Chieli Minucci & Special EFX Sweet Surrender
released February, 2007
biography
Guitar Wizard & Contemporary Jazz Pioneers
Chieli Minucci & Special EFX Celebrate Silver Anniversary with Exhilarating New CD Sweet Surrender
“…extraordinary range and technical finesse.”
- JazzTimes Magazine
"Chieli Minucci is both an influential elder statesman
and true innovator."
– Jazziz Magazine
Grammy nominated and chart-topping sensation Chieli Minucci and Special EFX are at it again! Just in time for their Silver Anniversary the contemporary jazz super-group has crafted the ultimate sonic elixir of mind-bending and mood-enhancing compositions on their latest Shanachie Entertainment CD Sweet Surrender. Proving to be a masterful musical chameleon, guitar wizard, composer and arranger Chieli Minucci produces a recording which embodies all the finest elements of contemporary jazz but in his typical fashion challenges the music to incorporate his influences of jazz, world-fusion, rock, dance and house. “The concept for Sweet Surrender was to capture the intense energy we strive for at a live concert, but in a studio setting. I also wanted to showcase the eclectic styles we've explored over the last 20 plus years,” says Minucci.
Few bands in contemporary jazz have been as entertaining and artistically satisfying as Special EFX. Spearheaded by guitarist Chieli Minucci and co-founded by the late percussionist George Jinda, Special EFX helped to pave the road for contemporary jazz during its early years in the 80s and they continue to set the standard. Emmy-winning artist Chieli Minucci’s (pronounced Kee-eli Mee-noo-che) impressive credits include recording/performance credits with pop icons Celine Dion, The Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez, Lionel Richie, Jewel, Mark Anthony, and Jessica Simpson, among numerous others, as well as a long stint as a composer for the popular soap opera Guiding Light. The in demand session player sums up the secret behind his adaptability as a musician. The guitarist declares, “You can’t keep doing the same thing over and over and still be true to the music. Miles Davis was a role model for me when he came out of retirement because he had already said all there was to say with traditional jazz, so he tried experimenting with new sounds and seeing where he could take them. At first people complained, but it was groundbreaking in its own way. In the same way, I try to let my music evolve.”
Sweet Surrender showcases a fresh mix of irresistible grooves filled with funky memorable hooks, lyrical sweeping melodies, head-nodding polyrhythmic romps and dance inducing and body shaking rhythms. Highlights on the CD include “Mystical,” the album’s first single, sure to skyrocket to the top of the charts with its funky syncopated melody, surprising chord changes and infectious grooves and the tour-de-force “Au Naturale” which exposes Chieli’s virtuoso guitar skills and keen compositional chops (Minucci wrote all the songs on the CD).
Sweet Surrender also features such standouts as the bluesy and soulful “Guitarzzz” which Minucci describes as a cross between the Allman Brothers and contemporary jazz and the trip-hop and electronica tinged “Ascension,” as well as the carnival-like fare “Children’s Day,” which was penned in homage to an annual neighborhood event in Chieli Minucci’s native Forest Hills, Queens. There are also some tender and hauntingly beautiful moments on Sweet Surrender with tracks like “Chant” featuring the vocals of Philip Hamilton and the title track which Chieli based on the Babyface and Eric Clapton collaboration “Change the World.”
Sweet Surrender features Chieli Minucci alongside 'core' Special EFX band members saxophonist and flutist David Mann, drummer Lionel Cordew, vocalist and percussionist Philip Hamilton, pianist and keyboardist Jay Rowe and bassist Jerry Brooks, as well a few guest musicians.
As Special EFX embarks on its 25th year as torchbearers of innovative and inspiring instrumental music, Chieli Minucci reflects on the band’s longevity in the music business. "One of the reasons we have been able to maintain our popularity is because we have evolved and changed over the years. When the band first started we had a heavy world music influence. Later we highlighted more of a progressive rock sound, followed by acid jazz and now we have more of a rhythm and blues influence. When people hear our music, they can expect to hear a little of everything!”
Chieli Minucci was born in Huntington, Long Island, but grew up in nearby Forest Hills, Queens, where he still resides. His father (composer Ulpio Minucci, who wrote songs for Bing Crosby, Julius LaRosa, and Nat King Cole) introduced him to the piano at age six and encouraged him to become a composer. Now Chieli is passing this love on to his own son who is a budding young bassist. His daughter, by the way, is also a musician. Three generations of musical Minucci’s….Look out! Chieli fell in love with the guitar at age eight, a love-affair that continues today. He formed his first group, Taurus, at age 13 and got his introduction to jazz while attending Ithaca College in upstate New York. After college he gained some invaluable on-the-gig training with the NYC-based R&B band BB & Q. He then met percussionist George Jinda at a jam session and they formed Special EFX in 1982, recording for GRP, JVC and ultimately Shanachie as they helped chart the evolution of contemporary jazz. Minucci also recorded three solo projects for JVC before signing with Shanachie in 2000. His previous Shanachie releases, Sweet on You and Night Grooves both spawned top charting Smooth Jazz radio singles (with “Cruise Control” from Special EFX’s Butterfly staying at #1 an incredible five weeks and "My Girl Sunday" from Sweet on You hitting #2, and more recently, “Kickin’ It Hard,” from Night Grooves staying on the charts for a record breaking 33 weeks!) Clearly Chieli has arrived as a solo artist.
