BostonProg to announce Eddie Jobson and “U-Z” at the Regent Theater on August 19th.

(Reprinted from the UKZBand.com site) Eddie Jobson has formed an offshoot ’solo’ project called the “U-Z” Project and is planning a short tour of the U.S. East Coast in August. This is an adjunct to UKZ and will in no way detract from the ongoing touring or recording plans of the band.

The ‘Ultimate Zero Project’ will be primarily an instrumental lineup, featuring a revolving list of virtuoso guest musicians performing Eddie’s music and perhaps other music from the genres he has helped create.

B.B. Kings in New York has been confirmed for August 18, with additional shows in Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Chicago still being finalized. Confirmed dates and the first lineup will be announced later this week.

Keith Emerson Tour Cancelled

Due to a hand injury, Keith is unable to tour this Summer. He’s been trying to work around it. But unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to overcome it. He’s very upset about having to cancel his shows. But he sees no way out of it until he can get his hand treated. Keith will be sending a formal apology to his fans.

Refunds through point of origin.

BostonProg.org Press Release on Keith Emerson in Concert at The Regent Theatre in Arlington June 9

Press Contact:         

Meghan O’Neal/Callanan & Klein Communications

(617) 431-1173

meghan@callananklein.com

Boston, MA April 27, 2009 – Keyboard legend Keith Emerson kicks summer off in Boston with an extraordinary show featuring Marc Bonilla and special guest, IZZ Tuesday, June 9^th at The Regent Theatre. Tickets are priced from $43 to $58 and on sale now through The Regent Theatre at www.regenttheater.com. The Regent Theatre is located at 7 Medford Street in Arlington, MA. The show is presented by BostonProg.org, a not-for-profit organization of progressive music lovers dedicated to sharing and promoting progressive rock inthe greater Boston area.

 

Keith Emerson Band featuring Marc Bonilla This, my first studio band album since ELP, complete with a DVD of the making of, is a culmination of my life’s work in music so far. Consisting of brand new compositions written by Marc Bonilla and myself. Wonderfully produced by both Bonilla and Keith Wechsler, I like to think it furthers the progression of “Prog” by way of the same proven formats I used before. Namely a grand conceptual piece followed by lighter shorter pieces, providing a ubiquity of eclectic ideas that no doubt will develop in live performance using the same original keyboards that I used on this album…..with the addition of real playing.

 

Keith Emerson has been one of the most important figures to emerge from the thriving UK rock scene of the 1960’s and 70’s. He is known as one of the most prominent leaders in the progressive rock movement, fusing rock ‘n’ roll with a myriad of musical styles, such as classical, jazz and world music. A modern wizard of electronic and acoustic keyboards, most notably the organ and synthesizer, he has set a standard by which others are judged. With both “The Nice” and “Emerson, Lake & Palmer,” Emerson has written and recorded some of rock’s most adventurous music and brought it to the masses with unmatched virtuosity and skillful showmanship.

An England native, Keith Emerson started his music career as a piano sensation in his hometown of Worthing, Sussex by the time he was fourteen years old. Emerson was a former member of a band called “The Nice,” which originally backed ex-Ike and Tina Turner’s singer P.P. Arnold. “The Nice” struck out on its own with a unique blend of classical, blues, jazz and rock. Emerson adopted the Hammond Organ as his instrument of choice during this period and soon gained fame for his outrageous stage antics and inspired musical performances. “The Nice” recorded numerous albums and appeared in a notorious concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

In conjunction with his music career, Emerson has done work with motion picture soundtrack composition, producing several film scores between 1979 and 1989, including the orchestral score for, “Nighthawks,” and cult Italian horror Master Dario Argento’s “Inferno.” Emerson has consistently won the Overall Best Keyboardist award in the annual Keyboard Magazine Readers’ Poll, since the magazine debuted in 1975 and holds a seat of honor on their advisory board. He was recently honored at The Smithsonian Institute, along with Dr. Robert Moog, for his pioneering work in electronic music.

 

 

 

The opening band for this concert will be:   IZZ    http://www.izznet.com/

 

 

Hailing from just outside Manhattan and with no musical constraints, IZZ’s take on the style of Progressive Rock is one that marries the influences of the “classic” bands with a fearlessly modern sound.  Celtic, classical, funk, fusion, jazz and Latin styles are interwoven with their accessible yet forward-thinking rock, always retaining a keen sense of melody and an overall appreciation for the song as a cohesive whole. The compositions may take the listener in unexpected directions, but the way back is always marked with a great hook or melody.

