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New Haven's GEORGE LESIW BAND BRING THEIR JAW DROPPING MIX OF JAZZ FUSION TO THE 20th ANNUAL LONG BEACH JAZZ FESTIVAL Fans of in your face, straight up no chaser, jazz fusion are in for a treat as The George Lesiw Band will be performing at The 20th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival On Sunday August 12th. The Boys will be taking the main stage from 12 – 1 P.M as one of this years Jazz Search Winners. Also performing at this years festival are Jazz legends Poncho Sanchez, Lalah Hathaway, Al Williams, and Patrice Rushen. WHERE: 20th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival - E Shoreline Dr & S Linden Ave WHEN: Sunday Aug 12th, 2 P.M DETAILS: Please see www.longbeachjazzfestival.com for full line up and ticket pricing
New Haven's GEORGE LESIW BAND Are Back Out West With Their Electrifying Jazz-Fusion Improvisations At Spaghettini Italian Grill and Jazz Club on June 22nd Fans of in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion better get ready for an explosive earful during the George Lesiw Band's free set at Spaghettini Italian Grill and Jazz Club in Seal Beach on Friday, June 22nd . Electric Guitarist George Lesiw, Acoustic Bassist Preston Murphy and Drummer Gil Hawkins, Jr. forge a sound that's "slightly outside the mainstream, but burns like crazy." The George Lesiw Band had a very successful 2006 with a growing number of tour dates throughout the Northeast playing such famed venues as New York City's The Knitting Factory and Zebulon in Brooklyn, NY. Also, their music was featured on FOX 11's News half-hour Special, "Songs of Our Success," that celebrated Black History Month. The Saturday following their Spaghettini show, the George Lesiw Band is performing at a private charity function for The Jackie Slater/ Eric Dickerson Celebrity Golf Tournament, and they have also been chosen to perform at the Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival on July 15, 2007. Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. Before George Lesiw, Preston Murphy and Gil Hawkins, Jr formed the George Lesiw Band, they collectively opened for or played with these performers: Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist), Chieli Minucci, Dave Valentine, Donald Harrison, Debbie Davies, Etta James, Jason Palmer Quartet, Dave Tronzo Trio, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others. SHOW RECAP WHO: George Lesiw Band WHEN: Friday, June 22nd from 8:30pm- 11:30pm WHERE: Spaghettini Italian Grill and Jazz Club DETAILS: FREE
THE GEORGE LESIW BAND Primed To Take Their Electrifying Jazz-Fusion Improvisations Around New Haven County * * * Electric Guitarist George Lesiw, Acoustic Bassist Preston Murphy and Drummer Gil Hawkins, Jr. Fans of in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion better get ready for an explosive earful during the George Lesiw Band's shows in New Haven County throughout April and May. The band is set to play at Tavern On Main in Westport on April 20th , Chow in New Haven on April 21st , Cafe Taste in Ansonia on April 27th , The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown on April 28th , Chow on May 12th , Twisted Vine in Derby on May 19th , and Chow on May 26th . Catch them while you can before they go back for their 2nd tour on the West coast. The George Lesiw Band had a very successful 2006 with a growing number of tour dates throughout the Northeast playing such famed venues as New York City's The Knitting Factory and Zebulon in Brooklyn, NY. Also, their music was featured on FOX 11's News half-hour Special, "Songs of Our Success," that celebrated Black History Month. The band is extending their success into 2007 with tour dates on the West Coast. Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. Before George Lesiw, Preston Murphy and Gil Hawkins, Jr formed the George Lesiw Band, they collectively opened for or played with these performers: Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist), Chieli Minucci, Dave Valentine, Donald Harrison, Debbie Davies, Etta James, Jason Palmer Quartet, Dave Tronzo Trio, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others. Katie Probert of UK Webzine Subba-Cultcha.com said of Anuta Was Here: "Each player is quite extraordinary - exceptionally skilled and accomplished musicians... They use the basic format of jazz, and then push it and manipulate it, throwing in a town of fresh, electrifying energy and seasoning." SCHEDULE
