Featuring:

Andy Fusco (Buddy Rich/Mel Lewis) - alto sax

Walt Weiskopf (Buddy Rich/Steely Dan) - tenor and soprano saxes

Mark Soskin (Sonny Rollins/Herbie Mann) - piano

Baron Browne (Jean-Luc Ponty/Billy Cobham) - bass

Steve Smith (Vital Information/Journey) – drums

NEWS

Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy performed at the Modern Drummer Festival Weekend on Sunday, September 17, 2006 and will be featured on the soon to be released Hudson Music DVD documenting that event.  There will also be a Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy Hudson Music DVD that will have their complete Modern Drummer Festival performance plus newly filmed footage of Steve Smith addressing his approach to the music as well as demonstrating and explaining the drumming concepts of Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams.

Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy recorded their October 5–8, 2006 performance at Hollywood, California’s famed jazz club Catalina Bar and Grill. In mid-2007 they will release much of the material recorded during their four-night stand on a “Live On Tour” CD.

About Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy

Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy plays music that is dedicated to honoring the legacy of many of the great jazz drummers such as Art Blakey, "Philly" Joe Jones and Elvin Jones and Tony Williams.  Jazz Legacy also performs original compositions and arrangements written by the individual band members which serves to gives the band a unique direction. This powerhouse, swinging jazz quintet is made up of five seasoned musicians; Andy Fusco (alto sax), Walt Weiskopf (tenor and soprano saxes), Mark Soskin (piano), Baron Browne (bass) and bandleader Steve Smith (drums).

Steve Smith’s resume includes Journey, Steps Ahead, Randy Brecker, Ahmad Jamal, and over 30 recordings as a leader or co-leader, including 12 with his fusion group Steve Smith and Vital Information. (www.myspace.com/vitalinformation)  Steve has been voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame as well being named one of the Top 25 Drummers of All-Time in a Modern Drummer reader’s poll. (www.myspace.com/stevesmith)

Pianist Mark Soskin, a prolific writer and arranger, has been adding exciting original compositions and arrangements to the book allowing the band to develop its own voice.  Mark is a recording artist, bandleader and a longtime sideman for many renowned jazz artists including Sonny Rollins, Billy Cobham and Herbie Mann. (www.marksoskin.com)

Tenor and soprano saxophonist Walt Weiskopf is another strong composer and arranger who has added great charts to the band’s repertoire.  Walt is also a bandleader and recording artist, (www.waltweiskopf.com) his credits include touring and recording with Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Buddy Rich Big Band and Steely Dan.

Andy Fusco was the lead alto saxophonist of the Buddy Rich Big Band from 1978-1983.  He has toured with a number of legendary performers including Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis, and Frank Sinatra. 

Andy and Walt have led many of their own solo recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label including their recent co-led recording Tea For Two.

Bassist Baron Browne, one of most versatile and talented bass players on the scene, has toured and recorded with Gary Burton, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steps Ahead and Tom Jones.  Baron is also the bass player in Steve Smith’s jazz/fusion group Steve Smith and Vital Information.

Andy, Mark, Baron and Steve played together for many years -- along with the late saxophonist Steve Marcus -- in the Buddy Rich alumni band called Steve Smith and Buddy’s Buddies, which recorded three CDs for Tone Center Records, “Steve Smith and Buddy’s Buddies” in 1999 and two recordings in 2003, “Steve Smith and Buddy’s Buddies -- Very Live at Ronnie Scott’s Set One and Set Two.”

Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy is carrying on the tradition of many of the great drummer-led jazz bands; communicating with music lovers of all generations, striving for excellence and playing non-compromising, burning, straight-ahead jazz.

For more in and bookings:

www.vitalinformation.com/steve