April 28 – Charlotte, NC. We will be headlining the closing party for the Jazz Arts Initiative, a local Jazz Educational Organization. We will be playing quartet with top level local players.

June 8 – The Velvet Note; Atlanta, GA

June 9 – The Velvet Note; Atlanta, GA

July 8 – The Fillmore Jazz Festival. San Francisco, CA. We will be playing quartet and featuring the music of Miles Davis’s Miles Smiles recording.

July 13 – Seattle, WA. TSP Does Miles Smiles.

September 20 – Greenville SC, Euphoria Festival. TSP will be a part The Recipe of a Rhapsody with Walter Blanding JR.

September 23 – Greenville SC, Euphoria Festival. TSP will perform with Wycliffe Gordon ]]> http://www.thesongproject.net/shows/feed/ 1 http://www.thesongproject.net/jazz-inside-magazine-interview/ http://www.thesongproject.net/jazz-inside-magazine-interview/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:45:04 +0000 TSP http://dev.thesongproject.net:8888/?p=83 Jazz Inside: Could you discuss your new recording Art Of The Song, Vol. 1 with which you collaborated with Derek Lee Bronston – and how the initial germ of an idea and compositions – which include originals and covers ranging from Rodgers and Hart to Radiohead – evolved into the completed artwork for release?

Mark Rapp: While both of us are very steeped in the jazz tradition, we also have a wide palette in terms of our tastes and repertoire. This has come to define our musical relationship over the years as we often play songs from other genres and styles at our jazz gigs with great response from our audience.

Derek Lee Bronston: For me as singer/songwriter, leader and co-leader, also of rock bands, playing tunes from a variety of genres is very much just a natural extension of who I am artistically. I like to think of what I play as ‘Creative Americana,’ which to me incorporates jazz and ranges from John Coltrane to Johnny Cash. The important thing is to find my vision in what I’m playing and always try to just maintain my personality on any song – so approaching Cole Porter is not really different to Radiohead, other than the tune itself.” As far as Art Of The Song goes, we tried to pick a set of songs, both original and covers, that could (1) give us an arc to the CD and (2) feel like a cohesive experience. We have a very defined sound and whether approaching a jazz standard or a rock anthem, we deliver a mood, sound and feel that is very much about us as a group rather than two jazz musicians trying to be eclectic.

Download the PDF here:
http://www.thesongproject.net/TheSongProject_JazzInsideMag.pdf

Download the complete mag here:
http://jazzinsidemagazine.com/

JI: This Volume 1 of Art of the Song, is noteworthy because it is created as an industry first “applum” as you’ve named it. Could you discuss how this app is unique?

MR: It was the first of its kind in its model of music distribution and presentation. This is an entire multimedia experience presented and distributed solely as an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch application – not individual mp3s through the iTunes store.

DLB: “The Applum” is meant to hearken back to the days of vinyl when music was experienced more as a whole album, unlike today’s digital – “singles driven” music. It is intentionally simple, functionally. We tried to keep it focused on the music and the accompanying art as opposed to a laundry list of functionality that technically could be included in an iPad app. We worked together with a designer and photographer named Sean Mosher-Smith, who has done album covers and photography for everyone from Lenny Kravitz and Steve Coleman to Iggy Pop. And we also worked with the Brooklyn design + tech company, theConspiracy, a company made up of musicians that work with many artists on application development and design. “The Applum” is meant to be played in its entirety and is accompanied by liner notes, personal notes from both Mark and myself on each song, and the ability to share it via Facebook, Twitter and Email.

MR: Derek Lee programmed the entire app himself. He’s a guru app developer – an advantageous skill to have in this day and age.

DLB: And Mark is a highly-skilled web developer as well, which has also been a great asset for us.

JI: What challenges have you experienced in developing this app?

MR / DLB: The 2 biggest challenges were to keep it simple and to get it out there.

JI: How are you promoting this app for use by others?

MR: We mainly have relied on social media, as we didn’t have any budget for PR or marketing at the time of release, unfortunately. It’s funny that a year after we created “The Applum”, Bjork started releasing her music in a very similar, if not the same way, and she was being lauded as the first to release music in this fashion. I’ve since tried to contact the writers of the various music and tech magazines to make them aware of what two jazz guys did an entire year earlier. But I’m not surprised they’re not responding or acknowledging this fact, since we didn’t have the money to pay them, as Bjork and her label did. But with that being said, we’ve still had around 5,000 downloads of “The Applum”, just from our meager efforts, so we’re happy and consider it a very successful model that we’ll continue to innovate and improve.

