For those of you who missed Jim's performance in concert with Mose Allison, Mose will be returning to Philadelphia on November 7 and 8, 2008. Tickets are on sale now, click here to purchase.
Mose Allison is one of the greatest songwriters spanning the last three generations. It's clear that he has been an influence on Dylan, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt and dozens of other luminaries in the rock and pop music fields. If there is a subject worth writing a song about, Mose has covered it and his piano playing is unique, spritely and original. Don't miss this opportunity to see one of our national treasures in an intimate setting in Chestnut Hill, one of Philadelphia's most appealing neighborhoods.
New Video
Jim was invited to display his incredible guitar playing and composition skills in the TV Studios at Radnor Studio 21. New Video has been released and is showing on the Comcast and Verizon networks in certain areas. Click this link to contact Radnor Studio 21 for scheduling. Jim's latest trio effort with Rich Curtis and Webb Thomas was recorded on February 15, 2008. Naturally compatible and full of fire and insight into the blues, jazz and rock, the trio performed superbly.
For more information about Jim's power trio, FUSION3, write to jim@dragoni.com
NEW CD RELEASE! Click here to buy it (scroll down for review in Philadelphia Inquirer)
Thanks to all who attended the release party...standing room only Roller's at Flying Fish.
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Review by Karl Stark, October 14, 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer
Gargantua
(jim@dragoni.com ***)
This salty disc from guitarist Jim Dragoni is kind of a rough recording, but the playing startles the synapses.
The Philly guitarist, who studied with jazz sage Dennis Sandole (teacher to John Coltrane and other jazzerati), is a questing soul who can venture inside or outside the chord changes with the grace of a cat burglar.
Working with a series of venerable axes, from a Kubicki Stratocaster to a '43 Epiphone Emperor, Dragoni makes the antiques sound nubile again.
The solo "Night of the Firefly" lives up to its name, giving a kind of Celtic cascade to some fierce playing. The session of mostly originals features a challenging improvised piece, "Circles of Infallibility" with another regional treasure, tenor saxophonist Odean Pope.
Dragoni, who likes occasionally to flex his chops caveman-style, cooks to a driving froth on "Cloud Dance." The bugaboo feel with tenor saxophonist Elliott Levin, drummer Ed Watkins, and bassist Stephen Rossmeisl recalls some old glory. (actual bassist: Dylan Taylor, Rossmeisl played on other cuts)
Jim Dragoni is a composer, guitarist and teacher. His performance areas include blues, jazz and his own fiery original brand of hyrbidized cross genre art-music. His music has received airplay in Europe as well as in the United States. He has been recognized for years on the East Coast as an artist, teacher and performer.
Call 866-450-0826 for info on the Music Studio in Chestnut Hill where Jim teaches.
Review from Cape May concert, 2005
Past performances include:
Lincoln Center, Mellon Jazz Festival, Cape May Jazz Festival, Odette's, Havana, Academy of Music, Painted Bride Art Center, The Art Alliance, River Blues Festival, West Chester University, WHYY.FM, WRTI.FM, Widener University, Odettes...to name a few.
"Exciting performance...it was a gas!" Jenneth Webster, Program Director, Lincoln Center; reference to performance on 8-20-93
"...his playing is simply brilliant..." Dr. Herb Wong, international jazz critic and record company executive
"One
of Philly's finest"....Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer
"Sometimes it rocks, sometimes it swings, sometimes it is pure
sweet poetry" Steve Lopez of the Philadelphia Inquirer
"Jim's ensemble playing and original compositions are
superb..." Gerry Givnish, the Painted Bride Arts Center
"Music flows from Dragoni's
instrument as smoothly as maple syrup...his compositional skills far surpass
many of his peers" Ed Wismer, Cape May Star and
Wave
"...soulful rhythm with strong guitar riffs and an intense solo
from Jim Dragoni" Steve Randazzo, Germantown Courier,
reference to recording "Worlds" on Gazelle Records
"Check out his technique,
the effortless speed...has thoroughly mastered his instrument...it would
seem there's not much more for him learn about his craft" Jack
Lloyd, in feature article, the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Top Photo by Jeff Brown
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