Big News!

Hello Friends and Music Fans!

The Big News is: It's official! We have just launched our Kickstarter project, Russ Spiegel's "Uncommon Knowledge" plays the music of the Deep Brooklyn Suite. Whether you want to contribute or not, please take a look. Comments happily accepted!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/RuzzToneProductions/russ-spiegels-uncommon-knowledge-the-deep-brooklyn-0
We are planning on recording in March. Stay tuned.....

Also not-so-little news: I am now am somebody! See my new listing on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russ_Spiegel

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Gigs this Month:

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7-9pm (one set only) it's the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra celebrating Leap Day back at the Zinc Bar. We'll be featuring the great Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica and the exceptionally talented Israeli singer Tammy Scheffer:
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Rob Wilkerson, Alejandro Aviles, Tim Armacost, Dave Noland, Paul Nedzela
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, Steve Smythe, Miki Hirose, Andy Gravish
Trombones: Scott Reeves, Sara Jacovino, Chris Stover Brandon Moodie
Rhythm: Art Hirahara (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Scott Neumann (drums); Rogerio Boccato (perc)
Featuring Special Guests Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica and vocalist Tammy Scheffer .
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and guitarist.

Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Sundays 12-3pm it's solo jazz guitar at a wonderful new wine bar/creperie in Greenpoint:
Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

Keep Swingin'
Russ

Happy New Ears - 2012!

Greetings Friends and Fans,

It's a new year and and I hope you all have great prospects and projects ahead of you for 2012. For me, there are lots of promising developments - just waiting for some things to come together. If you will indulge me, here is what is on the table (in no particular order):
- The publisher of Jazzwise http://jazzwise.com/ (Britain's largest jazz publisher) wants to make my original big band charts available for sale and distribution in Europe. I have also submitted a proposal for a guitar book to them. More on that later.
- Speaking of Europe: I am waiting to hear if I will be doing more big band and jazz guitar workshops in Germany. A tour there is also pending.
- My goal for this year is to record (and hopefully release) at least two original recordings: one of my quintet, "Uncommon Knowledge" (performing Jan. 18th at the Zinc bar - see below) the songs of my Deep Brooklyn Suite, and the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra, with new songs and arrangements and featuring the great Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica as well as the fantastic vocalist Tammy Scheffer. Anyone interested in helping get either of these projects off the ground, I would love to hear from you.
- The documentary film which I did the music for, "Building Bridges" by filmmaker Anand Kamalakar, will be screening this month at the Beacon School in Manhattan. I am still waiting for the date and time. I am waiting to hear about more film scoring projects for this year, including at least one feature.
- My essay, "First Takes on a Musical Life" will be released as part of anthology by Dan Thompson. Expected release date is this fall. More on this when I have more information.
- I have cleared the first hurdle to begin my DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in Jazz Studies at the Manhattan School of Music. The audition process continues in March. Depending on the results of my audition, I hope to get funding to get a further degree. And I'll need it - MSM costs $35,000 a year. No money, no study.
- Also at the same time I have sent out applications for music professorships to a number of universities across the country. Right now waiting to hear back with hopefully good news.

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Upcoming Gigs:

Wednesday, Jan. 18th, 7-9pm: I'll be performing with my fantastic quintet, Uncommon Knowledge, performing pieces from my Deep Brooklyn Suite, which is a series of musical impressions about Brooklyn. Stylistically, the music features elements of Jazz, Rock, and Brazilian music, and showcases some of New York’s finest musicians:
Russ Spiegel's "Uncommon Knowledge"
Russ Spiegel - guitar/ comp
Tim Amacost - reeds
Mike Eckroth - piano
Gary Wang - bass
Scott Neuman - drums
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Sundays 12-3pm it's solo jazz guitar at a wonderful new wine bar/creperie in Greenpoint:
Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

Wishing all of you all the best for this new year,
Russ

Last Post for 2011

Hello Friends and Music Fans,

The year is winding down but it's been a great 2011 with lots of wonderful events.

