Guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg has transformed
from art rocker to fusion hero to jazz traditionalist -- all in
the span of a decade. The native New Yorker moved to South Florida
as a child in 1975; he stayed long enough to graduate from the
esteemed University of Miami music program (attending from 1990
to 1994), and created a large enough fan base there to fuel a
career back in the Big Apple, where he returned in 1998. Initially
influenced by rock guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Steve Vai,
Kreisberg created new musical avenues to explore by adding the
influence of classical composer Claude Debussy, jazz pianist Keith
Jarrett, and British fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth.
After graduating from college, the open-minded young musician
recorded a 1995 CD with the group Wyscan, blending elements of
the groups Yes, King Crimson, and U.K. Bassist Javier Carrion
and drummer Vince Verderame also recorded on Kreisberg's self-titled
1996 jazz/fusion debut. Covers of the standards "Someday
My Prince Will Come" and "We'll Be Together Again"
hinted at the fledgling artist's future, and after several East
Coast tours, Kreisberg moved to Manhattan and Verderame to Las
Vegas while Carrion stayed in South Florida (eventually working
with popular artists from K.C. & the Sunshine Band to guitarist
Randy Bernsen).
Eschewing his Fender Stratocasters in favor of Gibson hollow-bodied
guitars, Kreisberg decided not to hurry his recording career while
immersing himself into New York's traditional jazz scene. Gigs
with high-profile artists like drummer Lenny White (Return to
Forever), bassist Jeff Andrews (Vital Information), and saxophonists
Greg Tardy and Joel Frahm helped, and the guitarist entered the
21st century in both a jazz standards trio (which Kreisberg calls
his "interpretations group") and an original quartet
(his "compositions group").
Kreisberg's early-2002 pursuits include his trio (with bassist
Johannes Weidenmueller and drummer Ari Hoenig) releasing its Trioing
CD, a tour of Japan with drummer Donald Edwards, and the launching
of the guitarist's website (www.jonathankreisberg.com). The trio's
material, including John Coltrane's "Countdown" and
Herbie Hancock's "Sorcerer," show that this rising star's
career isn't just heading north geographically.
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