“Armando’s Rhumba” by Chick Corea
Highlights from World Premiere of “Dream Diary: Concerto for Seven String Electric Violin and Orchestra”
Watch Highlights from the World Premiere of “Dream Diary: Concerto for Seven String Electric Violin and Orchestra.” Written and performed by Joe Deninzon. Muncie Symphony Orchestra conducted by Douglas Droste.
DENINZONEWS FALL 2016
DENINZONEWS FALL2016.
The latest on violinist/vocalist/mandolinist/composer Joe Deninzon
www.joedeninzon.com
www.twitter.com/@joedeninzon
Greetings!
Hope you had a great summer! It’s been a truly stellar one for me filled with incredible experiences I will never forget! Highlights include my 6th return to teaching at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp in Olathe, KS, truly one of the weeks I look forward to every year. I also got a chance to meet and perform with some amazing local musicians in Vail, CO in July, courtesy of Howard Stone and the Vail Jazz Society. Just this past week, I had a chance once again to perform with #TheBoss, Bruce Springsteen at Metlife Stadium, as part of an all-star string section which featured Todd Reynolds, Sam Bardfeld, Mazz Swift, Sarah Caswell, Rachel Golub, Janey Choi, and Joyce Hammann. Hearing the roar of 50,000 people when we hit the stage was an out-of-body experience, plus performing with an artist who I can cite among my top 5 biggest musical influences of all time! I am grateful for all these great moments, and looking forward to the cool stuff happening this fall.
I am writing this from my hotel room in Tusayan Village near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where I just finished teaching the 10th year of the Grand Canyon School of Rock program I co-founded in 2006, followed by another performance with renowned harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio and the guitar god Steve Benson.
The next few weeks are filled with more highlights, including Sweet Plantain’s return to the NACAP (Native American Composers Apprentice Project) and the Grand Canyon Music Festival, a residency in Reading, PA followed by performances in Baltimore and Kentucky, Stratospheerius opening for Alex Skolnick in Asbury Park and touring the Midwest with Circuline and Cell15 as part of the Sonic Voyages Prog Rock Festival, studio project, and much much more..
Upcoming shows in NYC, NJ, Ohio, PA,Maryland, Kentucky,, Arizona, and more…!
Grand Canyon Music Festival/School of Rock/NACAP with Sweet Plantain and Robert Bonfiglio Group
For 17 years now, I have been coming back to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, to take part in the Grand Canyon Music Festival. I started out just performing with its co-founder, world-renowned harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio. In 2006, my friend Chris Millateri and I had an idea to get the local community in Grand Canyon Village more connected to the festival. With the invaluable help of Rene Westbrook, who got the grants, The Grand Canyon School of Rock was born!
This is truly a passion project of mine. My partner guitarist Steve Benson, the local high school music teacher Bentley Monk, and I work with kids from Grand Canyon HS, many of whom are novice musicians, and put a band together in 3 days, culminating in two 45-minute performances at the end of the week.
Last year, my group Sweet Plantain made its festival debut, taking part in both the Grand Canyon Music Festival and the NACAP (Native American Composers Apprentice Program). This year we are honored to return. In addition to performing two concerts of our music, we will be traveling throughout the Navajo, Havasupai and Hopi reservations, where local kids spent time learning to write and notate music, and will be performing a free concert of their original works on Sunday September 4th. This program has been around for over a decade, is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, and won the President’s Award for it’s success.
All concerts take place at the Shrine of the Ages on the South Rim, Grand Canyon Village. Here’s the schedule:
Friday, September 2nd, 7:30 P.M.
Saturday, September 3rd, 7:30 P.M.
Sweet Plantain perform at Shrine of the Ages
Sunday, September 4th, 5 P.M.
NACAP final performance.
Performing original compositions by Native students written for string quartet.
with Sweet Plantain
Parts of these concerts will be broadcast on PBS Radio
Upcoming STRATOSPHEERIUS shows. Sonic Voyages tour, and more!
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STRATOSPHEERIUS
This fall, I am honored to have one of the best-ever lineups of Stratospheerius.
These guys are incredible! DO NOT miss these shows!
Aurelien Budynek-guitar (Cindy Blackman Santanna, Rock of Ages, Daredevil Squadron, the Dan Band)
Randy McStine-bass (LoFi Resistance, The Fringe, Stu Hamm)
Jason Gianni-drums (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Daredevil Squadron, Mark Wood band)
Wednesday, September 14th, 7:30 P.M.
