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GambaDream, the exciting new group based in New York City, has just released a recording. The GambaDream CD is a bold and colorful new sound in contemporary music. Growing from traditional jazz and classical roots but composed and played with the improvisational freedom and rythmic energy of modern jazz and rock, GambaDream blends gorgeous melodies with inspired lyrics, lush harmonies and innovative instrumentation, featuring the electric viola da gamba, an ancient string instrument reborn, that bows like a violin or cello, but also plucks like a bass and strums chords like a guitar. The GambaDream CD is filled with exciting and beautiful performances by some of NYC's most creative musicians, in ever changing compositional settings and styles. To learn more aout GambaDream go to the website www.elfpagesmusic.com. World Class Entertainment A Concert Review in the Freeport NY News By Stewart S. Lilker This past Sunday afternoon world class entertainment came to the Freeport Memorial Library through the efforts of assistant director Laura Goudket and the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport. Renowned composer and musician, Jay Elfenbein, brought his group, GambaDream, to the recital room of the library. For almost two hours, the audience sat mesmerized as they were treated to the unique sound of the gamba and the smooth sound of the group. The group’s leader, Jay Elfenbein, is a professional bassist and gambist. His works have been widely performed in the United States, Asia, Europe, and South America. Ranging from small-ensemble pieces for voice and guitar or gamba, through song cycles for large instrumental groups, to full jazz orchestra and symphonic works, Jay’s music is always predominantly melodic. The original compositions that were performed by GambaDream were chosen because they blended and contrasted well with the better-known jazz standards. The members of GambaDream- Ratso Harris on bass, Tom Nelson on piano, Satoshi Takeishi on drums, and Andree Pages on vocals are all accomplished musicians and soloists, who, if they stick together, could be taking their place alongside some of the best known jazz groups on the charts. Bios Jay Elfenbein '" founder, composer, bass and treble viols, electric Ruby Gamba: The performances of Jay Elfenbein have been described by the New York Times as “virtuosic... played magnificently†and “with virtuosity and flair.†Principal bassist and violone player with the New York Collegium and American Classical Orchestra, among others, he has appeared as a viola da gamba soloist in both Bach Passions throughout the Northeast, and has worked in the jazz and pop field in New York and internationally for over 20 years. As a bassist and gambist he has played with Yo Yo Ma, Judy Collins, Paul McCartney, Lou Rawls, Dave Brubeck, Roscoe Mitchell, Joseph Jarman, and Anthony Braxton. He has recorded for Sony Classics, CBS, PGM, and Virgin Classics, among others, and can be heard playing vihuela and vielle on Pail Simon’s Warner Brothers release, You’re The One. He is also a composer whose work has been commissioned and performed in the US, Canada, Europe, South America, and Japan. He works in a wide variety of genres, and has written for many vocal and instrumental combinations, some with early instruments. His orchestral and large jazz ensemble works have been premiered in New York City. Tom Nelson '" Piano Has performed nationwide with such artists as Junior Cook, Billy Hart, Eddie Locke, Joe Temperly, George Kelley, and Al Harewood. His compositions have won acclaim and been performed by BMI Jazz Composers Orchestra, and regional orchestras and string quartets. A fixture of the New York jazz scene for over 25 years, he is currently a regular at the Drake Hotel and the University Club in New York. Ratzo Harris '" Bass Has performed and recorded with many of the greatest musicians of our time. Betty Buckley, John Handy, Ted Curson, Jon Hendricks, Charles Lloyd, Mose Allison, Betty Carter, Les Paul, Joanne Brackeen, Joe Henderson, and Andrew Hill are some of the artists who, over the years, have repeatedly called for his services. His compositions have been used in dance scores, industrial and independent films and videos and have been recorded by the likes of pianist Kenny Werner, valve-trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, and guitarists Bruce Arnold and Royve Campbell. Satoshi Takeishi '" Percussion Came to the US from Japan to attend Berklee College of Music. He later moved to Colombia, South America, to study Latin American Music and worked with the Bogota Symphony while in South America. Since moving to New York City, he has toured and recorded with Latin Jazz flutist Nestor Torres and helped in the production of his album Morning Ride for Polygram. He was also the drummer with Ray Barretto, with whom he toured and recorded Ancestral Messages on the Picante, Concord Label. For the past four years Satoshi has been recording and touring as a member of the Eliane Elias Trio. Andree Pages '" Vocals Has been singing jazz and blues in New York City, the Hudson Valley, and Nantucket for many years. She has had singing roles in regional theatre and films, including the movie French Postcards. Her quartet recently finished a run at the Jubilee, a jazz club in Hudson, New York. In New York City she has performed at the Knitting Factory, the La Mama Galeria, the Blue Rose, the James Beard House, Columbia University, Michael’s of Broadway, and other venues. Her recent CD, Andree Pages Swings Both Ways, features work with two groups, her traditional quartet and a more experimental trio. Check out the artist's website: http://www.elfpagesmusic.com Track List: 1. Nuttin' Much 2. And Finally Grow 3. I Love You 4. Maybe Not 5. Specialest 6. Stepping Stones 7. Pick Yourself Up 8. Mood Swing 9. Inner Urge 10. Maddy Waddy 11. Four Winds 12. Ruby's Glow Other Genres:
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