MINNEAPOLIS -- March 30, 2012 -- It’s been said, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” That just changed with the double disc set being released by Twin Cities jazz guitarist Cory Wong. The name of
the disc itself encourages a curiosity. Quartet/Quintet by Cory Wong will be released on April 23.
Can’t decide on listening to a quartet or a quintet? This two-disc compilation will give you the option. Want straight ahead jazz or rock infused jazz? You have that option too -- so go ahead and dig in!
Born in New York and growing up in Minnesota, Cory Wong has quickly proven himself to be a standout
guitarist/musician. Cory has established himself as the go-to guitarist, composer, and arranger for
dozens of artists in all genres throughout the upper Midwest. He has performed locally with the likes
of pop sensation Keri Noble, gospel singer Robert Robinson and Caleb Hawley. On the national scene,
Wong has worked with the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bootsy Collins, the Radio City Rockettes and Jimmie
Vaughan. He is also co-founder co-owner and producer for the locally based record label, Secret Stash
Records.
The “Quartet” portion of the two-disc set showcases a great blend of contemporary hard hitting jazz, to
straight ahead jazz tunes. The Quartet features Cory on guitar, the legendary Billy Peterson on upright
bass, Zach Schmidt on cymbals and drums, with Dan Musselman and Kevin Gastonguay taking turns on
piano. “Vapors” is a burning straight head tune with a quirky melody and an insanely fast performance
by all of the Quartet members. “October Snow” is a hard hitting contemporary tune reminiscent of the
Metheny Mehldau Quartet.
The “Quintet” disc is much more of a rock infused jazz sound that is reflective of the era the musicians
grew up in, listening to all genres of music. This disc features Cory on multiple instruments, Zach
Schmidt on drums and cymbals, Kevin Gastonguay on Fender Rhodes, Dan Musselman on piano, and
Andy Schuster on bass.
“I knew I wanted to do a double disc record to show two different sides of myself as a player, producer,
and composer. The “Quartet” disc is more of a head and solo-based approach. We played these tunes
for a year to develop them. I took the opposite approach on the “Quintet” disc. I wanted it to be very
story-driven and open to each musician’s interpretation in the moment,” commented Wong.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/corywong
http://coryjwong.com
