MP3 Joey G-Clef Cavaseno & William Ash - Ballads for Bill and Joe

A truly gorgeous collection equisite evergreens from the American Songbook as interpreted by the most talented "Jazz Duo" in modern times. Young Jazz Greats William Ash (guitar) and Joe G-Clef Cavaseno (alto saxophone) come together in this mos

15 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Traditional Jazz Combo, EASY LISTENING: Background Music



Details:
JOEY G-CLEF CAVASENO (alto saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, hip-hop artist, producer, keyboardist)

A revelation! - Jazz Hot Club du France Newsletter.
Sensational! - New York Daily Challenge.
Really something to behold...without a doubt, something special ! - Mary Snyder, Downbeat
The kid is tearing up New York! - late trumpet legend Doc Cheatham

The artist these people are raving about happens to be alto saxophonist/clarinetist Joey Cavaseno. Over the last few years, Cavaseno has shown himself to be a prominent sideman and potential leader in the world of jazz, and after leading his own small groups for a few years, is now the leader and musical director of the most influential and prominent band in swing, The Yalloppin' Hounds.
As young musicians go, Joey is quite unique. One of his main musical attributes is an extensive background in the history of jazz music. Whereas most jazz musicians his age don't even go farther back than John Coltrane, Cavaseno's influences are as diverse as Sidney Bechet to James Brown. He cites Duke Ellington as his main influence.
Joey Cavaseno was born in Queens, NY and was raised in West Hempstead, Long Island. He began playing clarinet at eleven and saxophone at fourteen, studying with reedman Chasy Dean. Cavaseno has studied at the Eastman School of Music, Rutgers University, and the New School as a jazz performance major. His career took off at the age of seventeen, when he was discovered from the ranks of the McDonald's Tri-State Jazz Ensemble by none other than vibraphone legend Lionel Hampton. Hampton then featured Cavaseno on clarinet with him at an N.Y.U. Highlights in Jazz concert.
Since then Cavaseno's career has blossomed into as full an agenda of jazz experience as any pro. He was, until 1998, sitting at the lead alto chair with the world-renowned Illinois Jacquet Big Band (on-and-off for 12 years total , since 1986.) In fact, Joey is featured on that band's only commercial release, Grammy nominated Jacquet's Got It, on Atlantic Records. He has also acted as lead alto and musical director for Panama Francis' Savoy Sultans, with whom he has been worked for twelve years, replacing Bobby Watson. He is still actually also performing with, on occasion, ex-Louis Armstrong bassist Arvell Shaw's Armstrong Legacy. Joey has recorded with Arvell, and the Armstrong Legacy CD was released as of April '92 on Victoria Records. He has also performed extensively with the late trumpet legend Doc Cheatham, with whom he recorded Echoes of Harlem on Stash records. Cavaseno was also a featured member of Bobby Forrester's Organ group for several years, as well.
Among other artists Joey has performed with are Clark Terry, Wild Bill Davis, Hassan Melvin Sparks, Carrie Smith, Arvell Shaw's Armstrong Legacy, Lionel Hampton, George Kelly, Frank Lacy, Art Baron and the Duke's Men, Red Richards, Aaron Bell, Henry Butler, Jimmy 'Preacher' Robins, Bill Doggett, and many others. These experiences have taken him to France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Czech Republic, Greece, and Hong Kong.
In the spring of 1991, Cavaseno was featured in 2 concerts at the J.V.C. Jazz Festival, New York City. At these concerts he shared the stage with stars such as Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Faddis, Buddy Tate and many others.
Not only has Cavaseno become an outstanding soloist, but he is also an accomplished arranger and composer. Some of his arrangements are featured in the Panama Francis repertoire.
He has simultaneously embarked upon an innovative journey in the parallel universe known as Hip-Hop music. He began laying Rap tracks in 1988, hearing the possibilities for jazz/rap fusion before any other jazz artist even heard a rap record. After demoing his varied experiments in sound, by 1992, he was signed to Tuff City Records as the lead rapper, saxist, and producer of the trail blazing trio Ghetto Philharmonic. They released their album "Hip-Hop/Be-Bop" in 1993, complete with a single, "Don't Bite The Concept", with a music video that was seen world-wide! He also produced several other commercially released projects, including collaborations with Weldon Irvine and Camille Gainer, both musicians with an ear for Hip-Hop.
Cavaseno, with the help of trumpeter Brian "Lord" Sledge, and pianist Eli Yamin, formed their most dynamic band yet: The Yalloppin Hounds. With the resurgence of Swing dancing and music throughout the world, it was only natural that musical director Cavaseno lead them into new heights of Neo-Swing, based on the triumvirate's authentic experience in the true genre. This band , to date is Cavaseno's busiest endeavor yet, and five releases later, the band constantly growing in popularity. Cavaseno has since then become the only remaining founding member and still leads the band to this day.
Cavaseno's latest project is an alternative hip-hop/jazz/pop group called Rayzd, with a first release in 2004.
Cavaseno is listed in both the Encyclopedia of Jazz by Ira Gitler and Lewis Porter's Jazz Encyclopedia . the Over the last few years of this amazingly fruitful career, Joey Cavaseno has received his share of accolades. Nat Hentoff of The Village Voice called him "an exceptional young musician with strong roots...so much feeling." It is obvious that this young star is an asset to jazz' future. But he will not be a star born without a healthy background of hard work and dues paying. Joey Cavaseno will surely take all his experiences with him into the future.

