The Frank & Joe Show
Ever seeking the ever changing, jazz guitarist extraordinaire Frank Vignola and his pal drum legend Joe Ascione celebrate 20 years of musical partnership by launching their electric gypsy jam vessel into uncharted musical waters with the release of Submarine Bus on Venture Music Inc/ Barn Burner Music.
Submarine Bus is a hilarious and refreshing romp in the hayfields of free-form electric gypsy jazz, intricately doused with explosive homages to Hendrix, exploratory Zappa lyricism and trademark rumbling percussion. The groove is infectious, the musicianship impeccable, and the listening experience an odyssey into a quirky world previously only known to Fred & Jake (hint; you will never see them in the same room as Frank & Joe). It's improv as art form with juicy, hook-laden guitar riffs, alternately crunchy then clean, with world class percussion providing the pulse throughout. The live show is a musical cirque-du-soleil, as audience members consistently point to the fun the group has amongst themselves, as well as keeping the crowd interactive, whether by telling jokes or dropping jaws.
“What we're doing is not a static process--it evolves with each performance. Frank and I have this real symbiosis from having played together for so long. To me it's the definition of art because we're constantly creating in the moment," comments Joe. “The vibe is joyous and uplifting. The music's got to be a culmination of a great melody combined with a rhythmic openness that can be explored time and again."
“For me personally, this is the first time I've been able to do what I do best. In addition to making virtuosic music, the other side of being a musician is to be truly entertaining no matter who's sitting in the audience," Frank notes. “Things do happen when you play night after night. And we have fun with it. If you can't have fun with the music, you might as well not be in it."
Frank Vignola and Joe Ascione are considered consummate professionals, bandleaders and sidemen on the traditional side of jazz. Bios of the two describe child prodigies, developing into sought-after and respected players.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
