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.
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..
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)
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/
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!”
https://www.facebook.com/events/636021929897751/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1748494098736924/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1810324092524155/
https://www.facebook.com/events/102347393542664/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1221717494539503/
https://www.facebook.com/events/191287581289918/
https://www.facebook.com/events/946020202174681/
Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin/vocals
Eddie Venegas-violin/trombone
Leo Grinhauz-cello
Orlando Wells-viola
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:
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 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
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 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:
ORDER “JOE DENINZON’S BOOK/DVD/CD “PLUGGING IN” FROM MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS
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!
Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin/vocals
Steve Benson-guitar
Ben Gramm-drums
Paul Ranieri-bass
https://www.facebook.com/events/1580538232261673/
Joe Deninzon-violin/mandolin/vocals
Eddie Venegas-violin/trombone
Leo Grinhauz-cello
Orlando Wells-viola
2071 Park St, Hartford, CT 06106
71 Carson Hill Road,
Harmony, Maine
Joe Deninzon-lead vocals/electric violn
Michelangelo Quirenale-guitar
Paul Ranieri-bass
Kenny Grohowski-drums
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:
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
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:
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 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
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 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:
ORDER “JOE DENINZON’S BOOK/DVD/CD “PLUGGING IN” FROM MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS
Happy Spring!
But I could have said that two months ago. It’s like winter never happened this year, but that’s a whole other conversation…
February and March were jam-packed, with Stratospheerius and Sweet plantain concerts in Brookyln, the Bronx, Western PA,and upstate NY. Also had a blast at the annual ASTA conference in Tampa, where I got to see old friends, give two presentations on modern electric string techniques and career advice, and got to jam with the likes of Christian Howes, Mike Block, and Darol Anger, to name a few.
Got a lot of great things coming up in the next two months, including a Sweet Plantain tour of the Virgin Islands, shows with Stratospheerius, my jazz group, studio projects, and more!
www.facebook.com/sweetplantain
www.twitter.com/@sweetplantain
$10adv $12dos
https://www.facebook.com/events/521113531425016/
I am honored to work the incredible Rachel Martin, who I met when she attended Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp. Rachel is the orchestra teacher at Highland Schools in Medina, OH. I’m psyched to work with her kids and rock out at the concert on May 4th. Here’s all the info!
Wednesday, May 4th, 7 P.M.
ORDER “JOE DENINZON’S BOOK/DVD/CD “PLUGGING IN” FROM MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS
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www.facebook.com/stratospheerius