Right now I'm in a holding pattern of sorts, waiting for some exciting things to happen - whether I gain a professorship, start working on my doctorate, get further film score commissions, etc. - this all remains to be determined in the coming year.

In the meantime, I'm still a busy boy with lots of gigs to finish off the year:

Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

I will also be performing at Il Porto on New Years Eve, 8pm-midnight in quartet featuring the wonderful trumpeter/vocalist Dennis Jeter. Make sure to reserve your seats now!

**Update: A new gig every Sunday!!!
Sundays 12-3pm it's solo jazz guitar at a wonderful new wine bar/creperie in Greenpoint:
Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

Wednesday, Dec. 21st 7-9pm (one set only) it's the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra back at the Zinc Bar. We'll be featuring the beautiful and extremely talented Israeli singer Tammy Scheffer:
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Craig Yaremko, Justin Wood, Tim Armacost, Russ Nolan, Paul Nedzela
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, Miki Hirose, Andy Gravish
Trombones: Sara Jacovino, Andy Hunter, Nick Finzer, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm: Rachel Eckroth (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Scott Neumann (drums); Rogerio Boccato (perc)
Featuring Special Guest vocalist Tammy Scheffer.
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and guitarist.

Keep Swinging,
Russ

Thanksgiving Update

Greetings Music Fans!

I hope you are all well and gearing up for the Thanksgiving festivities. I am spending another turkey day up with my friends Carl & Amanda Clements in Amherst, Massachusetts. We just returned from a refreshing walk along the Fort River. Always nice to breathe fresh air.

My European sojourn was a blast. I had an amazing time all along my stops in Frankfurt, Nürnberg, Würzburg, and Istanbul. My workshop with the student big band of the Würzburg Musikhochschule was not only a great experience, the band played fantastic! Here's a shot from the performance.

So - here are my upcoming performances:

Friday, Nov. 25, 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with the amazing Israeli singer Tammy Scheffer at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965

www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Saturday, Nov. 26, 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

**Update: This gig is now every Sunday!!!
Sunday, Nov. 27, 12-3pm it's a new brunch gig at a wonderful new wine bar/creperie:
Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

And in December, it's the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra back at the Zinc Bar. We'll be featuring the beautiful and extremely talented Israeli singer Tammy Scheffer:
Wednesday, Dec. 21st 7-9pm (one set only)
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Craig Yaremko, Justin Wood, Tim Armacost, Russ Nolan, Frank Basile
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, Miki Hirose, Andy Gravish
Trombones: Sara Jacovino, Andy Hunter, Nick Finzer, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm:Mike Eckroth (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Scott Neumann (drums); Rogerio Boccato (perc)
Featuring Special Guest vocalist Tammy Scheffer.
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and guitarist.

Keep Swinging,
Russ

Update from Germany

Greetings All,

Busy times! I arrived in Germany a week ago, saw some old friends, had a concert in Hanau and then jetted off to visit Istanbul for five days. While I was there I stopped by the Nardis jazz club in the Galata district of the city and ended up jamming with jazz legend Dusko Goykovich. I arrived back in Frankfurt, Germany, on Wednesday came down to Würzburg to do a performance with the Polish singer Sylwia Bialas and on this coming Monday and Tuesday I will be working with the big band at the Musikhochschule here in Würzburg before heading back to NYC on the 27th.

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Monday, Oct. 24: Workshop with the Würzburg Musikhochschule Big Band

Tuesday, Oct 25: Workshop and Concert with the Würzburg Musikhochschule Big Band
Hofstallstraße 6
97070 Würzburg, Germany

0931 32187-0
www.hfm-wuerzburg.de/

Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29, 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with the amazing Israeli singer Tammy Scheffer at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965

www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Keep Swinging,
Russ

Latest News

Greetings All!

