Artist Recording Collective (ARC) is proud to announce the release of “King of Xhosa”, by renowned drummer and composer Jeff “Siege” Siegel.of Shokan, with a CD release concert/party at The Rosendale Café on Saturday, January 21. On the Jeff Siegel Quartet’s third studio recording, the stalwart drummer merges his high energy, straight ahead post-bop with the deeply spiritual stylings of trumpet master Feya Faku to produce a vibrant sonic tapestry of South African infused jazz. “King of Xhosa” brings together Siegel’s longstanding quartet comprised of saxophonist Erica Lindsay, pianist Francesca Tanksley, and bassist Rich Syracuse with percussionist Fred Berryhill and trumpeter extraordinaire Feya Faku. ...
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Artist Recording Collective (ARC) is proud to announce the release of “King of Xhosa”, by renowned drummer and composer Jeff “Siege” Siegel.of Shokan, with a CD release concert/party at The Rosendale Café on Saturday, January 21. On the Jeff Siegel Quartet’s third studio recording, the stalwart drummer merges his high energy, straight ahead post-bop with the deeply spiritual stylings of trumpet master Feya Faku to produce a vibrant sonic tapestry of South African infused jazz. “King of Xhosa” brings together Siegel’s longstanding quartet comprised of saxophonist Erica Lindsay, pianist Francesca Tanksley, and bassist Rich Syracuse with percussionist Fred Berryhill and trumpeter extraordinaire Feya Faku.
Jeff will be joined by this band, with the substitution of trumpeter Dylan Canterbury for this performance at the Rosendale Café..
Jeff Siegel and Feya Faku first came together in 2014 in Siegel’s home-turf of Woodstock, New York when Faku visited there to perform with Uhadi, his group of select South African musicians. Siegel was immediately drawn to Faku’’s sound. “From the first time I heard Feya in Woodstock, I knew that he had the perfect vibe, sound and soul to fit with my own quartet,” says Siegel. That summer, Siegel embarked on the trip of a lifetime to Cape Town and Grahamstown, South Africa, where he participated in the International Association of Schools of Jazz, and performed at the Grahamstown Jazz Festival. It was during this profound trip that the idea of a collaboration with Faku truly took hold. “Because African music is the roots of what we play as Jazz musicians, there was a feeling of being home while I was there,” he says, “...it was a blessing to meet, hear and play with wonderful musicians and experience the soul of Africa firsthand.
All in all, “King of Xhosa” is a celebration of the intersection of cultures. “I hope this music in some way reflects the deep respect I have for the great cultures of both Africa and the United States. While we are profoundly aware of the great pain that resulted in the birth of Jazz music, born from the tragedy of slavery, we are forever blessed with the positive outcome of the joining of these cultures in music. I pray that this recording shall add some positivity, inspiration and strength to a troubled world in whatever small way it can,” says Siegel.
ABOUT JEFF SIEGEL:
Drummer/Composer Jeff "Siege" Siegel is a veteran of the New York Jazz scene and has worked with a virtual "who's who" of artists. He came onto the New York scene in 1980-83 as a member of the quartet of the legendary multi-instrumentalist Arthur Rhames. After six years with the group Second Sight, which featured trumpeter Dave Douglas, Siegel became a member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-'99. From the years 1990 – present he has been co-led several touring ensembles as well as The Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet. Simultaneously, from 2001 – 2015 Siegel was also a member of the Lee Shaw Trio from whom he also produced several cds and a dvd.
Siegel's diverse career has also led him to perform and/or record with legends such as Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Benny Golson, Frank Foster, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Mose Allison, John Medeski, Stefon Harris, Kurt Elling, Ravi Coltrane, Ryan Kisor, Steve Wilson, John Medeski, Dena DeRose, Dave Liebman, Pete & Tony Levin, Steve Turre, and many others. He has worked in the avant-garde world as well with artists such as Wadada Leo Smith, Baikida Carroll and Esa Pietila. He has performed over 30 European tours including four as leader of the Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet and several others as co-leader at various festivals, concert venues and clubs. His touring has also led to performances and clinics throughout the United States, South Africa, South America, China and Canada.
As an educator, Siegel is a faculty member at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Western Connecticut State University, and The State University of New York at New Paltz .He holds a Masters Degree in Jazz from Queens College where he studied composition with Jimmy Heath. He has been the recipient of several grants from Meet the Composer and endorses Vic Firth Drum sticks. Please be on the lookout for two upcoming new cd releases with his quartet including “London Live” (ARC Records) and “King of Xhosa” featuring South African trumpeter Feya Faku.
“Jeff's musicality is incredible. He is so tasty as a percussionist and he has become a fine composer/arranger.” - NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath
"...Best post-bop heard in recent times".
.....Roberto Binda, Argonautroa Magazine.com
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