Sakura

Vinnie Cutro – a powerhouse musician of vigor and invention – shines on Sakura, his fifth CD. Here – working with an ace crew of tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, trombonist Bob Ferrel, pianists Charles Blenzig and Mitch Schechter, bassist Jay Anderson, and drummer Billy Hart – Cutro offers six vibrant originals, three reworked jazz standards, and a vital interpretation of a Japanese folk song. The trumpeter – whose inspirations include Woody Shaw and Lee Morgan – talks about the improvisational and compositional concepts heard on Sakura. “While I always keep the basic elements of structure and swing, I’m experimenting more with intervals, like 4ths, 5ths, major sevenths,” he says. “Those challenging intervals create a more open, more modern sound.” Indeed, Sakura is packed with engaging, potent music, music that mixes rich melodic warmth with the bristling excitement of adventurous ideas. Among the many gems: the anthem-like title track; the surging waltz, “Three for Me”; the riveting ballad, “Willow Weep for Me”; the open-minded, funky “Big Chief”; the driving “What is This Thing?” This dynamic recording should give Vinnie Cutro the wider recognition he clearly deserves. Zan Stewart ....... Jazz Critic (Star Ledger) ----------------------------------------------------------------- VINNIE CUTRO & NEW YORK CITY SOUNDSCAPE "SAKURA" CD ********"RADIO FEEDBACK********RADIO FEEDBACK******** "RADIO FEEDBACK" *****************  "One of only 3 CDs to debut on the JazzWeek Top-50 Jazz Chart, #42 on MediaGuide Indie Jazz Top-100 and #3 Jazz Add at college radio during its release week - 1/19" ----------------------------------------------------------------- "RADIO FEEDBACK" ***************** Bill Barton, Host Bright Moments KBCS Bellevue-Seattle 91.3 FM "This is one hell of a good CD! It's one of two new discs by cats I'd never heard of before that really impressed me." ----------------------------------------------------------------- "RADIO FEEDBACK" ***************** Forrest Dylan Bryant Freelance Writer : KZSU 90.1 FM.......Stanford, CA :: jazzobserver.com "Cutro brews up a heady post-bop mixture on 'Sakura.' His adrenaline-laced original tunes have great presence, grabbing you by the collar and demanding attention. His treatments of standards are fresh and incisive. This is a bold disc, and it's a winner."  ----------------------------------------------------------------- "RADIO FEEDBACK" ***************** Michael Harrison WRTI ......... Philadelphia. "SAKURA" Title Track............." I like the track a lot.  It's a slammin piece. " ----------------------------------------------------------------- "RADIO FEEDBACK" *****************  Arturo Gómez Music Director, jazz89 KUVO The Oasis In The City Colorado's First HD FM Radio Station Celebrating 14 Years of Live Performances! "Good music is easy to play, my pal at my former station, WDNA told me that he liked it and we have compatible tastes' ----------------------------------------------------------------- BIO During the past 30 years Vinnie Cutro has performed with noted jazz greats such as HORICE SILVER, BUDDY RICH and LIONEL HAMPTON.He has traveled extensively throughout the world appearing at jazz festivals and concerts in Europe,Japan, Africa,Canada,South America and the U.S.A.. As a member of the Lionel Hampton Quintet,he performed guest appearances with various symphonic orchestras in the U.S.A such as the Colombus Symphony Orchestra,Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Omaha Symphony. As a freelance musician,he has had the opportunity to work with artists such as: Mike Stern Billy Hart Jerry Bergonzi Bob Mintzer Ray Charles Blood Sweat And Tears Jim McNeely Mike Richmond Jay Anderson Arturo O'Farrel Orchestra The Mel Lewis Orchestra Jimmy McGriff Machito Orchestra Xavier Cugot Orchestra Mel Torme Bernard Perde Barry Manilow The Four Tops The Temptations Al Kooper Donald Fagen The Spirit Of Life Ensemble Jazz Composers' Workshop Orchestra *************************************************************************** Vinnie