Astral Project
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Astral Project | |
|---|---|
 photo by Jenny Bagert
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Genre(s) | Jazz, New Orleans |
| Years active | 1978 - present |
| Website | http://www.astralproject.com/ |
| Members | |
| Tony Dagradi - saxophone Johnny Vidacovich - drums James Singleton - bass Steve Masakowski - guitar |
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| Former members | |
| David Torkanowsky - piano, organ | |
Astral Project is a modern jazz quartet from New Orleans. It was founded by saxophonist Tony Dagradi in 1978 and includes drummer Johnny Vidacovich, bassist James Singleton and 7-string guitarist Steve Masakowski. The band also originally included pianist David Torkanowsky who left in 2001. Renowned for improvisation Astral Project blends styles of jazz, funk, rock and world and have been referred to as one of New Orlean's "premier" jazz groups.[1]
Astral Project began performing at the Absinthe House on Bourbon Street where during their early years Bobby McFerrin was known to often sit in.[2] Having made several national and international tours, the quartet has continued to perform more recently at Snug Harbor and at Jazz Fest in New Orleans.[3]Astral Project has received several Big Easy Entertainment Awards.[4]
Their recordings include: Live in New Orleans (DVD/CD combination released April 2007; The Legend of Cowboy Bill; Big Shot; Voodoobop (best album of 2000 at the 13th Annual Big Easy Awards); Elevado (Winner of the Best Album in 1998 at the OffBeat Awards); and Astral Project New Orleans LA (Album of the Year at the 1995 Big Easy Awards)
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2006-01-10/music_rec.php Karrin Allyson, with Astral Project, David Lee Simmons, Gambit Weekly, January 10, 2006 Retrieved July 27, 2007
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jzfrxqegldde~T1 Bio of Johnny Vidacovich, Rose of Sharon Witmer, AllMusic.com
- ^ http://offbeat.com/artman/publish/article_1569.shtml Astral Project Live In New Orleans, Geraldine Wyckoff, OffBeat Magazine, Jun 21, 2006
- ^ http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/current/be_past.php Big Easy Entertainment Awards Winners 1988-2005, bestofneworleans.com, Retrieved July 27, 2007