JI: What kinds of intellectual property protection have you set up to ensure that you are properly compensated with royalties involving licensing?

DLB: We used a service called Limelight by Rights Flow [songclearance.com]. They actually sponsored us in this regard and took care of all the filing and maintenance.

MR: They’ve been very supportive of our endeavors and we’re always doing social media posts with them. As far as compensation on our end, so far it’s been from the monies made from the App Store.

JI: How did your association with Derek Lee Bronston develop – in both the area of music and development of software and digital ideas?

MR: Musically, I’ve always enjoyed Derek’s playing. His approach is unique and reflects my vision and ideals of improvisation. We both believe in expressing the song, presenting the emotion and creating a visceral vibe and atmosphere first and foremost. This is our primary goal and agenda. We’re not interested in a “blow
fest” and overly technical or flamboyant playing. Sure, sometimes a song or emotion needs a burst of pyrotechnics, and we practice so we can execute those needs of a given moment. However, individualistic masturbation, playing licks and patterns is not our focus. We strive for a group sound with depth, soul, and understated intellectualism steeped in raw human emotion. As for our efforts in the tech sector, when I first moved to NY, I was looking for a way to make good money while giving myself the freedom to hustle for gigs and practice. Derek Lee was making great money, coding web sites from home and practicing and gigging. As long as the web site was built by the deadline, you can code whenever you want – night and day. He inspired me to learn about HTML, CSS, Javascript, databases, etc. It is an infinitely valuable skill for a musician to have – to design, build and maintain your own web site and create unique, fun web apps without having to pay or depend on someone else to do it. For example, this year for Christmas, we built a web app that allowed users to create their own holiday slideshow accompanied by our version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with snowflakes falling down your computer screen. If we had to pay someone to build this, it would have cost a few thousand bucks.

DLB: Tech is something that has always interested me and, on a certain level, I like to think of myself as a structuralist. Music has structure, software has structure, language has structure, life has structure. In a moment of creativity, an inspired thought or a beautiful melody line comes out. The language that informs that thought or line makes it work within the structure you’re dealing with. So, although the experience of code and music are really very different experiences, the process of utilizing them has parallels. I get inspired by ideas – some are tech, some are musical. On a practical level, we can put both together by making apps and websites, but on a creative level, I find they both help the other in subtle ways.

JI: Talk about your association with Derek Lee Bronston and the development of the Song Project.

MR: Derek and I met circa ‘98 in New Orleans, and we’ve been playing off and on since he moved to NYC in the early 2000’s. WWOZ and the great “NO” clubs were so great to each of us and actually Derek hired my Quintology rhythm there. I moved to NYC in early 2000 and Derek kind of took me by the hand .

DLB: In 2007 I did an Americana country record called “Empty River” which charted in the top 10 Americana charts, while Mark went off and toured with his organ trio band. Then, Mark invited me back into The Mark Rapp Group for the tour of his Token Tails CD, where we sold out Joe’s Pub, The Blue Note twice, and were then invited to play Newport Jazz Fest by Jason Olaine, who continues to be a great friend, fan and part of our musical family. Then Mark moved to Geneva, Switzerland in 2009 for a few years and during that time we started to collaborate and develop a duo concept via Email/Skype/ Twitter. It began as a recording project where we would post a new song each month and develop an online following.

MR: But then in the spring of 2010, we did a handful of shows in NYC which were very well received, and broke open more musically defined
concepts for us. While both of us compose in a variety of genres, we are improvisors at heart and those few shows really defined the
sound, direction and possibilities of this project. Later that summer, we did a short European stint and unexpectedly, after a chance encounter with a producer in Geneva, ended up recording our first CD on that tour.

DLB: The recording is essentially derived from a 6 hour live session with minimal overdubs. For example, we laid down trumpet harmonies or a second guitar accompaniment. That was the start of a snowball effect that has led us to sold out shows at the Blue Note in NYC, playing the Blue Note Jazz festival, Carnegie Hall and a number of very well received short US Tours.

JI: Talk about the sounds and communication which you two are striving for.

DLB: With this project we are really trying to explore the art of the song, both on an improvised and arrangement level. One of things that have attracted Mark and me to each other’s playing is that both of us really care about composition and space. As improvisors we’re both always striving for fluidity. For myself, what makes a great improvisor is the ability to deliver memorable melodies and musical ideas on any tune or musical structure.

