B.D. Lenz (guitar)
Geoff Mattoon (sax)
Joe Ashlar(keys)
James Rosocha (bass)
Tom Cottone (drums)
Joe Mekler (percussion)
B.D. Lenz: Straight Up (2007) - NEW!!!
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 five CD’s of his original contemporary jazz: Tell the World (1997), Lost and Found (2000), Simple Life (2003), Tomorrow’s Too Late (2005) [featuring Grammy-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker and legendary bassist Mark Egan], and Straight Up (2007). B.D.’s music has also been licensed to over 50 television shows on MTV, VH1, USA, A&E, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Travel Channel, Food Network, Spike TV, etc. This high-energy ensemble has rigorously performed throughout the U.S. and U.K. for TV, radio, festivals, clubs, etc.
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
