Updated: December 12, 2020
Active since: June 5, 1998
E.S.P. is a high energy, contemporary jazz group featuring original music. Their recordings are part jazz, part funk and part world music. Its real jazz, you just won't need your GPS to follow it!. This exciting jazz quartet's 2009 album Time’s Up! (SPIDER RECORDS) was featured in JAZZIZ magazine. In 2010, the record won a Syracuse Area Music Award (Sammy) for best jazz Recording and continues to receive airplay in more than 120 cities worldwide. In 2012, E.S.P. was voted “Best Jazz Group” in the Syracuse New Times annual reader’s poll. Their 2011 release, Reach (SPIDER RECORDS), was produced by the Grammy Award-winning bassist of The Yellowjackets, Jimmy Haslip, and features three tracks with legendary keyboardist Jeff Lorber. This year, E.S.P. released Zero Gravity to critical acclaim winning the band its third consecutive SAMMY award. E.S.P. has opened for many big jazz names including Chris Boti, The Rippingtons and Jeff Kashiwa’s Sax Pack among others. Members have also backed jazz greats including The New York Voices, Joey DeFrancisco and Martha Reeves. JAZZIZ MAGAZINE SAYS: “Clearly inspired by the tradition of true jazz improvisation, yet Time’s Up! glistens with a modern sound.”
Matt Vacanti: bass
Matt plays string bass and Pedulla fretless bass in the group.His string bass playing brings a real straight ahead jazz feel to the group.
Yet growing up in Buffalo New York, his compositional style is influenced by groups that got their start in western New York, like Spyro Gyra, Chuck Mangione, and Bobby Millitello. Matt is an orchestra director at the Fulton N.Y. High School, and earned the title of Teacher of the Year for his outstanding work with the kids in Fulton. Send Matt an email for more information about ESP anytime!
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October 21, 2020
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April 28, 2020
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March 05, 2020
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March 03, 2020
E.S.P. "Live In The Midwest" Tour Announced
October 21, 2019
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True jazz improv, yet glistens with a modern sound -JAZZIZ MAGAZINE
Al collection or soulful, passionate songs with a combination of excellent musicianship and years of instinctual experience - Jimmy Haslip, The Yellowjackets
Both jazz purists and contemporary fans can easily enjoy -Ron Jackson, smoothjazzvibes.com
5 Stars, Nothing short of awe-inspiring -C.L. Adams, CASHBOX MAGAZINE
Without hesitation, ESP is the Best Contemporary Jazz Group to emerge from Upstate New York since Spyro Gyra exploded on the National scene three decades ago