Sons of Sound Recorded Music

intro > artists > classical | jazz | vocal | rock

GIGS
11/12/02 Philadelphia, PA

RECORDINGS

INFORMATION
Andy Parsons
Gene Lewin
www.fundementia.com

The Andy Parsons/Gene Lewin Quartet and Quintet (aka "Fundementia") represent a collective of independent jazz musicians led by Andy Parsons (saxophones) and Gene Lewin (drums).

Andy Andy Parsons was awarded several merit scholarships to the Berklee College of Music and named Connecticut Music Educator's Association Jazz Soloist of the Year while in high school. While attending Tufts University, Andy studied with his first mentor, the saxophone colossus Jerry Bergonzi. He spent a year at the Eastman School of Music teaching undergraduate jazz theory and improvisation while studying under the tutelage of pianist/composer Bill Dobbins, who helped convince him that New York was the next musical frontier to explore. At Eastman Andy performed alongside Claudio Roditi, Bob Belden, and Steve Gadd. Since moving to Manhattan in 1993, Andy has earned his master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music, studied with Bob Mintzer and Bobby Watson, and performed in an number of diverse situations including stints with Vic Juris, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, and as a featured soloist with Wynton Marsalis in David Berger. s Duke Ellington tribute band. Recently Andy toured America with Ozone recording artist Rez Abbasi's group, and performed at the White House with David Sanborn and Gil Goldstein. His group from the Manhattan School was named best instrumental combo in the college division of the Downbeat Student Music Awards. And during his time in the city, Andy has appeared both as leader and sideman in some of New York's most recognizable venues including the Knitting Factory, The 5 Spot, Visiones, the 55 Bar and Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater. Last year he toured Japan as a featured member of the Glenn Miler Orchestra. Andy's saxophone style has been described as both "modern yet sweet-toned" and "eclectic" by jazz critic Ira Gitler, and his compostions are, according to jazz great Bob Mintzer "masterful, full of wonderful colors and surprise twists and turns."

Gene Gene Lewin earned a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in 1991. Further musical studies include theory and composition work with George Russell and William Thomas McKinley at the New England Conservatory, and private studies with drummers Bob Moses and long time mentor Justin DiCioccio (friends since 1980 at Princeton University, where Gene got his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Justin was the big band director.) At the Manhattan School of Music, Gene performed with Clark Terry, Paquito D'Rivera, Harvie Swartz, Harold Danko, and Kenny Werner. Recently, he toured the United States, Europe, and Canada with Enja recording artist Rudy Linka, and also toured the US with Ozone recording artist Rez Abbasi. In addition to frequent and varied work as a freelance musician, Gene leads his own eclectic trio "The Gene Lewin Project", which consists of guitar, flute and drums. Gene also tours regularly with the melodic rock band groovelily, and appears on their latest CD "Brendan and the Extenuating Circumstances". Other CDs that feature Gene's drumming include Joe Traina's "Only in New York" and Marieann Meringolo's "Hold Me Close" (featuring bassist Jay Leonhart). As an educator, Gene taught jazz studies and electronic music at LaGuardia High School for the Arts in New York City between 1990 and 1993. He was also assistant Director of the McDonalds High School Jazz Ensemble between 1989 and 1990.