News

Dec 28 2022

TONY DAGRADI, A SPIRITUAL APPROACH TO JAZZ

The fourth in a series of five original e-books by David Lasocki about New Orleans' legendary contemporary jazz group, Astral Project.
"The amount of information and understanding David Lasocki has brought together in all of the books in this series…

Nov 6 2014

Downbeat (December 2014)

Four Stars

On first listen, Tony Dagradi’s Gemini Rising sounds simply like a New Orleans ensemble hitting its stride with equal parts grace, grit and gumbo. But wait a minute - this is a horns-and-drums band only. Master saxophonist…

Nov 6 2014

ST (Saxophone Today - Nov/Dec 2014)

Tony Dagradi’s recent release, "Gemini Rising," is a unique recording of original compositions, and one Monk composition (Monk’s Mood) performed by a section of saxophones (all played by Dagradi) and only drums. Joined by some fo the busiest…

Aug 8 2014

Jazz Inside - Gemini Rising

Gemini Rising is a unique entry in Tony Dagradi’s discography. For this project of mostly original music, Dagradi overdubbed on four of his horns and is just joined by one of three different drummers. After hearing one selection, it is…

Jun 10 2014

Gemini Rising - Offbeat Magazine

In the late '80s, Tony Dagradi played and recorded with the New Orleans Saxophone Ensemble, an all-star group that was modeled after the internationally renowned World Saxophone Quartet. It included the late Earl Turbinton and Fred Kemp plus baritone saxophonist…Read more

Jun 10 2014

Astral Project At New Orleans Jazz Fest 2013

Astral Project first played New Orleans Jazz Fest in 1978. And this savvy, virtuosic quartet has been bringing its well-honed modern jazz ideas to the Fair Grounds ever since. On Friday at the Jazz Tent, the quartet showed that the…Read more

Jun 10 2014

Saxophone Journal

November/December 2012 Vol. 37, No. 2

New Saxophone Publications by David Demsey

Sax Solos Over Jazz Standards: Book-CD set
Recommended for: musicians who already have some knowledge of jazz theory, but are struggling to unlock their own “true voice” as…Read more

Jun 10 2014

Sax Solos Over Jazz Standards

Today, I would like to introduce “Sax Solos Over Jazz Standards,” a new book and play along CD which was just released by Jamey Aebersold’s Jazz Books. My goal in producing this music was to present sophisticated and balanced melodic…Read more

Jun 10 2014

Interview With Tony Dagradi

Astral Project is often called the best contemporary jazz band in New Orleans, with good reason. They play with the cohesion of a band that’s been together fordecades, andthe passion of youngsters. Their music is at times outside, inside, funkified…Read more

Jun 10 2014

Tony Dagradi Sextet Plays Kind Of Blue

On March 5, 2009, in Roussell Hall at Loyola University in New Orleans, the Tony Dagradi Sextet featuring Jamelle Williams on trumpet, Rex Gregory on alto, Michael Pellera on piano, Roland Guerin on bass and Troy Davis on drums re-created…Read more

Jun 10 2014

Tony Dagradi Organ Trio

It’d be tough for anyone to possibly enjoy playing their instrument more than drummer Simon Lott does. Watch Lott a few times and you’ll notice that a distinct full-body grinignites even as he approaches the kit. By the time he…Read more