projects

Joris Dudli Sextet
feat. Special Guest Anthony Wonsey (USA)
Bernhard Wiesinger ts, ss
Bastian Stein tp
Christian Havel g
Anthony Wonsey p
Milan Nicolic b
Joris Dudli dm

Joris Dudli: Bandleader, Composer, Arranger and, last but not least, driving force behind the drums presents his newly formed sextet on the CD “A Rewarding Journey” (with special guests appearances of Benny Golson, Vincent Herring, Jeremy Pelt and others). After an impressive career as mostly a sideman for more than 30 years this reflects the summary of his talent.

After becoming a steady member of the “Vienna Art Orchestra” and the Art Farmer Quintet for many years Dudli has worked with almost all of Austrian’s jazz greats, in 2004 he finally had a chance to perform with Joe Zawinul’s “Syndicate”. It was US trompeter Art Farmer who played a major role in connecting Dudli with the New York Jazzszene. Until today, New York is an important base for Dudli. The most recent recordings with Vincent Herring’s Earth Jazz Agents along with Anthony Wonsey and Richie Goods are proof of Dudli’s versatility. He also performed with many of the greatest jazz artists of our time: Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Benny Bailey, Jerry Bergonzi, Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan, Jimmy Heath, Tom Harell, Eddie Henderson, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Mulgrew Miller, Sal Nistico, Chico Freeman just to mention a few.

The sextet has Anthony Wonsey as special guest on piano. For many years he has been the piano player in Elvin Jones’ Jazzmachine, has played and recorded with Nicolas Payton, Pharao Sanders, Little Jimmy Scott, Carmen Lundy and many more. Bernhard Wiesinger on saxophone and Bastian Stein on trumpet are exciting new players on the Austrian szene, always reaching high international standards in their performance. Christian Havel, as quoted by Bill Mikowski “...and the extraordinary Austrian guitarist Christian Havel (whose penchant for scatting in unison with his dazzing bop-fueled lines is a technique coming directly out of the George Benson cookbook)” has been in almost all of Dudli’s projects throughout the years. Finally, Milan Nikolic from Serbia on bass lays a solid foundation and at the same time solos with extreme virtuosity. He also has played with many jazz greats such as Benny Golson, Sheila Jordan, Stepko Gut and Dusko Goikovic. The sextet’s music could probably be described best as “Souljazz with a funky touch”.

Bill Mikowski forJazz Times, USA about a concert at Bohemia Jazzfest 2006:

...an accomplished ensemble led by the veteran Austrian drummer, made a strong impression on jazz fans in all three cities. ... this flexible group shifted nimbly from up-tempo swinging numbers to slamming funk grooves, with an occasional foray into smoother territory.”

Vincent Herring &EARTH JAZZ
„A Soulful Explosion Of Worldbop & Funk“

We call ourselves a “Real Band”, a spirited unit that has been playing together for many years, developing an original and contemporary sound that bridges tradition with our times. This band is invigorating, dynamic and energetic. Our growing fan base attracts new, young listeners and satisfies the long-established jazz fan.

Recent appearances: 2008: Amazone Jazzfestival, Brasil; Jazz & Wine Festival, Montclair, CA; Linköping Jazzfestival, Sweden. 2007: Ronnie Scott’s Jazzclub, London; Smoke Jazzclub, New York. 2006: Guiness Jazzfestival, Cork, Ireland.

New release 2010: „Morning Star“ on Challenge Records International

Vincent Herring- saxophones

Undoubtedly, one of today’s most important voices of the jazz saxophone, Vincent has recorded over 12 CD’s as a leader and over 100 (!) as a sideman. His long list of credits includes: The Freddie Hubbard Quintet, Nat Adderley Quintet, Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Kenny Barron Quintet, Steve Turrey, Cedar Walton, Jack De Johnette’s Special Edition, Nancy Wilson and many others. www.vincentherring.com

Anthony Wonsey- piano, keyboards

Anthony’s dedication and depth of talent earned him a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music. Since graduating Berklee in 1994 Anthony started working with a variety of important artist. He has recorded and / or toured with Nina Freelon, Kenny Garrett, Carmen Lundy, Antonio Hart, Clark Terry and Chris McBride. During the past few years, Anthony Wonsey found himself in the bands of Elvin Jones, Buster Williams, Lenny White,Nicholas Payton and Pharaoh Sanders. He currently records for Sharp Nine Records.

Richie Goods- bass

An electric and upright bassist hailing from Pittsburgh, Rich Goods began playing music at a young age. Goods has recorded and toured all over the world with a variety of big-name music acts, ranging from Milt Jackson and Stanley Turrentine to Will Smith, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, the Headhunters, pianist Mulgrew Miller and guitarist Russell Malone, Steps Ahead, The Manhattan Transfer, Lenny White and many others.

Joris Dudli- drums

Joris has been a steady member of the Vienna Art Orchestra and the Art Farmer Quintet from 1979 to 1985. After moving to the US in 1986, he performed and recorded with many of the worlds greatest jazz musicians: The Zawinul Syndicate, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Johnny Griffin, Chico Freeman, Clifford Jordan, Joe Lovano, Joe Henderson, George Garzone and many more.

Quotes:

„Or there are some people like.....who play the horn, but don't play no hip jazz. They're just into playing the instrument good. They're not creating ideas."Still Hubbard has words of praise for younger players like Vincent Herring, who "reminds me a lot of Cannonball. He's got that cheerful type of feeling in his playing. He's on of the few young cats on the scene today that has his own voice. A lot of the kids are just copying what we did in the ' 50s and '60s, so there are very few guys I see today who will be considered innovators." The late great Freddie Hubbard in an interview by Fred Schuster,  Downbeat Magazine, October, 1995 (p. 22)

“Herring delivered jazz of outstanding quality, funky and with obvious connection to the Blue Note tradition. The soprano voice of Herring spoke directly to your heart. “ Linköping Jazzfestival, April 2008

„Dear Vincent Herring, My name is Peter Lichthart I enjoyed the outstanding performance at Hothouse Redbad in Leeuwarden last Sunday. I think it is best Jazz I have ever heard.“ Fanmail, 26. November 2007
„The name Earth Jazz Agents refers to a very dynamic quartet with drummer Joris Dudli, bassist Richie Goods, pianist Anthony Wonsey and alto saxophonist Vincent Herring... they excel in both, the more funky styles, as well as in the 'old-fashioned' swing....It's good to hear how they give old pieces a new coat and have new work fit in perfectly, tradition and more contemporary styles beautifully welded together....“René de Hilster, Voorburg, Netherlands, November 2006