Opening for Alex Skolnick Trio at The Saint (Asbury Park, NJ)
Alex Skolnick is a guitar legend, best known for his work with Testament in the early 90’s through today, plus his time with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and numerous other projects. I was fortunate to befriend Alex in the early 2000’s when I was teaching at the New School and he was there studying Jazz guitar. He played in Stratospheerius for 3 years and recorded on two of our albums: “The Adventures of Stratospheerius“ and “Live Wires“. It will be a thrill to share the stage with him again and open for his incredible band!
https://www.facebook.com/events/169742536790677/
STRATOSPHEERIUS, CIRCULINE, AND CELL 15 EMBARK ON SONIC VOYAGE FEST!
What started out as a three-band gig has turned a traveling music festival!
Circuline, Stratospheerius, and Cell15 are on tap for fall Sonic Voyage Fests. Look for the Festival to hit Gullifty’s in Camp Hill, PA on September 28, Wilberts in Cleveland, OH on September 29, Sodbuster in Sylvania, OH on September 30, and Cyber Cafe West in Binghamton, NY on October 1.
Sonic Voyage Fest’s purpose is to create a night of music that dazzles with virtuosity, ignites the senses, and pushes boundaries. Writes ProgSheet’s editor John A. Wilcox, “Sonic Voyage Fest was like General Tso’s chicken: spicy, filling, and I already want more!”
Wednesday, September 28th
Gullifty’s in Camp Hill, PA
https://www.facebook.com/events/636021929897751/
Thursday, September 29th
Wilberts in Cleveland, OH
https://www.facebook.com/events/1748494098736924/
Friday, September 30th
Sodbuster in Sylvania, OH
https://www.facebook.com/events/1810324092524155/
Oct 1, Cyber Cafe West in Binghamton, NY
https://www.facebook.com/events/102347393542664/
Sweet Plantain Residency in Reading, PA and performances in Maryland and Kentucky
Wednesday, October 21st
WXAC’s Concert Series @ The Pond, 6-7:30 P.M.
Reading, PA
https://www.facebook.com/events/1221717494539503/
Friday, October 14th, 8 P.M.
Weinberger Center for the Arts
Frederick, MD
https://www.facebook.com/events/191287581289918/
Tuesday, October 25th, 7:30-9:30 P.M.
Glema Mahr Center for the Arts
Madisonville, KY
https://www.facebook.com/events/946020202174681/
Sweet Plantain is:
Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin/vocals
Eddie Venegas-violin/trombone
Leo Grinhauz-cello
Orlando Wells-viola
www.sweetplantain.com
www.facebook.com/sweetplantain
Joe Deninzon other performances
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4TH
Performing with clarinetist David Krakauer and Ancestral String Band with Sarah Caswell
The Stone
200 E. 10th St. #126
New York, NY
JOE DENINZON GUEST APPEARANCES/RECORDING PROJECTS
In the past year, I had the pleasure of guesting on numerous cool and exciting recording projects, many of which have seen their release in the past few months. Here are some highlights:
Bella D-The Crystal Ceiling
Here’s a project I worked on last year! I did most of the string arranging and playing, plus my dear friend the late great David Gotay plays a beautiful cello solo on “Dio Solitaire de la Notte.” The singer is Bella D and the music is intense, honest hard rock that tells an incredible story of what she overcame in recent years. Produced by drummer Charlie Zeleny. Check it out!
Order here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-crystal-ceiling/id1106980542
Tiles-Pretending 2 Run
TILES is a renowned, Detroit-based progressive rock group, now in its second decade, which has toured with the likes of Dream Theater, and has done some shows with Stratospheerius. I am honored to be included on their new album, alongside such luminaries as Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull, as well as Mike Portnoy! Look for some upcoming shows with both of our bands.
Order here:
https://www.discogs.com/Tiles-Pretending-2-Run/release/8320478
Pitts/Minneman Project
Jimmy Pitts is a composer/keyboard virtuoso out of Detroit. This is my second time as a guest on one of his albums, alongside legendary drummer Marco Minneman (Eddie Jobson, Joe Satriani, Buddy Rich, Paul Gilbert, Terry Bozzio). I play on the song “A Faint Beautiful Glow,” which closes out the album.
