manhattans 951 gordon st guelph, on, N1G 4S1 - 519-767-2440 - open 7 days a week
twenty kilometer jazz diet feat. jason raso
This event happens on Aug 16, 2012.
Based on the idea of supporting local resources, the Twenty Kilometer Jazz Diet consists of musicians who all reside in the Guelph area. On any given Thursday at manhattans pizza bistro.music clubin Guelph, ON, you could catch any combination of musicians. You never know who will drop in to jam!
All the members of the group are professional musicians who make their living playing and teaching jazz music. Many of them have toured the world playing various music festivals in England, Australia, across the US and Canada. All have attended, graduated or taught at jazz programs in York University, McGill, Humber, Mohawk and University of Toronto.
“Everyone is local somewhere.” Mulgrew Miller.
Local musicians that have played with the group are Ted Warren, Brent Rowan, Jesse Turton, Adam Bowman, Jason Raso, Tyler Wagler, Stephen Zuccala, Jeff Daniels, Tom Hammerton, Ben Jokela, and Joni Nehrita to name just a few.
20km Jazz Diet is on facebook.
Tonight’s feature guest is Jason Raso.
Jason Raso has a funk heart and a jazz head.
They are hard wired together by the 4 strings of his bass guitar, and an innate ability to craft music that will turn you into a bobble head. It’ll make you feel like you’re the coolest cat on the block.
For over 20 years Raso has pursued the groove to such excellence that Exclaim Magazine declares, “Jason Raso’s bass is a full-on orchestra of ground vibrating pleasure.”
Through his first 5 albums and countless live performances, from intimate settings to festival stages, Jason and his band have entertained and connected with listeners. His ability as a band leader allows for some inspired improvisation that takes you on a journey then brings you back, spent, but unharmed. You could focus on his finely honed technique, but it’s the energy and emotion of the tunes that often leads to finger snapping and vigorous toe tapping.
Jason Raso has just released album number 6, The Red Arrow, a debut with Summit Records. His creative energy has expanded to include another layer of composition that explores his jazz sensibilities. If that weren’t enough, he doubles on electric guitar, as well as the acoustic double bass, demonstrating his skill as a musician and love for jazz guitar. In an interview with !Earshot, Jason says, “I still want a groove, and hope that those two sides continue to blend.”
This recording artist, composer, producer and guitar teacher has a long list of accomplishments that just keep growing. They include endorsements with Spector Basses and TC Electronic Bass Amplifiers. He’s a Hartke Canadian Artist Search Winner (2010) and most recently a featured Hofner guitar artist. He has composed and performed music for syndicated radio, is a session player with a capacity for various styles and production and has numerous television and radio performances under his belt.
Above all Jason Raso continues to grow as a musician and composer. His talent and originality are expressed by ongoing mastery of his instruments, and an appetite for musical knowledge.
Jazz radio host, Shelley G. (Jazz On The Rocks – CFBX 92.5 The X) says “Not only can Raso shake the basement, he can swing like hell!”