Cutro ,born in New Jersey in 1953,received his formal musical training throughout the years and continued his education at New Jersey University where he received his B.A in Music Education.Then his working education began as a freelance musician in the New York Area.He later continued his education at New York University where he received his Masters in Jazz Performance.There he furthered his studies in jazz composition,classical studies,jazz arranging and counterpoint with Dr. Tom Boras and Jim McNeely. The festival appearances include locations : Pori Jazz Testival (Finland) North Sea Festival (Holland) Capital Jazz Festival (England) Weisen Jazz Festival (Austria) La Grande Parade du Jazz (France) Perugia Jazz Festival (Italy) Lugano Jazz Festival (Italy) Skepsholmen Festival (Sweden) Lugano Jazz Festival (Switzerland) Cascais (Portugal) Tabarka Jazz Festival (Tuniesia) Playboy Jazz Festival (U.S.A.) Kool Jazz Festival (U.S.A.) Newport Jazz Festival (U.S.A.) Chicago Jazz Festival (U.S.A.) As a member of the Lionel Hampton Quartet,he performed guest appearances with various symphonic orchestras in the U.S.A. such as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra,Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Omaha Symphony. His first CD release as a leader(Blues for the Optimist;West Side Records 1995) featured jazz artists such as Bob Mintzer,Jim McNeely,Victor Jones,and Mike Richmond.This CD contains 7 original compositions by the leader plus two new arrangements of John Coltrane's Giant Steps and Naima. His second CD release featuring Mike Stern(guitar),Bob Farrel (trombone), Martin Wind (bass),Sarah Jane Cion (piano),Victor Jones (drums)and Mitch Schechter (piano) Is called "ABBERATION" Vinnie Cutro is currently performing in the New York area with his new ensemble which is called VINNIE CUTRO & NEW YORK CITY SOUNDSCAPE.His latest cd (featuring Jerry Bergonzi (tenor saxophone),Billy Hart (drums), Bob Farrel (trombone), Charles Blenzig (piano), Jay Anderson (bass), and Mitch Schechter (piano) ) is called "SAKURA" and is also available at CDBABY.COM __________________________________________________ EDUCATOR BA Music Education New Jersey City University __________________________ MA Arts New York University __________________________ New York University Adjunct Trumpet Teacher General Music Teacher Jersey City Public School System __________________________ Instrumental Music Teacher Hackensack Public School System __________________________ Guest Soloist/Staff Clinician Jazz Vermont Camp/Jazz Festival Killington,Vermont 2007 2008 __________________________________________________ GUEST SOLOIST / CLINICIAN Hanover Park High School Jazz Ensemble Hanover Park,NJ Mr. Dave Martin,Director 2008 __________________________ Bergen Catholic Highschool Jazzband Bergen Catholic Highschool 12/18/07 __________________________ Rockland Youth Jazz Ensemble Trumpets Jazz Club Montclair.NJ 12/9/07 __________________________ Guest Soloist/Staff Clinician Jazz Vermont Camp/Jazz Festival Killington,Vermont July 15-19,2007 ________________________ Bergen Catholic Highschool Jazz Ensemble Trumpets Jazz Club Montclair,NJ 3/1/07 ________________________ Rockland Youth Jazz Ensemble Riverspace Arts Center Nyack,NY 2/25/07 ________________________ Rockland Youth Jazz Ensemble Congers,NY 1/30/07 ________________________ Wall Township Highschool Jazz Ensemble Wall Township,NJ ________________________ Scotchplains / Fanwood Highschool Jazz Ensemble Scotchplains,NJ ________________________ Morristown Highschool / Middleschool Jazz Ensemble Morristown,NJ ________________________ Randolph Highschool Jazz Band Randolph,NJ ________________________ Bergen Catholic Highschool Jazz Ensemble Oradell.NJ ________________________ Hanover Park High School Jazz Ensemble Hanover Park,NJ Mr. Dave Martin,Director 1998 ________________________ Rockland Youth Ensemble Congers,NY ________________________ Whippany High school Jazz Ensemble Whippany,NJ ________________________ Randolph