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The HardBop Quintet: The Players

Jerry PhotoThe NY HardBop Quintet is one of the fastest rising groups on the New York jazz scene. Since its inception in 1990, this dynamic ensemble has fused the classic jazz repertoire of such luminaries as Horace Silver, Jackie McLean, and Lee Morgan with striking original compositions to create a singularly vibrant sound -- a sound that is at once reminiscent of the classic Blue Note era yet fresh. Simply put, the music's alive and swingin'!

Joe Photo The deft front line of Jerry Weldon and Joe Magnarelli is electrifying; the two horn men seamlessly weave intricate melodies which explode into commanding, lyrical improvisation. Having served their apprenticeships with Lionel Hampton, both men have compiled impressive credits of their own. After years of service as star tenor soloist of Harry Connick, Jr.'s big band, Weldon is best known for his soulful work with Al Grey, and organists Bobby Forrester, Jack McDuff, and Jimmy McGriff. Trumpeter Magnarelli's lilting sound has graced the bands of Jon Hendricks, Buddy Rich, Toshiko Akioshi, and Connick and can be heard on numerous CrissCross albums including his own.

Bim Photo The rhythm section of pianist Keith Saunders, bassist Bim Strasberg, and drummer Clifford Barbaro, meanwhile, is an exceptionally tight unit that provides fire and unwavering support. T he dexterous Saunders has done stints with Richie Cole, Bill Holman, and Dick Berk. He is currently the Music Director of the New York based tap company Manhattan Tap.

Strasberg has provided a stalwart foundation for the likes of Charles McPhearson, Eddie Harris, Terrel Stafford, and Cecil Payne.

Cliff photoVeteran Barbaro's combustible percussion has propelled the bands of Betty Carter, Charles Tolliver, James Carter, Sun Ra, and John Hicks and has fueled the explorations of the Sun Ra Arkestra; his most recent recordings are with Marlena Shaw and Sherman Irby.

Keith Photo The HBQ's latest recording,A Whisper Away, showcases the group's exceptional cohesiveness and, like their two previous TCB disks, The Clincher, and Rokermotion, avails itself of Rudy Van Gelder's trademark sound. Following on the heels of the critically acclaimed Rokermotion - which featured drummer extraordinaire Mickey Roker - this exciting new outing climbed to #4 on the Gavin charts and has made quite a splash.

Audiences have continually responded to The HBQ with raves and have shown their appreciation with devout loyalty. Foremost, they have responded to the band's unique sound. In a time when soloists predominate and groups are nothing more than al l-star configurations, it's refreshing to hear a true band, where the total equals more than the mere sum of its parts. With Weldon's kinetic, blues-driven saxophone, Magnarelli's beautiful, pristine trumpet, the spark of this fiery rhythm section, and an overwhelmingly engaging repertoire, The HBQ is one of the most compelling groups to come along in years!

Performance Highlights

The HBQ has performed at some of New York's most esteemed venues, among them:

  • The Blue Note
  • Fat Tuesday's
  • Birdland
  • Small's
  • The Savoy
  • Izzy Bar
  • Visiones
  • The Five Spot
  • Steinway Hall
  • Flushing Town Hall
  • The Village Gate.
The group has also played numerous times since 1995 at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus in Philadelphia, PA featuring drummer Mickey Roker.

Tours:

  • Japan, Fall 1990.

  • West Coast, 1994, 1995, and 1996, with performances at:
    • The Horton Grand--San Diego, CA
    • The Jazz Bakery--Los Angeles, CA
    • The Brasserie at The Hotel Bel Age--Los Angeles, CA
    • Pearl's--San Francisco, CA
    • The Hamlet--Cambria, CA
    • The Four Queens--Las Vegas, NV
    • New York New York Hotel and Casino--Las Vegas, NV

  • Midwest, 1995 and 1998, with performances at:
    • The Green Mill--Chicago, IL
    • Rusty's--Toledo, OH
    • The Hyatt '95 Jazz Series--Cincinnati, OH
    • The Bop Stop--Cleveland, OH
    • Baker's Keyboard Lounge--Detroit, MI
    • The Bob--Grand Rapids, MI
    • The Crawford Grill--Pittsburgh, PA

  • Upstate New York, 1994, 1998, including:
    • The Calumet--Buffalo
    • Tiny's--Utica

  • Switzerland, 1999, including:
    • Swissôtel Métropole--Gèneva
    • The Widder Bar--Zurich
    • The Chorus Club--Lausanne
    • The Bird's Eye--Basel

Concerts:

  • 1993: George Wein's Newark JVC Jazz Festival, featuring vocalist Laverne Butler, broadcast live over WBGO.
  • 1994: Crane School of Music, S.U.N.Y. Potsdam, NY.
  • 1995: Oberlin College, University of Cleveland, University of Indianapolis, Indiana University East.
  • 1996: Santa Barbara International Jazz Festival
  • 1998: Miles Elkhart Jazz Festival, Elkhart, IND.
  • 1999: Basel Jazz Festival, Switzerland.

