Joe Magnarelli &
Dave Santoro Quintet
Joe Magnarelli (Trumpet)
Dave Santoro (Contrabass)
Jim Odgren (Saxophone)
Gary Versace (Piano)
Andrea Michelutti (Drums)
Special guest: Yul Ballesteros (Guitar)
This quintet is comprised of some of the most important musicians & music teachers on the current jazz scene, who give their classes at some of the best schools of music in the world, such as The Berklee College of Music, New York University, Juilliard, The New School & The University of Oregon, among others. Among their collaborations, we could quote musicians of the very top calibre worldwide, and among their students we can count on the majority of the young and not so young talented musicians on the international scene. Joe Magnarelli & Dave Santero Quintet is a well established band with an extensive repertoire in the field of teaching, and a sound comparable to the great jazz classics.
Joe Magnarelli
He is one of the most distinguished jazz trumpeters on the current scene whose sound can be identified from the very first note. His extensive recording career with the Criss Cross label leaves us in no doubt about that. He has collaborated with many of the main names of jazz such as Harry Connick, Jr., Maria Schneider Orchestra, Chico O'Farrill, John Pizzarelli & Don Sevesky, among others. He is currently a teacher at most of the great schools of music in New York, such as The New School, Julliard & New York University.
Dave Santoro
He is considered to be one of the most influential musicians on the international musical scene. He teaches at the best universities in the USA, the most well known of them being UCON and The Berklee College of Music. Among his students we come across some of the most important figures on the current scene, such as Brad Melhdau and Kurt Rosenwinkel, to name but a few. He is one of the most charismatic bassists in the world of jazz and, among others, has worked with Bob Berg, Bob Brookmeyer & the Clark Terry Quintet, Joey Calderazzo, Steve Grossman, Brad Mehldau, Sal Nistico, John Scofield and The Village Vanguard Orchestra.
Gary Versace
Over the last few years this pianist has become one of the most versatile musicians on the scene, ever since moving to New York in the year 2002. He has collaborated with musicians of the stature of John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Lee Konitz, & Maria Schneider, among others. He has recorded three discs in solo and more than forty as sideman; among these the winner of the Grammy "Concert in the Garden" with Maria Schneider. He is a teacher at some of the best universities in the USA, especially The Universidad de Oregon.
Jim Odgren
Saxphonist & teacher, he is one of the heads of the Department of Music Interpretation at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He was part of Gary Burton's group for a period of three years. He has collaborated both on tours and in recordings with Michael Gibbs, Steve Swallow, Mike Stern, Victor Bailey & Hiromi, among others, and has given seminars with great musicians such as Joe Lovano and Joanne Brackeen.
Andrea Michelutti
He is considered to be one of the most sought after drummers in París, the city where he has lived since the year 1991. For years he was a member of the Michele Hendricks Quartet, and is currently with the Jerry Bergonzi Quartet, with whom he has recorded two discs for the Double Time Records label. He has also recorded with the singer Sara Lazarus & the Vintage Orchestra, and as well as this has played together with Harry "sweet" Edison, Art Farmer, James Spaulding, Benny Golson, Steve Swallow, Jon Hendricks, Randy Brecker & Bob Mintzer.
