Joe Magnarelli Quartet

Syracuse, New York native Joe Magnarelli first played music at age 12, starting with guitar and trumpet lessons. He also picked out songs on the piano by ear. Joe's early performance experience, from elementary through high school, came via playing the trumpet and guitar in church. Later, while attending Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, he was the pianist and choir director at the Central Baptist Church there. In 1986, Joe received a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the State University of New York in Fredonia, and that year, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. Mags, as he's known, soon became a regular participant on the Manhattan-and-beyond jazz scene. From 1987, he toured and recorded with Lionel Hampton and Brother Jack McDuff. In 1990, Joe was a semifinalist at the Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition in Washington, D.C. That decade also found him performing and recording with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, Harry Connick, Jr., the Hard Bop Quintet, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Grant Stewart. He also performed with Jon Hendricks, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, Ben Wolfe, and many others. Joe made his debut as a leader with 1994's Why Not (Criss Cross). He's followed that excellent album with three others, all on Criss Cross: Always There (1997), Mr. Mags (2000), and Hoop Dreams (2005). He also made two albums co-leading a sextet with the legendary Philadelphia trumpeter John Swana: Philly-New York Junction (1998), and New York-Philly Junction (2003). In 2003-2006, Mags performed with the great Latin jazz conguero Ray Barretto's New Sextet. Joe recorded on Ray's Time Was, Time Is (O+ Music), which was nominated for a Grammy. Other artists and ensembles Joe has performed with include the Louis Hayes Quintet, the Marty Sheller Nonet, the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Dado Maroni, Rosemary Clooney, the Tom Harrell Big Band, Spike Wilner's Planet Jazz, Harry Whitaker, Junior Mance, John Pizzarelli, Mark Sherman, and Don Sebesky. Joe is also a teacher. He is currently an adjunct professor of music at the New School for Social Research in New York, and New Jersey City University in Jersey City, New Jersey. He also conducts clinics and master classes around the world, sharing his musical experience and his knowledge from his past teachers. These teachers have included Jack Palmer, Sal Amico, Tommy Turrentine, James Moody, Garry Dial, Arnold Jacobs, and William Vachianno. weblinks: www.joemagnarelli.com Saxophonist, composer, arranger and Managing and Co-Artistic Director of Jazz Lives Philadelphia, Joshua Lee is fully dedicated to the advancement of the Philadelphia jazz community. Joshua graduated Temple University in 2016 with a degree in Jazz Performance and is currently working on a Masters in Jazz Performance . Joshua brings performance experience gained in the trenches of the Philly scene that has been fostered by mentors like Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Dick Oatts and Gary Smulyan. Joshua feels a strong calling in making positive changes to the arts in Philadelphia and extending the rich traditions of jazz to the next generations, a vision that can be fulfilled through Jazz Lives Philadelphia. Joshua joined the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra in June of 2018 and performs with them around the world. He also is a regular sub with groups like the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra the Mingus Bigband and Terell Stafford’s Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. Pat Bianchi continues to establish himself as one of the foremost organists on the scene today. His command of the instrument, harmonic prowess, rhythmic intensity as well as his sensitivity and versatility are rivaled by few. His most recent release, “A Higher Standard” is yet further proof of this. When Pat is not leading his own trio, he has the honor of performing frequently with jazz guitar icon Pat Martino and also he continues to perform with NEA Jazz Master, bebop saxophone legend, Lou Donaldson.Bianchi is an alumni of Berklee College Of Music and has released 6 CD’s as a leader including his most recent recording A Higher Standard (21H Records). He is also featured on numerous other recordings including saxophonist Tim Warfield’s, One for Shirley and Sentimental Journey, guitarist Chuck Loeb’s release, Plain and Simple. Along with being featured on drummer Ralph Peterson Jr.’s recording Outer Reaches, Bianchi also co-led The Unity Project with Peterson. This band payed tribute to the great organist Larry Young.Bianchi has worked with many notable artists including: George Coleman, Lewis Nash, Houston Person, Terell Stafford, Mark Whitfield, Gary Thomas, Harvey Mason, Eric Marienthal, Lou Donaldson, Till Bronner, Dave Stryker, Cecil Brooks III, Chuck Loeb, Christian McBride, Eric Alexander, Pete Bernstein, Jesse Davis, Vincent Herring, Kenny Washington, Sean Jones, Richie Cole, Ari Hoenig, Wayne Escoffery, Javon Jackson, Winard Harper, Plas Johnson, Bruce Williams, Bill Goodwin, Roseanna Vitro, and many others. Pete Van Nostrand was born and raised in Binghamton, NY. A graduate ofRutgers University, and The Juilliard School, he has been around NewYork since 2000 and has been called on to perform with Steve Davis,Jeremy Pelt, Eric Reed, Aaron Parks, Gerald Clayton, Chihiro Yamanaka,Dan Nimmer, Jeb Patton, Jim Rotundi, Mike LeDonne, Paula West, SachalVasandani, among many others. More recently has has been working withKenny Barron, Brian Lynch, Jimmy Heath, Kurt Elling, The ClaytonBrothers, and Natalie Cole. Currently he can be heard touring with theAaron Dhiel Quartet, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and the Gerald Claytontrio. A supportive sideman and young veteran of the New York City Jazzscene, he continues to keep busy in New York and on the road.petevannostrand.com