MR: We’re first and foremost interested in telling a story and presenting authentic and impassioned emotional statements. We’re not trying to be overly technical, ultra-modern or ostentatious in our performances or recordings. We’re trying to get to the crux of the moment, the juice of the song, the essence of the feeling and do it with a
group sound – a singular voice made up of multiple instruments – like an orchestra or big band, but within the context of an intimate duo, trio or quartet format. We strive to paint an aural picture with depth of meaning and intimacy, so that no matter what, listeners know that they are experiencing something real and authentic.

JI: Could you provide a glimpse into how you discovered your passion for jazz and the people and or opportunities that opened the door for your immersion and development in the music?

DLB: For me it was John Coltrane’s “First Mediations,” which I discovered when I was 19, that led me to really explore jazz fully. I had been exposed to fusion and a certain amount of jazz, but stumping on to Coltrane took me into a 10 year feeding frenzy of listening, practicing and developing on the guitar.

MR: I was introduced to jazz via the recordings of Miles Davis and Chet Baker. From there, it was a slow progression to fully realizing what it was I was hearing. What I did immediately hear was a trumpet doing some very cool things and being a vehicle for “in-the-moment” expression. I then discovered and latched on to everything Wynton Marsalis recorded, I snuck backstage at his concerts, met him and his band and through those interactions, was led to study at the University of New Orleans where Ellis Marsalis was chair of the music department.

JI: What kinds of challenges and benefits to your artistic endeavors did you experience in the academic environment in New Orleans?

MR: Living in New Orleans was invaluable. That city has soul – period. Players there play from their gut. They play with fire and intensity. I was surrounded by everyone from Kermit Ruffins, Marlon Jordan, Nicholas Payton, Clyde Kerr, Jr, Irvin Mayfield, Ellis, Jeremy Davenport, Brice Winston, to the brass bands and so, so many others. Couple all that music in the streets and clubs & managers who continue to be so supportive, like Jason Patterson at Snug Harbor, with amazing, down home food, Abita beer, crawfish boils, etc. with the amazing teachers at UNO like Ed Petersen, Harold Batiste, Steve Masakowski, etc. – wow – words cannot describe it. It was such a fertile time. The city and its people were so open to all kinds of music from klezmer to trad-jazz to rock-n-roll to country… all of it. It was all going on and being wellsupported. And that is the thing about New Orleans
and studying in New Orleans, you get a severe balance of intellectualism and soul. Cats from New Orleans play with soul and heart and can back it up with knowledge of theory and harmony.

DLB: I studied Anthropology at the University of Michigan and really didn’t interact with the Music Department till I was just leaving Ann
Arbor. That last year in Ann Arbor really had an influence on me musically. In my immediate peer group were amazing players, Craig Taborn (piano), Gerald Cleaver (drums) and Andrew Dahlke (sax) whom I played with in U of M’s Jazz Combo and subsequently learned a lot from. Although the scene wasn’t huge, being next door to Detroit gave us access to a lot of great music and players like Rodney Whitaker, Tani Tabal and Regina Carter etc.. I went on to study guitar shortly at The Center For Creative Studies in Detroit and not long after, set out to NY. Having never set foot in NYC before, I ended up crashing on Andy Dahlkes’ studio floor after arriving with no apartment and the money to barely pay one month’s rent, until I got myself sorted out.

JI: Talk about what you’ve learned about leadership from one or more of the jazz artists with/for whom you have worked.

MR: I’ve rarely been a sideman, as I’ve always done my own thing, written my own tunes and arrangements, and presented my bands. But what I’ve learned is that communication and clear intentions are key. Also, you should be aware of your bandmates’ strengths and give them the space to let them flourish. Be open to new ideas, learn from each other and don’t try to do everything yourself. That last one is something I’m getting better at. And have fun on the bandstand!

DLB: I played with Cecil Taylor, Billy Bang, and the drummer Clifford Barbaro’s bands in the mid 90’s, often as a sideman to Mark, and a number of rock bands. I’ve led my own jazz quartets, 2 rock bands and more recently my own solo project (which I’d have to categorize more as country). Each experience was very different – some chaotic, some focused, all great learning experiences and a plethora of music. Ultimately, people all have imperfections and different communication styles. For me I prefer to let the music do the talking.

MR: We have a very exciting show at Joe’s Pub on Thursday, January 26th at 7pm. We’ll have a few special surprise guests as well to add to our sonic palette. Our new manager, Suzi Reynolds, has come onboard 1000% and is pushing us hard. She was introduced to me by one of the drumming greats, Steve Johns, shortly after a gig we recently played at Sculler’s in Boston.

