Member Since: 5/25/2006
Band Website: petelevin.com
Band Members:
CERTIFIED ORGANIC
This is not your father’s organ trio!
Pete Levin’s 2008 CD release CERTIFIED ORGANIC continues to push the envelope of the traditional organ trio. On top of the grooves laid down by former Hot Tuna drummer Harvey Sorgen and Pete’s organ bass, four veteran guitarists stretch out on the album: ubiquitous New York session guitarist John Cariddi (Steve Marcus, Patti Austin, Ricki Lee Jones), the legendary Joe Beck (Miles Davis, Gil Evans, David Sanborn), Mike DeMicco (Dave Brubeck, Jack DeJohnette), and rocker Jesse Gress (Todd Rundgren, Tony Levin Band). Pete knows how to feature his sidemen, but when it’s time for the Hammond to take charge, he does just that. In addition, the organ’s bass is mixed up front as an equal element. The set rocks and grooves hard - not a hint of Smooth Jazz in sight.
Michael Bloom Media Relations
P.O. Box 41380
Los Angeles, CA 90041
323.258.6342
[email protected]
Recording CERTIFIED ORGANIC
2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ace Keyboardist Pete Levin Goes B-3
On Motema Music Debut CD DEACON BLUES
(March 20, 2007 Release)
With the keyboard wizard's debut album for the Motema label, Pete Levin re-emerges in 2007 as a bandleader and master of reinvention, embracing his roots and first love, the Hammond Organ. Working with a group of top sidemen (Joe Beck, Danny Gottlieb, Tony Levin, Mike DeMicco) Levin and company demonstrate an uncanny chemistry that is immediate and infectious.
Michael Bloom Media Relations
P.O. Box 41380
Los Angeles, CA 90041
323.258.6342
[email protected]
~~~~
PETE LEVIN BAND - 2007:
Pete Levin, Joe Beck, Mike DeMicco, Tony Levin, Danny Gottlieb, Ken Lovelett, Carlos Valdez
In 2007, Pete continues to tour with
TONY LEVIN BAND - 2007:
.."center" Tony Levin
Jerry Marotta, Larry Fast
Jesse Gress, Pete Levin
THE CLAMS:
Pete Levin, Tony Levin, Steve Gadd, Michael Holmes, Vinnie Pasternak, Dixon VanWinkle
Influences:
Gil Evans, Bill Evans, Jimmy Giuffre, Herbie Hancock, Art Tatum, Julius Watkins, Oscar Peterson, Oscar Pettiford, Larry Young, Billy Preston, Richard Tee, Richard Strauss, Bach, Copland, Bartok, Morricone, Mancini, Eddie Sauter, Nelson Riddle, Jay Chattaway, Joni Mitchell, Sinatra, Ray Charles, Spike Jones, Stan Freberg ...
Sounds Like: On a good day, probably a lot like people who have influenced me a lot. But I'll leave that to reviewers. (I get a lot of that these days.) Of more interest ...
Quotable quotes that float MY boat - from my musician friends (and a few I never got to play with)
"Aside from my family, playing creative music is my only reason for being on this earth." ~ Arnie Lawrence
"There is no such thing as a limited instrument, only limited musicians." ~ Howard Johnson
"Quit playing what you think I want you to play!" ~ Gil Evans
"If it sounds good, it is good." ~ Duke Ellington
"Intuition has to lead knowledge; but it can't be out there on it's own. If it's on it's own, you're gonna flounder sooner or later." ~ Bill Evans
"I'm too old to pimp and too young to die, so I'm just gonna keep on playing." ~ Clark Terry
"Whatever tempo you play it at, that's the right tempo." ~ Thelonius Monk
"Never play anything the same way twice." ~ Louis Armstrong
"A musician is influenced by hundreds of people and things, and all show up in his work. To fasten on any one or two is ridiculous." ~ Bill Evans
“When you’re dead, you’re done.†~ Louis Armstrong
Record Label: Motema
Type of Label: Indie