Original posted Thursday, Jan 5, 2023
by MATT MICUCCI

The editors of JAZZIZ have the good fortune of being able to listen to new music before it’s officially released in stores and streaming platforms. And because we’re always listening to new tunes, we always know just what to recommend. That’s why we’ll bring you a roundup of ten songs each Monday, featuring music from our favorite new albums, singles and other tunes that may have flown under your radar. And, for good measure, we’ll be throwing in some “golden oldies” as well…

We kick off the playlist with “Love Song,” the opening track from Peggy Lee’s Norma Deloris Egstrom from Jamestown, North Dakota, the 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of which was released recently on Capitol/UMe. Following is “Urbanessence,” the title track from the second solo album by trumpeter/composer Tito Carrillo, and “An Upturned Crab,” a new single from James Yorkston, Nina Persson and The Second Hand Orchestra that also features the talents of Radiohead’s Philip Selway and is included on The Great White Sea Eagle.

Trupeter/arranger Phil Lassiter leads a vivacious 24-piece ensemble on “Simmer Down.” Fred Hersch and esperanza spalding take on “But Not For Me” in the opener to their duo album, Alive at the Village Vanguard, released today. “One G and Two J’s” is a Bo Diddley-inspired jazz-rock jam from guitarist/composer Grant Geissman, featuring a three-guitar lineup with Josh Smith and Joe Bonamassa, from the GRAMMY-nominated BLOOZ.

David Perrico introduced his latest creation, his 68-piece orchestra Pop Symphonic, on his latest album, Sidewalk, featuring “La Promessa.” You can find out more about the project in our recent JAZZIZ Podcast conversation with the trumpeter/composer. “Refuge” is the opening track from pianist/composer Geoffrey Keezer’s latest and independently-released album, Playdate. The track recently received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Instrumental Composition.

The Royal Bopsters’ recently released the 10th-anniversary edition of their self-titled landmark 2015 album, including the bonus track “Jazz Jump,” which you can hear on this playlist. And our conclusive track is “Catamaran,” the opener from pianist/accordionist/composer Ben Rosenblum’s fourth album, A Thousand Pebbles, released today and featuring his extraordinary seven-piece group, Nebula Project.
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Listen to this weekend’s JAZZIZ Editors’ Choice Playlist via the player below.

Original posted Thursday, Dec 22
by MATT MICUCCI

David Perrico is a classically-trained trumpeter, an award-winning conductor/composer/arranger, and one of the most in-demand musicians in Las Vegas. Regularly wowing audiences with his bands, including the acclaimed Pop Strings Orchestra, and having toured internationally with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and other great ensembles, Perrico recently unleashed his new creation: the 68-piece band Pop Symphonic. The orchestra is showcased on his latest release, Sidewalk, on a program of ten original compositions and orchestrations by Perrico himself. We talk about this album and more in our latest episode of The JAZZIZ Podcast.

Pop Symphonic 68-piece orchestra just released on Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music!

10-original compositions 🎻🎺

Thank you to everyone involved with production and the incredible musicians of Pop Symphonic!
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Audio mix by Bob Lentini
Album Cover Patrick Rivera
Graphic Design Sebastien Theve

​David Perrico & Pop Flamenco at Maxan Jazz Club! Get ready for a night of Latin, Pop, and traditional Flamenco style music, featuring authentic virtuoso Spanish guitar, hand played percussion and more!

6:00pm Doors
7:00-10:00pm Show
No Cover
Dinner Reservations Recommended

Las Vegas' newest jazz club, Maxan Jazz Club features the absolute BEST jazz musicians and singers in Las Vegas, in addition to a truly extraordinary dining experience with their Nobu-inspired sushi menu utilizing only the freshest, most delicious ingredients available.

Maxan Jazz Club
4130 S Decatur Blvd
(corner of Flamingo & Decatur)
Las Vegas, NV 89103
702-485-3926

Join David Perrico & Pop Strings Orchestra for a night of classic Holiday songs featuring several new custom arrangements by David Perrico. Tickets start at just $29.00 and are available via The Smith Center website...click the button below to purchase!

