by Nick | Sep 7, 2018 | Uncategorized
World-class musicians record intimate performance concert blending classical music, jazz, rock, and Indian fusion
During the first week of October 2017, world-class musicians from many genres came together in an ambitious project…to record and perform a full night of music…in a week. The Deep Energy Orchestra were brought together by local composer and fretless bassist, Jason Everett who had been named an “Artist in Residence” by the prestigious non-profit Jack Straw Cultural Center in Seattle, WA. The project captured high-quality audio and video performances of his compositions which are inspired by his love for classical, jazz and Indian Fusion music. The live recording took place at Jack Straw Cultural Center, located in the University District, over a two day period.
Says Jason, “I love instrumental music, and started as a classical musician at eight. I was playing jazz clubs professionally at sixteen and fell in love with Indian music at eighteen. This project is an exciting culmination of that history and my love for those musical styles.”
Another well-known musician in the project who plays an unusual instrument is Trey Gunn, who is best known for his work with King Crimson and the Security Project. “I was really excited to play with Trey…we are both bassists with extended range instruments who play melodically; so we were able to trade off roles as lead and rhythm players,” explained Jason. “Trey is really exciting to watch as he is performing on his Warr Guitar which is a 12-string instrument that he plays almost like a piano.”
“I was surprised how easily these pieces flowed out of us when rehearsing and recording. It is a clear testament to Jason’s writing that music this challenging felt so natural.” – Trey Gunn
Also featured on the album is Indian musician Selvaganesh, best known for his work with Shakti, John McLaughlin, and Jonas Helborg, who plays kanjira and his custom drum kit.
“It is my pleasure to be part of Deep Energy Orchestra, everyone was flying, especially Trey! I had a great time playing the music and was impressed with Jason’s pieces, especially those in odd meters. This is one of my favorite groups!” – Selvaganesh
More-strings-than-usual might be a theme for this group as lead violinist Radhika Iyer, from San Francisco, played her seven-string electric violin and Everett himself is known for his unique seven-string fretless bass. Other local musicians who rounded out the sound included tabla player Anil Prasad, and classical musicians, Rachel Nesvig on violin, Aleida Gehrels on viola, and Phil Hirschi on cello.
Jason Everett (aka Mister E) is a performer, composer, and producer who plays a variety of stringed and percussive instruments with his primary instruments being his seven-string fretless bass and acoustic six-string bass. Jason attended Northern Arizona University on a full scholarship for bassoon and started playing jazz professionally at sixteen years old.
Jason has played music outside of the mainstream for most of his career including with the avant-garde space-jazz ensemble, Little Green Men; Flamenco fusion groups, Machete’, Deseo Carmin, and Acoustic Fantasy; world fusion groups, Avaaza, Tarana, and Andre Feriante; and Kirtan artists, Gina Sala’ and Girish. Jason has also been recently performing and recording with Bay Area world jazz fusion groups, Facing East and Ancient Future. Jason has created his own groups including Taal Maya, a Shakti inspired Indian fusion project and Pandamonium, which is described as “Prog Rock Jazz Funk.”
“Jason Everett’s intonation on his signature 7-string fretless bass is exemplary, and he is a well-spring of melodies and musical ideas. Keep your eyes and ears out for Jason Everett aka Mister E!” – Stu Hamm
Jason’s recording work has recently included producing a four-movement, 20-minute composition called “Moksha: The Elimination of All Duality” that features world-class artists including Selvaganesh (Shakti, Masters of Percussion), Fareed Haque (director of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University), Suhail Yusuf Khan, Radhakrisna Neyvili, Vishal Nagar, and Ujwal Nagar.
Jason is also performing as a solo bass artist and has recently performed at NAMM (the National Association of Music Manufacturers) convention in LA, the International Solo Bass Competition hosted by bass amplifier manufacturer, Phil Jones Bass in NY, and as a headliner for Bass Bash in Denver, CO for the last several years.
Finally, Jason was name an Artist in Residence by Seattle non-profit, Jack Straw Cultural Center for 2017 and recorded his new album, “Playing With Fire” which is due for release October 2018 and has recently started a new collaboration with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra who have commissioned Jason to arrange his music from the “Playing With Fire” album for their full chamber orchestra. Jason is an endorsed artist for Bartolini Pickups, Kalium Strings and Conklin Guitars, who have created a signature model instrument for Jason called, the “OM Bass.”
“Jason’s impressive bass work will dazzle, but his playing transcends the instrument to become a pure source of expression. His compositions are equally full of wonder and atmosphere for a sonic journey. A top-notch musician!” – Kevin Johnson No Treble Bass Magazine
In closing Jason has this to impart, “My music is a combination of the styles that move me. Classical, Jazz, Groove, Funk, Prog Rock, and World music (particularly Indian and Flamenco). Music is a language and it is always amazing when musicians from different genres and training can come together to create something new, unique and beautiful. My music is nearly always instrumental, and often in odd-meters.”
