The
Reese Project
Biography
The quartet: Tom Reese, flutist/composer,
writes most of the band's material. In
performance, his highly-charged, soaring
flute lines carve new sounds out of traditional
forms. Laurie Haines Reese, cello, adds
a unique flavor with electric cello shredding
and acoustic bass lines. Aaron Walker,
drums, captures the motion in the rhythms
& drives the sound. The newest addition,
Jake Thro on keyboards & B-3 organ,
brings a funky, Monk-rocks-out sound to
the band. With a nod to past masters,
the original jazz created within this
group of musicians steps in a new direction,
while staying squarely within the boundaries
of real jazz. It's definitely music for
fresh ears.
Performing
jazz standards, funk, blues & originals,
The Reese Project includes something for
everyone in their concerts -- from Bach
to the Beatles, to quotes from everything
under the sun. They have played to packed
houses in the US & Canada (even in
a snow storm!). "I caught three fabulous
acts Sunday at the Lancaster Jazz Festival.
The headliner, Kurt Elling, kept the listeners
there, but for my tastes, the second act,
the Reese Project, stole the show. This
unique combination with a soloing cello
playing bass lines, amazing soloist Tom
Reese making the flute viable as a jazz
instrument & soaring vocals by veteran
vocalist Ron Smith proved that unique
instrumentation equals great jazz."
(Logan McKinney, "New Waves in Radio")
They have
released six CD’s. “Vicodin
Dreams” (95 North Records 2005),
reached #53 on JazzWeek charts and stayed
in the top 60 for 2 months. “Blue
Etude” (Wyndfall 2002), was in the
top 20 in the 2002 Grammies; "Dark
Kat Revisited" off their CD "Apocalyptic
Hayride" (Wyndfall 2004) was on WRTI's
Jazz Hot 11 for an unprecedented three
months; “Dark Kat” (Wyndfall
2003) & “Viewpoints” (MMC
Recordings 1997). They were selected to
be part of the "Best of 30 Years
of Homegrown Music" CD on WVIA, they
were selected for the past two years for
the "Lancaster Jazz" compilation,
several Christmas compilations & other
honors. Band members have worked with
Tom Larsen, Ira Sullivan, "Blue Lou"
Marini, Valery Pomoronov, Chuck Mangione,
BJ Thomas, Robert Gordon, Charlie Grace,
Melissa Manchester, Gloria Estefan, Henry
Mancini & others.
Their influences
include Miles, Coltrane, Bela Fleck, Edgar
Meyer, Mark O’Connor, Yo Yo Ma,
Modeski, Martin & Wood, Duke Ellington,
David Grisman, Stephane Grapelli, Turtle
Island & Kronos String Quartets, &
classic rock bands.
"Once in a while a combination of
talent, timing, and truth appears out
of nowhere. The Reese Project's "Blue
Etude" is just such a combination.
The Reese Project is no ordinary combo/band.
They are opening the door on a new genre
of virtuosity. Their structure is integral,
their timing is flawless, and the truth
in their composition is self-evident.
The Reese Project IS now. Their music
IS your tomorrow."
Dave Butler, Producer/Host, Innervisions
Band Biography
"One of the most impressive modern
jazz projects in the country ... it's
for jazz fans everywhere."
(The Fly Magazine)
The Reese
Project plays real jazz, performing standards
& originals. This compelling band
has initiated a new jazz sound: "East
Coast Cool." They are appealing to
hear & to see (listen for Tom's trademark
"Yeah!"). The unique instrumentation
of the group has caused some controversy
with it's fresh approach to traditional
jazz.
For more
information or to get a PR kit sent to
you, please call William Ware at the William
Ware Agency, (800) 964-9273.
Music
|
Track
Name |
Listen |
1 |
Evening in
Vermont |
|
2 |
Blue Bossa |
|
3 |
Memphis Underground |
|
4 |
Gabreon's
Samba |
|
5 |
Minuet In
G7 Norwegian Wood |
|
6 |
Mercy, Mercy,
Mercy |
|
7 |
Wade In The
Water |
|
