Drummer/Percussionist Carmen Intorre CD Release “For the Soul”
Event on 2012-06-14 18:00:00
Drummer/Percussionist Carmen Intorre CD Release "For the Soul"
Drummer/Percussionist Carmen Intorre is pairing up with producer Bob Belden on his debut album For The Soul (Random Act Records); the organ-based session covers a wide range of musical stylings from Stevie Wonder and Steely Dan to Chick Corea and Weather Report. Intorre is joined by John Hart on guitar, Jon Irabagon on alto and tenor sax, and Pat Bianchi and Joey DeFrancesco – two of the world's most formidable jazz organists. The album swings within the tradition while expanding upon the vocabulary and boundaries of the idiom. Currently Intorre performs with legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino, touring extensively throughout the world with the guitarist's organ trio. He is always eager to uncover the latest information about music and drumming and to share that information with others. He states, "This is my job. I have to give back what I was given a chance to do." He goes on to explain, "Music is an opportunity for me to give up my soul, while in the process connecting with the audiences' souls as well. I want the musicians on the bandstand and the members in the audience to feel uplifted after a performance, to feel great about themselves through the experience that they encountered. That is what For The Soul is all about." The opening track, Stevie Wonder's "Too High," sizzles with intensity. Along with the leader's backbeat, Bianchi's funky bass line and Hart's strumming sets up a compelling groove. Everyone solos with aplomb, with Hart rocking out, Bianchi displaying harmonic depth and Irabagon illustrating how and why he won the prestigious Thelonious Monk Competition in 2008. Of course, Intorre makes his own joyous statement while driving the arrangement to its conclusion. Gene Perla's "Tergiversation" is a seldom-performed gem. Intorre's version features the organ tandem of DeFrancesco and Bianchi. Friendly fireworks ensue as the two masters solo and trade statements; the fire escalates as they trade fours with the leader's thoughtful drums. This is an organ-lover's dream. The Chick Corea opus, "Steps" is rendered by Intorre, Bianchi and DeFrancesco. Few organ groups could handle this tricky composition, let alone perform it at a breakneck tempo. These three navigate the time and changes in a romp, with Intorre taking his longest solo on the album. Producer Belden contributed "Carmen's Caddie," his homage to Intorre's ride of choice. A boogaloo out of the McDuff tradition, the quirky melody leads to solos from Hart's clean lines, Irabagon's throaty tenor and a master class in the blues from the irrepressible DeFrancesco. The album progresses with an homage of a different sort: Joe Zawinul's tribute to Mr. Adderley, "Cannonball." Intorre leads the group with soothing percussion, DeFrancesco delves into his Weather Report vibe, and Bianchi contributes keyboard textures. The ballad tempo still cooks, with Intorre piloting the ensemble to soaring flights. Everyone pays their own heartfelt testimony to Cannonball – However, perhaps the most heart is displayed on the drummer/leader's own tune, the gorgeous "Only One." Inspired by the wisdom, courage and beauty of the drummer's deceased mother, Joan, the beautiful melody is underpinned by sophisticated harmony. Everyone does Mrs. Intorre proud:She surely smiled down upon the entire session. More soulful sounds emanate from Big Chief Donald Harrison's "Good For The Soul," as Irabagon features his alto for the only time. Swinging from the jump, the happy melody is as sunny as Intorre's big beat. His joyful countenance is also felt on Freddie Hubbard's "Gibraltar," as DeFrancesco takes over the organ again and is provoked by the soul/funk influences to quote from Parliament Funkadelic. Another unique tune choice, "Josie," is far different from the original Steely Dan version. This Josie is on the corner, maybe a bit too high, but still ready for anything. With Hart's rollicking opening guitar riffs to the free conversation that ensues, the tune is a highlight of modernity. Towards the end, Intorre absolutely raises the roof – the musicians evoke memories of Tony Williams' Lifetime. The album's closer is a flag-waver for the soul. Weather Report's "Black Market" struts with pure ingenuity, prompting a howl from an exuberant DeFrancesco, who wails with impunity as Irabagon does Shorter. Intorre drives it home, ending abruptly on the stately melody. Born in Buffalo, NY, Carmen Intorre developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age five. A graduate of The Institute for Jazz Studies at the Juilliard School, he has performed and recorded with numerous musicians such as George Benson, Larry Coryell, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, George Cables, Benny Golson, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan, Bobby Watson, and many others. A 2011 GRAMMY® nominee for his performance on the critically acclaimed album by Joey DeFrancesco entitled Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson, Intorre also had the pleasure of performing alongside DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith on the PBS show Legends of Jazz, hosted by Ramsey Lewis. "Carmen is one of my favorite drummers; he has a very wide groove and strong beat, and most of all he swings his ass off! I love him!" says DeFrancesco.
at Birdland
315 W 44th Street
New York, United States
Paintings by Keith Harmon and Roberta Winnett Harrison and Ceramic Art by Ron Lederer, April 6 – May 23, 2012, & Two Gallery Talks!