To purchase Deep Energy Orchestra’s “Playing With Fire”: https://deepenergyorchestra.bandcamp.com/
For more information:
www.deepenergyorchestra.com
www.facebook.com/deepenergyorchestra
by Nick | Sep 26, 2017 | News, Tour
The Security Project has once again reinvented itself, this time with vocalist Happy Rhodes. Together with Jerry Marotta (drummer from Peter Gabriel’s first five records), Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Michael Cozzi (Shriekback) and NY keyboardist David Jameson, the group continues reimagining the early work of Peter Gabriel (and also, on this disc, Kate Bush), but with Happy’s impressive four-octave vocals adding an entirely new dimension.
The Security Project will be releasing their new live album “CONTACT” on November 18, 2017! The material is culled from shows in the US and their recent Japanese tour. The band will be touring the US in support of the album release in November.
“The Security Project live is a beautifully reverential and creative reinterpretation of these Peter Gabriel classics!” – Kevin Killen, engineer of Gabriel’s “So” record
The Security Project:
Happy Rhodes – Lead Voice
Jerry Marotta – Drums, Vocals
Trey Gunn – Touch Guitar, Vocals
David Jameson – Keyboards, Eigenharp
Michael Cozzi – Guitar, Vocals
Mid-West/East Coast US Fall Tour Dates:
November 2, Thursday – Kingston, NY (BSP Front Room)
November 3, Friday – Newton, NJ (Newton Theater)
November 5, Sunday – New Hope, PA (Havana)
November 7, Tuesday – Northampton, MA (The Iron Horse)
November 8, Wednesday – Pawling, NY (Daryl’s House)
November 10, Friday – Boston, MA (Regent Theater)
November 11, Saturday – Schenectady, NY (Van Dyke Lounge)
November 12, Sunday – Syracuse, NY (The Lost Horizon)
November 14, Tuesday – Cleveland, OH (Beachland)
November 15, Wednesday – Louisville, KY (Headliners Music Hall)
November 17, Friday – Indianapolis, IN (Emerson Theater)
November 18, Saturday – Auburn Hill, MI (Callahan’s)
November 19, Sunday – Chicago, IL (Jerry Marotta drum clinic, info & venue TBA)
November 20, Monday – Milwaukee, WI (Shank Hall)
November 21, Tuesday – Chicago, IL (Reggie’s)
Scorching reviews:
“Great to see some of the original members doing it the right way.” – Steve Hackett
“The Security Project expertly reimagines Peter Gabriel’s groundbreaking early output, creating an immersive experience both in performance and on its debut release Live 1. The group goes far beyond conventional tribute band territory, infusing the songs with new arrangements and elements while staying true to the spirit of the material. Gabriel enthusiasts across the board will be taken by the band’s high-octane approach full of drive, determination, and energy.” – Anil Prasad, Innerviews
“What Security Project does is accomplish what’s been too long in coming: positioning Peter Gabriel’s music as repertoire. It’s clear that while the band treats Gabriel’s music with no shortage of reverence, it’s also about a more open-ended approach to the music.” – John Kelman, All About Jazz
“Somehow, like Gabriel, the Security Project’s performance strikes the right esoteric balance between the tribal groove of world music and the inscrutable logic of the best progressive rock.” – Peter Lindblad, Elmore Magazine
Band bios:
Jerry Marotta
Drummer, Multi-Instrumentalist and Producer Jerry Marotta has recorded and toured with Peter Gabriel, The Indigo Girls, Hall and Oates, Tears For Fears, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Trey Gunn, Cher, 10,000 Maniacs, David Sylvian, Robert Fripp, Robbie Robertson, Ani DiFranco, Suzanne Vega, Sarah McLachlan, Tony Levin, Todd Rundgren, Los Lobos, and Stevie Nicks, to name only a few. Through his extensive touring experience and performances on hundreds of albums, Jerry has worked with many of the greatest artists in the world. His unique musical skills have graced myriad movie soundtracks, video games, TV shows, and percussion software over the past 4 decades.
www.jerrymarotta.com
www.dreamlandrecording.com
Trey Gunn
A native Texan who resides in Seattle, Gunn is known for the unusual 10-string touch guitar that he plays. From the blistering live recordings at the Royal Albert Hall in London with David Sylvian and Robert Fripp (“Damage”, Virgin Records) to ten years recording and touring with King Crimson – a group many content as the most aggressively, adventurous rock band of all time – Gunn is associated with a constant stream of cutting edge projects. Gunn has toured and/or recorded with TOOL, John Paul Jones, Maynard J. Keenan’s “Puscifer”, Vernon Reid, Azam Ali, David Hykes of the Harmonic Choir and Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. He currently runs his own media label (7d Media) while dividing his time between solo work; his projects TU, KTU, The Security Project, 3Below and Quodia; film/TV scoring and coaching musicians in the creative process.
