Saxophonist Frank Catalano Pays Tribute to
Von Freeman and Eddie Harris on Upcoming Release,
Bye Bye Blackbird: Blowing In From Chicago
For Von And Eddie
Von Freeman and Eddie Harris on Upcoming Release,
Bye Bye Blackbird: Blowing In From Chicago
For Von And Eddie
Album Features David Sanborn, Nir Felder,
Jimmy Chamberlin and Demos Petropoulos -
Available May 20 on Ropeadope Jimmy Chamberlin and Demos Petropoulos -
Chicago
has a rich tradition of nurturing and producing bold and innovative
tenor saxophonists. Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin, Fred Anderson, Von
Freeman, Clifford Jordan, Red Holloway, Eddie Harris, and Sonny Rollins
all cut their chops in the Windy City and made indelible marks on its
jazz scene (and, of course, the music world in general).
For about twenty-five years, Frank Catalano
has been billed as a "young, up-and-coming, prodigy" saxophonist cut in
this Chicago tenor tradition. But a musician can only retain the "young
prodigy" title for so long. Now 39-years-old and a fixture in Chicago's
music scene, such as through his weekly late-night gig at the legendary
Green Mill, Catalano has assumed his rightful place as a torchbearer of
the great Chicago tenor saxophone tradition.
Catalano's
instantly recognizable, powerful and dynamic tenor playing--yet at the
same time nimble and thoughtful--is on full display on his upcoming May 20 release, Bye Bye Blackbird: Blowing In From Chicago For Von And Eddie (Ropeadope). To stay true to his Chicago roots, the album pays homage to his heroes and mentors Von Freeman--affectionately known throughout Chicago as Vonski--and Eddie Harris.
Catalano
pays tribute to the soulful, R&B-tinged Harris with the equally
soulful and funky original opening track, "Chicago Eddie." Harris had a
remarkable ability to use simple yet infectious melodies as the starting
points for exploratory, virtuosic improvisations. You can hear this
throughout Catalano's music. "I had the chance to perform with Eddie a
few times while I was playing with Charles Earland," said Catalano,
referring to his work as a teenager in Hammond B-3 master Earland's
group. "He was always very nice to me, and of course, I grew up
listening to him, being inspired by his playing." Catalano was able to
channel Harris' tone when he was featured on recordings by Beyoncé and
John Legend.
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Frank Catalano & Jimmy Chamberlin
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In honor of Freeman, the title track is a standard that often found its way into the
saxophonist's performance repertoire, and which Freeman recorded on at
least one occasion. "Vonski was such a mentor and inspiration to me,"
said Catalano, who recorded and released in 1999 an album with the late
Freeman, You Talkin' To Me?!
(Delmark). "I first sat in with Von at age 10 at Andy's Jazz Club in
Chicago. Thanks to Von, I got to jam with Miles Davis, Better Carter,
Tommy Flannigan, Charles Earland, Elvin Jones...Do recordings for
Delmark, Blue Note, and Savoy... I will never be able to say thanks
enough."
The
title track is much more than just a tribute to Freeman. It is also the
first of two tracks on the album--the other being the Stanley
Turrentine-penned soul jazz classic "Sugar" - on which the legendary
alto saxophonist David Sanborn trades solos with
Catalano. Sanborn's distinctive alto proves to be a perfect complement
to Catalano's sound, as their soloing appears to seamlessly build upon
the other's playing. "I am so honored that David agreed to play on these
tracks," Catalano said. "He has had such an influence on jazz and on my
playing. I remember watching 'Night Music' as a kid and was inspired by
seeing amazing jazz on TV."
Catalano continues what has become a musically simpatico and prolific relationship with Jimmy Chamberlin,
who is best known as the drummer of the pioneering Chicago alternative
rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Chamberlin has collaborated on
Catalano's Ropeadope albums Love Supreme Collective (#1 on iTunes) and God's Gonna Cut You Down (#1
on Billboard Charts). Chamberlin and Catalano have been touring
together over the past four years and have been friends for nearly 20.
"Jimmy and I have really built up a rapport," Catalano said. "He swings,
grooves and really propels the group. It's so exciting to play with
him, to build something great musically."
Rounding out Catalano's band on Bye Bye Blackbird are New York-based guitarist Nir Felder and Chicago's Demos Petropoulos
on Hammond B-3 organ, both of whom throw down with the groove, drive,
grit and grease that hearken back to the heydays of organ jazz groups,
such as when Catalano spent his formative years in Earland's group. The
band offers a grooving version of Miles Davis' "All Blues," a powerful
interpretation of the Etta James vehicle "At Last," and closes with the
Catalano live staple "Shakin'." It's a high-energy ear worm that bears
Catalano's trademark powerhouse, inspired, and most importantly,
Chicago-based playing.
"I'm
at a point in my career where an album like this just feels right,"
Catalano concluded. "My wife and I recently purchased a cozy loft in
Greenwich Village and we are really enjoying seeing the world. I'm
looking back at the artists and sounds that made me who I am as a
musician, while at the same time placing my stamp on music I love. We
are touring Japan in May and then going to France. I can't wait for the
release of this album and everything ahead. It's a very exciting time."
Upcoming Frank Catalano Performances:
April 27 / The Green Mill / Chicago, IL
* April 29 / Club Bonafide / New York, NY
May 4 / The Green Mill / Chicago, IL
** May 10 - 13 / Cotton Club Tokyo / Tokyo, Japan
** July 8 - 9 / The Green Mill / Chicago, IL
** August 6 / Deer Park Jazz Festival / Deer Park, IL
* feat. Nir Felder, John Benitez and Francis Benitez
** feat. Jimmy Chamberlin
Frank Catalano · Bye Bye Blackbird
Ropeadope · Release Date: May 20, 2016
For more information on Frank Catalano, please visit: CatalanoMusic.com
For media information, please contact:
DL Media · 610-667-0501
Greg Angiolillo · greg@
Public Relations For The Preferred Artist
Information and press materials (including album covers, promotional photos
and bios) on all DL Media artists can be found at our website: dlmediamusic.com
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