 IZZ made a name for themselves through heavy gigging and a diverse and unique debut CD:  1999’s Sliver of a Sun .  The band released its second CD, I Move, in 2002 to rave reviews. I Move solidified IZZ as a major player in the field of melodic progressive rock.  They went on that year to play at two of Progressive Rock’s major festivals, Prog West and Prog Day.

IZZ released their third offering entitled Ampersand, Volume 1, a collection of previously unreleased studio and live tracks that span virtually the bands entire career.  IZZ continued their many live 2004 engagements, including performances at ROSfest, Calprog and Prog in the Park.

 

In 2005, IZZ performed for the second year in a row at CalProg and took the stage for Roguefest in Georgia. Later that year, IZZ contributed compositions for two benefit CDs:  The Tsunami Projekt and NEARfest Records” “After the Storm” (published to give aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina).

 

 

In December of 2005, Doone Records announced the release of the All-New Studio Album from IZZ, My River Flows, to rave reviews from fans and critics alike.   As the successor to I Move, My River Flows continued to raise the musical bar. From the explosive opening title track to the 21-minute closer, “Deafening Silence”, My River Flows proved to be an emotionally charged listening experience.  Alive with original compositions, IZZ’s musicians are talented multi-instrumentalists adept at multi-part vocal harmonies. Lead vocals are shared between the Galgano brothers (Tom and John), while the percussion duties are split in a decidedly unique way: Greg DiMiceli plays an acoustic kit while Brian Coralian uses his various acoustic and electronic percussives to accent and enhance the rhythmic structure of IZZ’s tunes.  The result is a fascinating palette of sounds and a bold statement in a genre where fans and musicians too often cringe at the thought of any kind of electronic percussion.  Guitarist Paul Bremner brings his own emotional, virtuosic guitar work into the mix.  He along with John on bass and Tom on keyboards round out the instrumentation. The stunning voices of Anmarie Byrnes and Laura Meade on lead and backing vocals complete the unique IZZ sound on their latest full-length album.

IZZ has continued to perform at numerous venues and festivals including most recently, Progday ’06, NEARfest ’07, CalProg ’08 and the 3RP Festival ’08.  IZZ released their first live CD in 2008:  IZZ Live at NEARfest. The recording of this performance at NEARfest was welcomed by IZZ’s ever-growing international following.

 IZZ is currently in the studio working on their new album, which is slated for a Summer ’09 release.

For tickets and information, visit The Regent Theatre online at www.regenttheater.com or call 781-646-4849. For more information on Keith Emerson Band, visit www.keithemerson.com.   www.bostonprog.org

About BostonProg.org

BostonProg.org is a not-for-profit organization of progressive music lovers. Their primary goal is to create a community of progressive music lovers dedicated to sharing and promoting progressive rock in the Boston area. NewEARS is BostonProg’s sister site, a site aimed at promoting progressive rock music specifically in the New England area. Together the sites continue to bring old and new Progressive music

For your listening enjoyment!

 

www.bostonprog.org

www.newears.org

 

MARPROG CT Prog Festival launches website www.marprog.com

Marred Productions is very happy to announce the launching of website www.marprog.com .

It is designed to provide any and all information related to the July 19th MARPROG 09 Festival featuring Holding Pattern, Advent, Helmet of Gnats, IZZ, and Toy Masheen. Many thanks to master Webmaster Allan Albetski and master Copy Editor Alan Benjamin for their efforts in making it a site to behold! Their unwavering efforts and actions which went well above and way beyond the call of duty are greatly appreciated by the Marred staff. Please head there to check out their excellent work and enjoy the band bios and clips we have provided. Any further questions can be directed by email through the link located at the bottom of the home page. We are very excited to present this festival and help promote the furthering of Prog Rock in the Connecticut area as well as on the rest of this planet we call Earth. Don’t forget to mark your calendars and join us for this first time event!

Tickets available now for The Keith Emerson Band

Tickets are now on sale for the upcoming BostonProg production of The Keith Emerson Band at The Regent Theatre on Tuesday June 9th, 2009.

Hailed as a keyboard legend, Keith Emerson has been one of the most important figures to emerge from the thriving UK rock scene of the 1960’s and 70’s. He is known as one of the most prominent leaders in the progressive rock movement, fusing rock ‘n’ roll with a myriad of musical styles, such as classical, jazz and world music. A modern wizard of electronic and acoustic keyboards, most notably the organ and synthesizer, he has set a standard by which others are judged. With both “The Nice” and “Emerson, Lake & Palmer,” Emerson has written and recorded some of rock’s most adventurous music and brought it to the masses with unmatched virtuosity and skillful showmanship.

