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We are honored that "Resonance" has been reviewed by Dr. Peter Wood, associate professor of trumpet at the University of South Alabama. This article is featured in the October 2009 edition of the ITG Journal.
Joey Pero--Resonance
Joey Pero, trumpet; Simon Boyar, percussion; Freddie Cole, piano and vocals; Daryl Sherman, piano and vocals; Phoebe Snow, vocals; Jack Antonoff, guitar; Adam Nussbaum, drums; Andy Snitzer, tenor saxophone; Artie Reynolds, bass; Bill Moring, upright bass; Paul Livant, guitar; Peter Fish, piano; Ralph Rolle, drums; Robert Walker, clarinet; Roger Rosenberg, baritone saxiphone; Stephanie Cummins, cello
All arrangements by Pero: The Finest Romance; Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, Preludio; Crazy; Birth, based on Handel's Ode to the Birthday of Queen Ann; Defying Gravity; Excerpts from Arutunian Trumpet Concerto; Wrapt; Looking In; Blue Rondo; Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, Variation I; Palladio, Resonance.
Joey Pero has released a highly exciting, virtuosic, and innovative crossover recording that shows off his great technical, musical, and artistic prowess. The CD includes some straight-ahead jazz, some unaccompanied Bach, and a lot of funk/pop/rock influences--an interesting amalgam of musical syles, a la Adam Rapa. Pero studied with Ray Mase and Mark Gould at Juilliard and with Charles Schlueter at the New England Conservatory before touring with Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau Band. He sounds equally comfortable in jazz, classical, pop, and funk settings. The CD includes top NYC musicians and opens with The Finest Romance, a hard-swinging chart with singer Freddy Cole. On it, Pero's double-tongued improvisation with wide intervallic leaps shows right away what he features throughout the album: highly virtuosic playing. The second track is a lightning-fast moto perpetuo on J.S. Bach's "Preludio" from his Partita No. 3 (originally for violin). Pero's flawless cicular breathing technique is awe-inspiring on this very angular transcription (he never pauses to breathe from start to finish). His funk interpretation of G. F. Handel's Ode to the Birthday of Queen Ann is fun, yet elegant and tasty; and it features Phoebe Snow, the legendary singer with a voice similar to Aretha Franklin. One of the highlights of the album is Pero's rendition of excerpts from the Arutunian Concerto, accompanied by--believe it or not--electric guitar. It is a highly unique and interesting version and really does work well. Pero also includes a very cool Malaguena/Flight of the Bumblebee-flavored version of Blue Rondo, as well as the first variation from Bach's Goldberg Variations (with cello), on which the duo produces a fine balance and nice Baroque style. Joey Pero is a great creative artist with truly incredible technique and musicality. He plays with a smooth, warm, pure sound quality; and his intonation is spot-on throughout the recording. Moreover, he possesses and enviable Maynard-esque power and range that sounds free, easy, and full--never pinched. While the packaging is very attractive with original artwork, the liner notes are scant; one is forced to go to Pero's hip web site for information on the players and tunes. This is a very diverse and creative album with much to like. Pero is truly an amazing virtuoso--someone certainly to watch and listen for in the years to come. (Peter Wood, associate professor of trumpet, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL)
You can read this blog and others on my Myspace page. Become one of my friends and listen to some tunes from "Resonance". See you there!
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