Frank Vignola Collective - Gypsy Grass (2009)

Founder and bandleader Frank Vignola is one of the most accomplished, multi-dimensional players walking the planet today, capable of playing everything from commercial pop-jazz and fusion to hard bop, post-bop, and swing. The native New Yorker has a wide variety of influences, everyone from Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass and Pat Metheny to Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. Vignola is incredibly proficient in every setting and this monster player, composer and improviser works with everyone and their brother. Frank has a pedigree a mile long, but a quick Google will illustrate why he is considered one of the best on the planet. Whether a sideman for the late great Lionel Hampton, featured on a Donald Fagen recording, a jam with David Grisman, as Les Paul's right hand man, or leading his own group, Frank has proven himself to be in the elite creating unique and amazing music. The Vignola Collective, a mesmerizing band of the hottest jazz artisans of today, shatter the barriers between popular music and traditional jazz on their debut Dare Records release Gypsy Grass! These amazing virtuosos mix high-energy original material with unique renditions of songs such as Lemme Take You To The Beach written by Frank Zappa and Appel Direct penned by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. The result - a smokin' blend of jazz, contemporary fusion, gypsy jazz, bluegrass, swing, and blues. It's not jazz as we know jazz here in America. - Les Paul Tracks 01 Funky Monkey S 02 Appel Direct 03 Minor Idea, 04 Professional Solutions 05 Slayer in the Grass 06 Fly Swatter 07 My Back 08 One Beautiful Evening 09 Lemme Take You to the Beach 10 Super Mario Bros. Theme Producer Michael-Anthony Taylor Engineer Brian Dozoretz Personnel Frank Vignola - guitar Casey Driessen - violin Gary Mazzaroppi - bass instrument Vinny Raniolo Rich “Dusty Chopmeat” Zukor - percussion Matt Flinner - mandolin Also: Mark Kibble Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY; Bennett Studios, Englewood, NJ; Black Lava Studio, New York, NY. The Vignola Collective: Vinny Raniolo, Frank Vignola (guitar); Gary Mazzaroppi (bass instrument); Rich Zukor (percussion). Personnel: ... Full DescriptionMatt Flinner (mandolin); Casey Driessen (violin); Rich “Dusty Chopmeat” Zukor (percussion).