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| ZAWINUL SYNDICATE BIOGRAPHIES Last update: Biographies and photographs courtesy Vorticity Music, presenters of the 2000 Zawinul Syndicate Australian Tour |
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WHAT CAN BE SAID ABOUT THE GREAT JOE ZAWINUL? Voted an astounding 22 times Best Keyboard Player by landmark jazz magazine, Down Beat; Joe Zawinul is set to make an historic return to Australia with his legendary jazz outfit, The Zawinul Syndicate. Last in Australia in 1978 with his award winning group Weather Report, the band itself voted Number One 15 years in a row by Down Beat, Zawinul and his syndicate will stage a national Australian tour starting in Melbourne on Tuesday October 17 at The Continental. Proudly presented by Vorticity Music, The Syndicate will feature two other Weather Reporters and jazz icons in their own right; bassist Victor Bailey and percussionist/vocalist Manolo Badrena. Accompanied by young, hotshot New York drummer Nathaniel Townsley (Corey Glover, Special EFX) and virtuoso guitarist Amit Chatterjee (Santana, Sting, Eric Johnson), The Zawinul Syndicate possesses a formidable line-up to produce music often quoted as rivalling the magical heydays the Weather Report. "That band with Jaco (Pastorius), Peter (Erskine) and Wayne (Shorter) was a great band, no question about it," says Zawinul, "But I really love this band. It’s got the blood and bone, and the finesse too. In many ways this is my favourite band." Post an exhaustive 1997 global tour and subsequent live double album (1998) entitled World Tour, Zawinul's return to Australia is somewhat a celebration (and continuation) of the world tour and marks a true occasion for jazz music in Australia. At age 68, Zawinul is a true jazz legend and we are unlikely to see him or his kind this way again. The strong recommendation to all music fans is must see, must see, must see. | ||
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VICTOR BAILEY (bass) Victor Bailey is an incredible bassist and one of the 'original' Weather Reporters having played in the band with Zawinul, OMAR HAKIM and WAYNE SHORTER during the 80's. Bailey has also performed with Bill Evans, Petite Blonde, Lenny White and has been a regular player with Madonna. Bailey is one of the true legendary masters of the worldwide bass community. | ||
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MANOLO BADRENA (percussion, vocals) Another original WEATHER REPORT member, Manolo Badrena is a recognised master percussionist within the world of jazz, Latin and World music. A much sought after session musician, Badrena has also performed with SPRYO GYRA, BILL EVANS, STEVE KHAN, MICHAEL FRANKS, etc.. Vorticity Music is proud to present this incredible musician for those Australian fans of Latin and Samba swing. | ||
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AMIT CHATTERJEE (guitar) As guitarist, singer, composer and sitarist, AMIT CHATTERJEE is one of the most in demand world music guitarists around today. With performance and recording credits such as JOE ZAWINUL (Grammy Nomination for the album "My People"), TRILOK GURTU, STING, CARLOS SANTANA, ERIC JOHNSON,VICKI RICHARDS, BADAL ROY, ROBERT THOMAS JR, KRISHNA DAS, etc.. CHATTERJEE is one of the 'must see' members of the incredible Joe Zawinul Syndicate line up to play live in Australia this October. | ||
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NATHANIEL TOWNSLEY (drums) NATHANIEL TOWNSLEY is THE young hotshot New York drummer of today. It is therefore fitting that Zawinul has recruited this amazing young player to feature as a key member of the Zawinul Syndicate, just as he has done with so many other young artists over the years. Even though Townsley is relatively young in comparison to his monster musician counter-parts, he has already performed with the likes of MARIAH CAREY and STEVIE WONDER. As a highly sought after session player, Townsley is set to make an incredible impact with his first Australian appearance. | ||
