TUOMO UUSITALO TRIO
Originally from Finland, award-winning pianist & composer, Tuomo Uusitalo studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz in Austria (the oldest jazz institute in Europe). Since graduating with honours, he has toured all over the world, working with ensembles of all sizes from trio to big band, and jazz legends such as Billy Hart, Curtis Fuller and Jimmy Cobb, to name a few. Now living in NYC with a coveted residency at the world-famous Smalls Jazz Club performing his original music and hosting jam-sessions.
His latest album, ‘Stories From Here and There’, is written from a range of inspirational sources, allowing the music to be drawn organically and directly, without any trying to conform to a central theme. His graceful playing and delicate compositions reveal the inquisitive nature of his music, thoughtfully exploring his influences and inspirations from the likes of Ellington, Monk and Irving Berlin.
Here is a recording from the Trio’s last live session at Mezzrow Jazz Club, NYC.
Check out Tuomo’s Music from Fresh Sounds Records here.
MIKE KEARNEY
Leader of The Katet (Wednesday late-night residents at The Jazz Bar for many years, and selling out huge Fringe runs since), Mike Kearney has been working hard during his time in lockdown. As the conductor for the massive Tinderbox youth orchestra, Mike is no stranger to arranging large bands, and has turned his attention to the complicated issue of practicing and rehearsing as a full band, while everyone is quaratined separately.
Working with the G.D. Jam (formerly known as the Gorgie-Dalry Music Project) the crew are working via Zoom video conferencing to record live in real time, featuring Nicole Cassandra Smit on guest vocals, performing Watermelon Man (Herbie Hancock) and Hound Dog (Big Mama Thornton). Due to the latency in audio coming through video-chat, the players play along but can only hear the lead musician. Each musician records their own playing, and then Mike puts everything together in post to create a unified video.
Here’s the first of these, with 19 musicians!
Mike has also performed a beautiful home-concert of Neil Young tunes, playing solo keys and guitar with some gorgeous vocals.
Send Mike a virtual tip at PayPal.me/mikekearney, or check out more of his own music at Bandcamp, and The Katet’s music here.
DONATE
You can continue to support us and the professional musicians who are struggling right now, by donating what you might usually spend on an entry fee or a drink, or any other amount that you wish. Professional musicians and all hospitality/event staff are facing an incredibly difficult time, having seen months of steady work disappear over-night. Any donations would be extremely appreciated to help us to continue to pay our staff through our closure and support our local event staff community in any way that we can.