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CD Release: "Backward Compatible" by Steve Shapiro & Pat Bergeson, Featuring Vocalist Annie Sellick

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New York vibist Steve Shapiro and Nashville guitarist have released their third recording, Backward Compatible, on the Apria label. Also joining them once again is the fine jazz vocalist Annie Sellick.

Respected studio musicians, Steve Shapiro & Pat Bergeson have worked with artists such as: Alison Krauss, Madeleine Peyroux, Steely Dan, Bill Frisell, Lyle Lovett, Bill Evans, They Might Be Giants, Spyro Gyra, Chet Atkins, and Michael McDonald. Their collaborative sound is an original mix of retro and modern, infused with the lush voice of rising-star jazz vocalist Annie Sellick. Their repertoire is influenced by jazz standards, swingsters like George Barnes and Victor Feldman, and songwriters like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. On their latest CD, Backward Compatible, the musicians include bassists Marc Johnson, Doug Weiss, Tim Ferguson, drummers Clint deGanon, Jochen Rueckert, accordionist Will Barrow, saxophonist Scott Kreitzer, and Sting’s backup singers, Jan ice Pendarvis and Vaneese Thomas. Their previous release, Low Standards, received praise from many critics. Steve & Pat have been playing together since the late ‘80’s, when they were regulars at New York clubs such as Mikell’s, Visiones, The Bitter End, and the 55 Bar. In 1992, Pat joined the group of guitar legend Chet Atkins, and moved to Nashville, where he met Annie. Then, after her stunning 2003 recording, No Greater Thrill (with Pat and organist Joey DeFrancesco), Steve suggested that Pat & Annie come to New York to collaborate. They have been doing so ever since. In the meantime, Annie has followed her own celebrated career. The LA Times said, “She’s a comer.” And The Village Voice raved, “Annie Sellick has the most pleasing standards voice I’ve heard in a long time.”

Press Quotes

“From the moment you hear Annie Sellick sing the opening lines from Joni Mitchell's song Free Man In Paris, you feel like she is speaking directly to you. As the song progresses, it becomes impossible to escape Sellick's powers of seduction, and vibraphonist Steve Shapiro and guitarist/harmonica player Pat Bergeson are perfect accomplices during the takeover. Their blend of jazz, country-folk, and a wee bit of swing makes their latest release Backward Compatible an album that you will want to pass onto your children." --JazzReview.com

“Its a real shame this music isn't more widely known because these guys are doing something both original and fresh. Players of uncommon presence and a distinct voice on their respective instruments, leaders Shapiro and Bergeson are both fine jazz musicians. Beyond that their concept of revitalizing various popular, jazz standard, and obscure musical numbers, plus their own slightly loopy tunes....adds up to a kind of musical genius....Music of very high accomplishment." --Audiophile Audition

“Bergeson and vibist Steve Shapiro lead their low-key band through Latinized classics and lush, leisurely originals with lucid grace... When they back Sellick on shorter alternating tracks, they ease into overdrive for her insinuating smears and hints of Diana Krall and savvy Carmen McRae snap." --Downbeat

“Warm and tasteful... filled with the kind of retro-cool in-the-pocket grooves that will have listeners poised for more of Shapiro’s triple-threat musicality... This CD is definitely saying something." --All Music Guide

FIVE STARS ***** --FonoForum, Germany

“Puts you right in the mood... It's not just the great recording/production on the album that will make it a (real) KEEPER, it’s also the fact that all the players understand how important it is to have “the groove” together!... A really GREAT jazz album that gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from us." --Improvijazzation

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Personnel

Steve Shapiro
vibraphone

Album information

Title: Backward Compatible | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Apria Records

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