New Haven's GEORGE LESIW BAND Primed To Take Their Electrifying Jazz-Fusion Improvisations To The The West Coast, With Shows At Spaghettini Italian Grill and Jazz Club on March 25th And The Baked Potato On March 27th * * * Electric Guitarist George Lesiw, Acoustic Bassist Preston Murphy and Drummer Gil Hawkins, Jr. Forge a Sound That's "Slightly Outside the Mainstream, But Burns Like Crazy" Fans of in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion better get ready for an explosive earful during the George Lesiw Band's sets at Spaghettini Italian Grill and Jazz Club in Seal Beach on March 25th and The Baked Potato in Studio City on March 27th . On March 25th, the band also will be interviewed live from Spaghettini's on 94.7 The WAVE's Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch show with Barbara Blake. The WAVE's music is firmly focused on new, emerging artists in the contemporary jazz and pop fields. The George Lesiw Band had a very successful 2006 with a growing number of tour dates throughout the Northeast playing such famed venues as New York City's The Knitting Factory and Zebulon in Brooklyn, NY. Also, their music was featured on FOX 11's News half-hour Special, "Songs of Our Success," that celebrated Black History Month. The band is extending their success into 2007 with their upcoming tour dates on the West Coast. Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. Before George Lesiw, Preston Murphy and Gil Hawkins, Jr formed the George Lesiw Band, they collectively opened for or played with these performers: Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist), Chieli Minucci, Dave Valentine, Donald Harrison, Debbie Davies, Etta James, Jason Palmer Quartet, Dave Tronzo Trio, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others. Katie Probert of UK Webzine Subba-Cultcha.com said of Anuta Was Here: "Each player is quite extraordinary - exceptionally skilled and accomplished musicians... They use the basic format of jazz, and then push it and manipulate it, throwing in a town of fresh, electrifying energy and seasoning." SHOW RECAPS Sunday March 25th, 2007
New Haven's GEORGE LESIW BAND Primed To Take Their Electrifying Jazz-Fusion Improvisations To The Puppet House Theatre September 16 * * * Electric Guitarist George Lesiw, Acoustic Bassist Preston Murphy And Drummer Gil Hawkins, Jr., Forge a Sound That's "Slightly Outside the Mainstream, But Burns Like Crazy" Fans of in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion better get ready for an explosive earful during the George Lesiw Band's set at The Puppet House Theatre in Branford on Saturday, September 16th at 7pm. Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. Before George Lesiw, Preston Murphy and Gil Hawkins, Jr formed the George Lesiw Band, they collectively opened for or played with these performers: Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist), Chieli Minucci, Dave Valentine, Donald Harrison, Debbie Davies, Etta James, Jason Palmer Quartet, Dave Tronzo Trio, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others. Katie Probert of UK Webzine Subba-Cultcha.com said of Anuta Was Here : "Each player is quite extraordinary - exceptionally skilled and accomplished musicians... They use the basic format of jazz, and then push it and manipulate it, throwing in a town of fresh, electrifying energy and seasoning." Click here to be added to the GEORGE LESIW BAND Complimentary VIP Guest list - Just type your name and affiliation and you will receive an Email confirmation, or call Luck Media & Marketing, Inc. at (310) 860-9170 to be added to the list. WHO: George Lesiw Band, New Haven's blues-based jazz fusion group DETAILS: $15.00
New Haven's GEORGE LESIW BAND Primed To Take Their Electrifying Jazz-Fusion Improvisations To The Puppet House Theatre September 16 * * * Electric Guitarist George Lesiw, Acoustic Bassist Preston Murphy And Drummer Gil Hawkins, Jr., Forge a Sound That's "Slightly Outside the Mainstream, But Burns Like Crazy" Fans of in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion better get ready for an explosive earful during the George Lesiw Band's set at The Puppet House Theatre in Branford on Saturday, September 16th at 9pm. Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. Before George Lesiw, Preston Murphy and Gil Hawkins, Jr formed the George Lesiw Band, they collectively opened for or played with these performers: Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist), Chieli Minucci, Dave Valentine, Donald Harrison, Debbie Davies, Etta James, Jason Palmer Quartet, Dave Tronzo Trio, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others. Katie Probert of UK Webzine Subba-Cultcha.com said of Anuta Was Here: "Each player is quite extraordinary - exceptionally skilled and accomplished musicians... They use the basic format of jazz, and then push it and manipulate it, throwing in a town of fresh, electrifying energy and seasoning." WHO: George Lesiw Band, New Haven's blues-based jazz fusion group DETAILS: $15.00
