The Russ Kassoff Big Band live in NY tonight!

The Russ Kassoff Big Band, led by renowned jazz pianist, composer and arranger Russ Kassoff, will perform at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium, NYC Baha'i Center in New York City, located at 53 East 11th Street (between Broadway and University) tonight, September 1, sets at 8:00pm and 9:30pm. The band will once again feature guest vocalist Catherine Dupuis. The RKBB is comprised of top New York recording and Broadway musicians who all get a chance to play Kassoff's new hard-swinging charts. Information: (212) 222-5159.
Tickets are $15 at the door; $10 for students (w/ID) and WBGO members. Copies of Mr. Kassoff's most recent outstanding CD "Somewhere" will be available at the concert. "Somewhere," which I had the pleasure to review here on this blog, is also available at www.cdbaby.com/kassoff

Thursday, October 29, 2009 @ 8PM the RKBB will make its debut in the borough of Russ's birth - BROOKLYN, NY! at BARGEMUSIC located at Fulton Ferry Landing - floating! right next to the Brooklyn Bridge! There will be 2 Sets starting at 8PM. Tickets are $25 - $20 (Seniors), $15 (Students). For reservations and further information including directions and subway info - contact (718) 624-2083, email: info@bargemusic.org, or visit: www.bargemusic.org

These concerts will feature the premiere of Russ's 3 movement "Suite For Gerry", a heartfelt tribute to Gerry Niewood who along with 49 others tragically died on February 12, 2009 on the fateful flight of Continental 3407 near Buffalo NY. Besides being a founding and permanent member of the RKBB, he was a friend and musical colleague to Russ for nearly 30 years. His undeniable joy when playing any of his many woodwind instruments in any type of music from jazz to business will be his musical legacy and the RKBB will always keep the memory of his joy alive. The band will also be premiering a new arrangement written by Russ of Gerry's original tune "Joy" which will also be performed by the Eastman Jazz Ensemble on their tribute to Niewood in Rochester, NY on October 14.

The Russ Kassoff Big Band was formed in 2003 after a successful run of concerts featuring Russ as featured composer, arranger, orchestrator, and piano soloist. The virtuosity of the magnificent musicians in the band contributes to the new fresh sound of these hard-swinging original charts. Russ's repertoire is eclectic and diverse, including many new and innovative arrangements of his original compositions in addition to such classics as Ellington's "Perdido," Fats Waller's "The Joint Is Jumpin'" and Tori Amos' "Winter."

The roster of players who have regularly performed in the band over the years includes: Ted Nash, Lawrence Feldman, Andy Fusco, Matt Hong, Rick Kriska, Kristy Norter, Dan Block, Gary Keller, Ken Hitchcock, Gerry Niewood, Carl Maraghi, Ed Xiques, Bob Millikan, Tony Kadleck, Mike Ponella, Glenn Drewes, Shawn Edmonds, Kenny Rampton, Colin Brigstocke, Bud Burridge, John Chudoba, Greg Gisbert, John Chudoba, Dave Trigg, Clint Sharman, Charley Gordon, Bruce Bonvissutto (contractor), George Flynn, Nathan Mayland, Pete McGuinness, Dale Kirkland, Bob Suttman, Dave Bargeron, Johannes Pfannkuch, Tim Sessions, Jack Schatz, Jay Leonhart, Gary Mazzaroppi, Ray Kilday, Dick Sarpola, Mike Hall, Maryanne McSweeney, John Arbo, Chip Jackson, John Miller, Joe Cohn, Gene Bertoncini, James Cirillo, Dennis Mackrel, Ray Marchica, Warren Odze, Ronnie Zito, Rich Derosa and vocalists Catherine Dupuis, Martha Lorin and Tony winner Debbie Gravitte (Big Band Broadway!) just to name a few. Most likely the band performing will be from this tremendous roster!

Russ toured extensively with legends Frank Sinatra ('80-'91) and Liza Minnelli ('82-'01). As a writer, Russ counts among his major influences Rob McConnell, Thad Jones, Nelson Riddle, Don Costa and Don Sebesky. As a pianist his influences include Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett. All members of the Russ Kassoff Big Band are among a select group of the finest free lance musicians in the world. Together they form a vast bio of many worlds of performing experience. Russ - with Sinatra, Minnelli, Rita Moreno, Mimi Hines, Susannah McCorkle, Carol Sloan, Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, Chris Connor, Bucky Pizzarelli, and countless others - is joined by his band members who also bring their experience - with Count Basie, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Gerry Mulligan, Sting, Natalie Cole - just about everyone in the traditions of American jazz and show business - not to mention the Broadway shows currently being played by these marvelous players.

The 17-piece band has performed regularly at the Bahai Center in NYC as part of the vastly successful and educational Tuesday night jazz series in the Dizzy Gillespie auditorium produced by jazz great Mike Longo, and has backed Tony Award Winner Debbie Gravitte in a show/concert created by Russ and Debbie called "Big Band Broadway" at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ct., and at Birdland in NYC, has been the featured performer at the 2nd annual Milford, PA Music Festival under the coordination of Martha Lorin, and has been heard on the 1010 WINS Radio Jingle promoting live music in the NY Metropolitan area sponsored by LOCAL 802 AFM, NY's musicians union! Kassoff was also a guest (May '07) on NPR with Marion McPartland's Piano Jazz celebrating the release of "Somewhere."

Vocalist Catherine Dupuis has been the featured vocalist with the RKBB since its inception. Her style is soulful, innovative, and fresh and she is a consummate artist. With the RKBB she performs a repertoire of original RK arrangements that she and Russ have worked on as musical partners for several years. Dupuis' three CDs recorded for Bearheart Records have received rave reviews. About Rules of the Road (2005) (arranged and conducted by Russ Kassoff, featuring the Russ Kassoff Trio, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ted Nash, Marvin Stamm and Joe Cohn), Scott Yanow (All Music Guide) writes: "Although not overly famous, Catherine Dupuis shows on this CD that she is one of the most interesting jazz singers of the early 21st century. Her song selection is particularly strong, with a few standards performed in fresh ways and joined by vintage obscurities and newer material. "I've Never Been in Love Before" and "Lonesome Road" are reinvented. The Rules of the Road is highly recommended and a perfect introduction to the singing of Catherine Dupuis." Visit www.catherinedupuis.com

Admission is 15.00, $10.00 for students.
Tickets will be sold at the door, or call 212-222-5159 for reservations and information.
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Jazz Tuesdays
in the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium
The New York Baha'i Center
53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway)
Two shows: 8:00 and 9:30 p.m.