Nationally touring acoustic jazz band
Occidental Gypsy’s Eli Bishop’s side hustle is impressive stuff:“Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis explains, “Black, Brown and Beige sits alone in the history of jazz. It covers a mosaic of not just Afro-American but of American styles of music.” The expert musicians of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, alongside special guests Brianna Thomas (vocals) and Eli Bishop (violin), are perfectly equipped to tackle its stirring stylistic breadth. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s spirited take on Ellington’s epic work pays tribute to some of the maestro’s most personal work while adding another important chapter to its enduring legacy.”
From Broadway World. Full article: https://bit.ly/32OZ5IN
The track “44070/Song for Vrba,” has a multi-part arrangement that celebrates the story of Rudolph Vrba. Vrba and Alfred Wetzler escaped a concentration camp during WWII despite numerous obstacles and made their way to Budapest. Instead of going into hiding (the safest choice), Vrba and Wetzler went to the Jewish Council and told them of the atrocities and the thousands of murders occurring daily. It is estimated because of this, Vrba & Wetzler saved as many as 200,000 souls. 44070 was the number tattooed on Vrba’s arm.
“Children’s March” is an apology to the children harmed during the de-segregationists march that took place in Birmingham, 1963. This civil rights action marked a moment of great shame, and great change. Heroes continue to move among us. Give them your ear.
Gypsy Blues (She’s Back) 2:35
Composed by Scottie Kulman. arranged by Scottie Kulman & BL Feldman
A Day With Paula May 3:26
Composed by Brett Lee Feldman, arranged by BL Feldman & Eli Bishop
Messalina (Lover Lamb) 6:20
Composed by Brett Lee Feldman, arranged by BL Feldman & Eli Bishop
Featuring Guinness World Record Fastest clapper Eli Bishop read more
Jeremy has a series of solo videos available on YouTube, including timeless standards. We are so lucky to have this voice in Occidental Gypsy.
Here them all here: www.youtube.com/user/jeremyfrantz/videos
Jon Moore says of 44070: “immaculate musicianship” “one of those fusions that really work.”