David Perrico & Pop Strings Orchestra will be back at Myron's at The Smith Center on Friday, Sept 30th to perform Classic 70’s Rock featuring vocalists Michael Johnson, Jim Buck, Lily Arce, and Fletch Walcott. With new custom arrangements by David Perrico, the Orchestra will be expanded to 26-piece for this show. This show will include a repertoire from the bands: Gerry Rafferty (Baker Street), Al Stewart (Year of The Cat), Firefall, Led Zeppelin, Heart, Foreigner, Elton John, SuperTramp, Steely Dan, Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Bob Seiger, Blue Oyster Cult.

LAS VEGAS – While on a songwriting spree during the pandemic, David Perrico got to thinking about his hometown.

The Las Vegas-based music producer, composer, band leader and trumpet player fondly recalled growing up on Youngstown’s west side. He wanted to salute the city, whose character and traditions remain at his core.

The result is “Youngstown, Steeltown,” a seven-minute opus recorded in May by Perrico and his 68-piece Pop Symphonic orchestra, plus a group of eight singers. Perrico arranged all parts for the orchestra and also plays trumpet on the song. Rocky Brown co-wrote the lyrics with Perrico and also arranged the vocal parts.

​WATCH VIDEO HERE

“Youngstown, Steeltown” will appear on Pop Symphonic’s upcoming album, “Sidewalks,” which will be released July 1. The song and video were recorded at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas.

Perrico’s DPG Enterprises employs 100 musicians and manages 12 bands in the casino city, where he has lived for the last two decades.

But the Chaney High School and Dana School of Music graduate simply cannot forget the city that shaped him.

“It’s important for people to remember where they cut their teeth,” he said in a phone interview. He credits Youngstown for his work ethic and never-quit approach during hard times.

“People there learn to adapt,” he said. “They are quick to think on their feet and hustle, to make a buck. That work ethic gave me the drive I needed out here.”

Perrico also credits the musical mentorship he got in the city, citing some of his instructors: Tony Leonardi and Esotto Pellegrini at YSU, and Bill Gonda and Joe Danko when he was still in middle school and high school. Perrico actually began taking trumpet lessons from Pellegrini when he was 12.

In “Youngstown, Steeltown,” Perrico layers a confident and clear trumpet melody over the lush orchestra. At intervals, the vocalists take turns singing lines about the city and its enduring pull.

“Something keeps on calling me back there, and I know it will always be home.
“It’s the people who give this city it’s heart and soul.
“All the ones who lived here before us, all the ones who raised and adored us.
“The memories and lessons they taught that made us who we are.”

Brier Hill, “Sunday sauce” and the city’s long list of sports greats also get mentions.

The upcoming album will include “Youngstown, Steeltown,” and nine other new songs written and arranged by Perrico and performed with Pop Symphonic.

While Perrico’s orchestra “can play everything from Beyonce to Beethoven,” it specializes in reworking pop songs with a full-bodied Vegas flair. He’s already thinking of a follow-up album that will focus on covers of songs by the likes of Earth Wind and Fire and Bruno Mars.

Perrico is also the leader of the Raiders House Band, which performs at all Las Vegas Raiders home football games. His next visit to Ohio will be as an ambassador for the NFL team.

On Aug. 6, former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, and Perrico and the Raiders House Band will perform at the event.

“[Raiders owner] Mark Davis wanted his Raiders band to be there,” Perrico said.

On Saturday, July 9, David Perrico & Pop Strings Orchestra will perform “TRIBUTE TO THE DIVAS” featuring vocalists Lily Arce, Serena Henry, Skye D. Miles, Tymara Walker, Katrina Reese, April Develos, and Fletch Walcott, and the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Cher, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Gladys Knight, Mariah Carey, and more…

Tickets start at just $29 and are available on The Smith Center website or via the button below...

New Pop Symphonic music video!
Pop Symphonic 68-Piece Orchestra

Youngstown-SteelTown
ASCAP-FIRST HAWK PUBLISHING
Recorded: May 3, 2022
Pop Symphonic Las Vegas
David Perrico - Composer, Trumpet, Arranger, Conductor
Rockie Brown - Lyrics & Vocal Arrangement BMI
Tymara Walker - Featured Vocalist
Steven Lee - Guitar Solo
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Video by Light Forge Studio
Additional Recording by Luis Pacheo - The Hideout Las Vegas, NV
Audio Mixing by Bob Lentini - SAW Studios Las Vegas
Venue: Reynolds Hall - Smith Center Las Vegas, NV
Logo by Sebastien Theve