DENINZONEWS FALL 2021
All the news that’s fit to print about violinist/singer/composer Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius

Hi, all!

It’s beginning to sound like a cliche by now, but I gotta say it: I hope you all are staying safe and healthy. As the summer winds down, I have to look back and say …..it’s been a fun ride! Work has come back with a vengeance, and I’ve been playing tons of private events, doing concerts with amazing artists like Brooklyn Raga Massive & Sweet Plantain, still teaching virtually (MWROC, Strings Without Boundaries, Stringmasters) and recording (including an Uber commercial that ran during the Olympics). I take NOTHING for granted and, with covid seeming to take a bit of a comeback, I hope and pray that live music survives and my fellow musicians and I don’t have to go back on unemployment! And I hope you all take the vaccine and take care of yourselves and each other. Here’s what’s planned for the fall…..and let’s hope it stays that way!

For Your Consideration

After many years, I finally became a member of  NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences). This means I can vote for the Grammy’s, and also submit some of my stuff. …cause hey, you never know!🤷‍♂️

Stratospheerius released two singles in the past year that qualify for consideration; “Cognitive Dissonance” (featuring Rany McStine) and “Storm Surge” (featuring Michael Sadler, Rachel Flowers, Fernando Perdomo, and Ruti Celli.) Here is the info, with a link to the page on my website where you can check out the songs and their videos. If you’re a member of NARAS, please review these songs when time allows. We humbly thank your your consideration. https://joedeninzon.com/for-your-consideration/

SHOWS, SHOWS AND MORE SHOWS!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Stratospheerius is proud to announce that after a very long hiatus and barring unforeseen circumstances, we will be returning to the stage this fall! Three, count em, THREE NY-area shows!

Friday, Sept 24th
Olive’s
118 N. Main St.
Nyack, NY
Sonic Voyage Fest with Ad Astra and Mile Marker Zero
9 P.M.
https://fb.me/e/2AkhZIOae

Tuesday, October 12th
Arlene’s Grocery
95 Stanton St.
New York, NY
Sonic Voyage Fest with Ad Astra, Mile Marker Zero, and King Dutch
https://fb.me/e/4mURWrfWO
BUY TICKETS HERE!

Thursday, October 21st
Crossroads
78 North Ave.
Garwood, NJ
Fusionfest with Andy Rothstein Band and One More Once
https://www.facebook.com/events/426855655296862

Stratospheerius is:

Joe Deninzon-lead vocals/elecrtric violin
Paul Ranieri-bass/vocals
Jason Gianni-drums/vocals
Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar/vocals

JOE D GUESTS ON EPISODE 10 OF TRACY SILVERMAN’S PODCAST, “FOR THE GREATER GROOVE.”

My big brother from another mother, Tracy Silverman is a pioneer in the world of electric violin. He is the author of the string groove bible, “Strum Bowing,” which I contributed to. He’s worked with the Turtle Island String Quartet, The Whooten Brothers, John Adams (the composer not the president), Tery Riley. He has revolutionized the instrument in the realm of New Music. His new podcast, “For the Greater Groove,” explores the future of string playing through the prism of rhythm and groove outside of the classical cannon, something that I’ve been exploring and teaching through my whole career. He has interviewed Mark O’Connor, Cassey Driessen, Mark Wood, Julie Lyon Lieberman, and Dave Wallace, Darol Anger, and Christian Howes, to name a few, and I’m honored to be included among these giants of the string world! Here’s a link to my interview and here are two really fun groove collars we did in conjunction, jamming on James Brown’s “The Chicken” And “Freedom” by Jimi Hendrix.

LISTEN HERE!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pzv7FgWHvEzqlVcdsvB6M?si=ee4b8f353dc54a5f

Grand Canyon Music Festival & School of Rock Sept 17-18

This will be my 21st (?!) year performing with harmonica demon Robert Bonfiglio at the Grand Canyon Music Festival, but more importantly, the 15th year of the program I co-founded, the “Grand Canyon School of Rock.” No, we’re not talking about geology here, people, this is ROCK N ROLL, baby! We show up on Monday, form a rock n roll band with a bunch of local kids living near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, put a show together in three days, and perform it twice. It’s always an exhilarating experience bother us and the kids. Thank you to my friend and partner, guitarist Steve Benson, and bassist John Vail, as well as Rene Westbrook, and the new music teacher at Grand Canyon School, Amy Laughlin. Last year, the program was virtual Check out the song the kids wrote and recorded together!

Bonfiglio group performs at the Shrine of the Ages, South Rim on Friday Sept 17th & Saturday, Sept 18th at 7 PM PCT.

Other upcoming performances:

Performing duo concert with pianist/composer Luiz Simas
Saturday, October 9th, 3 P.M.
Salon 33, Princeton Junction

Sweet Plantain performs
Sunday, November 28th, 4 PM
Maplewood Classics Concert Series

Sweet Plantain is:
Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin
Eddie Venegas-violin/trombone
Orlando Wells-viola
Leo Grinhauz-cello

Joe Deninzon joins faculty of NJCU

I am honored to join the esteemed faculty of the NJCU “Multi-Style” string program, headed by Martha Mooke. Bachelors and Masters degrees are available.

Visit their website for more information.

My parting gift for you is a recent video I did for a private event gig, performing a jazzy bossa nova version of “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd with my old friend Lucianna Padmore on drums, Stephen Benson on guitar, Nathan Peck on bass, and Jason Teboreck on keys. Hope you dig it!

Love,
-JD

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