Search - Johnnie Valentino :: Stingy Brim

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the tuba's demise in jazz (in favor of the string bass), composer/guitarist Johnnie Valentino rights the wrong with this unchained, funky, toe-tapping organ quintet, anchored by tuba.  LA-based, South Philly-born Valentino, who has worked with Alex Acuña, Bennie Maupin, Pat Martino, and others, shows off his considerable playing and writing skills, further colored by his work as a Hollywood sound designer and film composer. The catchy, irresistibly funky tunes ? propelled by New Orleans' second-line backbeat and Philly swagger grooves ? will get listeners' attention, and the addition other not-oft-heard instruments (besides tuba) that were also casualties of modern jazz ? clarinet and accordion (represented by harmonium) ? make the tracks further enticing for a wide range of ears. Seasoned new music improvisers ? Mick Rossi (Philip Glass Ensemble and recent Orion world-music project), Bob Sheppard (Peter Erskine Trio, Chick Corea's "Origin," Freddie Hubbard, Mike Stern), Mark Ferber (Lee Konitz, Don Byron, Russ Johnson, Larry Goldings) ? having fun, so it's both contagious and listenable!