DLB: What does the future look like for TSP? We are constantly evolving, writing and working towards the next thing. We had a great year: Carnegie Hall, The Blue Note twice and many other great experiences. And now we’re really psyched to be one of the first bands in the newly renovated Joe’s Pub and we’re hoping to see all of you there! Come say hi. We want to know who you are and get to know our fans. We’ve been lucky enough to start working with a great team of people that are helping us advance on a business level. Among them is SARAR, a great fashion brand on Madison Ave., who has endorsed us and opened up lots of new doors and audiences for us. We’re also deep into planning the next recording. The exact details are being sorted out now, but you can certainly look for The Song Project – Vol. 2 in 2012, and keep an eye on our website, thesongproject.net, for updates, details and some inside info. There will definitely be more groundbreaking technology associated with this release than ever before, so stay tuned. We’re excited about it all. Musically we’ve grown as a group and grown our audience. This new recording will be an extension of that; beauty with an edge.

MR: Lots of great new things are happening – so stay in touch with us at facebook/ thesongproject, on twitter at thesongproject, and online at thesongproject.net. We want to hear from you!!…what you like, how you like “The Applum”, and who knows, send us your favorite requests and you just might hear them at Joes Pub. See ya there!

Interview by Joe Patitucci

LIVE AT JOE’S PUB – ONE SHOW ONLY!
THURSDAY – JANUARY 26 2012 – 7:PM

Where:
JOE’S PUB
425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th and Astor Place)
New York, NY 10003
212-967-7555
*Reservations essential to secure seating!

Who/What:
The Song Project is a group whose contemporary reinventions of popular songs, jazz standards and innovative originals are redefining jazz for a new generation. Their live shows continue to ignite audiences, extending jazz interpretations into music ranging from Radiohead, Paul McCartney, AC/DC to Cole Porter, Miles Davis and more. Using didgeridoo, guitar, trumpet and rhythm section enhanced with raw, emotional vocals, The Song Project explores the art of the song as written and improvised. Each artist embraces multiple genres of American musical culture and displays virtuosity and signature sounds on their instruments.

Masters of their instruments, Mark Rapp (trumpet) and Derek Lee Bronston (guitar), are also technology wizards. They created an iPad application dubbed “The Applum” as a means of releasing their first recording together, Art of the Song, vol. 1. Its repertoire was born out of instant messaging Garage Band tracks, which turned into a full blown interactive music application. Ever on the cutting edge of new technology, they are currently in the process of working on a set of application releases to be available for both iOS and HTML5 in early 2012. The impact their work is having on the music industry is clear. One year after the release of their Applum, pop icon, Bjork, used nearly the same technology model to release her new music.

“straddles the worlds of ECM-ish impressionism and straight-ahead blowing”

– Cadence

“…more than anyone else among today’s trumpeters, Rapp is breaking down the age old paradigms as to how the trumpet ought to be played in a jazz environment…”

– JazzPolice.com

“Bronston growls and moans like a male Lucinda Williams.”

– Performing Songwriter

“Rapp is quickly developing a reputation as a superb interpreter and great stylist, willing to tackle the history of this music with his eyes on the past and his mind on the present and future of this music.”

– AllAboutJazz.com

The Band:

Mark Rapp earned his Masters in Jazz Studies from the University of New Orleans under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis, continuing to live and play in New Orleans for 5 years. He has now lived in NYC for 9 years, performing and releasing 4 diverse records, including leading and recording the closing track of Disney’s CD “Everybody Wants to be a Cat.” The CD also features Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, The Bad Plus, Joshua Redman and more.

Derek Lee Bronston is an experienced, multi-genre New York based musician. He has 7 records as a leader and co-leader, and sideman appearances on many others. Hailing from Detroit, he’s played with Cecil Taylor, Tom Harrel, Billy Bang, Branford Marsalis, The Hush, Mostley, Jerry Gonzalez and Dave Binney, to name a few. He continues to record and tour internationally as a singer/songwriter/guitarist.

Rene Hart is a unique bassist who has toured the world extensively, performing at major Jazz and multi-genre music festivals, including the North Sea Jazz and Montreal Jazz Festivals. Rene’s TV appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O’Brian. He has recorded and performed with artists from Julian Priester, Don Braden and Branford Marsalis to James Hunter, Anat Fort and Bilal.

