All the News that’s fit to print about violinist/composer/singer/mandolinist Joe Deninzon
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome to the roaring twenties! I’m getting ready to play some swing fiddle on a LOT of Great Gatsby-themed parties in the next ten years. Hey, it could be worse…
Hope you had a wonderful Holiday season and are ready to turn a new page in the new decade. Despite all the fucked up things going on in the world, I remain hopeful that we will learn total care of our planet and show each other some respect and compassion. Call me an idealistic fool, but I wear my idealism like a badge of honor!
Anyway, enough of my rambling.
Nah, here’s more rambling…
Looking back on the past decade, it’s been a wild ride! 2 kids, 3 albums, a book, a violin concerto, new bands, new friendships formed, and some of the greatest recording and touring experiences of my life!
Highlights of my 2019:
Celebrating 20 years of marriage with the lovely violinist/NY Philharmonic member Yulia Ziskel!
Having my “Dream Diary” Electric Violin Concerto performed byRudolf Hakenand my piece “Electric Lake of Soul” performed by renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine.
BUY A MUG, send us your Mug shots, and we will post on our instagram!
Upcoming performances
Sunday,Jan 12 Playing with Brooklyn Raga Massive celebrating the music of John McLaughlin,Mahavishnu Orchestra, & Shakti 55 bar (55 Christopher St. NYC) 2 sets: 9:15 & 10 PM with: Joe Deninzon-violin, Premick Russel Tubbs (original Mahavishnu member)-sax, Neil Murgay-sitar, Vin Scialla-drums, Dan Asher-bass, Dr. David Ullman-guitar
Friday, Jan 30 7 P.M. Residency withRidge View High School OrchestraColumbia, SC with director Phillip Pagal 4801 Hard Scrabble Rd. Columbia, SC 29229 Honored to be conducting/performing my arrangements with this talented group of young musicians.
Feb 27 Sonic Voyage Fest presents: STRINGFEST II Echo of the Ghost(7 P.M.) Susan Aquila Band(8 P.M.) Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius(9 P.M.)I’m starting a tradition of mini-electric and eclectic string festivals. The concept is an evening of bands playing original music led or comprised of creative electric string players who push the boundaries of their instruments. We had a great first mini-fest last year at DROM with Mazz Swift, 2 Birds Band, and Seven Suns. The sequel will feature Stratospheerius along with 2 of my favorite electric violinists/songwriters/friends; Susan Aquila and Claudia Chopek.
March 5-7: ASTA (American String Teachers) National Conference in Orlando, FLA. Hyatt Regency Hotel (9801 International Dr. Orlando, FL) Order of events: Thursday March 5th 2:45-3:45 P.M. Teaching masterclass open to attendees. Thursday March 5th 8 P.M. Performing all-star triple bill with violinist Jesus Florido and Tracy Silverman! Friday, March 6th 2:45-3:45 P.M. Live Loop clinic Saturday, March 7th 1:30 P.M. Panel on effects for electric strings hosted by Julie Lyonn Liberman
March 11-14, Sonic Voyage Fest Tour with Potters Daughter & Dark Beauty Stratospheerius is honored and excited to tour with our label mates at Melodic Revolution Records! More details forthcoming… Wed, March 11th: Debonair Music Hall (1409 Queen Anne Rd, Teaneck, NJ 07666) Thur, March 12th: Bushwick Publick house (1288 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221) Friday, March 13 TBA Saturday March 14th TBA
New Recordings
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius new single, “Impostor” on Melodic Revolution Records
If you haven’t already, stream (or better yet, download) the new Stratospheerius single, Impostor. Featuring: Joe Deninzon-electric violin/vocals, Jason Gianni-drums, Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar, Paul Ranieri-bass, Bill Hubauer (Neal Morse Band)-keyboards, Randy McStine-guitar/vocals Recorded by Rave Tesar (Renaissance). Mixed and Mastered by Rich Mouser (Spock’s Beard, Flying Colors, Neal MKorse, Trans Atlantic, Dream Theater, Tears for Fears)
Earlier last year, I was blessed to collaborate on this song with my friend and manager Anne Leighton. The lyrics she sent me were inspired by her hero Muhammad Ali, and deal with overcoming your worse fears and personal demons to live your best life and inspire others. She recently launched an indiegogo campaign to help promote the song. We had the privilege of Thembeka (Universal artist/winner of the Voice South Africa) to grace us with her incredible voice, and the legendary Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck,Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osborne) to play drums. Engineered by Dale Wardell, Mixed by Alex Salzman, mastered by Fred Kevorkian. Check it out!
I’m honored to have participated on one of the best Prog albums of 2019 with an all-star cast. Keyboardist/singger/songwriter/producer Dave Kerzner released the sci fi concept albums, Acceleration Theory Part I & II in 2019, and I contributed strings to both projects. Musicians on the album include Michael Sadler (lead singer of Saga), Jon Davidson (lead singer of Yes), Steve Hacket (original Genesis guitarist), drummer Marco Minneman (Joe Satriani, Aristocrats), drummer Nick D’Virgilio (Spock’s Beard, Big Big Train), singers The McBroom Sisters (Pink Floyd), bassist Matt Dorsey, guitarists Randy McStine and Fernando Perdomo, and singers Gabriel Agudo and Leticia Wolf!
Attention string players! Check out my original compositions available on from Lathasm Music/JW pepper. My latest is a “Sidewinder”-style funky jazz string quartet titled “Benson Burner Boogaloo.” BUY SHEET MUSIC HERE!
New Projects
We are currently hard at work filming and editing the video for Stratospheerius “Impostor,” with videographer David P. Levin, who produced our video for “Behind the Curtain”
Here is the full performance of my “Dream Diary Electric Violin Concerto” by Prof Rudolf Haken!
Finally, check out this bootleg video of Stratospheerius performing our song, “Game of Chicken” live at Progstock Oct 13, 2019. Union County Performing Arts Center.
We are also putting the finishing touches on three new tracks that will be a part of the next Stratospheerius album. At least one will be released as another single until the album comes out. Also writing new music we plan to record.
I will soon be launching patreon account and look forward to the opportunity to share my day to day musical activities, projects, and general thoughts with you. Stay tuned…
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
