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NEWS and UPDATES

2013 will see the release of the OBSESSION album an exciting collaboration with jazz pianist Fabio Gianni as well as the first “THE EGH PROJECT”  deep house/lounge album.

So… there is a lot to look forward to!


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OUT ON 25.01.2013 Napster pres. Lounge & Jazz, Vol. 1 Includes Beats4Life Artist’s Marco Soundee feat. Eric van Aro -” Jazz” (Gottafunk Down Tempo Mix) Golden Diamond Records

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…. as my friend Nat said: “jumping chestnuts” – Happy holidays everyone!


After two great month in the US making lots of music and new friends (also a new tattoo)….. I’m back in good ol’ Europe

Visting the Integratron, singing with Don Shelton, Larry Holloway, Allen Goodman and others, Tattoo by wankan.com


THIS IS SOOOOO FUNNY!!!…. click on the link below for the whole story… and enjoy!

WOW…. although we have not made it to the Swiss finale for the Eurovision song contest….. Blick (as already mentioned, Switzerlands most read newspaper) was kind enough to write about us and the song we submitted. Particularly interesting is the fact that they changed the song title to “Mödling – Austria” instead of “E2E”…. as well as reprinting a false statement! Sooooo cool!!!.


Vicky’s of Santa Fe was rocking!

The joint was cooking today with Allen Goodman (dr), Don Shelton (vox, sax, and more) Larry Holloway (bs) and  Terry Trotter (p) and guest Lolly Allen on vibraphone…..it was a blast to get to sing with them!!!


A DREAM COME TRUE!

Today was a special day. I got to sing with some legendary giants of the industry, Allen Goodman (drums), Don Shelton….yes THE Don Shelton of the HiLo’s and Singers Unlimited (clarinet), Larry Holloway (bass) and Jeff Colella (piano).…. all this while being photographed by one of the greatest singers of all times…. Mr. Jack Jones! And all thanks to Bobbi and Allen Goodman, two jewels and extraordinary friends!!!

More to come….next Sunday (Nov. 4th) at Vicky’s of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. See you there?


September 1, 2012 7:20 am

One Track Mind: Eric Van Aro, “I’m Not Anyone” (2012)

by 

Stripped of its typical grandiosity, Paul Anka’s “I’m Not Anyone” becomes a far more emotionally complex tribute to the late Sammy Davis Jr., in the hands of jazz vocalist Eric Van Aro.

The tune opens with an absorbing piano signature, courtesy of Fabio Gianni, before Van Aro enters to offer a confidential, quietly conveyed vocal: This is a song about empowerment, about believing – above all else – in yourself, and as with many such sentiments it builds from something barely said to something boasted about with sweeping gestures.

By its midpoint, “I’m Not Anyone” – set for release on September 14, 2012, via Eraki – has become a tandem statement of purpose, as Van Aro sings with a robust pride while Gianni begins to approach the piano with a brusque aggression. But just then, as the song hits an emotional apex – and at precisely the moment that earlier strings-laden versions by the likes of Davis and Shirley Bassey began to swoon – Van Aro instead dials everything down with pinpoint accuracy.

 

He boasts: “I’ll say it loud, I am proud!,” but then seems to completely let go, as if he’s finally gotten something enormous off his chest. “I am free,” Van Aro sings, softly again, “I am free.” Gianni mirrors that newfound sense of release, playing a ruminative, yet deeply optimistic figure on the piano as the track begins to fade.

Still a powerful anthem to self-determination, “I’m Not Anyone” – as the song is torn down to its piano-and-singer foundations – takes on deeper new shades of meaning. You hear things you never heard in an age-old composition, and that’s the mark of a great cover.

 

Author: 
Nick DeRiso has explored jazz, blues, roots and rock music for Gannett News Service and USA Today, Blues Revue Magazine, AllAboutJazz.com, Rock.com, Popdose, Living Blues magazine, the Louisiana Folklife Program and NoDepression.com, among others. As a longtime newspaper editor, he was named columnist of the year five years in a row between 2003-07 by the Associated Press Managing Editors of Louisiana/Mississippi, the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and the Louisiana Press Association. DeRiso, who oversaw a daily publication that was named Top 10 in the nation by the Associated Press in 2006, also worked for a decade in radio, and has owned his own live music venue.

