Andy Fusco (Buddy Rich/Mel Lewis) - alto sax
Walt Weiskopf (Buddy Rich/Steely Dan) - tenor and soprano saxes
Mark Soskin (Sonny Rollins/Herbie Mann) - piano
Baron Browne (Jean-Luc Ponty/Billy Cobham) - bass
Steve Smith (Steps Ahead/Journey) – drums

Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy features alto saxophonist Andy Fusco (Buddy Rich/Mel Lewis), tenor and soprano saxophonist Walt Weiskopf (Toshiko Akioshi Jazz Orchestra/Steely Dan), pianist Mark Soskin (Sonny Rollins), bassist Baron Browne (Billy Cobham/Jean-Luc Ponty) and drummer/bandleader Steve Smith (Journey/Steps Ahead).

The band plays a combination of their own original compositions plus arrangements honoring some of the great jazz drummers: Art Blakey, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones and others. The group headlined a Modern Drummer weekend and their performance can be seen in the Hudson Music DVD Modern Drummer Festival 2006.

Steve Smith, an award-winning drummer (voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame as well being named one of the Top-25 Drummers of All-Time in a Modern Drummer readers poll), has his roots in jazz playing. Smith’s resume includes Journey, Steps Ahead, Randy Brecker, Ahmad Jamal, and more than 20 recordings as a leader or co-leader, including 12 with his fusion group Vital Information. His Hudson Music DVD Drumset Technique/History of the U.S. Beat is a worldwide best-seller.

Andy Fusco was the lead alto saxophonist of the Buddy Rich Big Band from 1978-1983. He has toured with a number of other legendary performers including Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis, Frank Sinatra, and John Pizzarelli, and is widely recorded both as a sideman and the leader of his own ensemble. 

Tenor saxophonist/composer/arranger Walt Weiskopf’s wide range of experience includes touring and recording with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, the Buddy Rich Big Band and both Steely Dan and Donald Fagen’s solo outings. Andy and Walt have led many of their own solo recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label.  Their recent release, Tea For Two, is a critically acclaimed recording that they co-led.

Baron Browne is one of the most versatile and creative bassist on the scene today. He has toured and recorded with an array of artists including Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Gary Burton, Steps Ahead, Mike Stern, Tom Jones and currently Vital Information.

Pianist Mark Soskin is an in-demand sideman, a hard working bandleader and a gifted composer/arranger. He has recorded and performed with such diverse musicians as Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Randy Brecker, Billy Cobham, Buster Williams, Eddie Henderson, Stanley Turrentine and Herbie Mann. His latest recording is entitled One Hopeful Day and features Bill Stewart, Chris Potter, John Patitucci and John Abercrombie.

Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy has developed a unique “small big band” sound and is carrying on the tradition of many of the great drummer-led jazz bands; communicating with music lovers of all generations, striving for excellence and playing non-compromising, burning, straight-ahead jazz.

For more information and to hear some music from Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy, visit their MySpace site:

www.myspace.com/stevesmithjazzlegacy
www.vitalinformation.com/steve
www.marksoskin.com
www.waltweiskopf.com
www.myspace.com/baronbrowne

For bookings contact Janet Williamson: janetrwilliamson@cs.com
For publicity, contact Michael Bloom: musicpr@earthlink.net
For marketing materials, contact Steven Orkin: steve@orkinmarketing.com