Jesse Batiuk
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Gaining Respect As Solo Artist
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On his 2004 CD release, Bluephoria, Los Angeles guitarist Jesse Batiuk delivers eight instrumental light rock tracks, arranged with a beat box rhythmic base that serves as a bedrock for improvisational leads. Reminiscent of some of the Craig Chaquico solo material (except using electric guitar), Batiuk prefers to let the guitar do the talking, with more space and grace than the typical rock CD. Possible ideas for improvement for the next CD might be to take more chances with the arrangements, experimenting more, bringing in live musicians, composing strong melodic themes, and playing with a bit more assuredness. Bluephoria is a good start, but with more experience writing material, with peer feedback, will help Batiuk get to where he wants to be.
Jesse was born in 1977, and began his music career in the San Diego area. In 1997, he started the band Headchange, where he was the guitarist, and wrote and produced most of the music. After a self-released CD failed to win praise from the critics, Jesse went on to form Plane. Their debut album, "Welcome To My Opium Den", was released in 2001, and received substantial airplay in San Diego and was sold in countries including Germany, Canada, France, Italy and Australia. Plane wrote and recorded more songs on various EPs, but played their last show in 2003. At that point, Jesse decided to continue on as a solo artist.
Bluephoria, self-produced by Batiuk, is the vehicle through which he hopes to gain respect in the music industry as a solo musician.
Contact Information
Jesse Batiuk
P.O. Box 1183
Los Angeles, CA 90078
United States
E-mail:
Jesse Batiuk
Web site:
www.jessebatiuk.com
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John Hart Trio
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Following His Vision In Jazz
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The John Hart Trio has been together for four years and in their latest CD collection, Indivisible (HEP 2008), the trio explore standards "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square","Single Petal Of A Rose", "Blame it on My Youth" plus the funky satiric "Clone Me" and "Not in My Generation", along with six other instrumental jazz numbers. Hart is a wonderful player, confidently exploring themes with electric and acoustic guitar lines that scale the entire fretboard, along with syncopated chording/comping moments that will bring your foot to the floor more times than not. The amazing story here is that all the material for the CD was recorded in two days; most of what you hear is first takes. Having said that, if you get a chance to see the John Hart Trio live, you'll no doubt be in for a wonderful evening. Highly recommended.
The John Hart Trio has developed a wide-ranging repertoire of standards and originals over the past several years. Scott Yanow writes in the All Music Guide, "A fairly distinctive modern mainstream guitarist, John Hart has impressed many with his fine recordings as a leader for Blue Note and Concord. He began on the guitar when he was 12, graduated from the University of Miami in 1983, and moved to New York City the following year. Among his most significant associations were with Terumasa Hino, Larry Goldings, and particularly Jack McDuff, with whom he toured and recorded."
"In addition, Hart has been a busy music educator and performed with many top jazz artists, including Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson, James Moody, Mike Mainieri, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and Steve Allen, in addition to leading his own groups."
Contact Information
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
269 S. Route 94
Warwick, NY 10990
United States
E-mail:
John Hart Trio
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