B.D. Lenz (guitar)
Geoff Mattoon (sax)
Dan Paul (keys)
James Rosocha (bass)
Tom Cottone (drums)
Joe Mekler (percussion)
B.D. Lenz: Hit It and Quit (2009) - NEW!!!
featuring an all star cast of Will Lee, Joel Rosenblatt, Nick Rolfe, Geoff Mattoon, + others
B.D. Lenz: Straight Up (2007)
new funky outing with Joe Ashlar, James Rosocha, Tom Cottone + special guests Karl Latham, Dave Edwards, & Geoff Mattoon
B.D. Lenz: Tomorrow's Too Late (2005)
Apria Records release featuring Randy Brecker, Mark Egan, Bill Mobley, Geoff Mattoon, James Rosocha, Tom Cottone, Joe Mekler, Brendan Buckley, Dave Edwards, Daniel Minteris, Heather Bennett
B.D. Lenz: Simple Life (2003)
funky jazz featuring Geoff Mattoon, James Rosocha, Tom Cottone, Joe Mekler, Brendan Buckley, Dave Edwards, Daniel Minteris, Greg Federico
B.D. Lenz: Lost and Found (2000)
sophomore release featuring Geoff Mattoon, James Rosocha, Tom Cottone, Joe Mekler, Brendan Buckley, Dave Edwards, Daniel Minteris, Ron Velosky, Greg Federico
B.D. Lenz: Tell the World (1997)
debut independent release featuring Geoff Mattoon, James Rosocha, Joe Mekler, Brendan Buckley, Daniel Minteris, Ron Velosky, Greg Federico
Influences
Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, U2, Rush, Brecker Bros., Lost Tribe, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pink Floyd, Gabe Dixon Band, Martin Medeski & Wood, Coldplay, Stravinsky, Jaco Pastorius, Miles, Coltrane, Wayne Krantz, Sheryl Crow, James Brown, Sting, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Beatles, Rage Against the Machine, Stevie Wonder, cheezy 80's Metal, Mozart, Mussorgsky, John Scofield, Tuck Andres, .... yikes - too many too list!
Hailed as one of the Top 20 “up and coming ” jazz musicians of New Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger , and recently featured in the New York Times, guitarist B.D. Lenz leads an original band which has been best described as “ a spirited mixture of sounds in the contemporary vein, ranging from the sprightly to the hard-wailing ” (Curt Yeske – Trenton Times) . Signed to NY Jazz label Apria Records he has released six CD’s of his original contemporary jazz which feature such greats as Randy Brecker, Will Lee, Mark Egan, and Joel Rosenblatt among others. B.D.’s music has also been licensed to over 100 television shows internationally on such networks as MTV, VH1, USA, A&E, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Travel Channel, Food Network, Spike TV, etc., and his high-energy ensemble can be seen performing throughout the U.S. and U.K.
About B.D. Lenz – Having played guitar since the age of 14, B.D. has since studied with such jazz guitar luminaries as Mike Stern and Vic Juris , as well as pianist Charlie Banacos. A graduate of Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, California, he furthered his studies at the College of New Jersey where he graduated with honors. He has played in bands ranging from pit orchestras to rock bands; big bands to jazz combos and even an Elvis impersonator! Besides his own project, B.D. has recorded and performed with artists such as Randy Brecker, Will Lee, Joel Rosenblatt, Mark Egan, Richie Cannata, Mark Ledford, Ada Rovatti, Greg Federico, Jeff Callahan, MAOR, Blue Number Nine, John Virag, Kathy Phillips, and Ron Velosky among many others.
"...Part of the reason for his accessibility is that he not only fuses jazz and rock, he complements it with warm chords of funk, soul, and rhythm and blues..." – New York Times
"Contemporary jazz guitarist BD Lenz's quartet lays down a funky, jamming vibe...integrating catchy good time grooves with moodier, blues-inflicted pieces..." – JazzTimes
“Straight Up...is so there, so ideal, so darn near perfect that it makes a listener want to head straight up there in a pilgrimage to quality..." – Jazz Improv
Lenz is of the ..."20 New Jersey musicians – 40 and under - who should be a big part of the state’s jazz future." – Newark Star-Ledger
“Lenz has mastered his instrument and his confidence overflows everywhere..." – All About Jazz
“... Lenz's sophisticated playing belies his high-school kid looks balancing the smooth jazz sensibilities of Larry Carlton with the harder-edged jazz-rock fusion...” – Princeton Packet
Downloaded your MP3 from AllAboutJazz.com and loved it! Had to stop by your Myspace to check out more. Great compositions and great playing! Wishing you continued success!
"Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different."
Have a great day; stop by to say hello when you can!
yeah.. did a pro shoot last friday... www.sgpond.com he's in boundbrook NJ if you're looking for someone who's very creative and is also a guitarist... don't hold that against him though.. LOL
I'm back shedding GS again .. i was inspired when we played it...
Thanks for adding me!! I was looking for some cool people to connect with. There are so many great people on here and it’s my pleasure to have you as a friend on my page. Musically, Jay
What's up man, I'm friends w/ Gregg Ziliani through District 12 umpires and he told me about you and your music. I'm a jazz musician too so I thought I'd check you out...totally sweet stuff man. All the best to you! Jack
Awesome gig at the Bullfrog last night, you guys blew me away yet again. Loved hearing "Uh Huh" live, sounded exactly like the recording. Thanks for coming, it was good seein you, and I'll see you at your future shows!
