2019 Countdown | Chapter 35 | YNZ

Wayan Zoey has been making music for as long as he can remember. Born in the same region of New Jersey as his later-in-life guitar heroes Trey Anastasio and Scott Metzger, he was exposed to music at an early age, making his way from guitar to piano to violin, which he played so poorly that it resulted in his first electric guitar (as an incentive to stop trying to make the violin happen). Growing up, he was lucky enough to attend a very arts-oriented public high school (classmates included pianist Erik Deutsch and Game Of Thrones EP Bryan Cogman), but a challenging environment at home led him to Portland, OR, home of guitarist Dan Balmer, the most significant influence on his existence as a musician. Having learned everything from the Dorian mode to how to make sure to get paid at the end of the gig, Wayan made his way back east to New York City, which didn't work out so well, so he ran off to Glasgow, Scotland for a while, where he found himself playing drums as much as 6 nights a week.

As lovely as it was to be making a living behind the drumkit, the call of NYC was too strong, so Wayan made his way back in time to put in a vote for Barack Obama, and help form ZXL (on stage at Camp Bisco no less), a livetronica trio that was a staple on the Brooklyn rave scene in the late 2000's. From there he added stints in DC-based afrobeat collective The Funk Ark, off-off-Broadway shows like Showgirls! The Musical!, and his still-current chairs in theatrical jazz band Russ Kaplan +7 and space-rock jamband Escaper. Looking down the barrel at his pending 40th birthday, he decided it was finally time to make a record of his own music played mostly by him. It wasn't originally envisioned as a guitar album, but after reconnecting with Balmer in 2017 for further instruction, he felt comfortable enough with the guitar again to base a whole album around it. So, if you don't like it, blame Balmer.

Wayan continues to perform with Russ Kaplan +7 and Escaper, while also being in charge of taking care of all the bands that pass through Brooklyn Bowl. Double Negative will be the 4th album released by Ropeadope to feature his playing.

2019 Countdown | Chapter 34 | Tim Ries

Tim Ries has held down the saxophone and keyboard chairs with The Rolling Stones for the past 21 years, all the while espousing his love of Jazz on his own projects and shows. In 2005 he hit the studio with a cast of greats - Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Larry Goldings, Grégoire Maret, James Genus and Scott Colley - and recorded a master work. Tim waited to release it as his mother was very ill during the recording, and sadly passed soon after its completion. And now, fourteen years later, Life Changes from Tim Ries is ready for release. The title speaks to the events that brought him to this point, with reference to his daughters Bella, Eliana, and Jasia (who performs on the album), and the dedication to his mother Edith Ries.

The story is unique, and we all get a glimpse into the past with some of the best players on the planet. And yet the story quickly moves away as you listen; Life Changes could well have been recorded yesterday in its adventurous and grand style.

The musicians, each and every one, are just ‘at the top of their game’. Jack DeJohnette sounds like he’s having the time of his life. Two of the tunes “As It Happens” and “Hearing Around Corners” were written specifically with him in mind, and he lives up to his legend and beyond. Grégoire Maret is just lovely; his warm sound and perfect notes sparkling in every phrase. Bill Frisell heard in some unusual settings for him, especially on "Monk’s Dream" is a wonder, fitting himself into every style, but at the same time remaining ‘Frisell’. Larry Goldings likewise can play anything in any genre, bar none, and here on "Amor" even channels some Walter Wanderley! Scott Colley and James Genus are simply two of the best bass players on the scene and constantly set up grooves and sonic pulses that always are right ‘in there’ — Randy Brecker

2019 Countdown | Chapter 33 | Charles Owens

“3”
After the critical success of 2015’s “A Day With Us”, The Charles Owens Trio is back with another gem from Jellowstone Studio in Richmond VA with Devonne Harris (DJ Harrison, Butcher Brown) on drums, and Andrew Randazzo this time playing all electric bass. The trust, telepathy, and pocket has only grown and evolved in the last 4 years from constantly gigging. The repertoire hear presents fresh and daring arrangements of familiar songs as far back as 1929 (The beautiful, haunting and plaintive Hoagy Carmichael chestnut “Stardust”), to as recent as 2008 (Radiohead’s “15 Step”) This album will take you on an intimate, and adventurous musical journey that you’ll never want to end.

“13”
Andrew Randazzo (electric bassist for Butcher Brown) and Charles Owens have made music together for years. Now they’ve taken it to new heights with this bold, ambitious project. Andrew’s large ensemble (of which Charles is a founding member) is called R4ND4ZZO BIG B4ND. It’s made up of 14 musicians who are all stars in their own right. These performances bring original compositions by Charles and songs he’s famous for playing plus brand new, lovingly crafted arrangements of those compositions by master arranger and bassist Andrew Randazzo. All of these elements have come together to make this residency a unique and magical experience for everyone. It was a magical experience for all involved!

2019 Countdown | Chapter 32 | Mwenso & The Shakes

Their performances are so riveting it is impossible to turn away, as if there is some element of humanity inside us that we have forgotten and are longing to awaken. The troupe of global artists came together when Michael Mwenso created the late night jam at Dizzy’s, and they can groove, cook, and jam all the way home, with three vocals and a tap dancer up front. Michael Mwenso leads their electrifying show, described by the New York Times as “intense, prowling, and ebullient.”

Michel Mwenso hails from Sierra Leone, but spent his teen years hanging out at Ronnie Scott’s in London where he was exposed to the greats, with the great James Brown bringing him up to sing and dance - a moment that changed his life. The band is from well, everywhere, a truly global meeting of like minds. While fully mesmerizing to watch, the band has powerful message inside the music - an uplifting statement of individuality, courage, and community. The compositions cover a formidable timeline of jazz and blues expression through African and Afro American music. 

Mwenso and the Shakes are a unique troupe of global artists who present music that merges the highest form of entertainment and artistry while commanding a formidable timeline of jazz and blues expression through African and Afro American music. Immigrating from Sierra Leone, London, South Africa, Greenwich Village, Madagascar, France, Jamaica, and Hawaii the Shakes all now call Harlem their home.  Taking from the stylings of Fats Waller, Muddy Waters, James Brown and many other American musical legends.