Born November 2, 1944 in Todmorden, Lancashire, England, Keith Emerson soon became a piano sensation in his hometown of Worthing, Sussex by the time he was fourteen years old. In his late teens, he moved to London, joined the band “V.I.P.’s” and later “Gary Farr and the T-Bones,” backing their mentor T-Bone Walker at the Marquee Club in London, also touring Germany, France and the UK. Some of his early influences were jazz artists Fats Waller, Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Jack McDuff and Big John Patton. Classical composers also became influential to his music including J.S. Bach, Aaron Copland, Demetri Shostokovich, Bela Bartok and Alberto Ginestera amongst others.

In his twenties, he formed a band called “The Nice” with bassist/vocalist  Lee Jackson, drummer Brian Davison and guitarist  David O’List which backed ex-Ike and Tina Turner’s singer P.P. Arnold. The group struck out on it’s own with a unique blend of classical, blues, jazz and rock. Emerson adopted the Hammond Organ as his instrument of choice during this period and soon gained fame for his outrageous stage antics and inspired musical performances. “The Nice” recorded numerous albums and appeared in a notorious concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Immediately after hearing “Switched on Bach” by Walter Carlos, Emerson purchased and experimented with one of the first modular Moog Synthesizers and became the first artist to tour with “the Moog” internationally with the help of its inventor, Dr. Robert Moog.

In 1970, “The Nice” broke up and Emerson formed the legendary group, “Emerson, Lake & Palmer” (ELP) with bassist/vocalist  Greg Lake and drummer Carl Palmer. They achieved instant fame with their debut at the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1970. The trio announced their arrival on the scene by tearing into a furious rock adaptation of Mussorgsky’s classic “Pictures At An Exhibition,” which concluded with a barrage of cannon fire. Their first single, entitled “Lucky Man,” from their debut album,  “Emerson, Lake & Palmer,” ended with a startling new sound, the  lead Moog synthesizer solo. This sound took the world by storm, and the band was on its way. ELP released six platinum albums between 1970 and 1977, including “E,L&P,” “Tarkus,” “Trilogy,” the cryptically entitled “Brain Salad Surgery,” “Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends…” and “Works Vol. 1.” They headlined the massive 1974 festival California Jam playing to an audience of over 500,000. Later in 1977, ELP toured with a handpicked orchestra, which performed Emerson’s “Piano Concerto No.1.” After touring with the orchestra, ELP continued on the road as a trio, releasing two more albums “Works Vol. 2″ and “Love Beach” before they disbanded in 1979. Between 1985 and 1990, Emerson collaborated with Lake and Palmer in two separate efforts, “Emerson, Lake & Powell” and the band “3″ respectively. In 1992, ELP reunited with the critically acclaimed “Black Moon.” Subsequent world tours which resulted in the live performance releases of “Live at the Royal Albert Hall” in 1993 and “Then And Now” in 1999.

In 1980, Emerson issued his first solo album, a Caribbean island inspired work called “Honky.” In addition, he recorded and released “The Christmas Album,” displaying his own unique interpretation of many classic Christmas songs along with original seasonal pieces. Soon thereafter, he turned to motion picture soundtrack composition, producing several film scores between 1979 and 1989, including the orchestral score for Universal Studios feature release, “Nighthawks,” starring  Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams and cult Italian horror master Dario Argento’s “Inferno.” Emerson also realized a full length Japanese animated film entitled “Harmagedon” in which he received a gold record for the main title theme.  Emerson also composed the music for Marvel Animation’s cartoon action TV series, “Iron Man” in 1994.

Throughout the years, Emerson has consistently won the Overall Best Keyboardist award in the annual Keyboard Magazine Readers’ Poll, since the magazine debuted in 1975 and holds a seat of honor on their advisory board. He was recently honored at  The Smithsonian Institute, along with Dr. Robert Moog, for his pioneering work in electronic music.

