K&K's Artist of the Month: Matthias Lupri
June 2005
Modern jazz vibraphonist Matthias Lupri with acclaimed saxophonists Myron Walden and Donny McCaslin will be performing new music from Lupri's latest CD "Transition Sonic" (Summit DCD-398), while on tour across Canada, Europe and USA, with Nate Radley(g), Evan Gregor(b) Jordan Perlson(dr). Then straight in to a NYC studio.
A modern forward thinking band with all Lupri original compositions, "Transition Sonic" was recorded in NYC after a 2 week tour of the west coast and NE dates, with saxophonist Mark Turner (Kurt Rosenwinkel) trumpeter Cuong Vu (Pat Metheny) Lupri was also recently named as a rising artist in the latest DownBeat critics poll.
Acclaimed Grammy nominated saxophonist Donny McCaslin has albums out on Arabesque records and has performed with the likes of Pat Metheny, Dave Douglas, Brian Blade, Tom Harrell, John Pattitucci, Billy Hart, Gil Evans Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
Alto saxophonist Myron Walden plays/records with Brian Blade, Mulgrew Miller, Tom Harrell, Ray Barretto, Liz Wright... His Latest CD is "This Way" on Fresh Sound.
Lupri's previous CD "Same Time Twice" was also recorded in New York with Kurt Rosenwinkel(g), Mark Turner(s), Reuben Rogers(b) and Greg Hutchinson(dr).
Lupri grew up in Kansas and Alberta, studied drums and began playing professionally as a teenager in blues, rock and country music bands. In his early 20's, while studying music in college, he became fascinated with jazz vibraphone music from listening to a recording of the legendary Gary Burton. Lupri recollects, "It totally changed my whole approach to music. For the next five years, while I was still on the road with rock bands, I would practice my vibes every day in my hotel room." Having found a new musical expression with the vibes, he enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston to study with his mentor Gary Burton. Lupri's debut CD "Window Up Window Down" and recent "Shadow of the Vibe w/George Garzone" and "Same Time Twice" all charted in the Top 40 Jazz Charts.
Matthias uses K&K's Vibraphone System : "K&K vibraphone pickups and the Midi Master having been traveling with me for 15 years and I've been loving them from day one! I can crank them to eleven like a guitarist if need be, while using cool effects to enhance my vibe sound, or get a beautiful sound in the studio. You can hear them on my latest CD 'Transition Sonic' where the pick up sounds blend with the trumpet effects of Cuong Vu (Pat Metheny). Or come on out to one of upcoming shows (below) while on tour."
Performances/recordings with Chris Potter, Greg Osby, George Garzone, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, Rick Margitza, Reuben Rogers, Greg Hutchinson, John Lockwood, Antonio Sanchez, Myron Walden, Cuong Vu...
Shows at jazz festivals such as Litchfield, Rochester, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Lake George, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, Clearwater, Ottawa, Upcoming tours of Canadian Jazz festivals and North Sea Jazz Festival.
Lupri's CD's are available at major record stores or can ordered online through his website at www.matthiaslupri.com, and www.amazon.com, etc
"Lupri and company forge a decidedly progressive path on this splendid disc of well crafted originals" - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
"Lupri, a migrant from rock drums to jazz vibes, plays fast, loose, and at the top of his game" - Fred Bouchard, Down Beat
"I find the Matthias Lupri Group exciting and refreshing.... " - Jack DeJohnette
June 21 Winnipeg Jazz Festival
June 22 Gretna, MB, Buehler Theatre
June 23 Calgary Jazz Festival
June 24 Edmonton Yardbird Suite Festival
June 25 Victoria Jazz Festival
June 26 Vancouver Jazz Festival
July 1 Saskatchewan Jazz Festival/CBC
July 3 Ottawa Jazz Festival
July 4 Montreal Jazz Festival
July 10 North Sea Jazz Festival, Netherlands
July 23 Mt Gretna, Pa Jazz
July 30 Baltimore Museum, MD
Aug 7,8,9 NYC - Record 5th CD