The John Kalleen Group is a hot version of "Summertime," a cool version of "Footprints" and the new territory of beautifully crafted originals. Listen to the swinging spark of "Arête" and the taut, bluesy adventure of "Discrete Measured Moments."
The JKG is a quintet in the classic style: trumpet, sax, piano, bass and drums. They offer fresh compositions, echoing the admired hard bop and post-bop eras of the 50s and 60s, but infused with a modern, dynamic spark. And of course, they deliver swinging, spirited arrangements of the classics from those eras. An evening with the John Kalleen Group is a night of excellent musicianship, up-tempo energy and killer jazz with an inventive drive.
In an age of pickup bands, where "group performance" often means an assemblage of soloists trading licks, the John Kalleen Group is instead a true ensemble, a quintet of musicians who rehearse and arrange together to create the kind of flowing, harmonious interplay, joyous power and full-bodied sound that comes only from a mutual, enduring dedication. Put more simply, the JKG is a tight, creative band that swings like mad and is a blast to listen to!
"The John Kalleen Group expresses a musical energy, creativity and sophistication reminiscent of the great jazz groups of the 50s and 60s. Our customers love their performances!"
Dagmar Curtis, Manager, Cliff House, San Francisco
When trumpeter John Kalleen set about to create this band, he did it with a patient, dedicated attentiveness, auditioning potential group members until he found players whose style fit the ensemble sound he'd envisioned, whose musical philosophy complemented his own and who would be able to offer inspired input of their own. All who've heard the JKG will agree that Kalleen succeeded splendidly.
The band is led by trumpeter John Kalleen, who began his professional jazz life at age sixteen. John's band mates are all young jazz veterans, including tenor saxophonist / composer Michael Bello, pianist James Mitchell, bassist Piro Patton, and drummer Alex Aspinall.
Great jazz. The John Kalleen Group makes it happen!