Chieli also has earned several Emmy Award nominations for his music on the long-running NBC daytime drama "The Guiding Light"(winning one in 1998) and has worked with Gotham Music on their productions of CDs geared toward such niche directions as extreme sports, horror music and orchestral music for the post-9/ll project Patriotism & Explosive Drama. In 2003 Special EFX released the well-received Party which featured the popular single “Ladies Man.” In 2005 Chieli Minucci released Got it Goin’ On which spawned the top five hit “The Juice.” It was followed by the DVD A Night with Chieli Minucci & Special EFX which showcased a high-octane performance recorded at the world famous Harbourfront Centre Theatre in Toronto.
With the highly anticipated release of Sweet Surrender, Chieli Minucci and Special EFX prove why they have remained one of contemporary jazz’s most relevant, innovative and exciting bands. Chieli concludes, “I hope my fans will experience a roller coaster ride of enjoyment as we take them through our paces!”
Here you’ll see listed, the entire live concert history of Special EFX, from the dates,
to the places, with all the amazing musicians listed who performed with us. There was a brief tour, during 1996, in
which I didn’t participate, since I was on tour supporting
my first solo release, ‘Jewels’. After that year,
George fell ill, and didn’t tour with the band any longer. Sadly, he succumbed to his long illness, and since then the Special
EFX band and Chieli Minucci band have come together as one. The last George Jinda date was 10/28/98 -CM
1984
9/1-JPs-NYC (w/Alan Smallwood, Wayne Pedziawatr, Greg Carter)
9/27-JPs-NYC (w/Alan Smallwood, Wayne Pedziawatr, Vinnie Johnson)
10/26-JPs-NYC (w/Alan Smallwood, Wayne Pedziawatr, Greg Carter)
11/10-The Vic Theater-Chicago, Ill. (w/Alan Smallwood, J.T. Lewis, Fernando Saunders)
1/23-The Chestnut Cabaret-Philadelphia, PA (w/Steve Robbins, Jeff Andrew, J.T. Lewis)
1/24-26-Jonathon’s-Charlotte, NC
2/7-Peabody’s Down Under-Cleveland, OH
2/8-Schnozz’s-Rochester, NY
2/9-The Boardwalk-Mt. Lebanon, PA
3/11-Elmira College-Elmira, NY (w/Fernando Saunders, Ted Lowe, J.T. Lewis)
3/20-The Starlight Ballroom-Boston, MASS (w/Jeff Andrews, Ted Lowe, J.T. Lewis)
3/21-7th Avenue South-NYC
3/22-Globe Jazz Festival-Boston, MASS
3/30-Ulster Performing Arts Center-Elmira, NY
4/18-La Jolla Museum-La Jolla, CA (w/Alan Smallwood, J.T. Lewis, Jeff Andrews)
4/21-Queen Mary Jazz Festival-Long Beach, CA
4/22-Great American Music Hall-San Francisco, CA
5/18-Schubert Theater-New Haven, CONN (w/Bernard Davis, Alan Smallwood, Jeff Andrews)
5/24-Onondaga County Civic Center-Syracuse, NY
6/20-Beverly Theater-Los Angeles, CA (w/J.T. Lewis, Alan Smallwood, Jeff Andrews)
6/22-The Cabaret-San Jose, CA
6/25-Peabody’s Down Under-Cleveland, OH
6/26-Ponchetrain Hotel -Detroit, MI
6/27-Peabody’s Down Under-Cleveland, OH
6/29-Kool Jazz Festival-Saratoga, NY
6/30-Carter-Baron Theater-Washington, DC
7/4-Charlotte’s Web-Rockford, ILL
7/20-IMAC-Huntington, NY
7/27-Winter Park Jazz Festival-Denver, CO
7/31-8/3-Jonathon’s-Charlotte, NC
8/4-Atlanta Jazz Festival-Atlanta, GA
8/5-Brassy’s-Cocoa Beach, FL
8/6-Musical Moon-Tallahassee, FL
8/22-Park West -Chicago, ILL
8/23-Gilly’s-Dayton, OH
9/6-Heinz Hall-Pittsburgh, PA
9/8-Arms Park Festival-Manchester, NH
9/11-13-Cultural Arts Center -Guatemala City, Guatemala
9/17 -Jonathan Swifts-Boston, MASS
9/19-Merrimack College-North Andover, MASS
10/2 -Ford Auditorium-Detroit, MICH (w/Paul Socolow, Alan Smallwood, J.T. Lewis)
10/3-Butler University-Indianapolis, IN
10/4-Vic Theater-Chicago, ILL
10/6-The Joynt-Eau Claire, WISC
10/7-Rupert’s-Minneapolis, MINN
10/8 -The Lone Star -Kansas City, MO
10/9-Mississippi Nights-St. Louis, MO
10/24-Modern Times-Sayerville, NJ (w/Dennis Chambers, Paul Socolow, Alan Smallwood)
10/25-Schwab Auditorium-Penn State, PENN
11/1-Tralfamadore’s-Buffalo, NY
11/2-SUNY-Binghamton, NY
11/6-7Musician’s ExchangeFt. Lauderdale, FL (w/Dennis Chambers, Jeff Andrews, Alan Smallwood)
1/17-Celebrity Theater-Phoenix, AZ (w/Alan Smallwood, Dennis Chambers, Jeff Andrews)
2/17-Blues Alley-Washington, DC
2/18-Chestnut Cabaret-Philadelphia, PA
3/26-Moonshadows-Atlanta, GA
3/27 -Spirit Square-Charlotte, NC
4/18-Vic Theater-Chicago, ILL
4/25-SUNY-Purchase, NY
4/26-IMAC-Huntington, NY
5/9-Beverly Theater-Los Angeles, CA
5/10-La Paloma-Encinitas, CA
5/11-The Coach House-San Juan Capistrano, CA
5/12-The Great American Music Hall-San Francisco, CA
6/6 -The Ohio Theater Columbus, OH (w/Jim Beard, D. Chambers, Jeff Andrews)
7/1-Meadowbrook Theater-Rochester, MICH (w/Rob Aries, Dennis Chambers, Jeff Andrews)
7/4-Lummus Park Festival-Miami, FL
7/12-Montreaux Jazz Festival-Montreaux, Switz.
