DENINZONEWS FEB/MARCH 2016

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DENINZONEWS FEB/MARCH 2016:

The Latest on violinist/vocalist/composer Joe Deninzon

www.joedeninzon.com

www.twitter.com/joedeninzon

Hello folks!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I had a blast in December. In between middle of all the private
events, studio sessions, and writing sessions, I was honored to opener
the legendary Martin Barre, guitarist from Jethro Tull , with my
friend, guitarist/songwriter Randy McStineSweet Plantain
]kicked ass on New Year’s Eve at
Morristown’s First Night.

It overwhelms me with sadness at the terrible loses the artistic
community has suffered in the past year; BB King, Ben E. King, Scott
Weiland, Natalie Cole, Lemmy Kilmeister, Kust Masur, Pierre Boulez,
David Bowie, Glen Frey, and many more! While I grieve at the
incredible void left by these musicians, we should appreciate all the
artists who currently inhabit this world and enrich it with their
amazing contributions. Go see a concert, play, or any kind of
performance by your favorite artists while they are still around! I
have had some life-changing experiences as an audience member that I
will carry with me forever. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to
have those magic moments.

Alright, enough of my babbling! Here’s what’s up:

January:

Sweet Plantain goes into the studio to finally record our new CD! I will keep you all posted as the project gets completed.

February:

I look forward to returning to Sycamore High School in Montgomery, OH (Near Cincinnatti) on Feb 18th and 19th to coach/perform with their elite Rock Ensemble, SEE 1

Friday, February 19th

Sycamore High School

7400 Cornell Rd.

www.sbob.org

Tickets $10

Sycamore

Sunday, February 21st

SWEET PLANTAIN OCT 2014 PROMO SHOT

Sweet Plantain @ Brooklyn Public Library

“Cassical Interludes” Series.

10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238
718.230.2100
Dweck Center
ALL AGES/FREE ADMISSION

4-6 P.M.

https://www.facebook.com/events/166058950433746/

Upcoming Stratospheerius shows in February

www.stratospheerius.com

www.facebook.com/stratospheerius

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius

Joe Deninzon-Electric Violin/vocals

Aurelien Budynek-guitar/vocals

Jamie Bishop-bass/vocals

Lucianna Padmore-drums

Thursday, Feb 25th, 8 P.M.

The Composers Now Festival brings together performances presented by venues, ensembles, orchestra, opera, musical theater and dance companies as well as many other innovative events through New York City. Composers are in attendance at all events which are open to the public. From jazz to indie, from classical to electronic and beyond, join us on a sonic journey through the landscape of the arts of our time.

This concert features the music of Mazz Swift (8 P.M.), Gene Pritsker/Sound Liberation (9 P.M.), and Joe Deninzon/Stratospheerius (10 P.M.)

Free to the public!
The Shrine
2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030
Phone:(212) 690-7807
www.composersnow.org
www.shrinenyc.com

https://www.facebook.com/events/157810311255143/

Friday, Feb 26th, 9 P.M.

Stratospheerius returns to Mojo’s in Jamestown, NY

104 E 2nd St, Jamestown, New York 14701

716) 720-4621

https://www.facebook.com/events/1697623737123374/

Saturday, Feb 27, 4-11 P.M.

Stratospheerius performs at WXTCs Festival to Benefit VH1s Save the Music and Thiel College Student Media! 
Thiel College, Greenville, PA
Howard Miller Student Center LHR
FREE for Thiel College students
Suggested donation for public — $10
Food and drinks available from The Bistro
Doors open at 3:30pm
Show starts at 4pm

Other performers: Nevada Color, Ian Lloyd, John Ford of the Strawbs and more!

6+ hours of:
Rock, Classic Rock, Indie.Alt, Folk, Jazz, Hiphop/Rap and Gospel!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1679966292286388/

March

Friday, March 4th

I’m excited to be returning to ASTA (American String Teacher’s Conference) in Tampa, FLA

I will be doing two presentations this year. Here is all the info.

Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina 
700 South Florida Avenue
Tampa,  Florida  33602

Friday 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Get in the Groove!
Friday 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – Room: 1/2
A string section can double as a rhythm section! Get into the groove and learn how to navigate through a chord chart, chop, comp, scratch, and strum.

