Greetings Music & Arts Lovers,
Lots going on as we get into the New Year. I will be heading out to California for some gigs in the LA area and will be in Sacramento doing a workshop and concert with the Rio Tinto High School Jazz Band, under the leadership of Josh Murray. I'll also be joining recently repatriated trombonist John Knight's quartet for an evening of original music at the Gershwin Hotel.
More exciting yet, I had written a screenplay for a movie short a couple of years ago. Through my good friend and major supporter Stu Deutsch, I made friends with director David Capurso. David and I have been developing the script and will be shooting my movie on the 23rd and 24th of this month, starring, among others, Gene Farber, who has worked on 24, Lie to Me, Virtuality, and many other productions. I am truly awed and amazed this is happening! If anyone wants more information on this project, or would like to contribute to its completion, please contact me at russ@russguitar.com
Here the latest gigs:
-Thursday, Jan. 14, 8pm: The John Knight/Russ Spiegel Quartet, feat. Aidan Carroll and Ross Pederson
@ Gershwin Hotel, 27th & 5th Aves., NYC.
-Friday, Jan. 15, 7pm: solo guitar @ Il Porto, 37 Washington Avenue at Flushing Ave., Brooklyn, NY.
-Wednesday, Jan. 20, 8pm: The Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra feat. Hilary Gardner @ Gershwin Hotel, 27th & 5th Aves., NYC.
-Friday, Jan. 22, 7pm: Solo guitar @ Il Porto, 37 Washington Avenue at Flushing Ave., Brooklyn, NY.
-Friday, Jan. 29, 8pm: The Russ Spiegel Trio @ The Foundry on Melrose, 7465 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
-Saturday, Jan. 30, 8pm: The Russ Spiegel/Nick Mancini Quintet feat. John Tegmeyer @ Rosalie & Alvas, 1417 W 8th St., San Pedro, CA 90732.
-Thursday, Feb. 4: Workshop and concert with The Rio Tinto High School Big Band, Sacramento, CA.
-Sunday, Feb. 7: The Russ Spiegel/Nick Mancini Quintet feat. John Tegmeyer @ The Lighthouse, 30 Pier Avenue
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254-3760
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Yes, indeedy, the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra is starting the New Year this Wednesday, Jan. 20th at the Gershwin Hotel in Manhattan. Great music, great venue - the Gershwin is not only one of the up and coming music venues in New York, but is also a very cool room, with modern art and a plush interior. There is also a cafe inside now with wine & beer.
Sets are at 8 & 9:30pm. Entrance is $10. Come for the first set and stay for the second free. Take off your shoes & shake your thing!
Russ Spiegel: Composer, Arranger, Guitar
Reeds: Rob Wilkerson, Alejandro Aviles, Tim Armacost, Dan Pratt, Frank BasileTrumpets: Albert Leusink, Tatum Greenblatt, Miki Hirose, tba
Trombones: Scott Reeves, John Knight, Kevin Cerovich, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm: Art Hirahara (p), Yoshi Waki (b), Chris Benham (dr)
Special Guest - Vocalist Hilary Gardner
Personally one of my favorite singers, Hilary Gardner, with her sparkling tone, crisp rhythmic assurance and interpretive finesse, is fast becoming known as one of New York's most compelling young vocalists.
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Recently voted as one of the Top 10 Jazz Albums of the Year by Michael Valentine, Music Director for WDNA 88.9 FM, "Transplants" comprises nine energetic and magnificently performed Big Band Jazz pieces, all arranged and produced by Russ Spiegel. In addition to six original compositions written by Russ, Transplants includes songs by legendary composers Duke Ellington, Ray Noble and Paul Weston.
“There is a little something for everyone to like on Transplants, and it is clear that
Spiegel is a composer we will be hearing more great things from in the future.”
Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.Net
The 17-man strong Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra consists of some of New York's most talented musicians, and between the scintillating arrangements, stellar compositions and amazing musicianship there is something for everyone.
"If you are truly wise, you will transplant this disc from your favorite online CD store, directly into your music collection."
Dan McIntosh, indie-music.com
The Gershwin Hotel is located at:
7 East 27th Street in New York City
212-545-8000
www.gershwinhotel.com
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I'll be at my usual Friday gig: "O solo mio" - solo jazz guitar, that is -Friday evenings 7-10pm at Il Porto Restaurant(known for its wood burning brick oven pizza!). Located directly across from the entrance to Steiner Studios.