Order here:
https://jimmypitts.bandcamp.com/album/the-psychic-planetarium
Circuline: Return
Circuline is a new prog band that I have had the pleasure to record and perform with. This is their debut album, released last year.. Check out the song “Silence Revealed,’ masterfully written by my friend Randy McStine.
Check out the video for the song here:
Check out 3 of the latest songs from Stratospheerius! Our last single, “Take Your Medicine,” is getting rave responses and trending on Reverbnation.com
Give the string player in your life new abilities to rock out and blow people’s minds!
ORDER “JOE DENINZON’S BOOK/DVD/CD “PLUGGING IN” FROM MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS
STRATOSPHEERIUS video for “One Foot in the Next World”
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DENINZONEWS SUMMER 2016
DENINZONEWS SUMMER 2016
The latest on violinist/vocalist/mandolinist/composer Joe Deninzon
www.joedeninzon.com
www.twitter.com/@joedeninzon
YO!
Happy SUMMER!! Looks to be the most sizzling, scorching, hottest summer on record! Musically and otherwise…
These past two months have brought me some definite career highlights and moments I will never forget.
In April, Sweet Plantain toured the U.S. Virgin Islands, with successful performances in St. John and St. Thomas.
Following that string of shows, we finished tracking our upcoming CD, and are currently in post-production.
On May 7th, I made my ROSfest debut, sitting in with the incredible band, Circuline, on their song “Silence Revealed!”
Stratospheerius hit the studio the following week, recording two new songs, and making strides towards completion of our upcoming CD!
On May 4-5th, I was honored to work with the talented orchestra players in Highland Schools in Medina, OH (Suburb of my hometown of Cleveland!). I love doing these residencies where I get to inspire and be inspired by talented young musicians, and perform my originals and arrangements of classic and modern rock with the school orchestra. Thank you to Rachel Gamin for the incredible work she does with these kids and for giving me the opportunity to work with them!
Finally, on May 20th and 21st, I performed with Jazz at Lincoln Center as part of an incredible program titled “America’s Unforgettable Crooners!” I was featured in the show, and got to perform with some of the most talented young cats I’ve ever met, including the incomparable musical director/drummer Bryan Carter (Leader of the house band on the new NBC show, Maya and Marty), singer/trumpeter Benny Banack III, Charles Turner, and Denzal Sinclair! Definitely a career highlight for me!
Upcoming shows in NYC, NJ, Maine, Connecticut, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona, and more!
Friday, June 10th
10 P.M.-1 A.M.
Joe Deninzon Jazz Group performs at Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten
Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin/vocals
Steve Benson-guitar
Ben Gramm-drums
Paul Ranieri-bass
Sunday, June 12th, 6 P.M.
Sweet Plantain performs our annual FREE concert at West Side Community Garden
89th St. between Amsterdam and Columbus in NYC.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1580538232261673/
Sweet Plantain is:
Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin/vocals
Eddie Venegas-violin/trombone
Leo Grinhauz-cello
Orlando Wells-viola
www.sweetplantain.com
www.facebook.com/sweetplantain
Thursday, June 16th
Sonic Voyage Fest featuring Stratospheerius and Shadow Eden
at Sully’s Pub
2071 Park St, Hartford, CT 06106
Stratospheerius returns to Harmony, ME for Freedomfest!
www.mainevocals.net
2 performances:
Friday, June 17th, 8 P.M.
Saturday, June 18th, 7 P.M.
71 Carson Hill Road,
Harmony, Maine
Stratospheerius is:
Joe Deninzon-lead vocals/electric violn
Michelangelo Quirenale-guitar
Paul Ranieri-bass
Kenny Grohowski-drums
www.stratospheerius.com
www.facebook.com/stratospheerius
Joe Deninzon returns to teach/perform at
Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp/Festival
June 10th-17th
When I was 17, I was a misfit at my high school A violin nerd who had a deep love for Led Zeppelin,. Rush, Kiss, ACDC, Zappa, and wanted to rock out! If only a camp like this existed when I was 17, I would have been all over it! I see my younger self in every kid who attends. There really is a familial atmosphere and I have made lasting friendships with campers, teachers, and fellow colleagues who are a part of this incredible experience! It is not just for string geeks; guitarists, bassists, singers, drummers, keyboard players, teachers and students of all ages are welcome! I can’t speak enough about what a game changer this week has been for so many musicians and can be for you! I am honored and excited to be coming back for my 6th year as a faculty member at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp/Music Festival! Register today at:
WWW.MWROC.COM
Joe Deninzon performs in Vail, CO for Jazz at the
Market Series with Mark Diamond Trio
Sunday, July 23rd
12-3 P.M.