Friday 1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m

Tools for the 21st Century String Player
Friday 1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. – Room: 1/2

It’s a jungle out there! What skill sets are needed to be a complete player today? Classical training, technical foundation, ability to improvise, business acumen, writing and arranging, playing electric and acoustic, stylistic versatility, recording technology – these and more! Join Sean Grissom, Joe Deninzon, and David Wallace for a panel discussion/demonstration/jam – drawing from their experiences to brandish the tools necessary to maximize employability as a string player in the 21st century!
Presenter: Pinkney (Sean) Grissom, New York City Public Schools; Joe Deninzon, performer; David Wallace, Berklee College of Music

SWEET PLANTAIN OCT 2014 PROMO SHOT

Sweet Plantain Performs at Wave Hill in the Bronx

Sunday, March 6th, 2 P.M.

Armor Hall

West 249th Street and Independence AvenueBronx, NY 10471-2899

https://www.wavehill.org/events/categories/performing-arts/

Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin

Eddie Venegas-violin/trombone

Orlando Wells-viola

Leo Grinhauz-cello

Thursday, March 10th: Joe Deninzon Jazz Group at Trumpets (Montclair, NJ)

Joe Deninzon-violin

Steve Benson-guitarhttp://www.trumpetsjazz.com

Lucianna Padmore-drums

Gaku Takanashi-bass

Trumpets
6 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ 07042
www.trumpetsjazz.com

 

Check out 3 of the latest songs from Stratospheerius! Our last single, “Take Your Medicine,” is getting rave responses and trending on Reverbnation.com

 TYM COVER 2

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

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Joe Deninzon Nov/Dec 2015 News

WELCOME TO THE DENINZOO!!!

The latest from violinist/vocalist/composer

Joe Deninzon

www.twitter.com/@joedeninzon

www.stratospheerius.com

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Happy Holidays!
Welcome to the ZOO! Here’s what’s new:
This week , I will be playing in the San Diego and Orange County, CA areas with renowned harmonica virtuoso, Robert Bonfiglio. I’ve been working with this guy for two decades now. He is a unique artist who has built his career playing harmonica concertos with symphony orchestras, co-founded the Grand Canyon Music Festival, and with our group, blows a mean blues harp, mixed with jazz, classical, and Brazilian music.
November also has Stratospheerius playing another Sonic Voyages Show in Bay Shore,  Long Island.
Also, in my new life as a “new music” composer,  I will be premiering “Bandemonium,” a new piece I wrote for the Licorice Clarinet Trio and Electric Violin as part of Gene Pritsker’s Composer’s Concordance Series at Spectrum on November 29th.
In December I will be opening for the legendary Martin Barre, guitarist with Jethro Tull. I will be performing as a duo with one of my favorite musicians, Randy McStine, a guitar prodigy and brilliant singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. We’ll be doing shows in Sellersville, PA, Erie,  and Binghamton, NY.
New Years Eve, I’ll be celebrating in Morristown with the lads in Sweet Plantain, as part of their First Night Series!
During all of this, I’m continuing to write a ton of new music to finish off the new Stratospheerius album, which he are aiming to put out next year, so stay tuned….

Upcoming shows

30BonfiglioBw
 
With Robert Bonfiglio Group:
Robert Bonfiglio-harmonica
Stephen Benson-guitar
Friday, November 13th, 7:30 P.M.
Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center
590 Palm Canyon Dr.
Borrego Springs, Ca 92004
760-767-4275
Saturday, November 14th, 7:30 P.M.
Ramona Concerts
1521 Hanson Lane
Ramona, CA 92065
760-789-7474
Monday, November 16th, 7:30 P.M.
North Orange County Community Concerts
114 North Pomona (at Commonwealth)
Fullerton, CA 92831
714-535-8925
Joe Deninzon-electric violin/vocals
Rob “The Slob” Banbach-guitar
Paul Ranieri-bass
Lucianna Padmore-drums
Joe Deninzon premiering new solo Electric Violin Composition
Composers Concordance Concert Series
Sunday, November 29th 6 P.M.
Spectrum
121 Ludlow St. #2
New York, NY 10002
Opening for  Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) Joe Deninzon/Randy McStine Duo
We’ll be playing music by Stratospheerius, Randy’s band Lo Fi Resistance, and more…
JOE 2015 HEADSHOT cropped for websiteRandy McStine
Martin Barre

Martin Barre

Thursday, December 10th, 8 P.M.
Sellersville Theater
24 W Temple Av & Main St/Bethlehem Pike (off Rte 309)
Sellersville, PA 18960-2421
215-257-5808
Friday, Dec 11th, 8 P.M.
Eclipse
Binghamton, NY
Venue TBA

With Sweet Plantain

SWEET PLANTAIN 10:14
New Year’s Eve!
Thursday, Dec 31st, 10 P.M.
Morristown First Night Concert Series
Purchase tickets/get info @
Joe Deninzon-violin/vocals/mandolin
Eddie Venegas-violin/trombone
Leo Grinhauz-cello
Orlando Wells-viola

PRESS

Progression Fall 2015 Sonic Voyages
Fall issue of Progression Magazine features an article about the Sonic Voyage Fest, a traveling Progressive Rock concert series, which we co-founded with Circuline and Shadow Eden. 
Check it out!
 
