All the News that’s fit to print about Vioinist/Composer/Mandolinist/Vocalist Joe Deninzon
Greetings, friends!
It’s hard to believe the summer is over! It flew by in a flash.In my case, a whirlwind of gigs, travel for business and pleasure, and many beautiful experiences both musical and non-musical.
Highlights include:
-Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp/Music Festival, where I have been fortunate to teach and perform since 2011. My favorite week of the year with my extended family of friend and colleagues.
Progstock is the premier progressive rock festival in the Northeaster United States, founded by our good friend Tom Palmieri.
The event takes place at the Union County Performing arts Center in Rahway, NJ from Friday, October 11-Sunday October 13th
Stratospheephius performs on Sunday, October 13th at 1:30 PM, but you should BUY TICKETS NOW and spend the whole weekend to hear these other incredible bands, who we are proud to share the stage with:
Yes folks, it took us a while but we HAVE NEW MUSIC!!! This marks the recording premier of the new lineup of Stratospheerius, featuring:
Joe Deninzon-Electric violin/lead vocals
Michaelangelo Quirinale-guitar/vocals
Paul Ranieri-Bass/vocals
Jason Gianni-drums/vocals
In May, we laid the groundwork for four new tracks, which will eventually become a part of our next record. In the meantime, we have created an 8-minute monster called Impostor!
This track will be released as a single and be available for the first time EVER at Progstock!
The track features guest appearances by Randy McStine-guitar/vocals
And keyboardist Bill Hubauer (Neal Morse Band) and was tracked by Rave Tesar andmixed and mastered by Rich Mouser, best known for his work with Neal Morse, Spock’s Beard, Trans Atlantic, Flying Colors, and basically half of my record collection. Please visit our Facebook and twitter page for teaser samples of the song in the next few weeks. I can’t wait for you to hear this track!!!
10/11/19 Town Hall, New York, NY
10/12/19 Keswick Theater. Keswick, PA (Recording LIVE 50th anniversary CD/DVD!!)
10/15/19 Count Basie Theater. Red Bank, NJ
10/16/19 Ridgefield Playhouse. Ridgefield, CT.
10/19/19 The Egg. Albany, NY
11/16/19 @ 3 P.M.
Trinity Episcopal Church, 55 George St , Allendale NJ.
1 hr solo electric violin set by Joe Deninzon, followed by a duo set with keyboardist Neil Alexander.
Performing originals and covers by Mahavishnu Orchestra, Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Jean Luc Ponty, Tracy Silverman, Mar O’Connor, and more! https://www.facebook.com/events/505511826870985/
Joe Deninzon records underscore to new Broadway play starring Marissa Tomei!
I’m honored to record the underscore music for the new revival of Tennessee Williams’ classic “The Rose Tattoo” on Broadway starring Marissa Tomei!
The recording was produced by Tony award-winning producer/sound designer Fitz Patton, and features Alessandra Belloni-percussion, Wilson Montuori-guitar, and Steve Gorn-bansuri flute.
I am pleased to announce that a new original string quartet of mine called “Benson Burner Boogaloo,” is now available from JW Pepper! This is another funky jazz piece with a “Sidewinder” feel. Easy to learn for intermediate players. Check it out, as well as my other sheet music, “What’s that Thang” and “Shock Therapy.” Thank you to Lynne Latham for making this possible
DENINZONEWS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 All the news that’s fit to print about violinist/singer/mandolinist/composer/arranger Joe Deninzon
Greetings, all!
HAPPY SUMMER!
First of all, I owe you a heartfelt apology. I’ve been diligent about putting out these newsletters on a quarterly basis. For the first time in a LONG time, I forgot to send out the spring newsletter, and for that I am really really really sorry!
It’s not like I’ve been slacking or anything. Here’s what I’ve been up to:
In February, I got to perform for the first time on the worlds premier prog rock cruise, Cruise to the Edge. I joined keyboardist/producer Dave Kerzner to perform with his project, In Continuum. The group is a spin-off of Sound of Contact, a band he formed with Phil Collin’s son Simon back in 2014. I was honored to appear on In Continuum’s debut album, “Acceleration Theory” (highly highly recommended!!)
The band featured the legendary Marco Minnemann-drums (Aristocrats, Joe Satriani), Randy McStine (Stu Hamm, Rabben Ford, The Fringe) and Fernando Perdomo-guitar (Jacob Dylan), Matt Dorsey-bass (Sound of Contact), with guest vocalists Lorelei and Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd), Jon Davison (Yes), Michael Sadler (Saga), Leticia Wolf on vocals as the alien, and special guest guitarist Steve Hackett (Genesis). Whew! By far one of the greatest experiences of my life!