7/13-North Sea Jazz Festival-The Hague, Holland
7/14-15-Grande Parade du Jazz-Nice, France
7/16-Umbria Jazz Festival-Folinio, Italy
7/17 -Umbria Jazz Festival-Perugia, Italy
7/19-Greek Theater -Berkeley, CA
7/25-Scottsdale Art Center-Phoenix, AZ
7/26-Winter Park Festival-Denver, CO
8/6-Look Park-Northampton, MASS (w/Greg Granger, Rob Aries, Dennis Chambers)
8/23-The Whole Theater -Montclair, NJ (w/Jeff Andrews, Rob Aries, Joel Rosenblatt)
9/12-13-Cafe Exchange-Ft. Lauderdale, FL (w/Jeff Andrews, Rob Aries, Dennis Chambers)
9/27-The Roundabout Theater-NYC (w/Jeff Andrews, Rob Aries, Dave Weckl)
10/11-Jacksonville Jazz Festival-Jacksonville, FL (w/Jeff Andrews, Rob Aries, Dennis Chambers)
11/14Universal AmphitheaterLos Angeles, CA (w/Adrian Green, Jeff Andrews, Rob Aries)
1987
1/23-Club Bene-Morgan, NJ (w/Alan Farnham, Michael Dawe, Jimmy Earl)
2/20-Syracuse University-Syracuse, NY
3/28-Straub Park-St. Petersburg, FL (w/Michael Bearden, Scott Ambush, Scott Peaker)
3/29-The Ohio Theater-Columbus, OH
4/4-University Of Florida-Gainesville, FL (w/Jimmy Earl, Scott Peaker, Michael Bearden)
4/26-University Of Massachusetts-Amherst, MASS (w/Michael Bearden, Scott Peaker, Lincoln Goines)
5/8-Brookdale Community College-Lincroft, NJ (w/Robbee Ameen, Alan Farnham, Lincoln Goines)
5/10-SUNY-Binghamton, NY
5/16-University Of Central Florida-Orlando, FL (w/Robbee Ameen, Alan Farnham, Vince Loving)
6/11-Penguin’s-Ft. Lauderdale, FL (w/Dennis Chambers, Michael Bearden, Vince Loving)
6/12-13-Backstage-Jupiter, FL
6/19-The Channel-Boston, MASS (w/Michael Dawe, Michael Bearden, Vince Loving)
6/21-Carter-Barron Theater-Washington, DC
6/27-28-Ethel’s Place-Baltimore, MA
6/30-Echo Park-Cincinnati, OH
7/5-Proctor-Munson Institute-Utica, NY
7/8-Racine Zoo-Racine, WISC
7/10-St. Anthony’s Main-Minneapolis, MINN (w/Zak Danziger, Michael Bearden, Vince Loving)
7/16-19-Concerts By The Sea-Los Angeles, CA (w/Michael Dawe, Michael Bearden, Vince Loving)
7/20-Great American Music Hall-San Francisco, CA
7/24-25-Bellavia Club-Encinitas, CA
7/26-Hollywood Jazz Festival-Hollywood, FL
7/30-Mississippi Nights-St. Louis, MO (w/Robbee Ameen, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
8/11-16-The Blue Note-NYC (w/Michael Bearden, Robbee Ameen, Vince Loving)
8/26-27-The Pit Inn-Tokyo, JAPAN (w/Omar Hakim, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
8/29-Pit Inn 10th Anniversary-Tokyo, JAPAN
9/1-2-The Wave Club-Honolulu, Hawaii
9/6-Hanna Mall-Cleveland, OHIO (w/Robbee Ameen, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
9/12-Fourth Ward Park-Charlotte, NC
10/19-Blues Alley-Washington, DC (w/Dennis Chambers, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
1988
1/21-24-Bellavia Restaurant-Cardiff, CA (w/Dennis Chambers, Michael Bearden, Vince Loving)
2/15-Blues Alley-Washington, DC
2/24-The Bottom Line-NYC
3/25-Park West-Chicago, ILL (w/Dennis Chambers, Alan Smallwood, Vince Loving)
4/5-Images At The Woodbine Inn-Pensauken, NJ (w/Dennis Chambers, Michael Bearden, Vince Loving)
4/19-JVC Festival Press Party-Sheraton Hotel, NYC
4/20-The Bottom Line-NYC
4/25-Illinois State University-Normal, ILL (w/Robbee Ameen, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
5/10-Blues Alley-Washington, DC (w/Dennis Chambers, Alan Smallwood, Vince Loving)
5/13-Westin Hotel-Maui, Hawaii (w/Robbee Ameen, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
5/17-The Great American Music Hall-San Francisco, CA
5/19-22-Bellavia Restaurant-Cardiff, CA
5/24-Botany’s-Las Vegas, NV
5/25-At My Place-Santa Monica, CA
6/10-The Bottom Line-NYC (w/Rodney Holmes, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
6/11-IMAC-Huntington, NY
6/12-Honolulu Jazz Festival-Oahu, Hawaii
6/15-El Pasaje Plaza-Tampa, FL
6/16-Penguin’s -Ft. Lauderdale, FL
6/17-18-Backstage-Jupiter, FL
6/20-Villa Nova-Orlando, Florida
7/6-9-Morgans-Philadelphia, PA
7/10-Blues Alley-Washington, DC
7/15-16-The Major Chord-Columbus, OH
7/20-Park West-Chicago, ILL
7/21-Paramount Theater-Cedar Rapids, IOWA
7/22-The Admiral-St. Louis, MO
7/23-Michigan State Fairgrounds-Detroit, MICH
7/29-30-Jazzport-South Street Seaport, NYC
8/7-Syracuse Jazz Festival-Syracuse, NY
8/8-Red Creek-Rochester, NY
8/12-Fontainbleu Hotel-Miami, FL
8/14-Eliot Bay Jazz Festival-Seattle, WASH
8/16-The Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
8/17-On Broadway-Sacramento, CA