Allison Miller is a NYC-based drummer has played with legendary songwriting vocalists Ani DiFranco, Brandi Carlile and Natalie Merchant, to touring with avant-garde saxophonist Marty Ehrlich, legendary organist Doctor Lonnie Smith, and her own band, BOOM TIC BOOM. Allison was chosen as Rising Star Drummer in Downbeats 53rd and 58th Annual Critics Poll and is currently on Modern Drummer’s 2011 Pro-Panel.

iPHONE/iPAD APP: A NEW ALBUM EXPERIENCE

A complete record release solely through Apple’s App Store

Get it free at the App Store

Jazz trumpeter Mark Rapp and guitarist/vocalist Derek Lee Bronston, collectively known as TSP (The Song Project), are releasing their brand new CD not as individual MP3‘s, but as a complete album experience in the form of an iPhone/iPad App via Apple’s App Store. These two musicians have defined their careers by innovating on their instruments, in composing and as players. It’s no surprise then, they would choose uncharted territory to release their debut recording.

Award wining designer/photographer Sean Mosher-Smith, responsible for artwork for music stars such as The Iggy Pop, Lenny Kravitz and K.T. Tunstall, is the designer and photographic contributor to The Song Project’s Applum. Sean states, “The beauty and elegance of the iPad and new iPhone is a compelling and brilliant canvas on which to present my artwork. Couple that with this great music and you have an awesome experience.”

“We are presenting a complete concept, a rich and full experience with all the advantages and elegance this new technology has to offer. We’re advancing the way you experience a recording.”

The Applum combines music, art, design and tech packaged and delivered via Apple’s iPad and iPhone and takes advantage of the high resolution retina display making a visually stunning and sonically compelling modern Digital Album/Applum.

Imagine the music that changed your life. Was it Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” or Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”? Remember the feeing you had when you heard the music, held the album cover and read the liner notes? This Applum is going to give you the same experience. Hold the album, feel the elegance of the iPad, see stunning images, explore the artists’ notes on each song, take in the music – this engages you in sounds, sights and feelings. This is a complete presentation – a work of art.

Art of the Song, vol. 1 contains unique arrangements of popular songs by bands as diverse as Radiohead, AC/DC and Tears for Fears, as well as, 4 original compositions. The genre, in a broader sense, can be called instrumental jazz and is a blend of jazz improvisations, singer/songwriter feel, rock ballads, ambiant sounds and even a taste of New Orleans. Trumpeter Mark Rapp says, “The tracks are filled with great melodies. From jazz to rock to country to whatever, it’s honest, soulful expression that is our goal.” Guitarist Derek Lee adds, “We explore the art of the song both written and improvised.”

“We’re extremely excited to be supporting Mark and Derek on The Song Project,” added Michael Kauffman, SVP of Sales and Marketing at RightsFlow. “Both are inspiring innovators on their instruments as well as with technology, and we look forward to helping them reach high notes.”

The Applum is coined and created by app gurus theConspiracy, a Brooklyn based tech+design company, in partnership with the digital music company Paved Earth Music. The Song Project, initially a digital collaboration between Mark and Derek Lee, became a fully realized concept with their first gigs in the Spring of 2010 which included venues in Switzerland and New York City. The Song Project’s debut release Art of The Song, Vol.1 is slated for release in September 2010.

They will offer limited quantities of physical CD’s at live performances and rumor has it. From an iPad App to old-school vinyl, Mark Rapp and Derek Lee Bronston are taking cool to the next level.

Licensing support for this project is provided by Limelight, a service of RightsFlow.  Limelight is the simplest way to clear cover songs.  You can easily secure the necessary mechanical license to cover ANY SONG for U.S. distribution for your digital, CD or ringtone release.

###

About The Song Project
www.thesongproject.net
For more info or to schedule interviews with the above, please call (718) 569-7980 or e-mail: info@pavedearthmusic.com

About RightsFlow
www.rightsflow.com

RightsFlow is a leading technology-enabled provider of mechanical licensing services and royalty payment technology for online music services, record companies, distributors, artists, and songwriters. The RightsFlow technology powers rapid song identification and provides an unprecedented level of transparency for both licensees and licensors.  RightsFlow specializes in obtaining bulk physical, DPD, and ringtone licenses including streaming, tethered, and limited download rights. Our proprietary “FLOW” licensing technology and 20 million song database allow us to serve over 10,000 clients obtaining licenses from publishers and songwriters all over the world – including major, independent and artist controlled works.