Event on 2012-05-16 00:00:00
Metro Parks’ Centennial Art Center gallery’s April 6 through May 23 exhibit fearures the works of three local artists; painters Keith Harmon and Roberta Winnett Harrison and ceramic artist Ron Lederer. An opening reception was held on Friday, April 6.
A Gallery Talk and Demonstration by painter Roberta Winnett Harrison, will take place on Tuesday, May 15, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, and, a Gallery Talk by ceramic artist Ron Lederer, will take place onTuesday, May 22, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The Art Center’s gallery manager, Lena Arice Lucas says, “These talks will give the public a chance to ask questions and learn how these remarkable works of art were conceived and made. This exhibit has been so well received, with some visitors returning again and again, even bringing friends along to share the experience with!”
Keith Harmon received his BFA from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. A multi-talented artist, in addition to being an accomplished painter, he has also worked in the design and creation of ceramics, furniture and stained glass. One of his stained glass works of special note can be viewed at the chapel in Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Of this painting exhibition, he simply says, "This work is the culmination and continuation of years studying the human form." This exhibit will feature Harmon’s watercolors. Lena Arice Lucas, (gallery’s manager), elaborates, “Keith is a keen observer. His engagingly lyrical, figurative, expressionistic paintings portray people captured in mo-ments of ultimate creative release. Often inspired by visits to night clubs, hearing live jazz music and observing urbanites enjoying night life, he depicts a world where vibrant musicians and dancers ap-pear to possess an exuberant energy that extends joyously beyond the two-dimensional boundaries of his paintings. The viewer can literally hear the music and feel the rhythm!”
In 2009, Keith Harmon was a co-designer (along with Franne Lee and Mac Hill) of one of Nashville’s first public art “Bicycle Racks.” That ten foot tall work, titled Microphone, is now installed in the northeast corner of Demonbruen Street and Music Row. He was a founding member of the popular Plowhaus Artists’ Cooperative and served on the Board of Directors for “Untitled,” a non-profit artists’ group. Keith’s local exhibitions include an ongoing show at Five Points Pizza, “Flying Solo” at the Nashville International Airport, Bongo Java Roasting Company, numerous Plowhaus Artists’ Cooperative and Untitled Artists’ group shows, TACA Spring Art Fair and Laurell’s Oyster Bar and Grill. In Chattanooga, he is represented by the gallery, Shuptrine's Gold Leaf Designs | Fine American Art, has exhibited at The Urban Art Institute, The Boiled Frog and The Plum Nelly. In Murfreesboro, Keith has exhibited in Jonathan’s on the Square and The Barn Gallery, MTSU.
Originally from England, painter Roberta Winnett Harrison came to the United States four years ago with her husband. She says he “…has been a constant source of support and inspiration.” Her dedi-cation to art began in earnest at the age of sixteen. She reminisces, “…I was taught by artist Ian Murphy at my local high school in Standish. He helped me realize my interest in the simple pleasure of mixing and blending colors of oil paint… It was in Dundee, Scotland, years later, whilst at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, that I embraced the idea of combining different views within one composition. I used the computer to aid my sketching process of layering photographs and sketches of views, people, objects and places. By re-creating these layers with paint, rhythms of color and light were formed across the canvas, enhanced by the texture of various applications and techniques.”
After earning a BA Honors degree in Fine Art (and selected as 'Best in Show' by a national newspa-per), Roberta Winnett Harrison exhibited in galleries throughout Scotland. Soon she earned a Post Graduate Certificate of Art and Design Education at Manchester, England Metropolitan University. During that time, she did pursue teaching, but found she had little time to develop her own art. She did enjoy working for a while designing wall decor and promoting other artists’ works, but says, “…I knew that I wanted to devote all my time to my own painting and photography.” Now doing just that, Roberta explains that by painting with acrylics, she “… can create the desired textures and move-ment…” in her work “…with an elegance and immediacy I find invigorating… I study the function of memory and emotion through my art and how the power of light and dark influences our perception of a time or place – how color and form can represent these memories and the feelings evoked by them.”