8/18-Hayden Square Amphitheater-Phoenix, AZ
9/2-Bottom Line-NYC
9/3-Rockford Festival-Rockford, ILL
9/8-10-Caravan Of Dreams-Ft. Worth, TX
9/22-23-Jonathon’s-Charlotte, NC
9/24-Savannah Jazz Festival-Savannah, GA
9/28-Blues Alley-Baltimore, MA
10/2-Nightstage-Cambridge, MASS
10/7-The Cabaret-San Jose, CA
10/8-Bon Appetite-Los Angeles, CA
10/9-Catalina Island Jazz Festival-Catalina Island, CA
10/25-The Major Chord-Columbus, OH
10/26-The Vogue-Indianapolis, IN
11/4-University Of San Juan-San Juan, Puerto Rico
12/31-IMAC-Huntington, NY
1989
2/9-The Cotillion-Wichita, KS (Rodney Holmes, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
2/10-11-Bon Appetite-Los Angeles, CA
2/12-Belly Up Tavern -San Diego, CA
2/13-Shark Club-Las Vegas, NV
2/24-The Metropolitan Club-Glen Cove, NY
3/5-Nightstage-Boston, MASS
3/13-Blues Alley-Washington, DC
3/14-19-Fat Tuesday’s NYC
3/21-26-Eubie’s-Baltimore, MA
4/1-Condado Plaza Hotel-San Juan, Puerto Rico
4/6-Garden’s Mall-West Palm Beach, FL
4/9-Straub Park-St. Petersburg, FL
4/11-Applejack’s-Jacksonville, FL
4/12-Cottonclub-Atlanta, GA
4/13-The Peabody Hotel-Orlando, FL
5/6-Westport Theater-St. Louis, MO
5/7-Bijou Theater Benefit-Toledo, OH
5/9-Front Row Theater-Cleveland, OH
5/11-Orchestra Hall-Minneapolis, MINN
5/12-Hyatt Regency Hotel-Kansas City, MO
5/13-Big Dog Soundstage-Wichita, KS
5/14-Dallas Alley-Dallas, TX
5/17-Rockefeller’s-Houston, TX
5/19-Grundy’s Music Room-Birmingham, AL
5/20-Musical Moon-Tallahassee, FL
5/21-Cheers-Jacksonville, FL
5/23-Sea Escape Cruise-Ft. Lauderdale, FL
5/26-27-The Bottom Line-NYC
6/8-Jimmy’s Comedy Club-Bayside, NY (Tony Lewis, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
6/9-Tralfamadore’s-Buffalo, NY
6/11-Parkers-Seattle, WASH
6/13-The St. James Club-Santa Cruz, CA
6/16-The Bacchanal-San Diego, CA
6/18-Vine St. Bar & Grill-Los Angeles, CA
6/22-Chuy’s-Tempe, AZ
6/23-Monopoly’s-Riverside, CA
6/24-Cal State University-Bakersfield, CA
6/25-Maui Botanical Gardens-Maui, Hawaii
6/28-The Great American Music Hall-San Francisco, CA
7/16-Roger Williams Park-Providence, RI
8/6-Syracuse Jazz Festival-Syracuse, NY (Rodney Holmes, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
8/23 -CD-101 World Trade Center Show-NYC
8/25-Metropolitan Club-Glencove, NY
9/2-Taste Of Denver-Denver, CO (Tony Lewis, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
9/4-Taste Of Milwauke-Milwaukee, WISC
9/7-Gilly’s-Dayton, OH
9/8-Biddy Mulligan’s-Chicago, ILL
10/11-J.J. Whispers-Orlando, FL (Rodney Holmes, Vince Loving, Michael Bearden)
10/13-Jacksonville Jazz Festival Jacksonville, FL
10/15-Backstage-Jupiter, FL
10/17-5th Street-Miami, FL
11/7-12-Fat Tuesdays-NYC
12/1-2-Beacon Theater-NYC (Deborah Henson-Conant, Fernando Saunders)
1990
2/17-Snug Harbor-Staten Island, NY (Fernando Saunders, Zak Danziger, Michael Bearden)
3/31-IMAC-Huntington, NY (Mark Petersen, Bernard Davis, Werner Gierig)
4/27-28-The Bottom Line-NYC (Rael-Wesley Grant, Scooter Warner, Michael Bearden)
5/4-The Mann Theater-Ft. Meyers, FL
5/5-Jacksonville Landing-Jacksonville, FL
5/6-Sunfest-West Palm Beach, FL
5/10-Corpus Christi, TX
5/14-15-Armadillo Grill-Milwaukee, WISC
5/16-WNUA Party Park West-Chicago, ILL
5/17-18-Jazz Bulls-Chicago, ILL
5/19-WLOQ Festival-Orlando, FL
6/3-Invader Cruise-San Diego, CA
6/4-5-Midtown Comedy Club-Fresno, CA
6/6-The Great American Music Hall-San Francisco, CA
6/7-9-Lake Union Cafe -Seattle, WASH
6/12-The Strand-Redondo Beach, CA
7/8-Amsterdam Jazz Festival-Amsterdam, Holland
7/25-Ponchetrain Hotel-Detroit, MICH
7/26-Gilly’s-Dayton, OH
7/28-The “Breeze” Festival-Colorado Springs, CO
8/1-CD-101 World Trade Center-NYC
8/2-Riverfest -Minneapolis, MINN
8/3-Taylor Park-Elmira, NY
8/4-Taughonauk Park-Ithaca, NY
9/1-Penn’s Landing -Philadelphia, PA (Tommy Campbell, Rael-Wesley Grant, Werner Gierig)
9/21-22-The Bottom Line -NYC (Lionel Cordew, Rael-Wesley Grant, Michael Bearden)
9/25-26-Blues Alley-Washington, DC
9/29-Orlando Jazz Festival-Orlando, FL (Gerald Veasley, Lionel Cordew, Michael Bearden)
10/15-20-Blues Alley-Tokyo, Japan (Paul Wertico, Gerald Veasley, Michael Bearden)
11/3-Hyatt Jazz Series-Houston TX (Lionel Cordew, Rael-Wesley Grant, Michael Bearden)
11/4-Jimmy Jigger’s- Kansas City, MO
12/1-The Beacon Theater-NYC (Gerald Veasley, Lionel Cordew, Michael Bearden)
5/11-George Street Playhouse-New Brunswick, NJ