Clients include Rhapsody, Muzak, The Orchard, Guvera, Dada Entertainment/Play.ME, Scattertunes, Amie Street, [PIAS], Alliance, Kontor New Media, INgrooves, Zynga, Beatport, Hoodiny, CAM, Zebralution, E1 Canada & US Distribution, IODA, Cooking Vinyl, CD Baby, Disc Makers, & X5 Music Group.

RightsFlow is a member of DDEX, DiMA, NARM, AIM and A2IM.

Contact for RightsFlow:
Michael Kauffman
SVP of Sales & Marketing
+1-646-461-6397
michael.kauffman@rightsflow.com
Facebook.com/RightsFlow
Twitter.com/RightsFlow

CREATE YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW

You can create your own holiday slideshow by uploading your images and easily share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

FREELY DOWNLOAD AND SHARE THE MP3

Derek and I recorded a short version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the true spirit of how The Song Project began. Derek recorded in Brooklyn and as I’m in SC, I recorded the trumpet here. Derek then mixed the tracks on his way to London and voila! We created a sweet recording that we hope you enjoy.

Go on, make your slideshow, put your computer in full-screen mode and you have yourself a customized version a la the Yule Log DVD – ha! Hey… Enjoy! And Merry Christmas!

WEBSITE

http://xmas.thesongproject.net/

SEE USER CREATED EXAMPLES

RELATED POST

http://blog.markrapp.com/selected-christmas-tunes/
“In preparation of holiday events, I arranged a handful of Christmas tunes… a free 17-page pdf download…”

Mark Rapp & Derek Lee Bronston’s “The Song Project” with special guest New Orleans’ drummer Ocie Davis, is set to play on Sunday, June 5th as part of the Blue Note Jazz festival in New York.

Blue Note is expanding its doors throughout New York during the month of June 2011 for the inaugural Blue Note Jazz Festival. The Festival will feature numerous high-profile acts such as Dave Brubeck, Chris Botti, Nancy Wilson, Bobby McFerrin, Roberta Flack, Brian Wilson, Medeski Martin & Wood, El Gran Combo, McCoy Tyner, Youssou N’Dour, Bill Frisell, Meshell Ndegeocello, Madeleine Peyroux, Chaka Khan, and many more.

Derek Lee Bronston: guitar/vocals
Mark Rapp: trumpet
Ocie Davis: drums

http://bluenotejazzfestival.com/2011/03/sunday-jazz-brunchmark-rapp-and-derek-lee-bronston-the-song-project/ ]]> http://www.thesongproject.net/blue-note-jazz-fest-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.thesongproject.net/ny-jazz-and-a-carolina-bank/ http://www.thesongproject.net/ny-jazz-and-a-carolina-bank/#comments Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:16:25 +0000 TSP http://dev.thesongproject.net:8888/?p=109 March 17, 2011 (NEW YORK, NY) – Known for their industry first “Applum” – a complete record delivered solely through the iTunes App Store – New York Jazz trumpeter Mark Rapp and renowned guitarist/vocalist Derek Lee Bronston’s jazz group “The Song Project” has partnered with South Carolina Bank and Trust on a return tour of the Carolinas culminating in a performance whose partial proceeds will benefit the Women’s Shelter Health Services of Charlotte, NC. SC-raised trumpeter Mark Rapp is looking forward to the return tour saying, “I love coming home to play for family and friends and the audiences in general are some of the best.”

Acting as the group’s mobility sponsor, The Song Project will hit the road in a SCBT Volkswagon Beetle. This is the second time the two entities have collaborated. The week prior to the 2010 Euphoria Festival in Greenville, SC the Song Project hit the road sending Twitter and Facebook updates about life on the road in a bug while gaining attention for the festival’s Sunday Jazz Brunch that is sponsored by SCBT. They plan to do the same during this tour.

The last show for The Song Project offers support to Shelter Health Services who provides free healthcare and health education to homeless women and children through its walk-in clinic located within Mecklenburg County’s largest women’s shelter. Mark says, “What is living the music, living your art, if not making it a tangible experience for all by having a way for us to reach out and effect lives. The pleasure in helping a struggling family, the rewarding smiles… all of this makes the music and night more meaningful and way more fun.”

What is an applum? The Song Project released their debut CD in an untraditional manner and one that takes advantage of iPad’s technology. “It is a complete modern album where you experience the music, award-winning photography, artist notes and more,” explains Derek Lee Bronston. The Applum is coined and created by theConspiracy, a Brooklyn based tech+design company, in partnership with the digital music company Paved Earth Music. It is a free download on the iTunes App Store.