For tickets visit http://regenttheater.com/events/keith_emerson09.htm

Keith Emerson Discography

EMERSON LAKE & PALMER
• Emerson, Lake and Palmer
• Tarkus
• Pictures at an Exhibition
• Trilogy
• Brain Salad Surgery
• Welcome Back My Friends,
to the Show that Never Ends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Emerson, Lake and Palmer
• Works Vol. 1
• Works Vol. 2
• Love Beach
• In Concert
• The Best of Emerson, Lake and Palmer
• Black Moon
• Live at the Royal Albert Hall
• Return of the Manticore
• In the Hot Seat
• Works Live
• Then And Now

THE NICE
• The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack
• Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
• Nice
• Five Bridges
• Elegy
• Keith Emerson with The Nice
• The Nice-Box Set
• Greatest Hits
• Nice Collection
• America-The BBC Sessions
• Vivacitas (Live in Glasgow 2002)

SOLO ALBUMS
• Honky
• Cream Of Emerson Soup
• The Christmas Album
• Soundtracks
• Inferno
• Nighthawks
• Murderock
• The Best Revenge
• La Chiesa (The Church)
• Harmagedon
• Iron Man (TV)

  WITH OTHERS
• Emerson, Lake and Powell
• With 3
…to the Power of Three

New CT Prog Festival Coming July 19th

Connecticut will finally have a Prog Rock festival of its own! Marred Productions is pleased to announce the coming of MARPROG ‘09, the first of what is hoped to be many more annual events featuring the finest of the Prog Rock world from in and around Connecticut. The show is scheduled to be held at Toad’s Place, 300 York St. in New Haven, on July 19th, 2009. Doors open at 12:30 PM and music starts at 1:00 PM. The five bands (in order of appearance) are Brett Bottomley’s Toy Masheen, IZZ, Helmet of Gnats, Advent, and Holding Pattern. The event will take place throughout the afternoon and last into the early evening, and is expected to be an excellent representation of what the area has to offer in the genre of original Progressive Rock. Tickets are now on sale at: http://tinyurl.com/marprog09tix for $27.50 (plus nominal ticket fee) in advance and $30 at the door on the day of performance. Please plan to join us and help make this inaugural event a rousing success!

Tickets available now for The Waiting Room

Tickets are now on sale for the upcoming BostonProg production of The Waiting Room at The Regent Theatre on Saturday January 17th, 2009.

Come join us for a trip back in time with a tribute to Gabriel era Genesis music played by one of the greatest Genesis tribute bands, The Waiting Room.  Fronted by the best Peter Gabriel clone voice of the one and only Josh Gleason, this is a show not to be missed.  If you happened to be lucky enough to be at the last NewEARS Waiting Room show at the Brewery in 2005, or any of the recent Musical Box shows, then you know that you are in for an evening that will bring you back to the “golden age” of this definitive progressive music with vintage instruments, reproduction props, and a sound that is often said to be superior to the original due to the improvements in technical equipment.

The Waiting Room was formed in late 1998. Keyboardist Rich DellaPietra, who was on hiatus from another project, decided to bring together a group of musicians to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the release of “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” in 1974. The lineup was Josh Gleason on vocals, Rich DellaPietra on keyboards, John DiVincenzo on guitar, Herb Renke on bass, and Scott Ryan on drums.

In the spring of 1999 they played two shows which featured a 45 minute set of early Genesis, followed by a complete performance of the 90 minute “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” album in its entirety. The band members went their separate ways after these shows, but they all had so much fun that two years later they reformed the band to play out regularly.

For more information on each band member, visit the Band page www.genesistribute.com . TWR has performed all over the Northeast U.S., from Buffalo to Boston to Philadelphia to New York City.

The current Waiting Room lineup includes:

• Josh Gleason; lead vocals
• Rich DellaPietra: keyboards, 12-string acoustic guitar, vocals
• Mario Encina: drums, 12-string acoustic guitar
• Mike Hughes: Guitars, Bass
• John Covach: Guitars

Chapman Stick player Brett Bottomley now opening for Holding Pattern at the Acton Jazz Cafe on October 12th.

NewEARS is pleased to announce that Chapman Stick player Brett Bottomley will be opening up for Holding Pattern at this weekend’s show at the Acton Jazz Café.  Brett is a world class Chapman Stick player and bassist from Connecticut who will be doing a solo performance.

 

A gifted composer and player, Brett displays incredible sophistication on the Stick, playing both “bass and guitar” parts simultaneously. Before playing the Stick, Brett was a much-sought after electric and upright bassist with numerous groups, including the award-winning jazz quartet, Collectively Speaking.

 

Brett recently released his first solo CD called “Journeys” using the Chapman Stick and Bag End gear for which he is an endorser.  A blend of ’70s ECM and traditional influences, this album unleashes the Stick’s full potential.  As world renowned Chapman Stick player Greg Howard commented, “While this bass-plus-guitar approach isn’t new to the Stick, it’s the added dimension of Brett’s more pianistic side, echoing Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, that takes the instrument one big step deeper into the music.”