Check out this recent Joe Deninzon interview for
INTERNATIONAL MUSICIAN.
Joe Deninzon Interview for Loudini Rock N Roll Circus

Stratospheerius New Single, “BEHIND THE CURTAIN,” “TAKE YOUR MEDICINE, ” and “GUILTY OF INNOCENCE” AVAILABLE NOW

behind_the_curtain cover

Check out 3 of the latest songs from Stratospheerius! Our last single, “Take Your Medicine,” is getting rave responses and trending on Reverbnation.com

Get a head start on your holiday shopping! 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

plugging_in
DENINZONEWS FALL 2015

DENINZONEWS FALL 2015

DENINZONEWS FALL 2015: THE LATEST ON VIOLINIST/VOCALIST/MANDOLINIST/COMPOSER

JOE DENINZON

www.joedeninzon.com

www.stratospheerius.com

www.facebook.com/stratospheerius

www.twitter.com/joedeninzon

www.sweetplantain.com

 

Joe w MSOJoe DouglasIMG_7849IMG_7848IMG_7853
Dear Friends,
 
What an incredible ride it’s been! After another unforgettable residency at the Grand Canyon Music Festival with Robert Bonfiglio, Gran Canyon School of Rock, Sweet Plantain, and the NACAP program, I lived out a long-time dream of mine and premiered my Concerto for Seven String Electric Violin and Orchestra with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra on September 19th!    I’m still pinching myself to make sure it was real! So grateful to Douglas Droste and all the kick-ass musicians at the Muncie Symphony for this incredible opportunity. The orchestra did an amazing job tackling what was not exactly an easy piece of music to play and making everything I imagined in my head come to life. I hope to take this piece to as many orchestras as possible, but I will cary this day in my memory as long as I live. This premier was definitely on that short list of lifetime milestones!
Here’s what’s next:
October has Stratospheerius back on the road tour dates in Nyack, NYC, State College, Erie PA,  and Detroit.
In November, I will be playing in the San Diego and Orange County, CA areas with renowned harmonica virtuoso, Robert Bonfiglio.
November also has Stratospheerius playing out in Long Island, and I will be premiering a new Electric Violin composition for Gene Pritsger’s Composer’s Concordance at Spectrum on November 29th.
In December I will be touring, opening for the legendary Martin Barre, guitarist with Jethro Tull. I will be performing as a duo with one of my favorite musicians, Randy McStine, a guitar prodigy and brilliant singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. We’ll be coming through Sellersville, PA, Erie, Cleveland, and Binghamton, NY. During all of this, I plan on writing a ton of new music to finish off the new Stratospheerius album, which I’m aiming to put out next year, so stay tuned…
Below is ALL the info about EVERYTHING:

UPCOMING STRATOSPHEERIUS SHOWS

IMG_0069
 
Friday, October 16th, 10 P.M. $5 admission
118 Main St., Nyack, NY 10960
Thursday, October 22nd
Cafe 210
210 W College Ave.
State College, PA 16801
Friday, October 30th
Gussy’s  Bar & Grille
20-14 29th St.
Astoria, NY 11105
Pre-Halloween Sonic Voyages Fest
With Stratospheerius (8 P.M.)
Rob Balducci (9 P.M.)
Shadow Eden (10 P.M.)
Joe Stump (11 P.M.)
Saturday, November 28th
Even Flow Bar & Grille
150 E. Main St.
Bay Shore, NY 11706
Black Knights Castle (Rainbow Tribute)

Other Upcoming shows

Saturday, October 17th 10 P.M.
Mehanata
113 Ludlow St.
 New York, NY 10002-3204
 
Robert Bonfiglio-harmonica
Stephen Benson-guitar
Friday, November 13th, 7:30 P.M.
Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center
590 Palm Canyon Dr.
Borrego Springs, Ca 92004
760-767-4275
Saturday, November 14th, 7:30 P.M.
Ramona Concerts
1521 Hanson Lane
Ramona, CA 92065
760-789-7474
Monday, November 16th, 7:30 P.M.
North Orange County Community Concerts
114 North Pomona (at Commonwealth)
Fullerton, CA 92831
714-535-8925
Joe Deninzon premiering new solo Electric Violin Composition
Composers Concordance Concert Series
Sunday, November 29th 6 P.M.
Spectrum
121 Ludlow St. #2
New York, NY 10002
 
