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From
placing their own self-released CD into the CMJ Top 20 in 2004 to landing
a review in the Jazz Times with their last release, New York Electric
Piano has come a long way. And
just like the universe, NYEP is expanding. The original trio of pianist
Pat Daugherty, bassist Tim Givens, and drummer Aaron Comess, which grew to 6 members for their
last release ,now includes
guitarist Teddy Kumpel. After three instrumental releases that probed the
Fender Rhodes electric piano sound, 2008’s King Mystery featured vocals,
acoustic piano, and a diverse set of Daugherty originals that embraced
jazz’s past while exploring its future. The new double CD, Keys To The
City, continues this trend and takes the band into new musical terrain.
The
expansion began as NYEP played out their 2007 release Blues in Full Moon.
Leon Gruenbaum, keyboardist with Vernon Reid and James “Blood” Ulmer,
began showing up at the bands gigs. “Leon is one of my favorite
players and I invited him to bring his ax and sit in”, Pat says. “He did
and has never left!” His axe is an instrument of his own creation, the
samchillian. In the early 90’s Pat and Leon shared the piano chair at
vocalist Deanna Kirk’s NY restaurant, a jazz spot that was the center of
a burgeoning scene.
One night
at a Cutting Room gig Deanna, who has performed with Eartha Kitt and
Cecil Taylor, sat in on Pat’s song “Why are we here?” The crowd was mesmerized and that song
found its way onto King Mystery Deanna had become part of the band. Soon
vocalist Ava Farber was coming to the band’s gigs and as the vocal
selections increased she found her way into the band.
Pat has
known guitar wizard Teddy Kumpel for a decade in the East Village and is
a fan of his trio and finally asked Teddy to play with the band and thankfully
he agreed! NYEP fans have embraced his contributions with enthusiasm. For
this new recording Erik Lawrence , a stalwart of the NY scene, came in
and played saxes and flute and his presence is galvanizing. Turns out
Teddy and Erik co-lead a dynamic band together.
Suddenly
all these musicians with a shared sense of community have become the new
NYEP. Their chemistry on Keys To The City is boundless and not to be
missed. Bill Milkowski has said of NYEP, “From start to finish, this
highly interactive trio grooves with crackling intensity and a rare
degree of group think”.
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