MP3 Jay Michael Reed - Reed Imperfection - Personalized Retro
Jazz / Pop with a touch of Rock
17 MP3 Songs in this album (74:35) !
Related styles: JAZZ: Jazz-Pop, JAZZ: Jazz-Rock
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Details:
Jay Reed (piano, guitar, vocals – composer & arranger) – a Christian Jazz Musician.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (double major, Music & Popular Culture) from Bowling Green Statue University in Ohio in 1974, but also attended the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University in Ohio in the early 80’s. I still consider myself a student of music. The learning process is on going.
On Reed Imperfection: a communication of soul and the personal imperfections we all try to conquer. The freedom of expression inherent in jazz, the raw emotion of rock, the storytelling & humor of folk, and the melodic beauty found in pop...a variety of music played by a variety of musicians; instrumentalists & vocalists.
On my Music: most of the instrumentals I compose would be considered absolute music. In other words, they are not usually written for a specific occasion / program. I give the piece a title during or after I have written the music. Why so many different styles of music? “Because I can.”
On my Lyrics: youthful angst from the 60s & 70s, maturity & humor from the 70s & 80s, and some reverence & minimalism from the 90s through the present. There’s a bit of artistic license in my grammar, some intentional, some not. God, Parents, and English Teachers; forgive me.
On my Arrangements: I love writing for various instruments. For those who wish to arrange; study, listen, transcribe, analyze, and most of all, write and get it played even if it falls short. Some of my arranging inspirations: Dick Halligan (B.S.&T.), Bill Reddie (Buddy Rich Big Band), and Don Ellis (Don Ellis Orchestra}...I’m still learning.
I have had the pleasure to perform and record with the following instrumentalists and vocalists:
Ron Ialongo (bass) – I’ve known Ron close to 30 years, playing and recording music. Ron is an excellent bassist and close friend (best man at my wedding). Ron played clarinet and saxophone while in high school but later switched to bass. Ron’s bass inspirations: Ron Carter, Jaco Pastorius & Stanley Clarke.
Chris Reed (drums, bongos, banjo, harmonica, misc. percussion) – Chris has studied drums with Bernie Belfrage and Joseph Parlink; and has studied piano with Sam D’Angelo. Chris was 16 when he first went into the studio to record. I am still amazed.
Spencer Reed (glockenspiel, clavinet, piano) – Spencer has studied piano with Susan Owens and more recently with Sam D’Angelo. At first Spencer was reluctant to go into the studio but has done nicely in each session. He is presently writing his own music.
Tony Valenzisi (electric guitar, vocal harmony, conga) – Personalized Retro is the second project that Tony has worked on with me. Tony sings lead on “This Is What I Like.” Tony studied percussion with Joe Maroni and guitar with Teddy Pentelas. He presently plays with ‘String Theory’, a guitar duo.
Lori Valenzisi (flute) –Lori graduated from YSU’s Dana School of Music. Lori not only plays flute but has also studied voice and piano. She is a team pastor at Bridge of Hope Church in Boardman, Ohio.
Jim Meese (organ, vocal harmony, misc. percussion, sound effects) – A fantastic keyboard player, vocalist, and recording engineer; Jim attended YSU’s Dana School of Music on full scholarship majoring in piano. His current CD, “lis’n,” features Jim on keyboards and vocals plus other exceptional musicians.
Tim Harker (sax, clarinet) – Personalized Retro is the third project that Tim has worked on with me. Tim can play just about anything and his solo playing is intelligent & soulful…One of the best players in the area. A YSU graduate and teacher in the Boardman, Ohio schools, Tim has played in many orchestras and bands including the John Reese Project.
Marc Pupino (trumpet, flugelhorn) – Another Dana graduate; Marc studied with Esotto Pelligrini. He is presently a band director at Canfield, Ohio schools and is co-principal trumpet for the W.D. Packard Band. He has played in the Youngstown Symphony under the baton of Henry Mancini and has played with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
John Reese (trombone) – John graduated from YSU with a double major; a BA in Jazz Performance and in Business. He records with his own bands, BACKBEAT and JRP (John Reese Project). In addition, he has performed with many artists, including Rosemary Clooney, Robert Goulet, The Beach Boys, Olivia Newton John, The O.J.’s, and others.
The PUMC (Poland (Ohio) United Methodist Church) Praise and Worship Team:
Pam Gretsinger (voice) – she is the leader of the PUMC Praise & Worship Team. Pam started out playing violin, viola, and clarinet but enjoyed vocal music the most. While attending YSU, she studied voice with Dr and Mrs. Wade Raridon. Pam was one of the founder’s of ‘The Children of Light’, a gospel quartet.
Kerry Gretsinger (voice) – she sings the beautiful lead on my song “It Goes, It Goes.” Kerry is a 2007 graduate of Ohio’s Heidelburg College where she majored in trumpet and voice performance. Kerry has performed with many bands and choirs including Singer’s (a show touring group) and Honors Bands and Choirs in Ohio.
Bill Gretsinger (bass) - though Bill plays bass for the PUMC Praise & Worship Team; his main instruments are trombone, euphonium, & trumpet. Bill has played in the following: the Shriner’s Aut- Mori Grotto Band; USAF Logistics Command Band at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Armed Forces Bi-Centennial Band and Chorus at Ford George Meade. Bill studied music at YSU and founded the Youngstown Area Community Concert Band in 1983.
Joseph Maruschek (electric guitar) – Another multi-instrumentalist that sings, plays piano, bass, and other instruments besides guitar. Joe is very exact when reading rhythms; keeps me practicing. Joe began playing trombone and singing while in high school. Besides the Praise & Worship Team, Joe has also performed with the church youth group "Simple Pete." Among his influences are guitarist Adrian Belew and Rick Altizer.
Debbie Melvin (voice) – the Choir Director at Poland United Methodist Church. She studied voice at YSU’s Dana School of Music. Debbie sang on the Industrial Musical Tour of Canada in the late 60’s and with “The MillTown Band,” an R&B group in the 70’s. Besides singing in choirs, Debbie has also directed various choirs.
Paula Melvin (voice) – presently attends Ohio State University where she studies voice and flute. Paula has studied jazz with Sam D’Angelo. She has also worked with the pit band at the Youngstown Playhouse in Youngstown, Ohio.
Rich Rollins (congas) – though Rich is primarily a set drummer, he plays congas on my song “It Goes, It Goes.” Rich started learning percussion while a student at Hubbard, Oh., Jr. High, and had his first paying job as a rock drummer while in High School (one week after getting his drivers license). Rich still looks forward to his next gig.
Natalie Sahyoun (violin) – I first met Natalie during a rehearsal for the live performance of It Goes, It Goes. She was a guest artist with the PUMC Praise and Worship Team. Months later I invited her to play on the recording. Natalie is also a YSU Dana School of Music graduate and has played in many orchestras. She is presently a graduate student at YSU and performs with the Harmony String Quartet.
Poetry and Scripture Readings:
Harriet L. Reed – Personalized Retro is not the first time that I have asked Harriet to read poetry, dialog or scripture. I fell in love with Harriet’s voice over 27 years ago when we were both students at YSU.