With SCBT as mobility sponsor, a unique model of distributing their music, supporting the communities in which they play, not to mention their jazz interpretations of AC/DC, Radiohead and Tears for Fears, The Song Project is not your everyday jazz group.

Show dates include:

Wednesday, March 30 – Davidson College Jazz Workshop (Davidson, NC)
Thursday, March 31 – The Lazy Goat (Greenville, SC)
Friday, April 1 – The Speakeasy (Columbia, SC)
Saturday, April 2 – Brown Street Jazz Club (Greenville, SC)
Sunday, April 3 – Petra’s Piano Bar (Charlotte, NC)

About The Song Project

www.thesongproject.net

About South Carolina Bank and Trust
www.scbtonline.com

About Shelter Health Services
www.shelterhealthservices.com

For further information, contact Mark Rapp: info@markrapp.com

###

http://vday.thesongproject.net pulls in live feeds of Twitter users saying or mentioning the words “My Funny Valentine”, as well as, selected YouTube videos featuring the song and finally a www.rdio.com playlist of over 30 versions of “My Funny Valentine”. Additionally, it features The our arrangement which can be freely downloaded or shared by anyone visiting the web site.

Masters of their instruments, Mark Rapp (trumpet) and Derek Lee Bronston (guitar), are also technology wizards. They created an iPad application dubbed “The Applum” as a means of releasing their First recording together, Art of the Song, vol. 1. Its repertoire was born out of instant messaging Garage Band tracks, which turned into a full blown interactive music application. Ever on the cutting edge of new technology, they are currently in the process of working on a set of application releases to be available for both iOS and HTML5 in early 2012. The impact their work is having on the music industry is clear. One year after the release of their Applum, pop icon, Bjork, used nearly the same technology model to release her new music.

In 2010, Mark & Derek (The Song Project), long time musical cohorts, began recording and sending Garage Band tracks to one another via iChat, constructing what Derek would describe later as ‘social improvisations.’ “We began doing arrangements of tunes over Twitter and iChat and ended up with a whole new repertoire.” Searching for a way to create and release tracks online while Mark was living in Geneva, Switzerland, and Derek in Brooklyn, their model was developed. But it wasn’t long before the project was taken public. In Spring 2010, they did a short, East Coast US tour and in Switzerland. In Geneva they were approached to do their !rst official recording. The Art of The Song, Vol. 1 was released to a sold out crowd at The Blue Note in
NYC in October 2011.

Mark Rapp holds a Bachelors in Performance from Winthrop University and earned his Masters in Jazz Studies from the University of New Orleans under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis, continuing to live and play in New Orleans for 5 years. He has now lived in NYC for 9 years, performing and releasing 4 diverse records, including leading and recording the closing track of Disney’s CD “Everybody Wants to be a Cat.“ The CD also features Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, The Bad Plus, Joshua Redman and more.

Derek Lee Bronston is an experienced, multi-genre New York based musician. He has 7 records as a leader and co-leader, and sideman appearances on many others. Hailing from Detroit, he’s played with Cecil Taylor, Tom Harrel, Billy Bang, Branford Marsalis, The Hush, Mostley, Jerry Gonzalez and Dave Binney, to name a few. He continues to record and tour internationally as a singer/songwriter/guitarist.

The group’s music exemplifies astute genre bending and blending in the jazz idiom to create a signature sound as a band. In duo, trio or quartet formats, their live shows continue to ignite audiences, extending jazz interpretations into music ranging from Radiohead, Paul McCartney, AC/DC to Cole Porter, Miles Davis and more. With captivating guitar and trumpet interchanges, enhanced with raw, emotional vocals, The Song Project explores the art of the song as written and improvised.

http://vday.thesongproject.net

Saturday 1/8, 1:00 and 3:00 PM
JAZZ IN THE HARLEM SUITE
4th Floor of the NY Hilton

Don’t miss … 2 GREAT DAYS OF JAZZ IN THE HARLEM SUITE … on the 4th Floor of the NY Hilton. We’re playing 2 showcases on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 1pm and 3pm. Please also stop by the Allan Harris Productions Booth #433 in America’s Hall 1 to pick up a Press Kit on us, The Song Project.

The Song Project, co-led by Mark Rapp (trumpet, didgeridoo) & Derek Lee Bronston (guitar, vocals), explore the “art of the song” both written and improvised. From sparse interchanges between guitar and trumpet to grooves lined with raw vocals, they extend jazz into its own genre with interpretations ranging from Miles Davis to Radiohead to AC/DC.