I am honored to be invited by the Vail Jazz Society to perform at this awesome weekly series in downtown Vail, CO with three of Colorado’s greatest jazz musicians!
Mark Diamond (bass)
Paul Romaine (drums)
Andy Weyl (keyboard).
Sweet Plantain returns to Grand Canyon Music Festival
School of Rock/Bonfiglio Group
Bella G
Tiles
Pitts Minneman
Grand Canyon Music Festival/School of Rock/NACAP with Sweet Plantain and Robert Bonfiglio Group
For 17 years now, I have been coming back to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, to take part in the Grand Canyon Music Festival. I started out just performing with its co-founder, world-renowned harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio. In 2006, my friend Chris Millateri and I had an idea to get the local community in Grand Canyon Village more connected to the festival. With the invaluable help of Rene Westbrook, who got the the grants, The Grand Canyon School of Rock was born! This will be our 8th year!
This is truly a passion project of mine. My partner guitarist Steve Benson, the local high school music teacher Bentley Monk, and I work with kids from Grand Canyon HS, many of whom are novice musicians, and put a band together in 3 days, culminating in two 45-minute performances at the end of the week.
Last year, my group Sweet Plantain made its festival debut, taking part in both the Grand Canyon Music Festival and the NACAP (Native American Composers Apprentice Program). This year we are honored to return. In addition to performing two concerts of our music, we will be traveling throughout the Navajo, Havasupai and Hopi reservations, where local kids spent time learning to write and notate music, and will be performing a free concert of their original works on Sunday September 4th. This program has been around for over a decade, is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, and won the President’s Award for it’s success.
All concerts take place at the Shrine of the Ages on the South Rim, Grand Canyon Village. Here’s the schedule:
Friday, August 26th, 7:30 P.M.
Robert Bonfiglio Birthday Concert with Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin, Steve Benson-guitar, and surprise guests!
Friday, September 2nd, 7:30 P.M.
Saturday,September 3rd, 7:30 P.M.
Sweet Plantain perform at Shrine fo the Ages
Sunday, September 4th, 5 P.M.
NACAP final performance
with Sweet Plantain
JOE DENINZON GUEST APPEARANCES/RECORDING PROJECTS
In the past year, I had the pleasure of guesting on numerous cool and exciting recording projects, many of which have seen their release in the past few months. Here are some highlights:
Bella D-The Crystal Ceiling
Here’s aI worked on last year! I did most of the string arranging and playing, plus my dear friend the late great David Gotay plays a beautiful cello solo on “Dio Solitaire de la Notte.” The singer is Bella D and the music is intense, honest hard rock that tells an incredible story of what she overcame in recent years. Produced by drummer Charlie Zeleny. Check it out!
Order here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-crystal-ceiling/id1106980542
Tiles-Pretending 2 Run
TILES is a renowned, Detroit-based progressive rock group, now in it’s second decade, which has toured with the lies of Dream Theater, and has done some shows with Stratospheerius. I am honored to be included on their new album, alongside such luminaries as Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull, as well as Mike Portnoy! Look for some upcoming shows with both of our bands.
Order here:
https://www.discogs.com/Tiles-Pretending-2-Run/release/8320478
Pitts/Minneman Project
Jimmy Pitts is a composer/keyboard virtuoso out of Detroit. This is my second time as a guest on one of his albums, alongside legendary drummer Marco Minneman (Eddie Jobson, Joe Satriani, Buddy Rich, Paul Gilbert, Terry Bozzio). I play on the song “A Faint Beautiful Glow,” which closes out the album.
Order here:
https://jimmypitts.bandcamp.com/album/the-psychic-planetarium
Circuline:Return
Circuline is a new prog band that I have had the pleasure to record and perform with. This is their debut album, released last year.. Check out the song “Silence Revealed,’ masterfully written by my friend Randy McStine.
Check out the video for the song here:
Check out 3 of the latest songs from Stratospheerius! Our last single, “Take Your Medicine,” is getting rave responses and trending on Reverbnation.com
Give the string player in your life new abilities to rock out and blow people’s minds!
ORDER “JOE DENINZON’S BOOK/DVD/CD “PLUGGING IN” FROM MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS
STRATOSPHEERIUS video for “One Foot in the Next World”
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