Keita

For Immediate Release - by Valerie Dooley (Publicist): Wednesday, June 15, 2005 Jazz Greats: Sperandei – trained by Ellis Marsalis along with Harry Connick Jr. Sidemen and Canada’s 2005 Jazz Juno Winning Pianist Play Three Special Shows Friday July 1st – Trane Studios – 964 Bathurst St… Toronto (2 blks north of Bathurst Subway) – tel: (416) 913-8197 – Doors open at 8pm – performance at 9:30pm – Special *OPENING-NIGHT* cover price: $15 at door Saturday July 2nd – The Arts & Letters Club – 14 Elm St… Toronto (north of Dundas and Yonge) – tel: (416) 597-0223 – performance 6pm-8pm – Tickets: $25 via TICKETWEB link from www.QuintetSperandeiEnsemble.com – or at the door Wednesday July 6th – Fairview Public Library Theatre – 35 Fairview Mall Dr… North York – Doors at 5:30pm – performance 6pm-8pm – Tickets: $25 via TICKETWEB link from www.QuintetSperandeiEnsemble.com – or at the door ***www.QuintetSperandeiEnsemble.com for soundclips*** Toronto – It always happens when a good thing becomes so great, that we forget about the nescient excitement of watching it burst forth. But when heights of creativity are reached and appreciated we then search for the next big bang of excitement. It’s here in Toronto in the form of the Quintet Sperandei Ensemble to perform three intimate concerts at some of the T-dots favoured gathering spots. Is it the humility of William Sperandei that restrains his high profile? One must recognize that we often judge an artist dangerously and cryptically. But when what evolves is a collected mutual admiration and respect amongst a quickly growing list of performers and peers… it is in those moments transcendent that good art evolves into something decidedly… Great! The blessedly trained William Sperandai under the tutelage of one of the most renowned persons in the Jazz World, Ellis Marsalis, leaped to engage two of Harry Connick Jr.’s sidemen alongside Canada’s 2005 Mainstream Jazz Juno winner, pianist David Braid. This soon led to the subtle contrivance of a series of performances organized, produced and funded by their loyal and most dedicated friend, Keita Hopkinson. Next thing, as with all great art the dates, times and locations fell into place. Meanwhile this is all taking place at the timely Downtown Toronto Jazz Festival. So there’s the peripheral small, rapidly sell out gigs, that add a certain je ne sais quo to the competitive jazz festival, with these smaller gigs honing into the diehard fans who are guaranteed that their lucky impromptu concerts will hold memorably in their hearts. This is being touted as private underground performances, and like its larger purveyor and with no less spectacular talent, will be the Jazz event not to be missed. It’s not often that something of this caliber of talent gets organized sporadically, but due to the mutual passion and love of these Great musicians this will be an everlasting Jazz moment. It took the respect of internationally acclaimed Jazz greats to make us wake up and listen. The height of flattery is that not only did Harry Connick Jr’s sidemen request to perform with the inimitable, Sperandei – they have also turned down potentially lucrative and established New York dates, and absorbed their own travel and accommodation expenses to do so. Now that’s truly in the spirit of the culture of Jazz. The early vestiges of experimental musicianship where the artist must perform or be found out! The enthusiasm alone gets one excited to attend these performances. These Lords of the beat bring a party atmosphere because they are playing in a yard where their childhood innocent fearlessness is unleashed onto the ears of the listening audience. As with any superior artist these royal men of Jazz perpetuated a self discipline that in its wake, brought universal status and acclaim. William Sperandei spent years battling pain, the cure of which was extensive, drastic jaw surgery that almost rendered him incapable of tooting his precious instrument. But passion, grit and unearthly love would deliver him once again to that lofty status of Lead Trumpeter, Band Leader, Composer and Arranger. Joining him for the honorable position in the Quintet Sperandei Ensemble will be the incomparable Ned Goold, Harry Connick Jr. saxophonist, featured on Connick’s release “Other Hours” to be found on Branford Marsalis’, Marsalis Music label. Having heard an audio clip of Sperandei in performance Goold said that he would willingly drive from New York to Toronto to work with Sperandei. William and Connick bassist, Neal Caine used to hang together, back in their mischievous ‘schoolboy days’ in New Orleans, where they studied under Marsalis family patriarch, world-renowned pianist Ellis Marsalis. Caine stated recently that Sperandei still is his favorite trumpeter. Vancouver enfant terrible drummer, Morgan Childs has performed gloriously with William on a couple of occasions, and stated that he’d walk the girth of several Provinces to do so again. William and outstanding pianist David Braid have a longstanding admiration of each others profound work, and revel in every rare chance to share stage with each other. This event – the birthing of Quintet Sperandei Ensemble - is NOT to be missed! -30- For further information please contact: Valerie Dooley (Publicist) Tel: 416-488-9649 Fax: 416-488-8173 val@tootscapital.com

I think it should be alright. All factors considered - (acoustics, location, pocketbook, etc) - I think I should take it.