Thursday, December 10th, 8 P.M.
24 W Temple Av & Main St/Bethlehem Pike (off Rte 309)
Sellersville, PA 18960-2421
215-257-5808
Friday, Dec 11th, 8 P.M.
65 Front St.
Binghamton, NY 13901
607-724-2412
 

NEW PRESS

 
Joe Deninzon interview for INTERNATIONAL MUSICIAN
Joe Deninzon Interview for Loudini Rock N Roll Circus

Stratospheerius New Single, ‘TAKE YOUR MEDICINE.” and other singles

(JPEG)
Check out 3 of the latest songs from Stratospheerius! Our last single, “Take Your Medicine,” is getting rave responses and trending on Reverbnation.com
 behind_the_curtain cover

GIVE THE STRING PLAYER IN YOUR LIFE A PARADIGM SHIFT!

ORDER “JOE DENINZON’S BOOK/DVD/CD “PLUGGING IN” FROM MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS

plugging_in

 

WORLD PREMIER JOE DENINZON ELECTRIC VIOLIN CONCERTO WITH MUNCIE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

WORLD PREMIER JOE DENINZON ELECTRIC VIOLIN CONCERTO WITH MUNCIE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MSO-LOGO JOE 2015 HEADSHOT cropped for website

Sept 19th World Premier Joe Deninzon Electric Violin Concerto with

Muncie Symphony Orchestra

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It’s been 16 months of  hard work.
I am proud to announce the world premier of  my “Dream Diary: Concerto for Seven-String Electric Violin and Orchestra” with Muncie Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, September 19th at 4 PM!

I will give a pre-concert talk about the piece at 3:00.

This performance takes place at Sursa Hall on the campus of Ball State University, 2000 W. University Ave., in Muncie, IN.

Tickets are $30 advance and $35 at door. They are $5 for students from Kindergarden through Senior High ages.

For more information, please call  800-382-8540 and 765-289-1241.

The website is www.munciesymphony.org.

https://www.facebook.com/events/446146335570424/

Here is some more information about the piece:
DREAM DIARY: CONCERTO FOR 7-STRING ELECTRIC VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA
Growing up as a classically trained violinist, I fell in love with rock and jazz at the age of 12, and my musical tree sprung new branches. While continuing my violin studies, I took up guitar and electric bass. In the late ’80s/early ’90s, the guitar hero reigned supreme in the rock world. Virtuosos such as Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt, and Eric Johnson were highly revered. Every band had a guitarist who could “shred” and for one of the rare times in history, instrumental rock albums were on the Billboard charts. These guitar virtuosos influenced the way I approach the violin and were one of the reasons I started playing the electric violin. Dreams  were a recurring theme in their music; Joe Satriani had a popular instrumental rock album titled “Flying in a Blue Dream, and Steve Vai’s “Passion and Warfare” was a huge influence.
In interviews, I read that Steve Vai kept a dream diary, writing down his dreams while they were still vivid when he woke up.  He allowed those dreams to influence his compositions. Through my observations as a composer and songwriter, the best and easiest creations have come to me in my sleep or during a daydream, times when I was not fully conscious, as if someone or something was channeling them through me. I started a musical “dream diary” to write down melodies and themes that spontaneously came to me.
The DREAM DIARY concerto has a great deal of surreal imagery and is very dream-like. I researched the cycles of sleep, and thought it would be interesting to write a musical composition that loosely follows these different cycles. When you first fall asleep, you experience vivid sensations known as hypnagogic hallucinations. You are straddling the line between the real world and the dream world. There are sudden jerks of wakefulness followed by sensations of falling and/or flying. Hence the first movement is titled “Falling and Flying.” This movement is truly a tribute to the rock guitar albums of my youth.
The second movement, “Delta Waves,” represents a deeper stage of sleep where you are less likely to respond to outside noises and stimuli. The third is titled “Rapid Eye Movement,” the stage where most dreams occur, and the fourth is “Waking Dream,” when you are having the most vivid dreams, the ones that stay in your memory after you wake up. Although the music is loosely programatic, I leave the interpretation of the dreams being represented to the listener.
There have been some amazing concertos written for the electric violin, but I wanted to feature different effects and sonic textures I developed over the years while performing with my band, Stratospheerius, and show the rich palette of colors this instrument is capable of. I do this by incorporating distortion pedals, way, delay, loops, synths, whammies, and covering the range of the 7-string violin, who’s lowest note is a whole tone below cello range. The soloist plays in bass, alto, and treble clef.
Let me add that the opportunity to write and perform this concerto is a dream come true for me. If you are in or near Munice, IN on September 19th,  and I hope to see you at the performance!