BIOGRAPHY INFO FOR JOEY 'G-CLEF' CAVASENO
Cavaseno, Joseph "G-Clef" (Harry), saxophonist, clarinetist, pianist, rap vocalist, singer, composer, arranger; b. Mineola, NY, June 2, 1967. Raised originally, until 1969, in Laurelton, Queens, NY, then family moved to West Hempstead, NY, with father, Joseph Vincent, b 1927 NYC, and mother Leslie , b 1948, NY. Has one brother, Andrew, who plays bass and guitar, and one cousin Eddie Cavasenno, plays drums. Studied at International Art of Jazz Workshops (Hempstead H.S.)(1979-1983?) with teachers such as Arnie Lawrence, Dave Burns, Hale Smith, others. Private clarinet and sax studies with Chasy Dean (Charles DeAngelis). Fellow students were Justin Robinson, Herman "X" Clark, Ray Holmes, Eric Lemmons. Attended Rutgers University (1985-6), studied under William Butler Fielder, Sahib Shihab, Keith Copeland, Kenny Barron. Fellow students included Steve Nelson, Frank Lacy, Mike Mossman, Peter Bernstein. Studied at New School for Jazz, NYC (1986), studied with Arnie Lawrence, Sir Roland Hanna, Jerry Gonzales, etc) Performances: Lionel Hampton, featured on clarinet (1984-85) with a small group featuring Kenny Washington. Featured with organist Wild Bill Davis (1984). Featured with Illinois Jacquet Big Band (on and off from 1985-1998) as lead alto sax and primary soloist, some arranging, recorded Grammy Nominated album on Atlantic (1987). (Bandmates included Cecil Payne, Rudy Rutherford, Irvin Stokes, E.V. Perry, Carmel Jones, Frank Lacy, Henry Scott, Johnny Grimes, Richard Wyands, Hugh Broadie, Eddie Bert, Duffy Jackson, Kenny Bolds, Brian Sledge, Mark McGowan.) Many Jazz Concerts as soloist in Highlights in Jazz series at NYU. Led own group at Carlos I Nightclub, (1985) (featuring Bross Townsend, Frank Lacy, Keith Copeland, Victor Gaskin- received two press reveiws, NY Post, NY Times. Featured and recorded with trumpet legend Doc Cheatham, received press reviews as well, recorded live album on Stash Recordings called "Echoes of Harlem" (1985) also featuring George Kelly, Victor Gaskin, Ronnie Cole, Richard Wyands. Featured intermittently with vocalist Carrie Smith Featured as leader and sideman with organist Bobby Forester, (1986-1997) including stint at Showman's Cafe in Harlem (1990-95?) and various clubs in NYC area. Performed as regular member of The Louis Armstrong Legacy Band led by Arvell Shaw, on clarinet, recording one live album for Victoria Label.(1984-2003), became musical director/arranger. (Bandmates included Byron Stripling, Brian Sledge, Spanky Davis, Marty Napoleon, Bross Townsend, Ray Mosca, Gary Valente, others Regular member and musical director for Panama Francis and the Savoy Sultans (1987-1998) replacing Bobby Watson. (Bandmates included Irvin Stokes, Brian Sledge, Dean Pratt, Don Sickler, Zaid Nasser, Craig Bailey, John Smith, Lawrence Lucie, Leonard Gaskin, Bross Townsend, Richard Wyands, others) Featured intermittently with Weldon Irvine group, as well as being hired as producer and co-writer(1992-1997). Also experimented with Jazz-Hip-Hop fusion. Led group Ghetto Philharmonic, which signed deal with Tuff City Records (CBS) (1992-1994) released two singles, video, and one album called "Hip-Hop Be-Bop", as lead rap vocalist, saxophonist, arranger, producer, composer. Started own recording label called Soul Kid Records (1995-98), featured independent hip-hop oriented self-productions ranging from own group Soul Kid Klik, which entered into short lived affiliation with Wu-Tang Clan, to self titled "G-Clef's Jazzy Breaks" albums, featuring jazz improvisations with hip-hop production. Led Modern Swing Band Yalloppin' Hounds (1998- present) acting as musician, vocalist, musical director, composer, and arranger. Released several albums, including hit song "Oops, My Bad" which appeared in two Motion Pictures, "Dead Pet" and "Nola"(to be released soon). "Oops, My Bad" won Best Song from www.swingawards.com in 2001.

