Red Planet with Bill Carrothers

‘Red Planet with Bill Carrothers’ CD was released a few years ago and was one of the top albums released by Shifting Paradigm Records that year. Featuring the trio Red Planet (Dean Magraw guitar, Jay Epstein drums, Chris Bates bass) with award winning pianist Bill Carrothers the album earned local accolades from the MPLS Star Tribune ‘A lush set with disarmingly beautiful interplay that dances between the trio’s typically electrified romps and folk-tinged ballads’. Their stunningly musical compatibility made quite an impression on a Bird is the Worm review by Dave Summer listing Red Planet with Bill Carrothers as #8 overall in his top 25 releases of the year: ‘Its singular personality makes a huge impression, stamps itself into every note, each phrase, and it’s why the memory of the songs continues to linger long after the album is over. Just outstanding’. Downbeat magazine gave the album 4 Stars and writer Bradley Bambarger drew some outlines for the listeners, framing the album’s musical impact into a ‘Showcase for the compositional range and diversity of these modern masters. Influences stretch from folk, country, classical and rock and reflect the strength of this unique collaboration. In a nod to the iconic ECM label this set puts a supreme emphasis on the sound of the ensemble. The whole program rewards repeated listenings as the depth of interactions and interplay are subtle and nuanced throughout.’

https://redplanetjazz.com/
Red Planet with Bill Bios:

Bill Carrothers has been a professional pianist for 42 years. He has played many venues throughout the U.S. and Europe including the The Village Vanguard, Village Gate, Knitting Factory, Birdland, Blues Alley, New Morning (Paris), the Monterey Jazz Festival, Gilmore Keyboard Festival, the Audi Jazz Festival, the Nevers Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Jazz Middelheim, AngraJazz, and the Marciac Festival in France. In October of 2000, Mr. Carrothers headlined the prestigious Rising Star Tour throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. He has been a leader on over thirty recordings, all of which have received critical acclaim in major publications. His sideman performing, touring, and recording credits include some of the greatest names in jazz, including Jerry Bergonzi, Seamus Blake, Scott Colley, Buddy DeFranco, Dave Douglas, Curtis Fuller, Drew Gress, Tim Hagans, Billy Hart, Billy Higgins, Ari Hoenig, Freddie Hubbard, Dave King, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Prince, Dewey Redman, Charlie Rouse, James Spaulding, Bill Stewart, Ira Sullivan, Toots Thielemans, and Benny Wallace. Mr. Carrothers has taken part in countless masterclasses and teaching residencies around the world, and has also been a professor of jazz piano studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin since 2011. He makes his home near Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Dean Magraw: composer, arranger, producer, guitarist, has fine-tuned his “Heavy Meadow” approach to music from years of performing and recording with some of the finest musicians in the United States, Europe, and Japan. His first recording, Broken Silence, came out in 1994 and won the NAIRD award for Best Acoustic Instrumental Album of the Year. Dean has since produced myriad passionate albums, including his latest release, Fire on the Nile (Red House Records), a duo collaboration with renowned percussionist, Eric Kamau Gravatt.
“Dean Magraw’s guitar playing transcends, transports and lifts the soul to a higher level as he weaves, cajoles and entices every note from his instrument. The note, length of note, tone of note, the bending of the note; every colour of the note is explored and delivered with a master’s care and love. Just as important are the silences with which he knits his music… these can only come with being at one with one’s art. Dean Magraw is an incredible world class musician who’s modesty only makes him more appreciated by the listener.” -Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Altan)
“Dean Magraw… so liquid, lyrical and effortless it’s like listening to a dancer.” -Steve Tibbetts. “Dean Magraw unveils soulful melodic grooves intricately designed to heal the broken dancer, confuse the boldest mathematician, and eradicate ennui in our lifetime.” -Nick Lethert

Chris Bates is a creative and forward thinking musician who has carved out a unique niche for himself over a 30 year career as a bassist, composer, educator and collaborator. From freelance work with touring jazz artists (Lee Konitz, Mose Allison, Lynne Arriale), to studio work with singer / songwriters (David Huckfelt, Pushing Chain, Lynne Peterson), and continuous collaboration with high profile bands (Atlantis Quartet, Red Planet, Framework) Chris’ career reflects his broadly diverse interests and aspirations. Additionally Chris leads his own groups which include the Good Vibes Trio, Chris Bates Trio, Acoustic Concussion and his award winning, 7-piece ensemble, RED 5. Chris received a McKnight Composers Fellowship in 1999 and a McKnight Performers Fellowship in 2015 with Atlantis Quartet. For more on Chris and his activities visit doublebates.com

Jay Epstein has put in several decades performing, recording, & touring in this jazz game. After college, he studied polyrhythmic concepts in Manhattan with Barry Altschul, the drummer in Chick Corea’s Circle. Lived in Hollywood, Oklahoma City, Montana, Miami, Minneapolis, and played in house bands for 5 years on several cruise ship lines. Been on 7 European tours with pianists Bill Carrothers & Giacomo Aula. Shared a few choruses with Rocky Robbins, Barney Kessel, Roseanna Vitro, Manfredo Fest, Sheila Jordan, Terry Gibbs, Greg Abate, Claudio Roditi, Gary Foster, Eric Alexander, Richie Cole, JoAnne Brackeen, Ernie Watts, Wayne Johnson, Karrin Allyson, Kenny Werner, Howard Levy, Bruce Henry, Toots Thielemans, Avashai Cohen, Roy Hargrove, Bob Dorough, and Sarah Vaughan. His CDs, ‘Long Ago’ & ‘Easy Company’, featuring bassist Anthony Cox and pianist Bill Carrothers, have garnered luminous reviews in the international press. Current bands include Red Planet, Framework, Firebell, Tall Tales, Andrew Walesch, Sam Miltich, & Tim Sparks. He’s endorsed Bosphorus Cymbals since 1997.

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