Rite Of Strings
Bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Al DiMeola and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty are household names among fusion jazz fans, and in this collaboration, which they began in 1995, they perform together without a percussionist, using their instrumentation to play jazz-rock fusion tunes. Many of the compositions released on the album Rite of Strings included compositions that have been previously recorded by these musicians individually, brought to a new life in the unique partnership.
Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke was described as a legend when he was just 25 years old, already a celebrated pioneer in fusion jazz. He propelled the bass to the front of the concert stage in his partnership with Chick Corea when they formed the electric jazz/fusion band Return to Forever. He created techniques including the percussive slap funk technique, now a pre-requisite for any jazz bassist and invented the piccolo bass and the tenor bass, broadening his melodic range. Now more than 30 years into his career, Clarke is as invigorated and passionate about jazz as he was as a teenage prodigy.
For more information on Stanley Clarke, visit www.stanleyclarke.com
Jean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty is the undisputed master of the violin in jazz and rock. He is widely regarded as an innovator who has applied his unique visionary spin and expanded the vocabulary of modern music. Born into a family of classical musicians, Ponty first explored jazz on clarinet and saxophone in college bands. Fueled by this passion, he felt compelled to express his jazz voice through his principal instrument, the violin. What resulted was a sound unlike any heard before; Ponty distinguished himself with his unique phrasing and punchy style influenced by horn players. Through the late ‘60s and ‘70s, he toured the world, and throughout his career he has explored the influences of African and, most recently, Indian music.
For more information on Jean-Luc Ponty, visit www.ponty.com
Al Di Meola
Al Di Meola credits his early teacher Bob Aslanian with teaching him about jazz, bossa nova and classical music, which influenced his technique. He received the chance of a lifetime in 1974 when Chick Corea called him, asking to play with Return to Forever, with which he performed for 5 years before the group disbanded, and he launched his solo career. He firmly established himself as a powerful and influential force in contemporary music, and his 17 records have sold more than six million copies. Now in his 40s, this bona fide guitar hero is still searching for new modes of expression and still eager to push the envelope.
For more informatio non Al Di Meola, visit www.aldimeola.com
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