5/17-Star Plaza Theater-Merriville, IN (Rachel Z, Lionel Cordew, Tracy Wormworth)
5/18-Straub Park-St. Petersburg, FL
5/19-Shores Performing Arts Center-Miami, FL
5/22-Backstage-Jupiter, FL
5/23-The Peabody Hotel-Orlando, FL
6/13-HMV Music Superstore-NYC
6/30-Variety Playhouse-Atlanta, GA (Werner Gierig, Tracy Wormworth, Lionel Cordew)
7/1-Blues Alley-Washington, DC
7/4-Liberty State Park- Jersey City, NJ
7/6-Estadio-Santiago, Chile
7/26-Budweiser Jazz Cruise-NYC
8/18-Unity Day-Philadelphia, PA
9/11-Count Basie Theater-Red Bank, NJ
9/15-WOTB Jazz Festival-Newport, RI
9/26-South Street Seaport Jazz Cruise-NYC
10/4-The Cubby Bear-Chicago, ILL
1992
2/12-Petofi Csarnok-Budapest, Hungary
2/23-AIDS Benefit-Gardens Mall-West Palm Beach, FL (Gerald Veasley, Lionel Cordew, Werner Gierig)
2/25-Lone Star Roadhouse-NYC (w/ Bob’s Diner as backup band)
4/10-Fon Du Lac Jazz Festival-Fon Du Lac, WISC (Gerald Veasley, Lionel Cordew, Werner Gierig)
4/12-Transworld Distributors Convention-Saratoga, NY
5/9-IMAC-Huntington, NY (Szakcsi, Lionel Cordew, Gerald Veasley, Mark Ledford)
5/11-Blues Alley-Washington, DC
5/29-The Wiz “In-Store”-NYC
6/4-Indiana Ballroom-Indianapolis, IN (Victor Bailey, Szakcsi, Lionel Cordew, Mark Ledford)
6/6-The Fraze Pavilion-Dayton, OH
6/7-Shooters-Cleveland, OH
6/18-CD 101.9 Jazz Cruise-NYC
6/19-New Haven, CONN
6/20-Club Bene-Morgan, NJ
7/4-Drum Festival-Amsterdam, Holland (Jerry Brooks, Lionel Cordew, Mark Ledford, Szakcsi)
7/6-Carter-Barron Theater-Washington, DC
7/10-11-The Bottom Line-NYC
7/19-Glenora Winery-Watkins Glen, NY (Jerry Brooks, Lionel Cordew, Szakcsi)
7/24-Keswick Theater -Philadelphia, PA
7/29-Meadowbrook Amphitheater-Detroit, MICH
7/30-31-The Estate Jazz Club- Milwaukee, WISC
8/1-The China Club-Chicago, ILL
8/7-8-Scullers-Boston, MASS
8/14-Pleasure Island-Orlando, FL
8/21-22-Birdland-Long Beach, CA
8/23-Fashion Valley Mall-San Diego, CA
8/24-At My Place-Los Angeles, CA
8/25-Planet Gemini-Monterey, CA
8/27-Plaza Park-San Jose, CA
8/28-Rheem Theater-Moraga, CA
8/30-Spring Valley Park-Las Vegas, NV
9/5-Atlanta Jazz Festival-Atlanta, GA
9/6-Rockford Jazz Festival-Rockford, ILL
10/2-4- Mild Jazz Festival-Jakarta, Indonesia (Jerry Brooks, Lionel Cordew, Mark Ledford, Szakcsi)
11/7-Community Auditorium-Montclaire, NJ (Jerry Brooks, CM & GJ only)
11/15-Music Hall-Tarrytown, NY (Johnny Kemp, Jerry Brooks, Lionel Cordew, Szakcsi)
1993
2/5-Newport Doubletree Hotel-Newport, RI (Philip Hamilton, Szakcsi, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks)
2/6-7-B. Smith’s-NYC
4/30-Club Bene-Morgan, NJ (Christoph Spendel, Philip Hamilton, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks)
5/2-Birchmere Theater-Alexandria, VA
5/4-9-The Five Spot-NYC
5/12-Lafayette Club-Bloomington, ILL
5/13-Indiana Roof-Indianapolis, IN
5/14-Rhythms -Cleveland, OH
5/15-16-Jazz Oasis-Chicago, ILL
5/17-Shank Hall-Milwaukee, WISC
5/18-Gillys-Dayton, OH
5/19-The Magic Bag Theater-Detroit, MICH
5/20-Rosebud Cafe-Pittsburgh, PA
5/21-The Marquee-Buffalo, NY
5/22-St. Joseph’s High School-St. Joseph’s, MICH
5/30-KIFM Party-San Diego, CA
6/2-The Strand-Redondo Beach, CA
6/3-Bimbos-San Francisco, CA
6/22-Central Park Zoo-NYC
6/25-Performing Arts Center-San Juan, Puerto Rico
7/3-Taste Of Michigan-Detroit, MICH
7/18-Taste Of Dallas-Dallas, TX (Nando Lauria, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Christoph Spendel)
8/14-CD-101 Cool Cruise-NYC (Christoph Spendel, Philip Hamilton, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks)
8/19-Civic Center-Panama City, Panama
9/17-Club Bene-Morgan, NJ
10/16-IMAC-Huntington, NY (Nando Lauria, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Christoph Spendel)
10/29-SOBs-NYC (Christoph Spendel, Philip Hamilton, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks)
1994
4/12-17-The Blue Note-NYC (Mark Johnson, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Christoph Spendel)
5/14-Sculler’s-Boston, MASS (Norman ‘Keys’ Hurt, Mark Johnson, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks)
5/21-Paramount Theater-Peekskill, NY
5/22-WNUA Chicago Festival-Chicago, ILL
6/18-19-Syracuse Jazz Festival-Syracuse, NY
6/23-CD-101 Cool Cruise-NYC
7/3-Ormand Beach Jazz Festival-Ormand Beach, FL
7/7 -Montreal Jazz Festival-Montreal, Canada
7/23-Columbus Jazz Festival-Columbus, OH
8/5-Long Island Jazz Festival-NY
8/30 & 9/1-SOB’s-NYC
