Republic of Jazz: Craig Wuepper - Storytelling (2014)

Friday, February 19, 2016

Craig Wuepper - Storytelling (2014)

Label: Cellar Live

Craig is a native of Michigan, born into a musical family (mother and grandfather were musicians). He has worked and recorded in New York City since 1994. Became a regular sub at Augies jazz bar in the late nighties, playing w/ Cecil Payne, Eddie Henderson, Eric Alexander, David Hazeltine, Mike Ledonne, Mike Dirubbo. Around 2000, began a musical project featuring David Schnitter, Harry Whitaker and Pat O'Leary which recorded and had limited public performances. His first two recording projects were immediately released commercially. The Returnsman, released on Double-Time records in 2001. A trio effort, The Sound of Harry Whitaker, was released on Fresh Sound records in 2002. Also performed professionally w/ John Hicks, Bob Cranshaw, Ralph Lalama, Barry Harris, Jerry Weldon, "Preacher" Robbins during this period. In 2004-2005 Craig dissappeared briefly and moved to Portland, Oregon to practice and reexamine his musical path. In 2005, Craig was drawn back to the city as a member of the the Cedar Walton quartet/quintet featuring Vincent Herring and Steve Turre, peforming at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club Cola. Most recently, Craig is back home in New York playing around NYC w/Earsight, a jazz quartet featuring pianist Paul Odeh and bassist Essiet Essiet, w either Josh Evans, David Schinitter or Mike Dirubbo on horn. His second record as a leader, "Leaps and Bounds" was released in 3/2013 on the Cellar Live label. "Storytelling" featuring Harry Whitaker will be released May 13 also on the Cellar Live label.

1. The Children and the Warlock
2. Snapshot
3. A Little Monkish Music, Please!
4. Angilalanga
5. Samson
6. Song for Joe
7. Blues for the Piano Players
8. For All We Know
9. The Children and the Warlock (Narrated Version)