Highschool Jazz Ensemble Randolph,NJ __________________________________________________ LESSONS / PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS Classical Sudies Techniques in the development of : * Tone * Lip Flexibility * Tongue Techniques * Upper Register Development * Finger flexibility * Interpretation ________________________ Jazz Improvisation Study the Systematic approach to Jazz Improvisation * Chord Studies * Scale Application * Patterns * Transcribed Solos * Jazz Standards * Blues Study * Rhythm/Space * Jazz Improvisation Concepts * Jazz Styles * Practice techniques/concepts * Intervalic Study __________________________________________________ DISCOGRAPHY (as a leader) Sakura Vinnie Cutro & New York City Soundscape Royal Music Ensembles Records CD RME72307 2008 Blues For The Optimist Vinnie Cutro Quintet Royal Music Ensembles Records RME82593 1994 Aberration Vinnie Cutro & New York City Soundscape Twinz Records CD394 1999 Paradise Vinnie Cutro & New Horizon Green Pepper Junction CDA 4444 01 2004 __________________________________________________ DISCOGRAPHY (as a sideman) Soulcentric E. Bland Reel Music 2008 Dangerous Mood Suede Easily Suede Music ES1005 2008 Resonance Karl Latham Quartet Dropzone Records DZJ200701 2007 The Age of Imagination Quartet SCENARIO / JPN / CD NO.070314HH005 2007 Last Years Waltz The Dalton Gang Second Step Music ssm#1126 2006 Beginning To see The Light Jane Stuart Jane Stuart Music JSM001 2006 That Healin' Feelin' Spirit of Life Ensemble RUP100-14 2006 Guy's Song Guy Ventura La Vie En Rose #2906 2006 Urbanized Mike Di Lorenzo www.KEEP theGROOVE #50105 2005 Gradie Stone Live Gradie Stone Niki Records 2005 Sueno En Ti Soul Creations-Deepagrooves Empire Musicwerks Catalog No.: 450748 2005 Deepagrooves Records Dep G005 2005 Cutro's Lounge Deepagrooves Records 2005 A Little Oasis Spirit of Life Ensemble Cristal Records CD04-23 2004 Soul Searching Joe Kurasz Ren Music Inc 2004 One Rose,One Heart Marty Rotella Rotella Productions 2004 The Sky's The Limit The Dynamic Superiors P-Vine/Josrac 2003 Singin' With The Big Bands Barry Manilow Record Label: Arista Records (USA) Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Rosemary Clooney 10/11/1994 Maranatha Gerard Chiusano OCP Productions 11924 2003 Just For Tonight The Dalton Gang Second Step Music SSM110 2002 Live au Duc Spirit of Life Ensemble Rise Up Productions RUP100-12 2002 Voices from My Heart Julian Hernendez Groove Scape Records GRS1001 2002 Visions Michael Cochrane St. Pauls Jazz Initiative 2002 Face to Face Bob Ferrel-Ted Curson Twinz Records Twinz-003 2001 Liquid Blue Rosine Katan Liquid Blue Music LBM1 1998 In The Spirit Of The Moment Hanover Park Jazz Ensemble TD22401 1998 Thanks For The Memories "Mr. Soul" Dennis Alston Ray DAR Records DAR818 1995 Bon Voyage Bob Ferrel Quintet BFM Productions BFM002 1998 Time Tunnel Bob Ferrel Quintet BFM-001 1996 All Saints Hotel Joe Camilleri Head Records 1996 Miami Shadows The Dalton Gang Second Step Music ssm 1118 1995 Rhythms The Dalton Gang Second Step Music #07181 1993 Live At San Quintin B.B. King MCA Records 1991 Made in Japan Lionel Hampton Band Glad Hamp Records#1023 1983 Three Houses Tom Boras MMC 2011 J 1994 Lionel Hampton Band Timeless Records TR3 1982 Buddy Rich Band MCA Records #5186 1980 Spyglass Hill Pete Furlan PFM 001 1999 Works for Jazz Orchestra N.Y.U NYU 52899 1999 Sentimental Journey Lionel Hampton Band Atlantic Records #81644 1985 Generations Frank Foster and Pepper Adams Muse Records #MR5313 1985 Smoke Signals Rich Austin Alliance Records #AL3701 1992 Chitlins Parmigiana The Vivino Brothers Miami Shadows DMP Records #CD492 1992 The New Xavier Cugat Orchestra Xavier Cugat Orchestra RKCDD002 1993 Antigua Rio Clemente and Friends Reality Records #8001 1980 Die Happy Pam Tate Left Field Records 1427-2 1991 25 Years The Spirit of Life Ensemble Rise Up Productions RUP100-11 2000 The All Star Jazz Orchestra 2001 Holy Love Marlinda Ireland & The Christ Rise Impact Publishing 10000R 2000 __________________________________________________