Since living in Nashville, Roberta’s exhibitions include such venues as Studio 83 (Arcade, First Saturday Gallery Crawls) Untitled Nashville (various group shows), American Artisan, Mesh Boutique (Murfreesboro) and in Columbia, SC, Portfolio Art Gallery (ongoing representation), Centennial Art Center gallery (in a 2009 three-person show) and since 2008, in the Nashville’s Internationals group exhibitions held there annually. Lena Lucas, impressed with Roberta’s art, reflects, “I have always found Roberta’s paintings not only engaging as beautiful, energetic works of art, but equally intriguing in their inherent narrative quality. I study them, and return to look again, seeing what additional impressions and records of memories I will discover. Nashville’s art scene is richer since she has chosen to live here!”
Local ceramic artist Ron Lederer earned a BA in Landscape Architecture with a Minor in Sculpture at the University of Wisconsin. He began his ceramics studies at Centennial Art Center under Bill Rummel and Lena Arice Lucas in the mid 1970’s and attended workshops with Jane Peiser at Penland School, NC and Wally Smith in Gatlinburg, TN. Ron has been a full-time professional clay artist for over 30 years. Ron Lederer reflects, “Wow! To think I became a potter a mere thirty-seven years ago, and it all started right there at Centennial Art Center!
I knew what a potter was back then, but couldn't even spell ‘kiln’!” About his Art Center exhibition, he says, “Works I’ll present at the Art Center go back to the beginning. It starts with a few functional pieces and moves on to present day sculptural works that are mostly inspired by visual and mental memories from my life. The titles of some might help you know what I was thinking when I created the sculpture. Each piece is a ‘One-of-a-Kind.’” Describing his methods and philosophy, Ron says, “I formulate the shapes of my clay vessels using wheel thrown and handbuilt methods of construc-tion. The … clay I use allows the vivid colors of the underglaze and oxides I airbrush onto the surfaces to retain their brilliance after kiln firing… My work incorporates a strong Asian influence, often combining the individual cultures, such as placing a handle reminiscent of a Japanese Torii Gate atop a classic Chinese ginger jar or fitting a bulbous Korean vase with a Chinese pagoda multi-roofed structure. I work independently in my home studio. I think the spirit of the artist reflects in the work – each piece is unique and contains its own soul.”
A favorite at many prestigious juried arts festivals nationwide, he has exhibited in the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and regularly in some of the best rated arts festivals in the United States, such as the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (FL) and The American Crafts festival in at Lincoln Center in New York. He has won numerous awards including “Best in Show” at the Royal Oak’s Clay, Glass and Metal Show in Royal Oak, MI, “First Place, Clay” Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo, New York, “First Place Sculpture” at The Boston Mills Art Fest in Peninsula, OH, “Award of Excellence – Clay” at the Osceola Center for the Arts Festival in Kissimmee, FL, “1st Place” at The Griffith Art Fair, Griffith, IN (near Chicago) and received four purchase awards at the Miami Beach Festival of the Arts. He is a regular at Nashville’s TACA Craft Fairs and has Guest Lectured at Vanderbilt University’s Ceramics Department. The gallery’s manager, Ms. Lucas says, “Watching Ron develop his art throughout his wonderful career is personally, very gratifying. His works have steadily evolved from strength to strength, and this exhibit will showcase that journey. Many successful regional potters and sculptors started out in Metro Parks’ Art Center’s clay classes. Ron’s impressive achievements in clay make me proud indeed!”
Brenda McSurley, the Art Center’s Director says, “Keith Harmon, Roberta Winnett Harrison and Ron Lederer’s works, displayed together, makes for a very enjoyable gallery experience.”
Admission is free. Metro Parks’ Centennial Art Center is located in the 25th Avenue North and Park Plaza Corner of Nashville’s Centennial Park and is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
For more information or directions, call (615) 862-8442. For information about Metro Parks’ Centennial Art Center’s gallery and to see a schedule of art classes they offer go to: http://www.nashville.gov/parks/arts/cac.asp.
at Metro Parks’ Centennial Art Center
25th Avenue North and Park Plaza
Nashville, United States
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