9/9-San Diego Street Scene-San Diego, CA
9/10-College Conference-Phoenix, AZ
9/11-Radisson Hotel Ballroom-Phoenix, AZ
9/23-24-Scullers-Boston, MASS
9/30-Williams Performing Arts Center Rutherford, NJ (special guest Alex Bugnon)
10/9 -WNND Festival-Raleigh-Durham, NC
10/13-CD-101 Party Metronome-NYC
10/14-Sunken Gardens Amphitheater-San Antonio, TX
10/15-Pleasure Island-Orlando, FL
10/21-The G-Clef-Providence, RI
10/22-IMAC-Huntington, NY (video taping for live video shoot)
10/19-America’s Talking-Fort Lee, NJ 11/23-Blues Alley-Washington, DC
12/8-Black Entertainment Television-Washington, DC (CM & GJ only)
12/28- 1/1-Kimball’s East-Oakland, CA (w/ special guest Alex Bugnon)
1995
1/3-8-Catalinas Bar & Grill-Los Angeles, CA (Mark Johnson, Jerry Brooks, Norman Hurt, Lionel Cordew)
1/16-Keswick Theater-Philadelphia, PA (Kevin Harrington, Mark Johnson, Jerry Brooks, Norman Hurt)
2/16-The Bottom Line-NYC (Mark Johnson, Jerry Brooks, Norman Hurt, Lionel Cordew)
2/20-25-The Blue Note-Jakarta, Indonesia
4/5-9-The Fairmont Hotel-San Francisco, CA
4/18-22-The Fairmont Hotel-Chicago, ILL (TRIO Jerry Brooks, CM, GJ)
5/14-Flint Cultural Center-Flint, MICH (TRIO Gerald Veasley on bass)
5/28-Festival-Istanbul, TURKEY (Armsted Christian, Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Norman Hurt)
6/2-Three Rivers Jazz Festival-Red Bank, NJ
6/4-Peristyle Theater -Toledo, OHIO
6/15-CD 101 Jazz Cruise-NYC
7/3-Taste of Minneapolis-Minneapolis, MINN
7/15-Glenora Winery-Elmira, NY (Darryl Burgee, Jerry Brooks, Norman Hurt)
7/30-Penns Landing-Philadelphia, PA (Armsted Christian, Tony Clintron, Jerry Brooks, Norman Hurt)
8/7-South Street Seaport-NYC (TRIO Jerry Brooks, CM & GJ)
8/10-Chene Park-Detroit, Michigan
10/28-IMAC-Huntington, NY (Mark Johnson, Scooter Warner, Kurt Lyons, Scott Brown, Nunzio Signore)
1999
4/30-The Soiled Dove (KHIH)-Denver, CO (Richie Morales, Jerry Brooks, Werner Gierig, Philip Hamilton)
5/14-Van Dyke Theatre-Schenectady, NY (Richie Morales, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
5/21-Five Towns College-Dix Hills, NY (Lionel Cordew, Tim Lefebvre, Werner Gierig, Armsted Christian)
7/3-City Jazz Universal Studios-Orlando, FL
7/4-Freedom Jazz Festival-Tampa, FLA (Richie Morales, Jerry Brooks, Werner Gierig, Steve Nieves)
7/14-Brookhaven Amphitheater-Farminville, NY (Lionel Cordew, Tim Lefebvre, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
7/15-Cool Cruise-NY, NY (Lionel Cordew, Tim Lefebvre, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
7/22-Fair Oaks Mall-Fairfax, VA
(Lionel Cordew, Dave Anderson, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
8/13-WSJZ Cool Cruise-Boston, MASS (Richie Morales, Jerry Brooks, Werner Gierig, Philip Hamilton)
9/4-Jazz At The Bend-Dayton, OH
9/5-Metropark Zoo Amphitheater-Cleveland,OH (Richie Morales, Tim Lefebvre, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
2000
2/14-Praise Academy For Blind Children-Glencove, NY (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Werner Gierig, Philip Hamilton)
4/11-S.O.B.’s-NYC (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Armsted Christian, Dave Mann,
Chuck Loeb* guest star)
4/16-Earth Day-NYC (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Minu Cinelu, Dave Mann)
5/7-Smooth Jazz On The Bay-Tampa, FL (Lionel Cordew, Jay Rowe, Armsted Christian, Dave Anderson)
5/12KOAI- OasisDallas, Tx (Lionel Cordew, Jay Rowe, Steve Nieves, Dave Anderson)
7/14-Mill Point Park/Hampton Frolics-Hampton, VA
7/15-Robert Ferst Center-Atlanta, GA (Richie Morales, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
7/19-Chene Park-Detroit, MI (Richie Morales, Dave Anderson, David Mann, Jay Rowe, Armsted Christian)
9/30-Renaissance Resort/WSJT -Tampa, FL (Lionel Cordew, Tim Lefebvre, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
10/7-IMAC-Huntington, NY (Lionel Cordew, Dave Anderson, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, Adrian d’Souza, David Mann)
10/15-Catalina Jazz Festival-Los Angeles, CA (Steve Skinner, Oscar Cartaya, Steve Nieves, Lan Richards)
2001
2/24-Pegasus-Meadowlands Racetrack, NJ (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
5/11-The Soiled Dove-Denver, CO
5/12-The Newport Jazz Festival-Irvine, CA
6/2-Alyeska Jazz Festival-Anchorage, AL (Jeff Suttles, Oskar Cartaya, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
