June is Caribbean American Heritage Month
St. Thomas - the exciting new CD by Dion Parson & 21st Century Band hits the streets on June 23! This explosive, rhythmic ensemble will raise the roof that week at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (June 23-25), as they make their annual return celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month!
Dion Parson & 21st Century Band
Dion Parson - Drums/Percussion
Ron Blake - Tenor/Soprano/Baritone Saxophone
Rashawn Ross - Trumpet
Victor Provost - Steel Pan
Reuben Rogers - Bass
Carlton Holmes - Piano/Keyboards
Alioune Faye Saber - Drums/Percussion
Special Guest - Boo Reiners on Banjo
Song List
1. St. Thomas
2. Calypso Bayou
3. What A Wonderful World
4. Minor Details
5. Ambergris Cay
6. Rockin' In Rhythm
7. All Blues
8. Come Now
9. 3 Little Birds
10. 21st Century
11. Knights At The Round Table
As the next generation of emerging USVI artists, Dion Parson & 21st Century Band is fast becoming the model for musicians from the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas-an amalgam of flavors ranging from soulful melodies to hard-hitting rhythms-demonstrates the technical skills and creativity cultivated from such a lush musical and cultural heritage. Ultimately, St. Thomas is the musical expression of the journey through the diverse history and musical diaspora of the US Virgin Islands, presented in a jazz format with the freedom of interpretation through various improvisation styles." —Dion Parson
Title Track: St. Thomas, the opening song and title track, arranged by Dion Parson, begins with a nice, flowing and steady drum groove duet between the talking drums of West Africa by Alioune Faye Saber and the trap set by Dion Parson. This unique combination demonstrates the strong Afro-musical foundation binding African, American, and Caribbean rhythms. The melody is arranged rhythmically to dance around the harmonies of the song, leaving you guessing to its direction.
About 21st Century Band
In 21st Century Band, GRAMMY award-winning drummer and composer Dion Parson has put together a powerhouse ensemble. Comprised of seven of the world's finest musicians, the band features a fresh innovative sound that boasts a superb mix of US Virgin Islands traditions such as Quelbe, and other Caribbean infusions like reggae, calypso, soca, mento, ska, zouk, steel pan, chutney, and funk with New Orleans and African overtones. Together, these supremely talented artists deliver their special brand of Caribbean Jazz with down-home sophistication and a high energy level that has audiences-young and old- soaring to their feet time and time again. Their sold-out performances at prestigious venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in New York City have garnered such rave reviews from fans and critics alike that the club has hosted the ensemble for week-long performances every year since June 2008.
About Dion G. Parson
One of New York's finest, GRAMMY award-winning drummers, Dion Parson is founder and leader of 21st Century Band, an educator, and a composer. Born on June 11,1967 on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, Dion's musical foundation includes classical, reggae, calypso, jazz, African, and pop music. He received a BA in Music Education in 1990 and his Masters in Jazz Performance in 2012 and has been an Artist-In-Residence at the University of the Virgin Islands for the past few years. An educator committed to giving back to his community, Dion is President of United Jazz Foundation and founder of “Mentoring Through the Arts of Music," a music education and mentoring program that helps young musicians discover, hone, and showcase their talent while preparing them for professional careers in music.Dion has performed globally and has successfully recorded as both a sideman and a leader for several major music labels. In 2007, together with Nicole Koerts-Parson, he started United Jazz International which produces events in the USVI and around the world. Dion Parson & 21st Century Band and its music were recently annexed as a permanent part of USVI musical history.
St. Thomas - the exciting new CD by Dion Parson & 21st Century Band hits the streets on June 23! This explosive, rhythmic ensemble will raise the roof that week at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (June 23-25), as they make their annual return celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month!
Dion Parson & 21st Century Band
Dion Parson - Drums/Percussion
Ron Blake - Tenor/Soprano/Baritone Saxophone
Rashawn Ross - Trumpet
Victor Provost - Steel Pan
Reuben Rogers - Bass
Carlton Holmes - Piano/Keyboards
Alioune Faye Saber - Drums/Percussion
Special Guest - Boo Reiners on Banjo
Song List
1. St. Thomas
2. Calypso Bayou
3. What A Wonderful World
4. Minor Details
5. Ambergris Cay
6. Rockin' In Rhythm
7. All Blues
8. Come Now
9. 3 Little Birds
10. 21st Century
11. Knights At The Round Table
As the next generation of emerging USVI artists, Dion Parson & 21st Century Band is fast becoming the model for musicians from the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas-an amalgam of flavors ranging from soulful melodies to hard-hitting rhythms-demonstrates the technical skills and creativity cultivated from such a lush musical and cultural heritage. Ultimately, St. Thomas is the musical expression of the journey through the diverse history and musical diaspora of the US Virgin Islands, presented in a jazz format with the freedom of interpretation through various improvisation styles." —Dion Parson
Title Track: St. Thomas, the opening song and title track, arranged by Dion Parson, begins with a nice, flowing and steady drum groove duet between the talking drums of West Africa by Alioune Faye Saber and the trap set by Dion Parson. This unique combination demonstrates the strong Afro-musical foundation binding African, American, and Caribbean rhythms. The melody is arranged rhythmically to dance around the harmonies of the song, leaving you guessing to its direction.
About 21st Century Band
In 21st Century Band, GRAMMY award-winning drummer and composer Dion Parson has put together a powerhouse ensemble. Comprised of seven of the world's finest musicians, the band features a fresh innovative sound that boasts a superb mix of US Virgin Islands traditions such as Quelbe, and other Caribbean infusions like reggae, calypso, soca, mento, ska, zouk, steel pan, chutney, and funk with New Orleans and African overtones. Together, these supremely talented artists deliver their special brand of Caribbean Jazz with down-home sophistication and a high energy level that has audiences-young and old- soaring to their feet time and time again. Their sold-out performances at prestigious venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in New York City have garnered such rave reviews from fans and critics alike that the club has hosted the ensemble for week-long performances every year since June 2008.
About Dion G. Parson
One of New York's finest, GRAMMY award-winning drummers, Dion Parson is founder and leader of 21st Century Band, an educator, and a composer. Born on June 11,1967 on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, Dion's musical foundation includes classical, reggae, calypso, jazz, African, and pop music. He received a BA in Music Education in 1990 and his Masters in Jazz Performance in 2012 and has been an Artist-In-Residence at the University of the Virgin Islands for the past few years. An educator committed to giving back to his community, Dion is President of United Jazz Foundation and founder of “Mentoring Through the Arts of Music," a music education and mentoring program that helps young musicians discover, hone, and showcase their talent while preparing them for professional careers in music.Dion has performed globally and has successfully recorded as both a sideman and a leader for several major music labels. In 2007, together with Nicole Koerts-Parson, he started United Jazz International which produces events in the USVI and around the world. Dion Parson & 21st Century Band and its music were recently annexed as a permanent part of USVI musical history.
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