Roger Ebacher & Re:Groove Jazz Band from Newburyport, MA

Recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, performer, and composer Roger Ebacher brings over 25 years of professional stage and studio experience to his table of musical offerings. Appearing on his own highly reviewed CD's as a consummate flutist ( Flutation Device, Backyard Carneval ), with numerous guest CD appearances on a variety of instruments, Roger's roots and branches cover many styles. With Re:Groove Roger explores Jazz, fusion, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Latin Jazz, African, and other world musics, all of which come into play with uniquely original compositions and dynamic live performances. Roger has twice been the featured guest artist on Boston's premier jazz radio program, Eric in the Evening (WGBH-FM, 89.7), and his music has been on the airwaves all over North America, Europe, and as far east as India, Thailand, and Russia. Based in Newburyport MA, Roger Ebacher is held in high regard for the passion, artistry and professionalism he brings to his live appearances, for which he has access to some of the finest supporting players available from Boston to New York. Re:Groove features original members of The Roger Ebacher Quintet, a highly talented ensemble of artists with an impressive collective resume. Percussionist Michael Wingfield is a performer and educator with over 25 years of experience in the rhythm and song of the African New World. Now living in Portland Maine, he is Director of the ensemble Cabildo as well as rotating adjunct for Bowdoin College's World Music Ensemble. Michael's dynamic and tasteful skill on conga drums has taken him from New England to Havana, performing alongside Brazilian icons Flora Purim & Airto Moreira, jazz great Sun Ra, Richie Havens, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and recently with funk legend George Clinton. Hailing from Colorado, pianist Michael Shea has arranged and performed as a pianist with over twenty different jazz and Latin groups in the Denver area, including singer Joe Turner, flutist Dave Valentin, Conjunto Colores, Bruno Carr and Eddie Harris. A graduate of the New England Conservatory and now living in Boston, Michael has performed throughout the Boston area with appearances at Nightstage, the historic 1369 Club, the Willow, the Middle East Cafe, Sculler's and the Charles Hotel's Regattabar. He has appeared at the Toronto and Ottawa Jazz Festivals, including tours of the Central and Southern U.S. with the renowned Either Orchestra and the Artie Shaw Orchestra. He continues to maintain a busy freelance schedule as an arranger and pianist with the many members of New England's jazz community. Gerry Rollock, a transplanted native of Trinidad, has been a highly in-demand first call bassist ever since his arrival in the Boston area. He has shared the stage internationally with many of the very best names in Latin Jazz, including Tito Puente Jr., Cuban pianist Osmany Paredes, and the great Puerto Rican conguero Giovanni Hidalgo. Boston area artists such as Bert Seager, Edwin Pabon, and gospel artist Freda Battle have also tapped Gerry to hold down the foundation in their ensembles. Gerry recently performed a concert opening for El Gran Combo, one of Puerto Rico's premier Salsa groups who has backed up Latin superstars Hector Lavoe and Celia Cruz. Drummer Denny Pelletier, a native of Amesbury now living in the Amherst, Massacusetts area, has musical ties to Roger Ebacher going back three decades. In the late 70's, Denny was a member of the 7-piece East Coast sensation Timestream with Ebacher, with whom he is reunited currently in The Air Department. Denny's connection with Roger was re-established with his appearance on the Roger Ebacher Quintet's "Backyard Carneval" CD. Years of experience have found Denny in a wide variety of musical situations, performing with national names such as Charles Neville, Cici Santucci, J.J. Johnson, Ronnie Laws, and Anthony Cox. He's paid dues in the pit for musical theatre performances, and provided the beat for many major vocalists including Cleo Laine, Peggy Lee, Bonnie Raitt, and Linda Rondstat. Denny's recording credits include dozens of radio and national tv commercials and jingles, soundtracks for regional films, back-up on a wide variety of albums, and several children's television shows including "Zoom" and "Sesame Street". WHAT THE CRITICS SAY: "Ebacher and his band are consistently able to produce jazz that has depth,sophistication,and feeling...If there is any justice in the music world "Backyard Carneval" will land regularly in CD players as folks enjoy the warm summer months." (CD review of "Backyard Carneval", THE UNDERTOAD) "Gentle,sweet melodies that you might wish were your personal soundtrack on a spring morning or a warm summer day...a wonderfully cohesive album of beautiful music...If you enjoy the Latin sounds of flute masters like Herbie Mann,you will enjoy Ebacher." (CD review of "Backyard Carneval", JAM MUSIC MAGAZINE) "...this is an album to savor...it's a stunner, a bold step for a gentle instrument." (CD review of "Flutation Device", THE GREEN MOUNTAIN JAZZ MESSENGER) "...the music has a clean simplicity that makes every minute enjoyable...right in line with the sophisticated sounds of Stan Getz or Herbie Mann...a band that swings with the best of them and still has polish and cohesiveness...the overall quality of all the songs is first rate..." (CD review of "Flutation Device", JAM MUSIC MAGAZINE) "The entire album sounds like a Caribbean party - it's the kind of jazz you want to get up and dance to." (CD review of "Backyard Carneval", ROMAN ST. JAMES, INDIE MONKEY "This quartet has the cohesive quality found in the best small jazz groups...this is an effort of serious players, the musicianship is high and the improvisations come vigorously and firmly out of the jazz tradition...this is a record that I think even non-jazz fans might like...music of depth and taste...highly recommended." (CD review of "Flutation Device", THE UNDERTOAD) Re:Groove is currently available for live performance at concerts, concert clubs, coffeehouses, performance spaces, festivals, special events, and limited engagements. The group is available as a Quartet (Roger on flute, percussion, and vocals, with bassist, drummer, and keyboardist), or Quintet (Roger, bassist, drummer, and keyboardist & guitarist / keyboardist & additional percussionist). In any situation, the instantly recognizable signature sound of Re:Groove always floats to the top, leaving a sea of happy faces in the wake. Hear for yourself the reason why!