Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy plays music that is dedicated to
honoring the legacy of many of the great jazz drummers such as
Art Blakey, "Philly" Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, and
Tony Williams. Jazz Legacy also performs original
compositions and arrangements written by the individual band members
which serves to gives the band a unique direction.
This powerhouse, swinging jazz quintet is made up of five seasoned
musicians; Andy Fusco (alto sax), Walt Weiskopf (tenor
and soprano saxes), Mark Soskin (piano), Baron Browne
(bass) and bandleader Steve Smith (drums).
Check out the preview for the
band's performance at Modern Drummer Festival 2006 - from the
upcoming Hudson Music DVD (click on the first link in the navigation
bar on the right of the player).
Steve Smith’s resume includes Journey, Steps Ahead,
Randy Brecker, Ahmad Jamal, and more than 30 recordings
as a leader and co-leader including 12 with his fusion group
Steve Smith and Vital Information.
Steve Smith has been 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 reader’s poll.
Pianist Mark Soskin, a prolific writer and arranger, has been adding
exciting original compositions and arrangements to the book allowing
the band to develop its own voice. Mark is a recording artist,
bandleader, and a longtime sideman for many renowned jazz artists
including Sonny Rollins, Billy Cobham and Herbie Mann. (www.marksoskin.com)
Tenor and soprano saxophonist Walt Weiskopf is another strong
composer and arranger who has added great charts to the band’s
repertoire. Walt is also a bandleader and recording artist. His
credits include touring and recording with Toshiko Akiyoshi,
the Buddy Rich Big Band, and Steely Dan.(www.waltweiskopf.com).
Andy Fusco was the lead alto saxophonist of the Buddy Rich Big
Band from 1978-1983. He has toured with a number of legendary
performers including Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis, and
Frank Sinatra.
Andy and Walt have led many of their own solo recordings for the
Criss Cross jazz label, including their recent co-led recording
Tea For Two.
Bassist Baron Browne, one of most versatile and talented bass
players on the scene, has toured and recorded with Gary Burton,
Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steps Ahead, and
Tom Jones. Baron is also the bass player in Steve Smith’s
jazz/fusion group Steve Smith and Vital Information.
(Click a photo to enlarge in a new
window)
Andy, Mark, Baron and Steve played together for many years -- along
with the late saxophonist Steve Marcus -- in the Buddy Rich
alumni band called Steve Smith and Buddy’s Buddies. The band
recorded three CDs for Tone Center Records, “Steve Smith and Buddy’s
Buddies” (1999), “Steve Smith and Buddy’s Buddies -- Very Live at
Ronnie Scott’s Set One and Set Two” (2003).
Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy 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.
