Ian Tordella
Releases:
Ian Tordella - Magnolia
Ian Tordella is from a new breed of modern tenor saxophonists who are willing to explore the upper reaches of the instrument’s range. As a composer, he draws from a spectrum of different influences and styles - everything from modern jazz and electronic music to artists as diverse as Stereolab, Joe Henderson, and Me'Shell N'Degeocello. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Tordella cut his teeth in jazz and funk-oriented groups, and by performing and sitting in with local veterans like Blue Note bassist Butch Warren, and Miles Davis drummer Ricky Wellman. Since relocating to California in 2002, Tordella has been active in the local scene frequently leading his own trios and quartets, and collaborating with other artist like bassist Rob Thorsen, altoist David Negrete, guitarist Joey Carano, and pianist Joshua White. He has performed at jazz festivals in the U.S., Mexico, and Colombia.
Bassist Jeff Denson and pianist Florian Weber both attended Berklee College of Music and have been longtime bandmates in both the trio Minsarah and in the Lee Konitz New Quartet. They have released numerous albums on the Enja label, the latest of which is a live concert at the Village Vanguard as part of Mr. Konitz's group. Drummer and percussionist Brian McLaughlin is a versatile player proficient in a variety of genres and has toured extensively in the US, Europe, and South America as both a leader and a sideman. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he performs regularly with various groups and composes for film and television. Guitarist Jeff Miles also studied at Berklee, and was the winner of the 2008 Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition. Miles now lives in Brooklyn, NY, where he is in-demand for both recording sessions and as a sideman.