jazz artist. His major influences include guitarists Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny and John Scofield as well as other instrumentalists like Bill Evans, Horace Silver, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Charlie Parker.
He received his Bachelors degree from the renowned Berklee College of Music, where he majored in Jazz Composition and Arranging. In addition, Dan also received his Masters degree from the University of Miami with a major in Jazz Pedagogy.
Dan currently resides in the Atlanta area where he leads his own groups and works as a freelance guitarist. In November 2005 he signed with Blue Canoe Records and released his debut CD as a leader entitled “Nightfall”. Featuring 9 explosive jazz originals. Bill Milkowski in the Jazz Times April 2006 issue hails “Baraszu is a chopsmeister whose punchy, percussive attack comes out of the George Benson-Pat Martino school of single-note burn”. This recording has surely raise some eyebrows as this young gun's guitar and compositional skills are those of an old master.

Hammond A100 ORGAN -DAVID ELLINGTON
After studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1980 - 1982, David Ellington moved to New Orleans in 1983 and quickly became a player in its extraordinary music scene. In 1988 he began a three-year stint as pianist/organist for legendary New Orleans guitarist, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, traveling the world and recording for Rounder Records. This led to another three years of study at the University of New Orleans under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis.
Hurricane Katrina forced Ellington to abandon a busy musical career in New Orleans as bandleader, valued sideman, and church music director. David landed in Atlanta, near his parents and quickly became a first-call pianist/organist, in demand for many of Atlanta’s best groups and performers.

Electric and Fretless Bass- JOSEPH PATRICK MOORE
Born in Knoxville Tennessee, Joseph Patrick Moore has been touring, recording, and establishing himself as an artist with a unique voice and a diversity of talents For more than a decade. Out of High School Joseph Secured a full academic scholarship to the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a concentration on electric and double bass, majoring in classical studies and jazz performance. Moore is currently based in Atlanta. Soon after his arrival there he was snapped up by Capricorn recording artist Col. Bruce Hampton (and the Fiji Mariners).
After his tour of duty with Col. Bruce, Joseph performed locally in Atlanta and on national tours with the likes of Leo Neocentelli (Meters, Neville Bros.) and the eclectic bluegrass fusion "hickhop" band Blueground Undergrass. Moore has released seven solo CD’s as well as nearly 50 collaberative efforts and projects as a sideman.

Drums and Percussion- MARLON PATTON
Marlon is the first call for so many musicians in the southeast not just because of his impeccable time, but because of the incredible musicality of what he delivers. He plays within a huge dynamic range, making him the perfect match for quiet piano jazz performances to hard-hitting rock and hip hop gigs. Patton works extensively with Heavy Mojo, Ryan Waters, ILL, Trey Wright Trio, CC Booker III, Ken Watters' Group, Takana Miyamoto Trio, Kenosha Kid, Birds&Wire, Mace Hibbard quartet, Grogus, Dan Baraszu Trio/Quartet, Will Scruggs Quartet, and Gunnison, among others. Patton is also a prolific writer and producer in his own right.