If you are unable to attend, but would like to receive our Press Kit, do not hesitate to contact us and we’ll send one out right away.

Support for the Song Project is provided by Limelight, a service of RightsFlow. Limelight is the simplest way to clear cover songs. You can easily secure the necessary mechanical license to cover ANY SONG for U.S. distribution for your digital, CD or ringtone release. Visit www.songclearance.com

APAP 2011
website

New York Hilton
website
1335 Avenue of the Americas
(6th Ave & 54th Street)
New York, NY 10019

Rapp and Bronston will hit the road with support from South Carolina Bank and Trust, who will provide one of the company’s SCBT-logoed Volkswagon Beetles, for the pair to drive for the SC/NC leg of the tour. Daily video, photo and status updates will be available at: www.thesongproject.net/follow/

Show dates include:
Tues, Sept 21: Greenville, SC
Wed, Sept 22: Boone, NC
Thurs, Sept 23: Rock Hill, SC
Fri, Sept 24: Charleston, SC
Sat, Sept 25: Columbia, SC
Sun, Sept 26: Greenville, SC – Euphoria Jazz Brunch!

More info here: http://www.facebook.com/markrappmusic?v=app_2344061033

Rapp says, “It’s very exciting to be working with SCBT. They’re an amazing bank – one of the good guys that still take care of their customer’s best interests. And I’m impressed by their foreword thinking by getting involved in cobranded efforts with artists who are out there creating authentic, impassioned music and supporting festivals that give back to their communities. Very cool stuff.”

While on the road, the duo will be spreading the word about Euphoria, the four-day food, wine
and music weekend that takes place in Greenville, SC September 23rd through September 26th.

The Sunday Jazz Brunch presented by SCBT is a New Orleans-style brunch buffet featuring dishes from a variety of local restaurants and live jazz music from acclaimed Jazz musicians. Restaurant participants include Soby’s, Cupcake Couture, Greenville Hospital Systems, Great Bay Oyster House, Carolina First Center, Coffee Underground, Greenfield’s Bagels, The Lazy Goat, Soby’s on the Side, Devereaux’s, Sticky Fingers, Westin Poinsett.

The Culinary Cookoff presented by Greenville Hospital System, held during the Jazz Brunch, pairs local and guest chefs to compete in multiple sessions of entertaining and educational live cooking demonstrations, finishing Euphoria on a truly high note.

The team pairings this Euphoria add a “theme” into the competitive mix. Cook-off #1 pits “Team Girl” against “Team Boy” and Cook-off #2 is a multi-generational challenge involving two local chefs and their children.

Cook-Off #1: 11:30am

Chef Michael Kramer & Chef Andre Jones VS Chef Vicky Moore & Chef Teryi Youngblood

Cook-Off #2: 1:30pm

Chef Rodney Freidank & Son – Ryan Freidank VS Chef Patrick Wagner & Daughter – Savannah Tranter

To view the full schedule of events, including the Sunday Jazz Brunch and Culinary Cook-off details and times, please visit www.euphoriagreenville.com/schedule.

Tickets on Sale now.

Individual and Multi-event Package tickets are on sale now at www.euphoriagreenville.com/tickets. Prices range from $45 for individual event tickets to $795 ($695 advance sale prior to July 31) for a full-weekend VIP all-access pass.

Euphoria seeks to present a first-class, multi-day event for food, wine, and music lovers that raises significant funds for charities while also promoting tourism and enhancing the reputation of Greenville, South Carolina as a premiere culinary and performing arts destination.

While Euphoria exposes local, national, and international visitors to the high quality of music and culinary arts being performed in Greenville, South Carolina, it also exists for charities.  Euphoria is organized and presented by Local Boys Do Good (“LBDG”), a non-profit organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  All net proceeds from Euphoria are distributed by LBDG through direct grants to other charities – mostly in upstate South Carolina – that focus on providing sustenance to those in need (food, hunger, and health), educating (through music, performing arts, or otherwise), or supporting children. Its inception in 2006, LBDG has received more than 100 grant applications and requests and given more than $100,000 in grant funds.

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About Euphoria
For more information please contact Gina Boulware at gina@table301.com or Taryn Scher at
taryn@tkpublicrelations.com or visit www.euphoriagreenville.com.

About The Song Project
For more info or to schedule interviews with the artists, please call (718) 569-7980 or e-mail at
info@pavedearthmusic.com or visit www.thesongproject.net

About South Carolina Bank and Trust
For more information visit www.scbtonline.com