Hackettstown, NJ, USA - May 7, 2007 - If you think you know the music of B.D. Lenz, think again. One of New Jersey's Top 20 up-and- coming jazz musicians 40 and under (Newark Star Ledger), the fifth Lenz CD, Straight Up, is a departure from what audiences are accustomed to hearing.
Past albums were more heavily programmed in contrast to the live vibe that Straight Up embodies. His third project with the Apria Record label, Straight Up captures an uninhibited, loose style that allows the musicians to jam with great improvisation; much like a straight-ahead jazz album. Conceived with an organic spirit behind the project, the title track sets the benchmark for the rest of the album. The title track is a groove-based tune written around the bass line, yet it is still melodic enough for the band to open up and achieve an edgy jam.
With an indigenous sound characterized as melodic jazz funk, the music on this album is still very much B.D. Lenz. “I agonize over every tune and am always modifying each song," said Lenz. A prolific writer, Lenz wrote ten of the eleven featured songs and continues to fuse jazz and rock with chords of funk, soul and R&B. “I work really hard to write good melodic sounds," he admits. Lenz listeners will enjoy this guitar-oriented, genre-bending collection -- a reflection of his eclectic tastes as a multi-dimensional musician.
Preview Party Triumph Brewing Company, located in Princeton, New Jersey on 138 Nassau Street, welcomes the special CD preview party on Saturday, June 2, 2007 that celebrates the Apria Records' release of lead guitarist B.D. Lenz, Straight Up. Lenz will perform two sets at 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm with two band members featured on his new CD: electric bass James Rosocha and drums Tom Cottone.
A $5 cover charge begins at 9:30 p.m. and more brewery information is available at www.triumphbrewery.com or by calling 609.924.7855. For more information about this concert, visit www.BDLenz.com.
About the Artist Mix together the styles of Pat Metheny, Mike Stern and Stevie Ray Vaughn and you have the recipe for the hottest new contemporary jazz guitarist to hit the streets in a long time. B.D. Lenz has played guitar since the age of 14 and studied with such jazz greats as Mike Stern, Vic Juris and Charlie Banacos. His 2005 Apria Records release, Tomorrow's Too Latel;. features Grammy-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker and legendary bassist Mark Egan. B.D.'s music has been licensed to 42 television programs and can be heard on shows such as MTV, VH1 and USA. His band easily keeps the audience on their feet whether B.D. plays jazz, fusion, jam or straight ahead cover tunes. B.D. Lenz endorses the Godin Montreal guitar.
About the Label A new generation of great sounds, Apria Records is a U.S. based label featuring jazz, R&B, smooth jazz and Latin artists. They strive to produce quality contemporary jazz artists and gain exposure for them while offering listeners a worldwide, eclectic and diverse mix. Their catalog includes artists as far reaching as San Palo, Brazil. Located in the Midwest, Apria Records is owned by Steve Wilkinson. Learn more: www.apriarecords.com.
Past albums were more heavily programmed in contrast to the live vibe that Straight Up embodies. His third project with the Apria Record label, Straight Up captures an uninhibited, loose style that allows the musicians to jam with great improvisation; much like a straight-ahead jazz album. Conceived with an organic spirit behind the project, the title track sets the benchmark for the rest of the album. The title track is a groove-based tune written around the bass line, yet it is still melodic enough for the band to open up and achieve an edgy jam.
With an indigenous sound characterized as melodic jazz funk, the music on this album is still very much B.D. Lenz. “I agonize over every tune and am always modifying each song," said Lenz. A prolific writer, Lenz wrote ten of the eleven featured songs and continues to fuse jazz and rock with chords of funk, soul and R&B. “I work really hard to write good melodic sounds," he admits. Lenz listeners will enjoy this guitar-oriented, genre-bending collection -- a reflection of his eclectic tastes as a multi-dimensional musician.
Preview Party Triumph Brewing Company, located in Princeton, New Jersey on 138 Nassau Street, welcomes the special CD preview party on Saturday, June 2, 2007 that celebrates the Apria Records' release of lead guitarist B.D. Lenz, Straight Up. Lenz will perform two sets at 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm with two band members featured on his new CD: electric bass James Rosocha and drums Tom Cottone.
A $5 cover charge begins at 9:30 p.m. and more brewery information is available at www.triumphbrewery.com or by calling 609.924.7855. For more information about this concert, visit www.BDLenz.com.
About the Artist Mix together the styles of Pat Metheny, Mike Stern and Stevie Ray Vaughn and you have the recipe for the hottest new contemporary jazz guitarist to hit the streets in a long time. B.D. Lenz has played guitar since the age of 14 and studied with such jazz greats as Mike Stern, Vic Juris and Charlie Banacos. His 2005 Apria Records release, Tomorrow's Too Latel;. features Grammy-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker and legendary bassist Mark Egan. B.D.'s music has been licensed to 42 television programs and can be heard on shows such as MTV, VH1 and USA. His band easily keeps the audience on their feet whether B.D. plays jazz, fusion, jam or straight ahead cover tunes. B.D. Lenz endorses the Godin Montreal guitar.
About the Label A new generation of great sounds, Apria Records is a U.S. based label featuring jazz, R&B, smooth jazz and Latin artists. They strive to produce quality contemporary jazz artists and gain exposure for them while offering listeners a worldwide, eclectic and diverse mix. Their catalog includes artists as far reaching as San Palo, Brazil. Located in the Midwest, Apria Records is owned by Steve Wilkinson. Learn more: www.apriarecords.com.
For more information contact DeBlaze & Associates.