I am presently spending time in the town of Auburn, NY, playing in the band for the musical The Marvelous Wonderettes. A quaint spot along the Fingerlakes, lots of green, rolling hills, historic places and lots of fresh air, this is a nice break from city life.

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Upcoming events:

Wednesday, Sept. 28th, 7-9pm: I'll be performing with my fantastic quintet, Uncommon Knowledge, performing pieces from my Deep Brooklyn Suite, which is a series of musical impressions about Brooklyn. Stylistically, the music features elements of Jazz, Rock, and Brazilian music, and showcases some of New York’s finest musical talent:

Russ Spiegel's "Uncommon Knowledge"
Russ Spiegel - guitar/ comp
Tim Amacost - reeds
Mike Eckroth - piano
Gary Wang - bass
Scott Neuman - drums

Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

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In October I'm headed back to Germany to do a workshop and concert with the Würzburg Musikhochschule Big Band as well as a number of other gigs, plus a side trip to Istanbul to visit the birthplace of my father. Here is my present gig itinerary:

Friday, Oct. 14: The Russ Spiegel Trio
Jazzkeller Hanau
Philippsruher Allee 22
63450 Hanau, Germany

06181 259965

www.jazzkeller-hanau.de/

Thursday, Oct. 20: The Sylwia Bialas Group
Vinothek Tiepolo
Hotel Dortmunder Hof/Vinothek Tiepolo/Weinfaß
Innerer Graben 22
D - 97070 Würzburg
www.Vinothektieopolo.de

Monday, Oct. 24: Workshop with the Würzburg Musikhochschule Big Band

Tuesday, Oct 25: Workshop and Concert with the Würzburg Musikhochschule Big Band
Hofstallstraße 6
97070 Würzburg, Germany

0931 32187-0
www.hfm-wuerzburg.de/

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And, as always: Every Friday and Saturday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965

www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Keep Swinging,
Russ

Big Update!

Hello Friends, Fans, and Family,

Big happenings since the last update!

The past Monday I had the honor and privilege of working with master singer Mr. Tony Bennett as part of his band for the upcoming season premiere of the hit TV show "Blue Bloods" (which also features Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg). Mr. Bennett was gracious and the consumate professional. This acting thing certainly has its perks....

Also on the film/music front: My short film, Das Boots, will be screening at the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival as part of the short comedy lineup on Sunday, Aug. 21st at 3pm. But get there early, I will be performing before the show with my jazz trio from 2-3pm. This is all happening at:

St. Francis College Theater
180 Remsen St.
Brooklyn NY 11201
For tickets & info: http://parkslopefilms.com/The_Art_Of_Brooklyn/Welcome.html
Don't forget to check the Das Boots website: www.dasbootsmovie.com

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Our recent gig of the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra at the Zinc Bar was a tremendous success! We had a very nice crowd and I received a request from the club the very next day for a repeat performance. So, the next date of the RSJO again featuring the amazing chromatic harmonica player, Hendrik Meurkens, the wonderful Israeli vocalist Tammy Scheffer will be:

Wednesday, Aug. 31st 7-9pm (one set only)
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Rob Wilkerson, Justin Wood, Alejandro Aviles, Jake Saslow, Frank Basile
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, David Smith, Duane Eubanks
Trombones: Sara Jacovino, Andy Hunter, Matthew McDonald, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm:Mike Eckroth (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Eric Halvorson (drums); Todd Isler (perc)
Featuring Special Guests Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica and vocalist Tammy Scheffer.
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and guitarist.

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Don't forget: This and every Friday and Saturday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965

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Mid-September I'm off to New York's Finger Lakes to the town of Auburn to play in the pit band for the musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes. More info here:

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
17 William Street
Auburn, NY 13021
(315) 255-1305
www.merry-go-round.com‎

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And finally - in October I'm headed back to Germany to do a workshop and concert with the Wurzburg Musikhochschule Big Band as well as a number of other gigs. I'm delighted as always to return to my second homeland. It should be a blast!!!

Keep Swinging!
Russ