A VOICE, A SOUL n°215 di Sabato 18 Agosto

A VOICE, A SOUL n°215 di Sabato 18 Agosto
Posted on Thursday, 16 August ore 10:51:35
Topic: A Voice A Soul

La puntata n° 215 di “A VOICE,A SOUL”, in onda SABATO 18 AGOSTO alle 20,30 su PUNTORADIO, anche in diretta web su http://www.puntoradio.fm si aprirà con la giovane cantante israeliana DIDA PELLED (nella foto in alto a sinistra) che dal CD “Plays and Sings”, pubblicato dalla “Red Records”, in compagnia di Roy Hargrove, tp, Tal Ronen, b e Gregory Hutchinson, d, ci farà ascoltare “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (Frankie Valli). Proseguiremo con la bella voce di TREASA LEVASSEUR

(nella 1a foto centrale a sinistra) che ci farà ascoltare “God’s Song”, tratta dal CD “Broad”. Eccoci poi al valido cantante svizzero ERIC VAN ARO (nella 2a foto centrale a sinistra) che insieme a Fabio Gianni ci proporrà un bell’arrangiamento di “I’m Not Anyone – a Tribute To Sammy Davis jr.”, singolo pubblicato dalla “Eraki Entertainment”. Continueremo con la voce di CORINA BARTRA che in compagnia di Rori Stuart, g, Kirk Lightsey, p, Santi Debriano, b, Clifford Barbaro, d, e Perico Diaz, caj, ci offrirà una sua interessante composizione originale intitolata “Faraway”, tratta dal suo ultimo CD “Corina Bartra Quartet” (nella 1a foto in basso a sinistra). Sarà poi la volta della brava cantante brasiliana CAROL SABOYA che insieme a Devid Liebman, ss, Antonio Adolfo, p, Claudio Spiewak, g, Jorge Helder, b, e Rafael Barata, d, dal CD “Belezas – The Music of Ivan Lins and Milton Nascimento” (nella 2a foto in basso a sinistra) ci farà ascoltare “Tarde” una composizione di Milton Nascimento. Ed eccoci poi alla brava cantante spagnola CELIA MUR (nella foto in alto a destra) che in quintet, dal CD “Simpatia” ci farà ascoltare “I Have Dreamed”. Passeremo quindi alla voce di una bravissima cantante scomparsa pochi anni fa: LOREZ ALEXANDRIA

(nella 1a foto centrale a destra), della quale, con il Ramsey Lewis Trio, dal CD “Early In the Morning” ci potremo ascoltare “Detour Ahead”. Proseguiremo conLIZ CHILDS (nella 2a foto centrale a destra) che in quartet, ci farà ascoltare “Baby All The Time”, tratta dal CD “Take Flight”. Ci ascolteremo quindi CATHY SEGAL-GARCIA (nella 1a foto in basso a destra) che con Yoonseung Cho al pianoforte ci proporrà “Everyday’s Own Song” tratta dal CD”Bohemian”. Chiuderemo la serata con la brava DIANE HOFFMAN(nella 2a foto in basso a destra) che ci proporrà la bella “Close Enough For Love” tratta dal CD “My Little French Dancer”. Ricordiamo che “A VOICE, A SOUL” si può ascoltare SABATO in diretta web su http://www.puntoradio.fm alle 20,30 e da DOMENICA potrà essere effettuato il “DOWNLOAD” della puntata, gratuitamente, dal sito di “ANIMAJAZZ”. Buon ascolto.“A VOICE, A SOUL”
in collaborazione con l’ACCADEMIA D’ARTE DI PISA, Pisa – http://accademiadartedipisa.jimdo.com.

“I’m not anyone” Eric van Aro feat. Fabio Gianni (digital single release Sept. 14th 2012)

Eric van Aro makes the music world sit up and take notice. The singer, who has released several successful albums in the past, is paying tribute to the superb entertainer Sammy Davis Jr

Growing up in show business, Eric van Aro had the opportunity to closely observe and know many major artists and one particular singer and performer cast a spell on young Eric — Sammy Davis Jr.

 “I’m not anyone” is Eric van Aro’s very special tribute to this unique artist. Accompanied on the piano by the outstanding Fabio Gianni, this particular interpretation turns this Paul Anka penned song into something very special and personal. This is no mere imitation of the original. It is precisely the personal touches in this arrangement that make it what it is: a touching tribute to a great entertainer.

