Marsalis-trained trumpeter leads Connick sidemen

[Keita]

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!!!

[Keita]

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.

[Lazaro Vega]

I'll vouch for Morgan -- he played on Blue Lake with Rob Schepps a year ago and, at 21, is a young musician to watch out for.

Hi Keita. Keep up the good work.

[Nate Dorward]

Hi there Keita--I take it the gentleman behind the counter at North York Central Library? -- You'll probably want to check in with Luke Kaven, who's also on this board, as his Smalls Records label has released discs by both Goold & Caine. In fact Jim Sangrey started a thread about the Goold here:

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=11021

BTW why does Sperandei call his group both a quintet & an ensemble? Isn't the former a species of the latter?

I don't know if Wynton Marsalis & Harry Connick are names to conjure with for everyone here .......

[Keita]

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

[Keita]

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).

[JSngry]

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).

You're lucky that it didn't turn into the same mistake here!

Seriously, as you've noticed elsewhere, I am not uninterested in the playing of Ned Goold. Here's hoping that the group and the gig(s) go off splendidly, and if you guys ever find a way to make it to Texas, let us know, ok?

[Nate Dorward]

Yeah you might want to clarify which Marsalis it is in the phrase "Marsalis-trained trumpeter".......! Ellis is fine, Wynton...well, that's a whole 'nother thread. It doesn't matter so much here, but let's just say watch out if you post a promo to Jazz Corner, where I try to avoid mentioning Marsalis at all (because both the pro- & anti-sides there are rabid & equally boring).

Anyway, good luck with the venture! I don't know Sperandei at all, but I'm sure I'll make it to at least one of the gigs, & probably the NY Centre workshop.

[Keita]

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!)

[Keita]

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?

[Nate Dorward]

Hm...been years since I saw a concert there. Where are the acoustics like? The right acoustics for a baroque ensemble aren't always good for a jazz quintet.....

[Keita]

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