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Joe Manis

SteepleChase recording artist Joe Manis is quickly creating a strong presence in the Northwest jazz scene with the strength of his "intense, updated take on the glorious Rollins-'Trane tradition." (Willamette Week) He released his debut album Evidence in 2009 on the 8Bells label, featuring Manis on tenor saxophonist, Brooklyn drummer Kevin Congleton, and Portland luminary Dave Captein on bass: the Willamette Week called the album "explosive,” and said “(Manis) makes Pink Floyd's 'Money' sound like something a young John Coltrane might have played"; the Eugene Weekly called Evidence "Fabulous... Will thrill fans of Monk, Rollins."

Manis is the recipient of a 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. His most recent album, North By Northwest, features George Colligan on organ and Kevin Congleton on drums, and was released by SteepleChase LookOut Records in 2013.

The Joe Manis Trio was featured at Rontoms during the 2010 PDX Jazz Festival, a high-energy performance that was a featured Willamette Week "Pick" and received praise from local music critics and bloggers; the Trio returned to the Festival in 2011 and 2013. Recent Joe Manis Trio appearances include Fat Cat NYC, the Shedd Institute’s jazz series, and the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival.

Manis has played with Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, including a recent performance at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, and appears on their album Rise Up! on Real World Records; he has also performed with the Temptations, Wayne Newton, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra, the Eugene Opera, and with the Ken Schaphorst Big Band featuring trombonist Andre Hayward. He has toured Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, UK, & the US. Manis was formerly a member of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies and appears on the Daddies' albums Susquehanna, Skaboy JFK: The Skankin' Hits of..., White Teeth, Black Thoughts, and a forthcoming tribute album.

As both a leader and a sideman, he has presented performances and jazz masterclasses at Whitman College, Bates College, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Oregon, Ferris State University, Willamette University, and South Seattle, Portland, and Lane Community Colleges. Manis received a Master of Music in Jazz Studies-Performance with Academic Honor from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon. Additional studies were at the Eastman School of Music. He currently serves on the faculty of Umpqua Community College. His article "Rhythmic Analysis: Jeff 'Tain' Watts - 'Housed From Edward'" was published in the March 2012 edition of JAZZed Magazine.

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Interview

Joe Manis: Killin'!

Read "Joe Manis: Killin'!" reviewed by George Colligan


[ Editor's Note: The following interview is reprinted from George Colligan's blog, Jazztruth]Sometime last year, I got an email from a dude named Joe Manis, who said he was from Eugene and he wanted me to make a recording with him. He wanted me to play organ. I said to myself," Hmmm. Tenor player named Joe Manis. Never heard of him. Wonder if he's any good?" Well, turns out, Joe Manis is killin! It was a pleasure to ...

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“Killin’... Manis has a big tenor sound, and an aggressive improvisational approach... (a) tough young tenor.”

— George Colligan, jazztruth.blogspot.com

"Makes Pink Floyd’s ‘Money’ sound like something a young John Coltrane might have played...”

— Willamette Week

“Fresh and diverse... Manis led the Trio with a veteran’s touch.”

— Oregon Music News

“Fabulous... Will thrill fans of Monk, Rollins.”

— Eugene Weekly

“Innovative...”

— Statesman Journal

“…a sophisticated fast-punch of intricate and traditional boppy jazz sounds.”

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

In a Heartbeat

PJCE Records
2022

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North by Northwest

SteepleChase Records
2013

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Spring Day

From: In a Heartbeat
By Joe Manis

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