 “I’m Not Anyone” is released as a digital track on 14 September 2012. It will once again prove to the world that Eric van Aro is more than at home in the Jazz domain and will confirm that, as everybody who has followed Eric’s career already knows: “He is not anyone!”


OUT NOW ON TRACKITDOWN!!! Deep In Night! A Jazz House Experience Vol.2 Marco Soundee feat.Eric van Aro “Jazz” DJ Vas Underground Remix


OUT ON 25.05.2012 Deep In Night! A Jazz House Experience Vol.2, Includes Beats4Life Artist Marco Soundee feat.Eric van Aro “Jazz”, DJ Vas Undeground Remix


TICINO WELCOME MAGAZINE – MARCH 2012

WWW.TICINOWELCOME.CH


I Get Along Without You Very Well – Carly Simon

A jewel of a song written by Hoagy Carmichael, Orchestrated by Marty Paich, with Mike Mainieri on Piano and Warren Bernhardt on synthesizer, taken from one of my all time favorite albums “TORCH” by Carly Simon. This version has been giving me goosebumps for 30 years now!!!


EWA BEL & THE SMOOTH JAZZ PROJECT

CHECK OUT MY FRIENDS! (click on the pic to get to their homepage)


Simply great!!!…. sometimes it is just about getting down to the basics

behind the scenes of the In Performance at the White House: Red, White & Blues event as Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks sit down backstage for an acoustic performance of the Blues classic song “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” in the East Wing of the White House.


Why Music Venues Are Totally Lost (…. and not only in the USA): An Open Letter from a Professional Musician

Why Music Venues Are Totally Lost: An Open Letter from a Professional Musician

FEBRUARY 13, 2012358 COMMENTS AND 285 REACTIONS

iStock 000013837453XSmall Why Music Venues Are Totally Lost: An Open Letter from a Professional Musician

Jazz musician Dave Goldberg wrote a pointed and darkly humorous open letter to LA club owners that I thought was worth sharing. In it, he argues that it’s actually a counterproductive practice for venues to book bands who are willing to work for free. And when I say “counterproductive,” I mean it’s bad for the venue’s business.

To read the whole letter, click HERE. But below are a few of the highlights:

Just the other day I was told by someone who owned a wine bar that they really liked our music and would love for us to play at their place. She then told me the gig paid $75 for a trio. Now $75 used to be bad money per person, let alone $75 for the whole band. It had to be a joke, right? No, she was serious.But it didn’t end there. She then informed us we had to bring 25 people minimum. Didn’t even offer us extra money if we brought 25 people. I would have laughed other than it’s not the first time I’ve gotten this proposal from club owners. But are there musicians really doing this? Yes. They are so desperate to play, they will do anything.

But lets think about this for a second and turn this around a little bit.What if I told the wine bar owner that I have a great band and we are going to play at my house. I need someone to provide and pour wine while we play. I can’t pay much, just $75 and you must bring at least 25 people who are willing to pay a $10 cover charge at the door. Now wouldn’t they look at you like you are crazy?

“Why would I do that,” they would ask? Well, because it’s great exposure for you and your wine bar. The people there would see how well you pour wine and see how good your wine is. Then they would come out to your wine bar sometime. ”But I brought all the people myself, I already know them,” they would say. Well maybe you could make up some professional looking flyers, pass them out, and get people you don’t know to come on out. ”But you are only paying me $75, How can I afford to make up flyers?”

You see how absurd this sounds, but musicians do this all the time. If they didn’t, then the club owners wouldn’t even think of asking us to do it. So this sounds like a great deal for the club owners, doesn’t it? They get a band and customers for that night, and have to pay very little if anything. But what they don’t realize is that this is NOT in their best interest. Running a restaurant, a club, a bar, is really hard. There is a lot at stake for the owner. You are trying to get loyal customers that will return because you are offering them something special. If you want great food, you hire a great chef. If you want great décor,you hire a great interior decorator. You expect these professionals to do their best at what you are hiring them to do. It needs to be the same with the band.You hire a great band and should expect great music.That should be the end of your expectations for the musicians. The music is another product for the venue to offer, no different from food or beverages.

When a venue opens it’s doors, it has to market itself. The club owner can’t expect people to just walk in the door. This has to be handled in aprofessional way. Do you really want to leave something so important up to a musician?