Nate, I'm thinking of changing a couple of the existing venues to the Trinity St Pauls Church at Spadina and Bloor. (You know, the place that showcases a ton of the Tafelmusic concerts?) It would be a lovely place to have this concert, dontcha think?

Gee, thanks all for the advice, and the well-wishes. I appreciate all this kindness. I don't slot neatly into camps of any sort, but I like Skayne... however, I see the need to make the clarification so that it doesn't look like I'm implying something else. Cross your fingers for me in this venture. I don't know if I've said it here already, but it began to seem as if I'd lost my mind with the challenges involved in the development of this thing. But I found it not quite so. My mind has just slipped from its braincase, and fallen into the chasm that is my growing ulcer. (urp!)

Invoking Ellis', Skayne's and Harry's name wasn't meant to imply that William was a protege of Wynton. (That was a big mistake I made years ago, when we first met - but he soon set me straight). William studied under Ellis while at the UNO, years ago. William is very much his own man - in terms of his opinions of things. He is also tremendously respectful of all musicians. Will's name is not yet so well known, so it's useful for a public flyer to mention those connections, in order to get folks in the door. (Because I want these fellas to be paid for their efforts).

Goold will perform in Toronto in July. See this site: www.QuintetSperandeiEnsemble.com

Hey Lazaro! You've been a veritable fount of info for me as I stumble through this process. Bushels of thanks to you. Nate, Yeah - the library guy is me. That name flub was my fault. I'm doing the lion's share of organizing this venture. I named the group, and knew that it was redundant... but for some reason, I'd already registered the name as a website, and sent tons of press emails out - and it seemed too late to change it. We'll change it after these dates in July come to a close. I'm just flailing and thrashing into the mists of my pronounced ignorance in this whole thrillsome project

Btw - the performers are: William Sperandei - trumpet/leader (primarily a Jazz trumpeter who toured with Wynton Marsalis, also performs with the lead trumpets of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Niagara Brass in special 3-trumpet ensembles) Ned Goold - tenor sax - (Harry Connick Jr's lead tenor) Neal Caine - bass - (Harry Connick's bassist) David Braid - pianist - (2005 JUNO winner in the Jazz category) Morgan Childs - drummer The clips of the trumpeter on that site given in my last post - www.QuintetSperandeiEnsemble.com - date back to the late 90's. He's not fond of them, because since they were recorded, he's performed pretty much nightly - sometimes 2-3 gigs per night. As such, his skill level has climbed even further. When I get some new clips, I'll have them loaded onto that site.

Hi, I hope I find you well. My name's Keita - (an odd name that might not immediately suggest gender here in the West - but I'm male - in case the question comes up I'm a pal of the fellas in this ensemble: www.QuintetSperandeiEnsemble.com (The trumpeter/leader of the ensemble is William Sperandei - a dear pal of mine for the last decade). I decided to set this series up for these fellas as a gift - (being a novice at this sort of thing - eek!). I'm merely a pauper with a cute idea - and with no sponsors, I'm funding this project out of my meagre pocket. The series of shows are set to take place in Toronto, Canada... during and just following our annual Downtown Jazz Fest. (I expect that sometime this week, I will probably add one more performance date at a really choice venue). I thought you might like to know of these performances. I'd love to get the word out as much as possible. If anyone can suggest other sites on which I can post, where a lot of eyes will be made aware of these dates, I'd be much obliged to hear from you - (khopkinson@yahoo.com) Here's the info: Ellis MARSALIS – trained Toronto trumpeter leads CONNICK sidemen & 2005 JUNO WINNER in Toronto performance series... www.QuintetSperandeiEnsemble.com Soundclips Bios BUY TICKETS ONLINE NOW!!!