www.treygunn.com
www.7dmedia.com
Happy Rhodes
Happy Rhodes is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and electronic musician with a four-octave vocal range. Rhodes cites Wendy Carlos, Kate Bush, Queen, Yes, David Bowie, Bach and Peter Gabriel as primary influences. Happy began her recording career in 1986 producing 11 albums of electric and highly original material. She has been featured on Morning Becomes Eclectic (KCRW in Santa Monica, CA), the syndicated radio shows Echoes and The World Cafe.
http://happyrhodes.org/
Michael Cozzi
Originally from Wales & London, Cozzi got his start in the mid 80’s as the guitarist for the group Shriekback which had the pleasure of touring with “Simple Minds” “INXS” and “Peter Gabriel”. In the early 90’s, Cozzi joined “Sky Cries Mary” with whom he co wrote 5 albums and toured extensively. During this time Cozzi opened up his recording studio “Moscozzi Studio” where he co-wrote and produced the last two SCM albums “Here and Now” and “Small Town”. He has written and produced music for bands, films, commercials, and video games, which let to him meeting and working with Trey Gunn. Two years ago Trey asked Cozzi if he knew of a guitarist for The Security Project, Cozzi put his hand up like a kid in the classroom and said “me me me”.
http://www.moscozzistudio.com/
David Jameson
Keyboardist/Eigenharpist David Jameson began his music career in the 70’s – when multi-keyboard/synth players became a thing. He spent several years touring with Time Machine and then left the music scene for a career at IBM Research after completing a Ph.D. in Computer Science at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. At IBM, Dr. Jameson created and managed the Computer Music Center and was elected to the prestigious IBM Academy of Technology. David left IBM to found Digiportal Software and more recently Deskew Technologies where he now co-develops Gig Performer, a recently released audio plugin host that targets the critical needs of live performance/session musicians and which he uses in The Security Project shows instead of carrying around tons of vintage keyboards (for which the other band members are very grateful). In addition to working with The Security Project, David also performs with Beyond The Wall, a Pink Floyd tribute band.
To purchase The Security Project “CONTACT” CD: http://music.securityprojectband.com/album/contact
7d Media
City Hall exclusive
Official website: http://securityprojectband.com
by Nick | Sep 3, 2016 | News
Follow up to their acclaimed release “Live 1” includes two classic Genesis tracks!
Seattle, WA – On the heels of their critically acclaimed release “Live 1”, the Security Project will be releasing their follow-up album “Live 2” on October 21, 2016! Members of King Crimson, Shriekback and Gabriel’s original band bring these genre-less masterpieces into the 21st Century. Seattleites Trey Gunn and Michael Cozzi join esteemed drummer Jerry Marotta and NY keyboardist David Jameson to harness the core of these songs. Added to the pedigree of these players is the voice of Brian Cummins. His interpretations add haunting authenticity to the immaculate arrangements.
“Great to see some of the original members doing it the right way.” – Steve Hackett
For these recordings The Security Project is:
Michael Cozzi – Guitar, Vocals
David Jameson – Keyboards, Eigenharp
Brian Cummins – Lead Voice
Trey Gunn – Touch Guitar, Vocals
Jerry Marotta – Drums, Vocals
“The Security Project Live is a beautifully reverential and creative reinterpretation of these Peter Gabriel classics!” – Kevin Killen, engineer of Gabriel’s “So” record
Tracklisting
Family Snapshot
Moribund The Burgermeister
Humdrum
Mercy Street
Wallflower
White Shadow
Father, Son
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Fly On A Windshield
On The Air
Here’s what the press have raved about the Security Project’s “Live 1”:
“Strong marks go to this unique project that will appeal to Peter Gabriel fans and progressive rock aficionados. This is a live album, but the level of musicianship among the band members makes that easy to forget until hearing the audience applause following the tracks. Writing as a Gabriel fan myself, the telling fact is that I’ll probably play Live 1 more often than I play Gabriel’s own recent reinventions.” – Jeff Elbel, IE Magazine
“The Security Project has captured not only the sonic details of Gabriel’s music but also the revered artist’s quirkiness.” – Cryptic Rock
“The Security Project expertly reimagines Peter Gabriel’s groundbreaking early output, creating an immersive experience both in performance and on its debut release Live 1. The group goes far beyond conventional tribute band territory, infusing the songs with new arrangements and elements while staying true to the spirit of the material. Gabriel enthusiasts across the board will be taken by the band’s high-octane approach full of drive, determination and energy.” – Anil Prasad, Innerviews
“What Security Project does is accomplish what’s been too long in coming: positioning Peter Gabriel’s music as repertoire. It’s clear that while the band treats Gabriel’s music with no shortage of reverence, it’s also about a more open-ended approach to the music.” – John Kelman, All About Jazz
“Somehow, like Gabriel, the Security Project’s performance strikes the right esoteric balance between the tribal groove of world music and the inscrutable logic of the best progressive rock.” – Peter Lindblad, Elmore Magazine
To purchase:
http://music.securityprojectband.com
Official website:
http://securityprojectband.com
Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, [email protected]
