Colin Stranahan Returns to Denver to Celebrate Capri Records CD Anticipation
“An impressive debut from three independent-minded but strongly collaborative players: a trio that may lack a leader, but doesn’t lack a sense of direction.” – Bruce Lindsay, All About Jazz
Join Capri recording artists Colin Stranahan (drums), Glenn Zaleski (piano), and Rick Rosato (bass) as they celebrate the release of their CD Anticipation in concert for two nights at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln Street, Denver. Sets onSaturday, June 23 at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday, June 24th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $20. For more information call 303-839-5100 or log onto
http://dazzlejazz.comStranahan, who grew up in Denver and attended the Denver School of the Arts, is the son of local band director and clinician Jim Stranahan, an estimable musician in his own right. The support of his family and mentors like Ron Miles launched Colin on his path as one of the most acclaimed young drummers in jazz today. Stranahan currently lives in NYC where he performs with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Fred Hersch, Niia, Dan Tepfer, Ron Miles, Maria Neckam, and more.
Anticipation is earning wide acclaim. As Peter Hum says in the Ottawa Citizen the CD “should be required listeningŠ demonstrating sophistication, empathy and maturity that eludes many older playersŠ [the music] combines striking precision with a sense of great ease.” And as Kyle O’Brien says in Jazzscene, “this isn’t your typical standards trio. Instead, the three fiery musicians take standards and turn them sideways, like the bizarrely staccato version of ‘All the Things You Are,’ which becomes a rhythmic exercise done with panacheŠIf this is the future of piano trios, it’s a mighty fine future.”
A collection of uniquely arranged standards and thoughtful originals make up the trio’s repertoire. The percussive interplay between piano and drums on album opener “All The Things You Are” reinvigorates the tune, lending it a staccato jolt. Anticipation closes with reimaginings of “Boplicity” and “I Should Care.” On “Boplicity,” Zaleski’s piano takes the place of the original’s brass and all three instrumentalists are given solo space to shine. In this group’s hands, “I Should Care” takes on a contemplative dreaminess reminiscent of Vince Guaraldi’s more pensive moments.
Colin Stranahan has had a passion for music since he was a very young child. The son of a jazz educator, he has always been surrounded by music all his life. His interest developed when he sat down at a drum set at age eight and was able to play. From that time forward, music has been his life focus and passion. He has sought out and followed every opportunity to learn about, listen to, play and write music. Teaching himself to play the piano has enabled him to develop his ideas and emotions and express his passion through original compositions. He has released three records as a leader, all on Capri Records: “Dreams Untold”, “Transformation” and “Life Condition.” In his earlier years Colin earned many awards including the Presidential Scholar in the Arts Award. Colin spent a year at the Brubeck Institute in Stockton, California, then studied in New York, where he attended the New School University where he studied with Ari Hoenig and Nasheet Waits. He finished his studies at the prestigious Monk Institute in New Orleans, where Terence Blanchard, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter were his main educators. In 2009 Stranahan toured to India with Herbie Hancock as a part of the 50th year anniversary of Martin Luther King’s visit to India. Most recently, Stranahan has been touring worldwide as a part of Kurt Rosenwinkel’s trio.
“Music is so important in our world today. My goal is to reach out to people, to connect with them. If I’m playing for 5 people or 1,000, my goal is to always touch people in some way,” says Stranahan. “Music is so beautiful because not only do I get to express myself, but also the listener can interpret what they are hearing in any way. It’s about communication and sharing our stories with each other.” Colin currently performs and tours with artists including Maria Neckam, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Fred Hersch, Niia, Dan Tepfer, Ron Miles, Glenn Zaleski, and Rick Rosato.
Glenn Zaleski is a Brooklyn-based pianist. After performing professionally in his native Worcester, MA during his high school years and two years of study at prestigious Brubeck Institute in Stockton, CA, Glenn moved to New York in 2007 to study at the New School. After graduating in 2009, Glenn began his graduate studies at NYU, and became an adjunct faculty member there, teaching and writing the curriculum for Jazz Keyboard Harmony I-IV.
Zaleski currently maintains an active performance career in New York City and abroad. His most recent projects include a duo with his brother Mark (“Duet Suite”, 2011) and this trio with drummer Colin Stranahan and bassist Rick Rosato. Also in 2011 Glenn was a finalist for the APA Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz as well as the Thelonious Monk Institute’s International Piano Competition, which will be held in September 2011.
A 2010 graduate from the New School, bassist Rick Rosato was also a precocious young talent, gigging around Montreal by the time he was 18 years old. In 2005, the 16-year-old Rosato was selected as one of nine Canadian participants in the National Galaxie Rising Youth All-Stars Jazz Clinic, with whom he played a set at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival. He has since performed at notable locations including Smalls Jazz Club, the Jazz Gallery, the Bern International Jazz Festival, the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, and many more. The versatile and virtuosic bassist is in demand, lending his skills and sound to such leading names in jazz as the Ari Hoenig Quartet, the Leboeuf Brothers Quintet, and Aaron Parks, among many others. He currently lives in Montreal, where he is finishing a master’s degree in music at McGill University.
Category: Exclusives
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