New Haven's GEORGE LESIW BAND Primed To Take Their Electrifying Jazz-Fusion Improvisations To Mario's Cafe in Derby, CT on May 5th * * * Electric Guitarist George Lesiw, Acoustic Bassist Preston Murphy and Drummer Gil Hawkins, Jr.Forge a Sound That's "Slightly Outside the Mainstream, But Burns Like Crazy" Fans of in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion better get ready for an explosive earful during the George Lesiw Band's set at Mario's Cafe in Derby, CT on Friday, May 5th at 9pm. Also on the bill are Farewood and Sarah Breton. Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. Before George Lesiw, Preston Murphy and Gil Hawkins, Jr formed the George Lesiw Band, they collectively opened for or played with these performers: Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist), Chieli Minucci, Dave Valentine, Donald Harrison, Debbie Davies, Etta James, Jason Palmer Quartet, Dave Tronzo Trio, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others. Katie Probert of UK Webzine Subba-Cultcha.com said of Anuta Was Here : "Each player is quite extraordinary - exceptionally skilled and accomplished musicians... They use the basic format of jazz, and then push it and manipulate it, throwing in a town of fresh, electrifying energy and seasoning." Click here to be added to the GEORGE LESIW BAND Complimentary VIP Guest list - Just type your name and affiliation and you will receive an Email confirmation, or call Luck Media & Marketing, Inc. at (310) 860-9170 to be added to the list. WHO: George Lesiw Band, New Haven's blues-based jazz fusion group DETAILS: $5
New Haven's GEORGE LESIW BAND Primed To Take Their Electrifying Jazz-Fusion Improvisations To The Donegal Saloon in Kearny, NJ on April 8th * * * Electric Guitarist George Lesiw, Acoustic Bassist Preston Murphy and Drummer Gil Hawkins, Jr. Forge a Sound That's "Slightly Outside the Mainstream, But Burns Like Crazy" Fans of in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion better get ready for an explosive earful during the George Lesiw Band's set at the Donegal Saloon in Kearny, NJ on Saturday, April 8th at 9pm. Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. Before George Lesiw, Preston Murphy and Gil Hawkins, Jr formed the George Lesiw Band, they collectively opened for or played with these performers: Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist), Chieli Minucci, Dave Valentine, Donald Harrison, Debbie Davies, Etta James, Jason Palmer Quartet, Dave Tronzo Trio, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others. Katie Probert of UK Webzine Subba-Cultcha.com said of Anuta Was Here: "Each player is quite extraordinary - exceptionally skilled and accomplished musicians... They use the basic format of jazz, and then push it and manipulate it, throwing in a town of fresh, electrifying energy and seasoning." WHO: George Lesiw Band, New Haven's blues-based jazz fusion group DETAILS: FREE
New Haven's GEORGE LESIW BAND Take A Slight Detour From Their Electrifying Jazz-Fusion Improvisations On 'Anuta Was Here' To Become The Twisted Vine's House Band In Derby on April 15th, May 13th, and May 27th * * * Sets Will Feature Straight Ahead Jazz With Some Cuts From Rockin' Jazz Fusion Debut The George Lesiw Band is scheduled to perform free sets at the Twisted Vine Restaurant in Derby, CT at 8pm on April 15th, May 13th, and May 27th. During each show, the band will concentrate on straight ahead jazz, but will also sample tunes from their in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion album Anuta Was Here . Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. Before George Lesiw, Preston Murphy and Gil Hawkins, Jr formed the George Lesiw Band, they collectively opened for or played with these performers: Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist), Chieli Minucci, Dave Valentine, Donald Harrison, Debbie Davies, Etta James, Jason Palmer Quartet, Dave Tronzo Trio, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others. Katie Probert of UK Webzine Subba-Cultcha.com said of the George Lesiw Band : "Each player is quite extraordinary - exceptionally skilled and accomplished musicians... They use the basic format of jazz, and then push it and manipulate it, throwing in a town of fresh, electrifying energy and seasoning." WHO: George Lesiw Band, New Haven's blues-based jazz fusion group DETAILS: FREE
GEORGE LESIW BAND Ventures Deep Into Blues-Based Jazz Thousands of fans of in your face, honest to goodness, rockin' jazz fusion better get ready for an explosive earful now that The George Lesiw Band is exploding from its East Coast cocoon and hitting the national circuit. Over the past five years, the progressive trio --electric guitarist/composer Lesiw, acoustic bassist Preston Murphy and drummer Gil Hawkins, Jr.