THE CAPE MAY JAZZ FESTIVAL - APRIL 19TH
John will be playing at the 2008 Cape May Jazz Festival with the Neal Smith Septet. The band performs on Saturday 4/19/08 at the Boiler Room at Congress Hall. For more information on the festival visit http://www.capemayjazz.com/index.cfm.Neal Smith performs regularly with internationally recognized artists and has shared the stage with the likes of Tom Harrell, Anita Baker, Geri Allen, Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell, Sonny Fortune, Jimmy Owens, Eddie Harris, Isaac Hayes, Gary Bartz, Benny Golson, Donald Harrison, Frank Morgan, Brian Lynch, Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Frank Foster, Dewey Redman, Mark Whitfield, Ronnie Mathews, Rufus Reid, Wendel Logan, James Moody, Marlena Shaw, and Vanessa Rubin. For more info on Neal, visit www.nealsmithjazz.comThe Show: 3 sets from 9pm - 1am. Location: Perry Street and Congress Place Cape May, NJ 08204
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CHECK OUT THE "LIVE FROM SMOKE" CD REVIEW BY ZAN STEWART OF THE STAR LEDGER!!!“Live From Smoke†John Farnsworth (Artists Now)Tenor saxophonist and composer John Farnsworth’s heart is in the vital, appealing 1960s jazz by greats like Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Curtis Fuller, and McCoy Tyner. This music ranged from gospel and blues feelings to hard-driving, open-minded expressions. On this zesty CD recorded at Smoke Jazz Club in New York, Atlantic Highlands resident Farnsworth delivers a fresh, vigorous slant on the era. The alluring themes, by Farnsworth and Frank Lacy, are brought to life by a frontline that mixes the leader’s warm sound with the bold tones of, variously, trumpeters Jim Rotondi and Dr. Eddie Henderson, and trombonists Lacy and Steve Davis. The potent rhythm team – drummer Joe Farnsworth, and variously bassists Dwayne Burno and John Webber, and pianists Mike LeDonne and Carlton Holmes – adds swaggering heft. “A Cry For Understanding†starts with clarion tenor, moves to a drum solo, then hits an upbeat groove with charging, choice-noted solos from Rotondi, Davis, the leader and LeDonne. The same crew injects fire into the fast waltz, “Mozzin’.†“Shorter Moments†is a mellow-minded swinger with probing Farnsworth tenor; he also scores with the gospel ballad, “Sweet Dreams.â€Dowload this: “Shorter Momentsâ€- Zan StewartJohn has performed and toured with a diverse and impressive roster of influential musicians. Even an abbreviated list of his collaborators is evidence of the respect John has gained from some of the greatest musicians from commercial, jazz, and Latin genres. Whether touring with early jazz greats Illinois Jacquet or the Glenn Miller Orchestra, sharing a stage with jazz legends Cecil Payne, Slide Hampton or George Coleman in New York City's historic jazz venues, performing with legendary singer Aretha Franklin at the Radio City Music Hall, or appearing with pop sensations Alicia Keys and Rob Thomas on VH1, John Farnsworth is regarded as one of today's most exciting jazz artists. John received his Bachelor's Degree from Rutgers University and his Master's Degree from the University of Massachusetts.