Television:

The HardBop Quintet wrote, arranged, and performed the soundtrack for the following:

  • 1992: Series of promotional spots for VH-1. 1993: Holiday commercials for Filene's Basement.
  • 1995: Series of promotional spots for ESPN.

For information and bookings please contact:

Individual Biographies:

Keith Saunders (Piano)

The band's leader, spent his formative years in Los Angeles where he studied with Charlie Shoemake and later, with Horace Silver. Keith worked extensively in L.A. with such well known artists as Eddie Harris, Roy McCurdy, and Bill Watrous, as well as recording with Dick Berk's Jazz Adoption Agency, for which he was the arranger.

Since moving to New York City in 1984, Keith has worked and/or recorded with a wide variety of musicians, including Richie Cole, Joe Lovano, Freddie Hubbard, Hank Crawford, and Lionel Hampton. In 1991, Keith became the leader of The HardBop Quintet, which had begun as a cooperative unit. As such, he has written and arranged music -- recorded by The HBQ -- for numerous television spots including promotions for VH1, ESPN, and Filene's Basement Department Stores. Keith is also the Musical Director for Manhattan Tap, the nationally acclaimed tap dance company. In addition to his recordings with The HBQ, Keith can be heard on Jerry Weldon's live-recorded Midtown Blues (Amosaya).

Jerry Weldon (Tenor Saxophone)

A native New Yorker, Jerry has worked with some of the most prominent names in jazz. After graduating from Rutgers University in 1982, he joined Lionel Hampton's band as a featured soloist. He spent six years with the band touring North and South America, Europe, and Japan. He also recorded with Hampton on "Sentimental Journey" (Atlantic) and "Cookin' In The Kitchen" (MusicMasters).

In 1989, Jerry joined organist Jack McDuff's Heatin' System, a group that he continues to tour and record with intermittently. In 1990, Weldon became featured soloist with Harry Connick Jr.'s newly formed big band which, after a recent hiatus, has continued to tour the world, record, and appear on many television shows including The Tonight Show, Arsenio Hall, The Today Show, and the Jerry Lewis Telethon. He can be heard on numerous Connick CD's on CBS Records and seen on Connick's videos Swingin' Out Live and You Didn't Know Me When. He has performed and recorded with many other top artists as well including Latin jazz-great Machito, Keeter Betts, Mel Torme, Jimmy McGriff, and Al Grey. His own outings include Five by Five and Second Time Around ( both with organist Bobby Forrester on Cat's Paw), Midtown Blues (Amosaya), and Head To Head (with tenor saxophonist Mike Karn on CrissCross).

Joe Magnarelli (Trumpet)

Joe is a native of Syracuse, NY, who now resides in New York City, graduated from Fredonia State University in 1982. Joe played with Lionel Hampton from 1987 to 1989 and was featured on the vibrophonist's CD Cookin' in the Kitchen. This was followed by a two year stint with organist Jack McDuff's band.

He has also worked with the Buddy Rich Orchestra, Nick Brignola, Chick Corea, the Maria Schneider Big Band, Freddie Hubbard, Gerry Mulligan, Billy Taylor, Charles Davis, the Vanguard Orchestra, Joe Williams and is currently with Harry Connick, Jr.'s big band. He has toured extensively as a member of the Toshiko Akioshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band and is featured on the Columbia CD Toshiko Live at Carnegie Hall. Joe can also be heard on many CrissCross recordings including his own, Why Not and Always There. He is also one of four young lions of the trumpet featured on the Warner Brother's release, Tour de Force.

Bim Strasberg (Bass)

Bim was born in La Jolla, California and has lived in New York since 1985. He received his B.A. from the University of California at San Diego where he studied with Bertram Turetzky. He later studied bass with John Neves, Todd Coolman, and Dave Holland as well as composition with Jim Whitsitt and Hal Crook.

He has performed with many notable artists including Charles McPherson, Eddie Harris, Terrel Stafford, Dr, Lonnie Smith, Mike Wofford, Johnny Coles, Jack Sheldon, "Papa" John Creach, Scott Hamilton, Mickey Roker, Cecil Payne, Eric Alexander, and Bill Mays. He is currently a member of the legendary Robert "Bootsie" Barnes' Quintet which features trumpeter John Swana and can be heard on Weldon's Midtown Blues (Amosaya) and Larry Gillespie's Contour (Blue Line).

Clifford Barbaro (Drums)

Clifford is from New York City, NY and is the newest addition to The HBQ, having joined in 1995. A veteran of the jazz scene, he has performed and recorded with numerous major artists over the years including Betty Carter, Charles Tolliver, Jon Hendricks, John Hicks, Lionel Hampton, Walter Bishop, Jr., the Sun Ra Arkestra, and James Carter. He is also a member of the trio Bop Juice which features tenor saxophonist Ralph Lalama and bassist Dennis Irwin. Barbaro can also be heard on recent recordings with Marlena Shaw and Sherman Irby for Blue Note.

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