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New York Electric Piano

Just like the universe, New York Electric Piano (NYEP) is expanding. The original trio of pianist Pat Daugherty, bassist Tim Givens, and drummer Aaron Comess has doubled, adding 3 New York musicians: Leon Gruenbaum on his unique instrument the Samchillian, Till Behler on saxes and flutes, and the singer Deanna Kirk. After three instrumental releases that probed the Fender Rhodes electric piano sound their new release, King Mystery, features vocals, acoustic piano, and a diverse set of Daugherty originals that embrace jazz’s past while exploring its future.

It all began as NYEP played out their 2007 release Blues in Full Moon. Leon Gruenbaum, keyboardist with Vernon Reid and James "Blood" Ulmer, began showing up at the bands gigs. "Leon is one of my favorite players and I invited him to bring his ax and sit in," Pat says. "He did and has never left!" In the early '90s Pat and Leon shared the piano chair at vocalist Deanna Kirk's NY restaurant, a jazz spot that was the center of a burgeoning scene.

Then Till Behler, a tenor/flutist known for his recording work with the Brazilian Girls, showed up at a Cutting Room gig and sat in. "I heard Till one night at NuBlu and he had a fierce tone," Pat recalls. "I knew his sound was right for the band." Till had played at Deanna's with Aaron and Tim in the late saxophonist Arnie Lawrence's band. The fans loved Till that night and he became the next new member.

That same night, singer Deanna Kirk, who has performed with Eartha Kitt and Cecil Taylor, performed Pat's song "Why Are We Here?" with the band. The tune previously had bossa nova feel but the band swung it that night and the crowd was mesmerized. It got Pat thinking about adding vocals to the new album. "I was listening to some old big band records and I was intrigued with how the vocalist doesn’t come in till the end of the tune," Daugherty says, in explanation of his inspiration for "Temple Tantrum," a paean to dance. Finally Pat invited the drummer Mal Stein to add some soundscapes to the record. "Mal added a beautiful layer that confirmed the misterioso quality of the music."

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288
Album Review

New York Electric Piano: Keys To The City Volumes 1 & 2

Read "Keys To The City Volumes 1 & 2" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay


New York Electric Piano started its life as a trio, staying that way for its first three albums. The fourth recording, King Mystery (Buffalo Puppy, 2008), found the band expanding to a septet. Following a minor reshuffle, Keys To The City Volumes 1 & 2 sees further expansion, to an octet with guests, and to a two-CD set. Keyboardist, vocalist and composer Pat Daugherty is still at the helm of a group which is still creating a fascinating sound.

434
Album Review

New York Electric Piano: King Mystery

Read "King Mystery" reviewed by Matt Marshall


Expanding their trio to a septet for King Mystery, New York Electric Piano has fashioned an invigorating, woven work out of the cotton basics of jazz and swatches of futuristic fabric. Most notable in this mix is the addition of Leon Gruenbaum and his self-invented MIDI instrument the Samchillian, though it's difficult to know for sure what separates Gruenbaum's Samchillian playing from the contributions of Mal Stein, who is listed simply as providing “soundscape." But with an album ...

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163

Recording

New York Electric Piano - King Mystery (Buffalo Puppy, 2008)

New York Electric Piano - King Mystery (Buffalo Puppy, 2008)

Source: RVAjazz

by Dean ChristesenThe most interesting instrumentation in a contemporary jazz album of 2008 goes to New York Electric Piano. Originally a trio of Fender Rhodes, bass, and drums, the group's fourth record adds to it Leon Guenbaum's unique Samchillian keyboard, acoustic piano, saxophones and flutes, male and female vocals, and “soundscape." The same flame that heats the trio's first three releases engulfs King Mystery, which burns brighter with the added ensemble members.Pianist Pat Daugherty, bassist Tim ...

117

Recording

New York Electric Piano Releases King Mystery

New York Electric Piano Releases King Mystery

Source: GoMedia PR

Adds Vocal and Acoustic Piano to Their Distinctive Sound New York Electric Piano forges new ground with King Mystery, just released on New York Electric Piano’s own label, Buffalo Puppy Records. King Mystery, the band’s fourth album,builds on the original acoustic trio (pianist Pat Daugherty, bassist Tim Givens, and drummer Aaron Comess) with the addition of new members, keyboardist Leon Gruenbaum, sax and flute player Till Bebler and singer Deanna Kirk, adding vocals and acoustic piano to the band’s original ...

105

Recording

New York Electric Piano Live At Crash Mansion In Support Of "Citizen Zen" On Midlantic Records

New York Electric Piano Live At Crash Mansion In Support Of "Citizen Zen" On Midlantic Records

Source: All About Jazz

On June 6, 2005 Midlantic Records Releases Citizen Zen The Second Recording from New York Electric Piano, Featuring Pat Daugherty on Fender Rhodes, Tim Givens on Bass and Aaron Comess (of The Spin Doctors) on Drums New York Electric Piano will be celebrating the release of Citizen Zen with a performance at Crash Mansion on Wednesday, April 27th – one show at 9:00 PM sharp. TKTS are $8 Crash Mansion is located at 199 Bowery in NYC, click on www.crashmansion.com ...

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Recording

On June 7, 2005 Midlantic Records Releases Citizen Zen from New York Electric Piano, featuring Pat Daugherty, Aaron Comess and Tim Givens

On June 7, 2005 Midlantic Records Releases Citizen Zen from New York Electric Piano, featuring Pat Daugherty, Aaron Comess and Tim Givens

Source: All About Jazz

RED CAT PUBLICITY J a s o n B y r n e 415 85th Street, #3R, Brooklyn, New York, 11209, tel 718 921 1330, fax 347 402 1912 Email [email protected] On June 7, 2005 Midlantic Records Releases Citizen Zen The Second Recording from New York Electric Piano Featuring Pat Daugherty on Fender Rhodes, Tim Givens on Bass and Aaron Comess (of The Spin Doctors) on Drums New York Electric Piano will be celebrating the release of Citizen Zen with ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Keys To The City...

Buffalo Puppy Records
2011

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King Mystery

Buffalo Puppy Records
2008

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