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Steve Smith and Buddy's
Buddies has evolved into Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy
Over the past eight years, Buddy’s
Buddies has been developing a unique “small big band” sound and
direction and has matured into an exhilarating and vibrant jazz quintet.
The group has been moving away from exclusively playing music associated
with Buddy Rich to playing music that is dedicated to the legacy of many
great jazz drummers. Pianist Mark Soskin, a prolific writer and
arranger, has been adding exciting original compositions and
arrangements to the book, allowing the band to evolve with its own
voice.
The sad and unexpected passing of Steve Marcus in September, 2005,
created a void that the group had to consider carefully how to fill.
Where a door closes, a window opens, and Walt Weiskopf came to mind. He
brought a fresh approach to the band with virtuosic playing, writing and
arranging. Walt has already been adding great contemporary charts to the
band’s repertoire, expanding the musical direction.
At that point it was clear that the band had outgrown its original
concept, thus a new band was born -- Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy.
Steve Smith reveals, “Part of our mission will be to perform music
honoring great drummers of jazz history. We have charts dedicated to
Philly Joe Jones and Art Blakey, and we’re developing new material for
each tour. We also intend to carry on the tradition of many of the
drummer-led jazz bands; which is to communicate with music lovers of all
generations, strive for excellence and play non-compromising, burning,
straight-ahead jazz.”
The lineup of Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy is 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
(Vital Information/Billy Cobham) bass; and Steve Smith (Vital
Information/Journey) drums.
Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy to perform at
the Modern Drummer Festival 2006.
The Modern Drummer Festival 2006 with take
place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center -
www.njpac.org - on
September 16 and 17
from Noon to 8:00pm each day. Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy will close
the show at 6:00pm on Sunday the 17th.
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Click
here to see Steve's tour dates with Jazz Legacy, Vital
Information, Summit, and Soulbop! |
The entire MD Festival will be filmed and recorded by Hudson Music for a
DVD release.
Steve Smith’s performance will be sponsored by Zildjian, Sonor, Remo,
Vic Firth, Shure, DW, Hudson Music and Puresound Percussion.
For more information:
www.moderndrummer.com
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