6/8-Red Cross Waterfront Festival-Alexandria, VA (Richie Morales, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, David Mann)
7/6-Loews Coronado Beach Resort-San Diego, CA
7/7-8-Kimball’s East-Oakland, CA (Shane Gaalaas, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Steve Nieves, David Mann)
7/14-Tangier’s Restaurant & Cabaret-Akron, OH (Richie Morales, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, David Mann)
7/17-CD 101 Cool Cruise-New York, NY
7/18-Jazz Wednesdays @ the WTC-New York, NY (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
7/21-Hartford Jazz Festival-Hartford, CONN (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Armsted Christian)
8/3-Dime Jazz Festival-Oyster Bay, NY (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
8/25-Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival-West Bend, WISC (Jeff Suttles, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe)
9/8-Penn’s Landing Festival Pier (WJJZ)-Philadelphia, PA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
10/5-Keswick Theater-Glenside, PA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Stan Harrison, Philip Hamilton)
11/3-Secret Lake Park-Winter Park, FL (Lionel Cordew, Dave Anderson, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
2002
3/21-Berks Jazz Festival-Lancaster, PA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Stan Harrison, Adrian D’Souza)
6/04-CD101 Tourneau Atrium -NY, NY (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe,David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
7/04-KWJZ Stage/Myrtle Edwards Park-Seattle, WA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Werner Gierig, David Mann)
7/20-Hartford Jazz Festival-Hartford, Conn (Richie Morales, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Stan Harrison)
7/27-Filmore Plaza (KJCD)-Denver, CO (Omar Hakim, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
8/10 -Mason Square Jazz Festival-Springfield, Mass (Omar Hakim, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Armsted Christian)
9/1-Tahoe Jazz Festival-Truckee, CA (Brian Dunne, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Steve Nieves)
9/3-CD 101 Smooth Cruise-NY, NY (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
9/22- WJZW Anniversary Concert-Gaithersburg, MA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Stan Harrison)
10/16-Scullers-Boston, Mass (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
11/3-Lakewood Ranch Jazz Festival-Sarasota, FL (Trevor Somerville, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
2003
1/8-Outdoor Festival-Santiago, Chile (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
2/14-The Canal Club (93.1 Smooth Jazz show)-Richmond, VA (Omar Hakim, Ron Jenkins, Werner Gierig)
4/6-Gulfstream Park-Hallendale, FL (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Nando Lauria)
5/10-Catawba Island Club-Port Clinton, OH (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Philip Hamilton)
6/15-The Pabst Theater-Milwaukee, Wisc (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, David Mann, Jay Rowe)
7/18-Rib & Jazz Fest-Columbus, Ohio (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe)
8/2-Houston International Jazz Fest-Houston, TX (Lionel Cordew, Wayne Pedzwater, Jay Rowe, Steve Nieves)
8/15-Penn’s Landing-Philadelphia, PA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
8/22-The Masquerade-Tampa , FL (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
9/27-The Arch Street Tavern-Hartford, Conn (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
2004
2/7-The Island Center For The Performing Arts-St. Croix (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
3/17-The Egg-Albany, NY (Brian Dunne, Philip Hamilton, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Jeff Kashiwa)
3/19-Berks Jazz Festival-Reading, PA 3/20-Inter-Media Arts Center-Huntington, NY
4/16-Eola Park/WLOQ-Orlando, FL 4/17 -SeaBreeze Jazz Festival-Santa Rosa Beach, FL (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe)
6/26-Asbury Park Jazz Festival-Asbury Park, NJ (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Werner Gierig, Philip Hamilton)
7/10-Arch Street Tavern-Hartford, Conn (Trevor Somerville, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, * Ken Navarro)
7/17-Birmingham Jazz Festival-Detroit, Michigan (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
