- Astral Project
Infobox musical artist
Name = Astral Project
Img_capt = photo by Jenny Bagert
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Origin = New Orleans, Louisiana
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Genre =Jazz , New Orleans
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Years_active = 1978 - present
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URL = http://www.astralproject.com/
Current_members = Tony Dagradi - saxophoneJohnny Vidacovich - drums James Singleton - bass Steve Masakowski - guitar
Past_members = David Torkanowsky - piano, organ
Notable_instruments =Astral Project is a modern jazz quartet from New Orleans. It was founded by saxophonist Tony Dagradi in 1978 and includes drummer
Johnny Vidacovich , bassist James Singleton and 7-string guitarist Steve Masakowski. The band also originally included pianist David Torkanowsky who left in 2001. Renowned for improvisation Astral Project blends styles of jazz, funk, rock and world and have been referred to as one of New Orlean's "premier" jazz groups. [http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2006-01-10/music_rec.php "Karrin Allyson, with Astral Project", David Lee Simmons, Gambit Weekly, January 10, 2006 RetrievedJuly 27 2007 ]Astral Project began performing at the Absinthe House on
Bourbon Street where during their early yearsBobby McFerrin was known to often sit in. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jzfrxqegldde~T1 Bio of Johnny Vidacovich, Rose of Sharon Witmer, AllMusic.com] Having made several national and international tours, the quartet has continued to perform more recently at Snug Harbor and atJazz Fest in New Orleans. [http://offbeat.com/artman/publish/article_1569.shtml "Astral Project Live In New Orleans", Geraldine Wyckoff, OffBeat Magazine, Jun 21, 2006] Astral Project has received several Big Easy Entertainment Awards. [http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/current/be_past.php "Big Easy Entertainment Awards Winners 1988-2005", bestofneworleans.com, RetrievedJuly 27 2007 ]Their recordings include:Live in New Orleans (DVD/CD combination released April 2007; The Legend of Cowboy Bill; Big Shot; Voodoobop (best album of 2000 at the 13th Annual Big Easy Awards); Elevado (Winner of the Best Album in 1998 at the OffBeat Awards); and Astral Project New Orleans LA (Album of the Year at the 1995 Big Easy Awards)
References
External links
[http://www.astralproject.com/ Official site: Astral Project]
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