Then, it was off to San Antonio, TX, where I did a 2-day teaching/performing residency with the wonderful kids at Northside and John Jay Schools. Thank you to Heather Newmann Gonzales, Angelica Guerra, Deb Wyant, Mark Wood/Laura Kaye and the Electrify Your Strings Organization.
Late February, Stratospheerius performed with the North Brunswick, NJ HS ORchestra, under the direction of Arvin Gopal. This was our first time as a band performing with a full string orchestra. I am grateful to Arvin for inviting us and putting this whole concert together. The band consisted of Jason Gianni on drums, Paul Ranieri on bass and Aurelien Budynek on guitar. Watch the full concert HERE:
On Feb 28th, my friend, prof Rudolf Hacken, who is a professor of violin and viola at University of Champagne Urbana and the creator of the first ever dedicated electric string major in any university on the planet, performed my 30-minute Electric Violin Concerto, “Dream Diary!”
You can listen to his performance and follow the score HERE:
March kicked off with a performance at Rose Hall/Jazz at Lincoln Center with the great Kurt Elling with his incredible band and an all-star string section, alongside the legendary Dee Dee Bridgewater and Ben Vereen. The show was a radio show-style jazz oratorio called “The Big Blind,” based on the life of legendary Chicago singer/comedian John Lewis.
On March 21st, I realized a dream I’ve had for a long time; to create a night featuring bands led by creative string players. The first (and definitely NOT last) STRINGFEST took place at DROM in NYC and featured Stratospheerius, Mazz Muse, 2birds Band, and Seven)Suns. I hope to do this again in the fall, featuring different bands at each show, and possibly take it outside of NY!! Stay tuned…
Here is Stratospheerius performing our cover of King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame”, with special guest Tobias Ralph (Adrien Belew) on drums:
I also had a chance to record and perform with one of my favorite bands, Thank You Scientist, for their new album Terraformer. Thanks to my buddy, the badass violinist Ben Karas for inviting me to play. Pre-order the new album HERE.
In early May, I returned to Highland Schools in Medina, OH for another teaching and performing residency. Thank you to my good friend Rachel Martin Gamin and the incredible job she has done building up the orchestra program there!
Oh yeah… and on May 13th, I played with the Who at Madison Square Garden as part of a 49-piece orchestra! It was great to reconnect with my friend and former student, Katie Jacoby, who got to play the iconic violin solo at the end of Baba O’Riley!
I get pegged as a prog guy, a fusion guy, a jazz guy, a whatever guy, but I love writing songs with hooks. Last fall, my manager Anne Leighton sent me some lyrics she wrote inspired by Muhammad Ali. The lyrical overtone speaks to our times, with recent controversies surrounding athletes protesting racism and injustice, and how we need a voice like Muhammad’s in this day and age because he never minced words and spoke the truth.
Anyway, I produced, wrote the music, played some keys, bass, guitar, and did some background vocals on this song. There are no strings on it.
We assembled an incredible cast to contribute to the track:
For the 9th year in a row, I will be returning to teach and perform at Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp in Olathe, KS. This is the Camp’s’ 10th year, hence the title MWROCX!
To say this is a special week for me is an understatement. Mark Wood is a revolutionary. One of the greatest living electric violinists, the man who designed my 7-string Viper, and someone who turned string education on its head with his Electrify your Strings Programs! He created the first and only camp dedicated to electric string playing, but open to all ages and instruments. The kids who come here remind me of myself when I was a teenager, a misfit violinist who wanted to rock out. The difference is that back in my day, such a camp and a community didn’t exist. Us rock string nerds had to fend for ourselves. This is like the island of broken toys and the level of camaraderie, inspiration, love, and musical catharsis can not be put into words to those who never experienced MWROC. You just have to be there!
Hard to believe it’s been 20 years! Damn, I’m getting old. This place is a refuge for me. An endless source of inspiration and truly one of the most breathtaking places in the world! To perform and teach here is an honor and never gets old. Grand Canyon Village is a transient place. Over the years, I’ve made many lasting friendships with people who came live and work here for a while, then moved on. I have many great stories and memories that I hope to share someday.
Guitarist Steve Benson I will be doing our School of Rock Program with local kids from August 26-30th.
In Friday, August 30th, we will perform with renowned harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio, who co-founded the Grand Canyon Music Festival with his wife Clare Hoffman in 1983.
STRATOSPHEERIUS IS BACK IN THE STUDIO!