7/25-Glenora Jazz Concerts-Dundee, NY (Brian Dunne, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Jeff Kashiwa)
7/29-Jazz in the Parks Series-Carlsbad, CA (Dave Hooper, Kevin Brandon, Mitch Forman, David Mann)
7/30-The SOS Club-Modesto, CA
8/4-The Garden of Eden-Los Angeles, CA
8/5-Henderson Pavilion-Las Vegas, NV
(Dave Hooper, Kevin Brandon, Mitch Forman, David Mann)
8/27, 28-Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz Festival
Johannesburg, South Africa (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
9/18-San Diego Jazz Festival-San Diego, CA (Brian Dunne, Brandino, Mitch Forman, Philip Hamilton)
9/25-Rapture-Jessup, Maryland (Brian Dunne, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
2005
3/19-Jaycee Park Jazz Festival-Cape Coral, Florida (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Bill Harris, Philip Hamilton)
4/8-Scottsdale Center For the Performing Arts-Phoenix, Az
joint concert with the Desert Dance Theatre (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Step Raptis)
6/16-19-Iridium-NYC (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
6/23-DVD shoot-Toronto, Canada (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
6/24 Smooth JazzFest 2005 Southfield Civic Center-Detroit, Mich (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann, Philip Hamilton)
8/27-York Boat Basin-York, PA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, David Mann)
show canceled due to rain
2006
1/29-The Rams Head-Annapolis, MD (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe)
3/23-Berks Jazz Festival-Reading, PA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Nelson Rangell, Ken Navarro, Jay Rowe,
& The Berks Horns - Mike Anderson, Rob Deiner, Bill Miller)
3/25-Jazz in the Gardens-Miami, Fl (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Nelson Rangell, Ken Navarro, Jay Rowe)
5/5-IMAC-Huntington, NY (Lionel Cordew, Dave Anderson, David Mann, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton,
Carl Fischer, Dan Levine - The EFX Horns)
5/12-Osthoff Resort-Fond du Lac, Wis (Lionel Cordew, Dave Anderson, David Mann, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
6/21-98.7 Smooth Jazz Event/The Townsend Hotel-Birmingham (Detroit) Mich. (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe)
7/29-Winter Park Jazz Festival-Winter Park, CO (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Nelson Rangell)
8/5-Saint Michelle Winery- Seattle, WA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe)
8/26-York/Codorus Boat Basin- York, PA (Lionel Cordew, Dave Anderson, Jay Rowe,
Mike Anderson, Rob Deiner, Bill Miller - The Berks Horns)
8/31-The Secret Garden Fundraiser-Colorado Springs-, CO (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Nelson Rangell)
2007
1/9-Merkin Hall-NYC, NY
private ASCAP concert (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)
2/24-Eola Park-Orlando, Florida (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe)
3/24-Akron Civic Center-Akron, Ohio (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, Nelson Rangell, Marion Meadows, Alex Bugnon)
4/10-The Village Underground-NYC (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, David Mann)
5/26-The The Atlanta Jazz Festival-Atlanta, GA (Omar Hakim, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, John Scarpulla)
6/23-Celebrity Theater-Phoenix, AZ (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, plus special guests The Desert Dance Theater dancers)
7/7-Hoop City Jazz Festival-Springfield, Mass (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, John Scarpulla)
8/4-Thornton Winery-Temecula, CA (Dave Hooper, Rufus Philpot, Mitch Forman, Ronnie Gutierrez)
8/23-The Jazz Base-Reading, PA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Nelson Rangell, Mike Anderson, Rob Deiner, John Loos)
8/24- Penns Landing-Philadelphia, PA (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Nelson Rangell)
2008
1/11-The Cutting Room-NYC, NY (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, David Mann, Gianluca Minucci)
3/21-The Cutting Room-NYC, NY (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton, David Mann)
3/29-Akron Civic Center-Akron, OH (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Bobby Caldwell, Kim Waters)
6/6-The Cutting Room-NYC, NY (Lionel Cordew, Jerry Brooks, Jay Rowe, Philip Hamilton)