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Neil Podgurski lives in Philadelphia where he works as a sideman and leads his own band, New Fire. Neil has performed with Mickey Roker, the late Arthur Harper, Larry Mckenna, Frank Tibiri, George Garzone, David Schnitter, the late Jimmy Oliver, Tim Warfield, Eric Alexander, the late Dennis Charles, Joe Cambers, the late Arnie Lawrence, Byron Landham, and Robert Landham. Neil also acknowledges the great lessons he has learned in rhythm section playing as a pianist from his good friend and mentor Sid Simmons. Neil currently performs once a month with his band, New Fire at the landmark Ortlieb's Jazzhaus in Philadelphia. The band repertoire consists of a steadily growing book of Neil's originals. The band is a quintet comprised of John Swana on trumpet, Brian Settles on tenor saxophone, Mike Boone on bass and Doug Hirlinger on drum set. New Fire has had an amazing opportunity to develop a band sound and concept over several years thanks to Pete Sauders, the owner of Ortlieb's. With a place like Ortlieb's to play regularly, where there is such a strong sense of love and support for and among the musicians, a jazz band can really have a chance to develop. This is rare. With the release of New Fires debut album, "Revolutions", on Dreambox Media, Neil plans to broaden the performance schedule of New Fire and take them to venues in different cities.
Sorry I missed Thanksgiving! We need some laughs together! Will try to make it home soon. Think about visiting Florida - there's a house here now for you to see - digital piano and all. Miss you cuz!
Hey! Just wanted to let everyone know that we'll be playing EVERY WEDNESDAY in OCTOBER with THE FRACTALS at THE FIRE located at 4TH AND GIRARD in Philly PA. Hope to see you there!
“My music is the spiritual expression of what I am — my faith, my knowledge, my being … When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hangups … I want to speak to their souls.” - John Coltrane
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.” - John Coltrane
“Over all, I think the main thing a musician would like to do is give a picture to the listener of the many wonderful things that he knows of and senses in the universe. . . That’s what I would like to do. I think that’s one of the greatest things you can do in life and we all try to do it in some way. The musician’s is through his music.” - John Coltrane
“All a musician can do is to get closer to the sources of nature, and so feel that he is in communion with the natural laws.” - John Coltrane
“If you don’t make mistakes, you aren’t really trying.” - Coleman Hawkins
“What I came back to is that jazz is a music to be played and not to be intellectualized on.” - Gerry Mulligan
“Jazz is music made by and for people who have chosen to feel good in spite of conditions.” - Johnny Griffin
“If someone has been escaping reality, I don’t expect him to dig my music.” - Charles Mingus
“They’re singing your praises while stealing your phrases.” - Charles Mingus
“Most of the soloists at Birdland had to wait for Parker’s next record in order to find out what to play next. What will they do now?” - Charles Mingus
“In my music, I’m trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it’s difficult is because I’m changing all the time.” - Charles Mingus
Hey Neil, sorry didn't stick around to help out on the late night jam session. I just found out about it last night when I got there and had no axe!! Anyway, sounded great last night man. Take care and I'll see ya around soon.
hey neil, good to see you on fri. new fire sounds great as always, and i like the new songs. let me know when your trio has a gig. and as for you still smokin', i meant your piano playing skills~ ;)
hey neil..Peppe merolla here
thanks for the add nice to see you on myspace..you sound great. ur band and ur music sound really good keep on making music my friend and let's get together sometimes..
Hey Neil from another planet - looks like you're keeping busy with gigs. I'll be in NJ in March and then up for my 30th birthday in May - hope you can make it to the folks' house for a party! :-)
I promise no more movies about getting your balls scissored off, evil women, or other such mind twisting scenarios. I also promise no more meals with rosemary. Hey check out this play I heard on the radio. It's called All About Walken. Looks pretty funny. I think there's a myspace page for it too. anyway, hope you don't have too many nightmares. Late
Neil, thanks for adding me as a friend. I was awestruck watching you last night at White Rose, lucky to be so close to see you guys. Can't wait to see more next Thursday. Thank you for bringing your music to York PA. Peace, Susan
Hey Neil, Penn's newspaper's 34th Street Magazine did a special feature on Ortlieb's today, and a bunch of familiar names are mentioned. Thought you might find it interesting. Click on the pic below to read the article. Will New Fire continue to have its monthly gig under the new ownership taking over this month? Hope all is well, take care~
Neil, thanks for the add. I always enjoy your playing. And I've definitely peeped all that Monk you play between tunes at the jam jawn. Let's play some Monk sometime. One of my all time favorite composers. Peaceout....