This is where the club owner needs to take over. It is their success or their failure on the line, not the musician.The musician can just move on to another venue. I’ve played places where for whatever reason only a few people have walked in the door on a Saturday night. The club owner got mad at me, asking where are the people? I turned it around on him asking the same thing? Where are all the people? It’s Saturday night and your venue is empty. Doesn’t that concern you? What are you going to do about it? Usually their answer is to find another band with a larger following. This means the professional bands get run out of the joint in favor of whoever can bring in the most people.

He then makes the point that professional bands will have a somewhat harder time playing the “friend and family” card because, well… they’re pros! They play every night.

But here’s where the club owner doesn’t get it. The crowd is following the band, not the venue. The next night you will have to start all over again. And the people that were starting to follow your venue are now turned off because you just made them listen to a bad band. The goal should be to build a fan base of the venue. To get people that will trust that you will have good music in there every night. Instead, you’ve soiled your reputation for a quick fix.

If you asked a club owner, ”who is your target demographic?” I doubt they would answer ”the band’s friends and family.” But yet clubs operate likeit is.

… would you expect the chef’s friends and family to eat at your restaurant every night? How about the dishwasher, the waitresses, the hostess? Or how about the club owner’s friends and family? You see,when you start turning this argument around, it becomes silly.

So what does Dave suggest? Start fighting back, with calm, reasoned arguments. He explains:

I’ve started arguing with club owners about this. It happened after I played a great night of music in LA. We were playing for a % of the bar. There were about 50 people there in this small venue, so it was a good turnout. At the end of the night, I go to get paid, and hope to book another gig. The club owner was angry.

“Where are your people?” he asked. ”All these people, I brought in. We had a speed dating event  and they are all left over from that.”

I pointed out they all stayed and listened to the music for 2 hours after their event ended. That was 2 more hours of bar sales, because without us, you have an empty room with nothing going on. He just couldn’t get over the fact that we didn’t walk in with our own entourage of fans. Wasn’t happy that we kept a full room spending money. Right when we were talking, a group of people interrupted us and said ”you guys sound  great, when is the next time you’re playing here again?” The club owner, said ”they aren’t, they didn’t  bring anyone.”

I went home that night bummed out and sent him an email. Telling him most of what you are reading here and how his business model and thinking is flawed. After a lot of swearing back and forth, because I’m guessing that musicians never talk to him as a business equal, he eventually admitted that what I was saying made sense. BUT, that’s not how LA clubs and restaurants work. And he has bands answering his craigslist ads willing to do whatever it takes to get the gig. It’s been a couple of years now since that conversation. I called his bar, and the number is disconnected.

So what do you think? Can this battle be won by reasoning with one venue at a time? Or have the economics of the live music world shifted forever beyond our influence? We’d love to hear about your experiences as a live musician. Please feel free to comment in the section below.

Chris R. at CD Baby

[editor's note: Most talent-buyers, venue owners, show promoters, and club bookers do not resemble the sleazy pay-to-play club booker pictured above. Most of the time it's best to view them as partners or allies in your event's success. Treat these industry professionals with courtesy and respect. If they give you cause for argument-- stay calm, state your points, and be ready to walk away! You can choose to never use a certain bridge again. It doesn't have to burned down entirely.]  


OUT ON 16.03.2002 It’s All About House Music Vol.7 Includes Beats4Life Artist!!! Marco Soundee feat.Eric van Aro Love U Madly (Marco Soundee Mix) Label: Musica Diaz / Senorita


OUT ON 30.03.2012 For the Love Of Music Vol.3 Includes Beats4Life Artists!!! Marco Soundee feat. Eric van Aro – “Jazz” (DJVas Deep Underground Mix) Musica Diaz / Senorita


OUT NOW ON JUNO DOWNLOAD!!! Meet Me At The Bar Vol.6 Includes Love2Lounge Artist!!! Eric van Aro “The Painting Of My Heart” Marco Finotello Mix Invisible Lounge

CLICK ON ALBUM COVER


MUSICA DEL MONDO al MONDO DELLA MUSICA


just love this pic of my cousin Claudio and myself…. rocking it!!!

MELANO – May 2011

 

MORE PICS ON OUR RESPECTIVE FACEBOOK PAGES……. CHECK THEM OUT


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!



something to get you into a joyous x-mass mood……