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Jeff Fuller
P.O. Box 120717
East Haven, CT
06512-0717
USA
Email:
Jeff
Fuller.
Web site:
www.jefffuller.net
Here’s what's new...
What's new? ... I'm very happy to be part of a new group dedicated to Brasilian music, Sambeleza!
Joe Carter, guitar; Isabella Mendes, vocals and piano; Jeff Fuller, bass and vocals.
Sambeleza performs a wide variety of Brazilian songs - both old and new - with a jazz twist. Featured composers include Tom Jobim and Ary Barroso, as well as younger composers like Djavan, Debora Gurgel and Arlindo Cruz. A few originals by group members are added to the mix.
Brasil (spelled with 's' in Portuguese) is well known for its rich heritage - a blend of indigenous, African and European cultures - from which the music has risen with fascinating rhythms, soaring melodies and colorful harmonies.
The musicians of Sambeleza are outstanding U. S. and Brazilian interpreters of the great songs of the bossa nova and samba traditions, as well as outstanding jazz artists in their own right. Sambeleza derives its name from two words: samba, the national dance of Brasil, and beleza, Portuguese for 'beauty'.
Vocalist Isabella Mendes, born in Sao Paulo, is a rising talent known for her sensitive interpretations of standard bossa novas as well as the pop-tinged music of younger Brazilian singers like Dani Gurgel and Maria Rita. Also a pianist, Isabella performs both locally and at other venues including SOB¹s in New York.
Guitarist Joe Carter's specialty is Brazilian Jazz, combining straight ahead and bebop styles of jazz with samba, bossa nova and Northeast styles of Brazilian music. Two CDs showcase his familiarity with Brazilian music: "Um Abraco No Rio" was recorded in Rio de Janeiro with Brazilian musicians including world-renowned harmonica virtuoso Mauricio Einhorn; "The Samba Rio Trio" utilizes the talents of bassist Nilson Matta and legendary drummer Portinho.
Bassist Jeff Fuller, well-known CT jazz artist, toured worldwide and recorded with master saxophonist Lou Donaldson and Paquito D'Rivera, with each of whom he recorded three albums. He has also appeared with jazz artists of all styles and eras. In the field of Latin Jazz, Fuller toured with Paquito D'Rivera's Havana/New York Quintet, the Hilton Ruiz Quintet, and Orlando "Puntilla" Rios' Nueva Generación (Afro-Cuban folkloric). He composes and arranges for the acclaimed salsa group, Irazu, whose albums have featured top Cuban soloists Arturo Sandoval and Tata Guines. He is co-leader and arranger for the popular Samba Brasil, whose music blends jazz and a broad spectrum of Brazilian folk styles. Samba Brasil won the Hartford Advocate¹s "Best Latin"category seven times (1999-2001, 2003-2006).
What else? ... A wonderful new song I co-wrote with my songwriting partner, Debra Alt, entitled "More Than Remember has been officially designated The MADD Song by the national office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in coordination with the CT office of MADD. The song was put together from real life stories of the victims of drunk driving crashes, interviews with surviving friends and families We have just released an extraordinary video of a performance of the song by the music students of The Educational Center For The Arts (ACES-ECA), the arts magnet high school where I teach. Here's a link to the You Tube video of the 65 students performing the song in concert last June. I think you'll find it engrossing and moving!
A new CD! This one by the outstanding Premier Jazz Ensemble from New Haven's Neighborhood Music School. This group of eight musicians has been working together and playing in the public eye for several years, and I have been quite pleased to be their director the entire time. They have done a great job interpreting my arrangements of tunes such as Daahoud, Giant Steps, Theme from "Frasier," and even a funky version of Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat. The CD is really a collective project of all of us involved, and I welcome inquiries for the purchase of this great music!
What's else is new? ... I've been playing the Upton Hawkes Hybrid double bass, a fantastic instrument made in Mystic, CT, by Gary Upton at Upton Bass. I had been looking around for a "new sound" even though I had been playing my vintage Juzek since 1975(!) A couple of my students had been using Upton basses and I was very impressed with (and a bit jealous of) their sound. So I decided to try one out for myself and loved the punchy, wooden sound and responsiveness right from the start! I got hooked and have enjoyed playing the Upton Hybrid on all my gigs since then. I hope you get a chance to hear me playing it soon and, if you're a bassist, try one out at Gary's state-of-the-art showroom and workshop in Stonington, CT. Pictured below (l. to r.) set-up wizard Jack, me, my Upton Hawkes Hybrid and Gary Upton.
Upcoming gigs...
Go to Alive and Swingin'!
Recent CD releases...
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Neighborhood Music SchoolPremier Jazz EnsembleFestive!Available from Quadrangle Music (QDR125) |
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Don Friedman, Jeff Fuller, Tommy BradascioStandards in CagliariAvailable from Quadrangle Music (Soulnote 121377-2) |
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Charlie Sutton and Jeff FullerDeep in a DreamAvailable from Quadrangle Music (QDR124) |
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Ed Cercone TrioSymphonyAvailable from Quadrangle Music (QDR123) |
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Samba BrasilSo Many Stars...Available from Empathy Records (QDR123) |
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Ken Todd & All That JazzHoagy Carmichael: A Jazz UpdateAvailable from Ken Todd Bands (QDR123) |
