Nearer The Sun

Nearer the Sun Alexis' first CD on Canopy Jazz -in tune with the past and distinctively modern. 'An impressive early effort by an up-and-comer' -Scott Yanow L.A. Jazz Scene '...she stands on her own.' -Sheila Jordan 'A stunning debut from a young singer with great dynamic feeling and a pitch perfect contralto voice' -John Craddock, contributor to Jazz Journal International Check out favorite straight-ahead standards like All the Things You Are and Summer Samba, and the awesome reworking of My Funny Valentine and East of the Sun. Then open up your ears a little for Steve Kuhn's Poem for #15 a tribute to Yankee's Catcher Therman Munson who died landing his Cessna in'79. This is 'the' first recording of this tune with Steve's original lyric! You might not recognize the Jobim bossa nova How Insensitive, in this intimate lament, and if you haven't heard The Peacocks, it will be your next favorite song for sure! Nearer the Sun features: Ben Stivers- Pianist & Organist Versatile pianist, organist, composer and arranger Ben Stivers grew up in a musical family in Las Vegas He received a B.M. from University of Miami in 1990. There he worked as a midi programmer on the records of Expose which led to tours and recordings with the Bee Gees, Julio Iglesias, Jose Feliciano, Carlos Santana and Matchbox 20. Next he took a two-year contract at a theater in Mallorca, Spain. In 1998 he moved to New York and since then has had the opportunity to perform with Christian Howes, Avi Bortnick, Mike Clark and Groove Collective. He is currently active in the New York scene and will soon release a CD with his own trio. John Hebert - Acoustic Bass John Hebert was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1972. He began playing the bass in high school and continued his jazz education from 1990-92 at Loyola University in New Orleans In 1992 John moved to the New York City area,where he earned his B.

M from William Paterson University. There he studied with Rufus Reid, Steve Wilson, Todd Coolman, and Steve Turre. After graduating, John moved to New York City where he has since become a highly in demand bassist. He has worked along side such respected musicians as Paul Bley, Lee Konitz, Andrew Hill, Kenny Wheeler, David Liebman, Maria Schneider, Fred Hersch, John Abercrombie, New York Voices, Rich Perry, Tony Malaby, Matt Maneri, Joe Maneri, Judy Silvano, Billy Hart, Jeff Hirshfeild, Tom Rainey, Brad Shepik, Ben Monder, Tim Berne, and others. He continues to tour the US and Europe. As well as performing, John Hebert also teaches during the summer at the Maine Jazz Camp for high school students learning the art of improvisation. John has also performed numerous clinics at universities around the US. Anthony Pinciotti -Drummer & Percussionist Anthony Pinciotti is a dynamic, innovative drummer well-versed in jazz, rock, and world music. Based in New York, Anthony performs and tours extensively with many of the most vital, forward-looking musicians on the scene today. Pinciotti has also worked with masters the likes of James Moody, Kenny Werner, Gary Bartz, Ira Sullivan, Kenny Baron, Mike Stern, and Sheila Jordan to name a few. Anthony began playing professionally throughout the Midwest at the age of thirteen, working with many Motown and jazz greats, including trumpeter, Marcus Belgrave. In 1992 multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan invited Anthony relocate to Miami, Florida to be his drummer. While there he had the opportunity to play with Pat Metheny, Dr.

Lonnie Smith, Andy Laverne, Frank Foster, and Warren Bernhard. In 1994 Anthony moved to Chicago. While there he led several successful groups. Anthony made the move to New York in 1998. Since then he has been on a steady rise to the forefront of improvised music.