Johnny H. and the Prisoners of Swing
You are about to encounter a sound rarely heard in jazz; indeed it is infrequently showcased in any context: the timpani, those deep bowled "kettle" drums that are tuned so as to play clearly distinguishable pitches or notes. Here at the tail end of the twentieth century, percussion is peaking as the dominant instrument in pop music. But the hot drummer of today would probably not think much about tuning his instrument, of maybe not even having one. The hot drummer of today is often not a drummer, sometimes not even human! In the midst of this trend comes along Jonathan Haas. While known all over the world as a classical timpani soloist, "Johnny H." felt that it was time to reach further into music. Inspired by the recordings of Vic Berton (who is considered the first jazz timpanist), Johnny H. contacted his long time associate Ian Finkel. Ian, who for many years had been playing the xylophone in all forms of jazz, instantly agreed that it was time for the kettledrums to get their chance to swing.
Now, Johnny H and the Prisoners of Swing join the select few to fully use timpani white playing jazz. They've resurrected the far- sighted innovation of Vic Berton, occasionally reprising his repertoire. Happily, Johnny H. is also able to mate the concept to a wide range of repertoire and styles. They often do this in a playful style, which always swings.
Just as fetching is the units updating of the xylophone in jazz performance. Jonathan Haas' main associate in the band is the virtuoso xylophonist, Ian Finkel. Finkel is to Red Norvo as Haas is to Vic Berton, and the yoking of these two percussion instruments in Johnny. H. and the Prisoners of Swing proves remarkably effective.
- Phil Schaap "Dean of Jazz Radio" - The New York Times
Johnny H. Jazz Timpanist - Jonathan HaasThe Prisoners of Swing
Xylophone: Ian Finkel
Trumpet and Vocals: Byron Stripling
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet and Piccolo: Ralph Olsen
Trombone: Randall Andos
Guitar and Banjo: Bruce Uchitel
Double Bass: Louis Bruno
Drums and Percussion: James Saporito
Piano: Elliot Finkel, Kenneth Bichel
Play list
1) The Twitch: Duke Ellington
2) Limehouse Blues: Philip Braham
3) Cubano Chant: Ray Bryant
4) It's a Wonderful World: Eddie Durham
5) Georgia: Hoagy Carmichael
6) Moanin'': Bobby Timmons
7) Big Noise From Winnetka: Bobby Haggart
8) Bumble Bee Rumba: Rimsky Korsakov
9) Sweet Georgia Brown: Maceo Pinkard
10) Tymperturbably Blue: Duke Ellington
11) It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing: Duke Ellington
12) Berton Suite: Delirium Arthur Schutt
13) Allahs Holiday: Rudolph Friml
14) Devils Kitchen: Vic Berton
15) Hamps Boogie Woogie: Lionel Hampton
Produced by Jonathan Haas and Ian Finkel
Music Arranged by Ian Finkel
Recorded, mixed and digitally edited by Phil Bulla
Recorded at Crossroad Studios New York (May 28th- June 12th 1993)
Artist Representative/ Concert and Tour Information/ Publicity/ General Information: Sunset Records / Kettles and Company: 33 Sunset Drive Thornwood York 10594
Telefax 914-747-9177
CD# 7-84002-2 Cassette #7-84002-4
Send $15 for CD of $12 for cassette to Kettles and Company. (Includes S. & H.)
All New York State Residents please add %6.75 sales tax
New Demo Release
CLOZSHAVE
Johnny H: rock kettles
Ian Finkel: zilophone
T Bone: vocals
Bruce Uchitel: guitar
Ed Sterbenz: bass
Abbott Finkel: drums
Just when you thought it was safe to go out, you thought you had climbed every mountain, you had gone where no one had gone before... comes the final frontier in timpani and xylophone performance with CLOZSHAVE.
Rock Kettle Drummer Johnny H. and Heavy Metal/Mosh Zilo Madman Ian Finkel have now embarked on their most ambitious and creative collaboration to date bringing their most unusual of instruments into the world of rock and roll.
CLOZSHAVE is a 6 piece rock band that features one of the most original voices to emerge from the ubiquitous vocal chords of T-Bone.
The dynamic CLOZSHAVE rhythm section is made up of "New York's Finest" including Abott Finkel on drums, Bruce Uchitel on electric guitar, and Ed Sterbenz on bass.
CLOZSHAVE plays all original material written by Finkel and will soon be hitting, (literally), the New York mosh/rock scene along with their first demo recording which is now available on request.
CLOZSHAVE is Produced by Jonathan Haas and Ian Finkel
Lyrics and music written by Ian Finkel
Engineer, Mix Master, Concert Sound: Phil Bulla
For CLOZSHAVE information contact Telefax 914-747-9177
Be the first to hear CLOZSHAVE
Send $6 to Kettles and Company 980 Broadway Suite 123 Thornwood New York 10594
Telefax 914-747-9177
for the first run of their exciting 20 minute demo featuring Snake Boy, CLOZSHAVE, Dogs I like em, Skin Me Alive New York and the AM/FM RADIO Hit Single Smoke My Cigar!
© Sunset Records and Rosewood Productions
Soon to be Released on Sunset Records
18th Century Concertos for Timpani and Orchestra Jonathan Haas, virtuoso timpanist, performs 18th century concertos for 8 timpani (one player) and orchestra on this first of its kind digital recording. Haas joins the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, under the direction of Harold Farberman, Gordon Hunt, oboe soloist, in the premier recording of the Concerto for Oboe Eight Timpani and Orchestra by George Druschetzky (1745-1819). Other works featured include the Druschetzky Partita ant the Symphony for Eight Timpani and Orchestra by Johann Fischer (1752-1807)
Producer -Tony Hodgson
Balance Engineer- Bob Auger
Recorded in the Winter Garden, Bournemouth England 1985
Reviews
Audio Magazine " ...young genius of the timpani Jonathan Haas... George Druschetzky is a noticeably able composer and quite easily listenable, especially his Concerto with a lovely Mozart-like orchestra for oboe... Believe it or not , oboe and eight timpani... Jonathan Haas is terrific....The humorous payoff comes with the obligatory cadenzas for the soloist, all in the right places. A new slant on the age of Mozart" (Edward Tatnall Canby)
American Record Guide "... these are serious works that demonstrate just how much melodic ability timpani have... This is music to stir the blood" (Bauman)
Fanfare Magazine "...the disc is enormous fun... Jonathan Haas has become one of the rarest of modern virtuosi, a solo timpanist, and has made it his mission to find and perform long lost works for multiple timpani. Haas' remarkable virtuosity is complimented by oboist Hunt and sympathetically backed by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. This recording is first rate. It's quite an experience" (George Chien)
Gramophone "...Eight timpani does not mean eight one-drum players in the style of a Russian horn band: it means eight drums under the control of one athletic, Jonathan Haas, an American specialist in the matter. The Concerto remains of course a most enjoyable work and indeed the whole disc is of great interest."
Ovation Magazine "The Paganini of the timpani"