RECORDINGS:
1987- w/ Doc Cheatham, Echoes of Harlem, Stash
1989- (late release), recorded '87- w/ Illinois Jacquet, Jacquet's Got It, Atlantic
1989- w/ Arvell Shaw and the Armstrong Legacy, Live at NYU, Victoria
1992- w/ Ghetto Philharmonic, Don't Bite the Concept (single & video), Tuff City
1993- w/ Ghetto Philharmonic, Hip-Hop/Be-Bop (LP), Tuff City
1994- w/ Weldon "Master Wel" Irvine, When I Was a Sperm (single), Back Beat
1994- w/ Camille Gainer, G-Clef Meets the Funky Drummer, Vol.1 (LP), Tuff City
1994- w/ Camille Gainer, G-Clef Meets the Funky Drummer, Vol.2 (LP), Tuff City
1995- as Soul Kid Entertainment, P.O.W. (song on compilation LP), New Breed
1995- w/ Soul Kid Klik, Mortal Combat (single), Roach/Soul Kid
1996- w/ Rekanize, Hip-Hop/Don't Stop (single), Bedroom Beats/Solar
1996- G-Clef, G-Clef's Jazzy Breaks, vol. 1 (LP), Soul Kid
1997- w/ Goodfella Mike G, Strictly Dago (single), Soul Kid
1997- w/ Soul Kid Klik, Desperate Times/ Spark da Mic (single), Soul Kid Records
1999- w/ Dr. Ring Ding, My Sound, from Diggin Up Dirt, CD, Import, Grover
2000- Yalloppin' Hounds, Ghetto Swing Extreme, Yalloppin
2001- Yalloppin' Hounds, New Yalloppin' City, Yalloppin
2002- Yalloppin' Hounds, Dirty, Raw and Swingin': Live at Lincoln Center, Yalloppin
2002- Yalloppin' Hounds, Lindy Hop Deluxe, Yalloppin
2002- G-Clef and da Houndz, Sampler, Yalloppin
2002- w/The Blak ProphetZ 'With FX' / 'The Maddest Style' - 12 Inch Single, Fattjointz
2002- Soul Kid Klik, Invisible Army, Yalloppin/Soulkid
2003- G-Clef, Journals from a Desert Planet, Yalloppin/Soulkid
2003- Yalloppin' Hounds, The Architect: play the music of Duke Ellington, Yalloppin
2003- Rayzd, Fear is the Mind Killer, Yalloppin/Soulkid
TELEVISION AND FILM:
1985- Talk of the Town, featured with Lionel Hampton
1987- French TV , featured with Illinois Jacquet Live in Concert
1994- Ghetto Philharmonic- Don't Bite the Concept, Tuff City Video
1995- German TV ?, featured with Illinois Jacquet Live in Concert
1995- Swiss TV , Live at Bern Jazz Fest, featured with Arvell Shaw
2001- Motion Picture "Dead Pet" usage of Yalloppin' Hounds "Oops, My Bad"
2002- Harold Ousley's Circle of Friends, Manhattan Cable Show
2003- Motion Picture "Nola" usage of Yalloppin' Hounds "Oops, My Bad"
PRESS and BOOKS:
1985- review of performace, NY Times
1985- review of performace, NY Post
1985- Downbeat Magazine, Upcoming Talent feature, Mary Snyder Vance
1999- The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz, by Leonard Feather & Ira Gitler
2001- Atomic Magazine- story on Yalloppin' Hounds
2001- The Swing Book by Degen Penner (Yalloppin' Hounds)
2004- Lewis Porter's Jazz Encyclopedia

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WILLIAM ASH (GUITAR)-
"William Ash astounds on guitar, performing his original compositions in a hard-swinging trio setting. Guitar players marvel at his technique. William deploys his craft sincerely, and without guile, always drawing on his deep jazz roots." from the liner notes of the upcoming release, "Bill's Groove", Smalls Records