-- have forged a wild, off the beaten path sound Hawkins likes to say is "slightly out of the mainstream, but burns like crazy." Based alternately in Connecticut and Boston, they've developed a loyal following with hundreds of gigs throughout the Northeast at a unique array of hotspots, ranging from famed clubs like Toad's Place in New Haven to Café 9 (also in New Haven), The Middle East in Cambridge, Mass., and Acme Underground In New York. Ask any of their legion of fans--there's nothing like hearing The George Lesiw Band live. But the group's dynamic debut CD Anuta Was Here --named for Lesiw's ex-wife, who plays electric guitar on the nine-track collection and composed four of the tunes-- is a perfect snapshot of a multi-faceted, adventurous unit that's constantly evolving and charting new territory. The artistically expansive project combines the true improvisational essence of jazz, the daring electricity of classic guitar-based fusion and the gritty fire of rockin' blues. The title of "Blue Skeleton" refers to its hybrid sound, a 12 bar blues form featuring more complex jazz changes; "Gone By The Woodbine," whose name comes from an expression Lesiw's grandfather always used, incorporates a fascinating eight tone row (pitches that don't relate to any one scale) as the foundational bassline. "The pieces here are designed as frameworks for improvisation, just as the old jazz masters would do on standards, only we're working with originals," says Lesiw, who leaped into the jazz fusion world after some life changing years at Berklee College of Music, where he received a degree in performance and songwriting. "They were created over different periods of time through an interesting creative process which involves clearing your mind, being receptive to new ideas and, most importantly, forgetting everything you've learned so that you're always thinking ahead," he adds. "Of course, that covers an incredible amount of territory. I started out as a teenager playing rock, then blues before I got into jazz. I think hearing Hendrix's 'Foxy Lady' when I was 14 was the breakthrough. I started playing a beat up acoustic before switching to electric, then played rock in high school before I began studying the blues masters and later, the whole Blue Note jazz generation." Lesiw wasn't just listening to and emulating T Bone Walker, BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughn; he was transcribing solos religiously, responding to what he calls "something soulful, that touched me deeper than any rock music ever did." Then he got crazy with Blue Note legends Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery and Grant Green before opening his ears to modern electric fusion greats like guitarists John Scofield and Scott Henderson. "When I was living in Boston , I played in Top 40 and wedding bands, but creatively, that took me only so far," he adds. "My goal was to devote my life to learning how to improvise, getting deep into the languages of jazz, blues, and jazz fusion. Each genre has its own language. In improvisational music, you can play what you want, and with odd signatures. There's so much more freedom, and I can't imagine following any other path." Before forming The George Lesiw Band with Murphy (who he met at Berklee in Boston) and Hawkins (whom he first played with in a New Haven blues band in the mid-90s), the guitarist led bands that shared the stage with a proverbial list of who's who in the blues world: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Debbie Davis, Roomful of Blues and Luther "Guitar" Junior Johnson (Muddy Waters' former guitarist). Murphy's numerous associations include stints with numerous quintets, quartets and trios led by Jason Palmer, Cecil Brooks III, Dave Tronzo, Kevin Harris, et al. A mainstay within the jazz/blues circles of New England , Hawkins' background includes opening for Dizzy Gillespie as part of the band Suite, performing with Vincent Lyn's jazz quartet, and playing with guitarist Eran Troy Danner of the blues trio Hot Dallas Nite and the Cobalt Rhythm Kings. "When we started playing as The George Lesiw Band five years ago, the chemistry just worked, and it was easy, like we'd been playing together our whole lives," says Hawkins, whose influences include fusion greats Billy Cobham, Bill Stewart, and Max Roach. "Like most musicians, I have been playing drums all my life in many different genres, but jazz is my home base. Over the years, I've found that fusion is the format that best allows me to express myself. With this group, we enjoy using the basic format of jazz and throwing in a ton of fresh, electrifying energy. My job in the back is to keep that energy constant, keeping the soup stirred and adding cool seasoning where it counts." Currently in the studio working on a follow-up collection, Lesiw promises some exciting departures from what we hear on Anuta Was Here --including a lot of odd multiple signatures, multiple tonalities and more complex rhythmic foundations. "It's great to commit this music to a recording, but the real art of what we do is the passion we convey in live performances," he says. "The music we play isn't like a sculpture you can look at, it's really about the ongoing movement that's taking place onstage. There's nothing quite like the moment when fans come up after a show and says that our music makes them feel good and healthy and alive. Making that connection with the audience makes everything worth it." |
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