“…the reason for his accessibility is that he not only fuses jazz and rock, he complements it with warm chords of funk, soul, and rhythm and blues…”
—The New York Times
Mix together the styles of Pat Metheny, Mike Stern,
and Stevie Ray Vaughn and you have the recipe for the hottest new contemporary
jazz guitarist to hit the streets in a long time. B.D. Lenz has played
guitar since the age of 14, and studied with such jazz greats as
Mike Stern,Vic Juris, and Charlie Banacos. His 2005 Apria Records
release “Tomorrow’s Too Late” features Grammy-winning trumpeter
Randy Brecker and legendary bassist Mark Egan. B.D.’s music has been licensed
for television on MTV, VH1, and USA among many others. His band easily keeps
the audience on their feet whether B.D. plays jazz, fusion, jam or straight
ahead.
B.D. Lenz - acoustic and electric guitars, Joe Ashlar - piano and keys, James Rosocha - electric bass, Tom Cottone - drums, Karl Latham - drums (7,11), Dave Edwards - ac. bass (7,11), Geoff Mattoon - sax (11)
"Contemporary jazz guitarist BD Lenz's quartet lays down a funky, jamming vibe on this CD, integrating catchy good time grooves with moodier, blues-inflicted pieces." —JazzTimes
"Straight Up...is so there, so ideal, so darn near perfect that it makes a listener want to head straight up there in a pilgrimage to quality..." —JazzImprov
"...a solid guitarist and composer...["Straight Up"] features a distinctive contemporary style..." —Newark Star Ledger
"The recording ["Straight Up"] departs from his more fully arranged earlier efforts. The sound is stripped down with the aim of providing music that can easily transfer from the recording studio to a live stage performance..." —The Daily Record
"There's a live vibe that 'Straight Up' embodies, an uninhibited loose style that allows the musicians to jam, much like a straigh-ahead jazz album..." —Princeton Packet
"The new record ["Straight Up"] of Lenz's original tunes sounds full and crackles with exuberance..." —U.S.1
“… With a heart for jazz and the ability to diversify his musicianship Lenz may someday be an icon…” — Robert Price, The NJ Herald
“Lenz has mastered his instrument and his confidence overflows everywhere…” —All About Jazz
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B.D. Lenz Tomorrow's Too Late (Apria 652823) |
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B.D. Lenz Simple Life (Apria 68692) |