William Ash started guitar at age 9 and when he was 12 and heard the Wes Montgomery trio play "Round Midnight" and "Missile Blue ( from the 1059 Riverside record with Mel Rhyne and Paul Parker) it turned his head around. All through his young teen years he attended the classes Barry Harris held at The Jazz Cultural Theater, and Ted Dunbar's workshops at Jazzmobile. He also had input from Rodney Jones. While at LaGuardia High School for Music and the Arts he played with Abe Burton, Steven Scott, Walter Blanding, Eric McPherson, Jason Lindner and Justin Robinson. As a member of the McDonald's Jazz Band he worked with drummer Greg Hutchinson, and the band often featured major players such as Dave Valentine, Randy Brecker, Steve Turre, etc. During this time he also played regularly with the legendary alto player Clarence C. Sharp with Ari Roland (bass) and Greg Hutchinson., and was the winner of the Young Talent Search of the National Association of Jazz Educators (NAJE). The William Ash Trio was the McDonald's combo Contest winner. He performed as a soloist with a big band at the Oakland Jazz Festival at the request of Buddy Montgomery, brother of the late Wes.

In subsequent years Ash had the opportunity to play with now deceased jazz greats Junior Cooke, Jack McDuff, John Patton, Bill Doggett and Bobby Forrester. He has also performed with Buddy Montgomery, Joey Cavaseno, Cecil Payne, Roy Hargrove, Rodney Jones, Jimmy Ponder, Ronnie Cuber, and Arnie Lawrence with Brad Mehldau and Larry Goldings..

Ash was fortunate to be featured along with guitarists Kenny Burrell, Gene Bertoncini, Ted Dunbar, Kevin Eubanks, Rodney Jones and Jack Wilkins with Rufus Reid (bass) and Akira Tana (drums) on a 2 volume CD entitled "A Tribute to Wes Montgomery". The liner notes , written by Dr. Herb Wong characterize Ash as "simply a beautiful young player whose powerful Montgomery tradition comes shouting with validity." William has had guest appearances on WKCR and WQXR Radio, and also appeared on TV on The Guitar Show.

Ash appreciates the trio format and has worked with a variety of bass players and drummers including Jimmy Cobb, Idris Mohammed, Bobby Durham, Dennis Irwin, Willie Jones III, Duane Burno, Ben Wolf, Jimmy Lovelace, Joe Farnsworth, Fuku Tainaka, Louis Hayes, Nat Reeves, Lenny White, Gerald Cannon, and Mark Johnson. He has recorded a number of CDs as a leader and sideman. (see discography below) Ash has gained a strong following in Japan and has recently completed two tours there, hitting close to fifty cities, a number of Jazz festivals, and appearing on the NHK network.



Discography...

Tribute to Wes Montgomery, Volume I and II, William Ash, Kenny Burrell, Kevin Eubanks, Ted Dunbar, Rodney Jones, Gene Bertoncini, Jack Wilkins Evidence ecd22040-2,ecd22051-2

"A Giant Step" What's New Records wncj-2123

Hear William Ash (moonlight and stars) Jazzbank mtcj-1033

"Vincent Herring Village Bebop Quintet" What's New Records wncj-2115

"Village Bebop Allstars" George Braith, Evelyn Blakey, Jimmy Vass, John Abrams, What's New Recordswncj-2102

"Organic Chemistry" Bobby Forrester, Bubba Brooks, Tootsie Bean Lollipop lr9593

"Dirty, Raw, and Swingin'" Yalloppin' Hounds Live at Lincoln Center, Yalloppin- YE1003

"Sukiyaki" - Yoichi Kobayashi - Village Bebop Quintet Live in Japan, feat. William Ash, guitar; Tardo Hammer, piano; Vincent Herring, alto sax; Billy Johnson, bass; Yoichi Kobayashi, drums - What's New Records- WNCJ-2115


Led groups at...
Birdland, Village Gate, Smalls, Fat Cat, Savoy Bar, Showmans, J's.. and have performed at virtually all the jazz clubs in New York

Have performed with...
Buddy Montgomery, Junior Cook, Bill Doggett, Big John Patton, Jack McDuff, Cecil Payne, Roy Hargrove, Rodney Jones, Jimmy Ponder, Ronnie Cuber, Arnie Lawrence, Tom Harrell, Larry Goldings, Brad Mehldau, Joey "G-Clef" Cavaseno, Yalloppin' Hounds, Jimmy "Preacher" Robins, Bobby Forester