Jeremy Kittel Band
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Jeremy Kittel Band fiery blend of jazz, Celtic fiddling, and sultry world grooves “Outstanding Michigan Celtic-jazz-bluegrass fiddle whiz … “ — The Boston Globe “We’d call him a rising star, but he’s clearly already risen.“ — Detroit Free Press If you should run into Jeremy Kittel somewhere on this planet, ask him any question except “What’s your favorite style of music?” It’s not that he’ll be so offended as to reprimand you with his violin bow — on the contrary. As anyone who has seen him in concert can attest, his talent is matched by a kind of confident good nature that once spurred the Ann Arbor News to write, “If he didn’t come across as so nice, he’d be a little scary.” It’s just that Kittel, as someone who is truly steeped in a few very different musical traditions, has heard that question before … many times before, and it’s easy to understand why. When a musician is as likely to be found playing a ferocious set of reels in some dark pub in Ireland as he is likely to be found trading licks with a saxophonist at a hip New York City jazz club — and he is occasionally even seen doing such apparently odd-ball joining Turtle Island Quartet, Kittel was earning his masters things as exploring Indian classical music on stage at Carnegie degree in jazz performance at the Manhattan School of Music Hall — one starts to wonder … what is it that drives him? and skipping town on weekends to perform across the country Whatever the source of his inspiration may be, it has led to alongside fiddle legends Mark O’Connor and Darol Anger. He’s a dizzying heap of accomplishments and opportunities, one won multiple U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championships, of which is his recent inclusion as a full-time member of the a total of six Detroit Music Awards for both folk and jazz, and Grammy award-winning Turtle Island Quartet. Just prior to has released three highly acclaimed solo CDs. Upon graduat- ing at age twenty from the University of Michigan Music School, he was awarded the Stanley Medal, their highest honor. And then there’s his extensive performance history: venues such as the Kennedy Center, Milwaukee Irish Fest, Detroit Jazz Festival, and “A Prairie Home Companion” as a band leader, and the Detroit Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, and Rochester Philharmonic as featured orchestral soloist. Impressive, perhaps, but it does little to shed light on the source of his inspiration. However, Kittel’s 2009 record, Chasing Sparks, may offer some clues. Recorded over the course of two years in no less than four different cities — New York, Nashville, San Francisco, and Kittel’s home town of Ann Arbor, MI — one might expect the music within to lurch from one style to the next in a kind (continued on reverse) reinventing traditional artistry Publicity: Jeremy Kittel Music Booking: 734.769.7254 734.353.9525 • [email protected] www.mikegreenassociates.com Jeremy Kittel Band • page 2 a thrilling new acoustic lineup to audiences: Josh Pinkham, who has been called “the future of the mandolin” by Mandolin Magazine and “certainly one of the most important young impro- visers on the acoustic scene today” by David Grisman; Nathaniel Smith, a cello prodigy who also tours with Natalie MacMaster and Mark O’Connor and who recently released his first solo CD, Arrhythmia; and hammered dulcimer wizard Simon Chrisman, whose sophisticated rhythmic sense and ingenious tonal flexibility has created a buzz among musicians all over the world. Together, they are discovering a startling potential for new sonic and expressive possibilities in acoustic music. And always, bounding through the group’s expansive textures, is the utterly searing optimism of Kittel’s violin, possessing a tone that perhaps can do more to answer the question of what inspires him than words could ever do. Workshops, Master Classes, and Residency Activities (bio continued) Jeremy is a highly experienced teacher. As a regular faculty member at such renowned summer programs as the Mark of overt demonstration of his musical adventures. But actu- O’Connor Fiddle Camps, the Swannanoa Gathering, and the ally, there is an uplifting fluidity to the sound of the music on International Academy of Music in Pilsen, he has inspired this disc, thanks not in least to contributions by some of the countless numbers of musicians from all ages and abilities. most creative and highly-regarded acoustic musicians around. Comfortable in a variety of situations, he has presented educa- Macarthur “Genius” bassist/composer Edgar Meyer is here, tional programs at schools ranging K-12, has coached college as well as mandolinist Chris Thile of Nickel Creek and Punch music school students as a member of the Turtle Island Quartet, Brothers fame. Multi-instrumentalist wizard Mike Marshall and has led multiple workshops at American String Teachers (formerly of the David Grisman Quintet) also makes an Association conferences. appearance, as does the auspicious cello-fiddle duo of sisters Jeremy is available for master classes and workshops for per- Natalie and Brittany Haas (Alasdair Fraser’s musical partner, formers of all ages, and, upon request, an emphasis can be and Crooked Still band member, respectively). placed on Scottish, Irish, jazz, bluegrass, or other interests. In addition to widespread praise for Chasing Sparks, 2010 has Classes can be for fiddlers only, or can include musicians play- brought new recognition and opportunities for Kittel, includ- ing any stringed instrument, with special focus on playing by ing receiving the Emerging Artist Award from the University ear, improvising, and learning to play as part of an ensemble. of Michigan; the release of the Turtle Island Quartet’s album At schools, Jeremy can work with student orchestras to produce Have You Ever Been (Concord Records); and an artistic col- a joint concert of fiddling- and jazz-inspired music in which laboration with singer/songwriter/banjoist Abigail Washburn they perform together. In addition, he and his band can present resulting in a major role in her upcoming album, City of both educational performances and bus-in performances in con- Refuge (Rounder Records). It has also meant change for the junction with evening concerts at performing arts centers. Jeremy Kittel Band. As Chasing Sparks drummer Bodek Janke returned home to his native Germany, Kittel introduced reinventing traditional artistry Publicity: Jeremy Kittel Music Booking: 734.769.7254 734.353.9525 • [email protected] www.mikegreenassociates.com.