 

Come support Brett and Holding Pattern for this very special show.  A limited amount of tickets are still available.  Please order your tickets through Paypal on www.newears.org  or contact us at newears@verizon.net .

 

Thanks for your support and hope to see you for a great night of progressive music only 5 days away.

 

Fred T.

NewEAR – New England’s Ear on Progressive Rock

 

Holding Pattern News & Special Show Offer

“Progressive Hall of Fame” inductee Tony Spada has signed an artist endorsement deal with guitar string/guitar manufacturers Ernie Ball/Music Man of California.  He will be added to the company’s impressive roster of some of the best guitarists in the business such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page promoting their world-class guitar strings and accessories.

 

Come see Tony Spada and his band Holding Pattern next month on October 12^th at the Acton Jazz Café for a night of progressive music for NewEARS.  In order to further promote this special show, NewEARS is offering a copy of Holding Pattern’s latest CD “Breaking The Silence” with all ticket sales.

 

If you haven’t yet heard “Breaking The Silence”, here’s your chance to get this powerful release and see the band live.  Having just played to an enthusiastic reception at North Carolina’s Prog Day Festival,  Holding Pattern promises to be one of the best live progressive music performances coming to the area this year.  Many local fans from Connecticut are coming up to Massachusetts for this unique stop on the tour and we need more NewEARS people to sell-out this event.

 

Please order your tickets through Paypal or the PO Box as soon as possible.  NewEARS is looking to bring additional shows to the Acton Jazz Café and we need another strong showing in order to become a regular event at this great venue.

 

Let me know if you like the idea of bundling new CD releases with upcoming shows as a way of promoting new progressive music to the Boston area as only NewEARS has brought to you in the past.

 

Hoping to hear from all of you soon,

Fred T.

NewEARS presents Holding Pattern at the Acton Jazz Cafe on Columbus Day weekend.

NewEARS is pleased to announce the return of Holding Pattern to the Boston area at the Acton Jazz Café on October 12^th in support of their 2007 reunion album “Breaking the Silence”.  Please join us for a night of instrumental progressive rock guitar virtuosity when “Progressive Hall of Fame” inductee Tony Spada blows you away with his propulsive riffs and fiery guitar solos.  Joined by ace session man Rob “The Drummer” Gottfried on drums, and the multi-talented Tony Castellano on bass/keyboards,  Holding Pattern promises a night of dynamic and bombastic progrock.

“This is a refreshing instrumental amalgam of sounds that at times evokes Happy The Man, The Dregs, and Genesis – often within the same song!” (The Laser’s Edge)

“Superb 2007 release by Connecticut’s Holding Pattern.  Musically this is even superior their excellent debut! “Breaking the Silence” is a very symphonic and satisfying instrumental prog album that really delivers the goods. The guitar work of Tony Spada is the highlight but the entire band is quite amazing. But mostly this is a mature and highly original work by seasoned musicians at the height of their creative powers – and Tony’s guitar work on both acoustic & electric is second to none. If you enjoy instrumental progressive rock with beautiful melodies & inventive solos then this is certainly for you!“ (ZNR)

Tickets are $25.00 and seating is limited.  Guaranty your seats to this very unique performance by sending check or money order made out to NewEARS to:

NewEARS,  PO BOX 1434,  Littleton, MA 01460-4434

HOLDING PATTERN was formed in 1981 and quickly gained notoriety as being one of the most important progressive rock bands hailing from the U.S. Through the release of their debut album, videos, radio air play and performances with Steve Morse, Kansas, Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe to name a few. HOLDING PATTERN’S debut album was released in 1981 and the band quickly built a loyal following of prog rock fans from around the globe.

HOLDING PATTERN’S “ BREAKING THE SILENCE “ released worldwide on Surveillance Records January 2008 is the new reunion album featuring original band members cranking out virtuosic performances throughout just about every facet of progressive rock’s finest qualities.

The album also features a live bonus track from their performance at Tokyo’s Poseidon Festival 2005 and cover art by GENESIS album artist Paul Whitehead.

Holding Pattern’s “Breaking the Silence” tour 2008 will begin on August 30^th at Progday Festival (www.progday.com)  in Chapel Hill, N.C . followed by dates in Holland ,Belgium, Boston, Toronto, Italy, Portugal and Lithuania.