I am thrilled to announce that the new lineup ofStratospheeriuswent into the studio last week with our longtime friend/engineer Rave Tesar and broke ground on 4 new songs! This is the beginning of our 6th studio album, which we hope to have out next year! The new lineup is :
Jason Gianni-drums Paul Ranieri-bass Michaelangelo Quirinale-guitar
DENINZONEWS WINTER 2019 All the news that’s fit to print about violinist/vocalist/composer Joe Deninzon
SEASON’S GREETINGS!
Wishing you all a happy Everything! Hope you’re holidays are filled laughter, love, and music!
I’ve had a 2018 full of incredible memories, travel, and fun music making! Lots of great things happening in the next few months. Currently, I’m hard at work writing the nextStratospheeriusalbum with our new lineup: Jason Gianni-drums, Paul Ranieri-bass, Michaelangelo Quirinale-Guitar. We’ve been invited to play the main stage next year atProgstockat Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, NJ, and are planning some tours and local NY-area shows between now and then. What can I say? I’m a very busy boy. Stay tuned…
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius
Holiday Discount!
Stuff your physical or theoretical stockings. HALF PRICE downloads, physical albums, CD’s, and T-Shirts!
I am incredibly honored to be joining keyboardist/producerDave Kerzner andIn ContinuumonCruise to the EdgeFeb 4-9! I had the pleasure of contributing strings to their new albumAcceleration Theory. Plus I get to be on a boat hanging out & jamming with basically my iTunes library in the flesh. (see list of artists below). My arms will be sore from being pinched all week to make sure I’m not dreaming! IN CONTINUUM is a new progressive rock supergroup byDave Kerzner, co-founder of the group Sound of Contact and acclaimed solo artist, songwriter and producer. Joining Kerzner for IN CONTINUUM’s debut concept album is lead vocalist Gabriel Agudo (Steve Rothery Band, ex-Bad Dreams), fellow Sound of Contact band mate Matt Dorsey on bass and guitar, former Sound of Contact touring guitarists Randy McStine (The Fringe) and drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani). Their debut album will feature guest appearances by John Wesley (Porcupine Tree) and drummer Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, Spock’s Beard), plus cameos from special guests Jon Davison (Yes), Steve Rothery (Marillion), Leticia Wolf (The Dead Deads), Fernando Perdomo (Dave Kerzner Band) and Joe Deninzon (Stratospheerius).
Feb 10th-11th Residency at Northside High School 5900 Evers Rd. San Antonio, TX 78238 (210) 397-8695
Feb 23rd Masterclasses atNew Jersey Music Educators Association Conference East Brunswick Hilton 3 Tower Center Blvd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 9 A.M. “How to Read Chord Charts and Lead Sheets for String Players” 10:15 A.M. “Getting in the Groove”
Rudolf Haken is a multi-talented violinist, composer, and professor at University of Illinois Champagne Urbana. Last April, he invited me to do a residency and solo performance at the Krannert Center. He has undertaken the daunting task of learning my Concerto for Seven String Electric Violin. No easy feat, folks! Here is all the information about the upcoming performance on Feb 23rd:
Saturday, Feb 23rd Performance of Dream Diary Electric Violin Concerto Rudolf Haken-“Viper” Electric string violin Krannert Art Museum 500 East Peabody Drive, MC 592 Champaign, IL 61820 Phone: (217) 244-0619 University of Illinois Champagne Urbana
In addition to writing new music for Stratospheerius and other projects, I’ve had the honor to guest on some new projects with some of my favorite artists in the world. In 2019, look for upcoming releases with electric violin solos and string section contributions from artists including guitaristFernando Perdomo, Dave Kerner’s In Continuum, andThank You Scientist, among others.
Speaking of progressive music, the new “Symphonic Journey” live CD/DVD byAnnie Haslam and Renaissancehas been released, and features my quartet,Sweet Plantain, alongside some mind-blowing musicians. Order your copyHERE!
PRESS
Joe Deninzon interview with Tom Hatton of Proglodytes https://proglodytes.com/2018/11/26/interview-with-violin-virtuoso-joe-deninzon/
Joe Deninzon interview with Pete’s Rock and Views http://petesrocknewsandviews.com/joe-deninzon-interview/
JOE DENINZON SHEET MUSIC IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE!
SHOCK THERAPY FOR SOLO VIOLIN WITH BACKING TRACK CD features members of Stratospheerius
This one is not for the meek, but will certainly impress your audience! In a “swunk” style, a combination of swing and funk, the quartet is featured individually with written out solos for all (of course you can improvise your own, with changes in the parts).
If you buy the video and play it, please post photo/video/audio on social media with #playthatthang!
You can hear Sweet Plantain performing it at 7:20 in this video:
