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CHIELI MINUCCI: GUITAR

It was 19 years ago the summer of 1982 when a pair of musicians met during a series of jam sessions in a New York loft. By winter of that year, a band had begun to take shape. The smooth, romantic guitar sound of Chieli Minucci (despite his unusual name pronounced Kee-ALE-ee Min-OOCH-ee -- a born and bred New Yorker) had found its perfect complement in the wide-ranging global percussion of George Jinda (despite his usual name, a native of Budapest, Hungary). They called the band Special EFX.

A lot as happened in the world since 1982. Indeed, a lot has happened in the lives of Chieli Minucci and George Jinda. But nothing has stopped the forward march of Special EFX. Butterfly is the 16th album from a band that helped establish the sound of contemporary jazz. "I like the image of Butterfly," says Chieli.  "It kind of represents change and growth. A metamorphosis."

Special EFX had 13 albums under its belt when creative differences saw the amicable parting of Chieli and George in the mid-90s. Chieli launched a successful solo career and George recorded a 14th Special EFX album, 1996’s ’Here to Stay’. Then fate stepped in. Jinda suffered a devastating asthma attack that left him with a neurological condition called myoclonic disorder he remains bedridden with the inability to move or speak. It was time for Chieli to step in and, with the blessing of George and his wife, return to the Special EFX fold. In 1999, the band released Masterpiece, its Shanachie debut. And Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci was back on the road to a welcoming audience of old fans and new enthusiasts who grew up with the music that Special EFX helped pioneer.

Chieli Minucci is the ultimate triple threat guitarist: solo artist, band leader and session player. In between Special EFX albums, he released last year's solo album "Sweet on You," which launched jazz radio smash, "My Girl Sunday."  He is also all over Top 40 radio as a session guitarist; he’s back there behind Jessica Simpson, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and the Backstreet Boys.

MIKE POPE-BASS

Pope’s extensive skills are best summed up by Patitucci, himself: “Mike Pope is a real renaissance man. He is a musician of broad scope and tremendous talent. His virtuosity on electric and acoustic bass is rare even by today’s standards. His harmonic sophistication is matched only by his ability to improvise on a very high level with great consistency.”

Indeed, Mike’s mastery of the 5- and 6-string electric bass has led to live and/or recording stints with a wide array of artists, including Chick Corea Electric Band, Mike Stern, Chuck Loeb, Anton Fig, Jason Miles and Blood Sweat & Tears.

BILL HELLER-KEYS

From Long Island, New York, Bill grew up in a very musical household.

After attending Fredonia State University, and receiving a degree in Music Education, Bill went on to work in many varied situations - local studio work, jingles, original bands, R&B groups, cruise ships, school accompanist, etc., in such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Bitter End, Canterbury Ales. He performed as far away as Greece and Germany with artists as diverse as Willie Steele, John Abercrombie, Randy Brecker, Brian Johnstone (AC/DC), Bruce Johnston (Maynard Ferguson), the Mudmen, and the Jim Pin Band.

It was through the latter that he met Russ Freeman. While recording the "Brian Moore Custom Guitars Artist Collection" CD, Russ asked Bill if he would play on a few tracks that he was producing for his and Craig Chaquico's "Redwoods to the Rockies." Since then he has worked with Russ on many different CDs, most notably, the Rippingtons "Topaz" and "Life in the Tropics", Craig Chaquico "Four Corners", Dotsero "West of Westchester", and the soon to be released CD from Eric Marienthal "Turn up the Heat". Bill also worked on Craig Chaquico's 1 song "Cafe Carnival" which was included on "Panorama", Craig's greatest hits.

JOHN SCARPULLA: Tenor Sax

John has toured, recorded and hung with some of the biggest stars in the music business.

He has gained his reputation as an individual and as a saxophonist live and in the studio with funk legends Tower of Power, rock icons Billy Joel and Hall & Oates, pop superstars Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Michael Bolton and latin luminaries Willie Colon and Celia Cruz.

He has worked and recorded with and along side of Grammy winners as well as Grammy nominees and continues to take New York by storm.

CARL FISCHER: Trumpet

  A versatile musician,Carl has played everything from R&B with the "Temptations", To Jazz with Maynard Ferguson to Brazilian Jazz with Concord Recording Artist: Manfredo Fest and classical music with "The A.T.P. Brass Choir".

2006-present On Tour with Billy Joel

2001-2004-Performances with Maynard Ferguson & big bop Nouveau featuring Dianne Schuur 2001-performances with pop singer Shakira 1999 through 2000 - studio musician for the Bill Cosby show "Little Bill" for Nickelodeon and CBS 2000 - toured with the Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau Band .1999 - recorded for Will Smith's "Willenium" Album · 1999 - performed with The Four Tops · 1999 - performed with The Dells · 1999 - performed with the Temptations at Madison Square Garden · 1999 - performed with Blood, Sweat, and Tears · 1999 and 2000 - performed with the Supremes · 1998 - became music director for the Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau Band · 1997 and 1998 - performed with Jazz vocalist Diane Schuur · 1993 to 1998 - performed with Maynard Ferguson and the Big Bop Nouveau Band

JOHN FAVICCHIA-DRUMS

One of todays top players, New York-based John Favicchia has performed and/or recorded with such greats as Steve Khan, Tony Levin, Chieli Minucci, Lonnie Plaxico, Harvie Swartz, Larry Coryell, Dean Brown,Chris Geith and Bob Malach. His band Dharma All Stars blends various styles into a powerful blast of fusion that spans the extremes of the dynamic range, Favicchia has been busy touring and recording as well as stepping up to the plate with his own solo releases. His debut, World Time, earned rave reviews and was a Top 10 Critics Pick of the Year in Jazziz Magazine. The latest, Dharma, offers an intriguing mix of melody, eclecticism, and tight ensemble playing with the likes of all-star guests including Khan, Brown, Swartz, Dave Mann, and Chieli Minucci. Favicchia is all about the mindful side of playing drums of making music from the mind, for the mind. Definitely, he says, Its all about the soul and the mind, but its very visceral as well. Im caressing the sounds out of my cymbals in one bar, but when the music takes off and I start to wail, I take no prisoners. Increasingly in demand for drum clinics and festivals, John has recently played such major events as: Cape Brenton Drum Fest Canada Denver Music Institute Denver ,CO Drummers Collective NYC Lemmon Percussion San Jose CA Vancouver Drum Fest Vancouver BC Quebec City Music, Canada Just Drums, Toronto Canada Slam Jam 05 New Jersey East Coast Guitar Center Tour Sam Ash Music US Tour Long Island Drum Center Said Mike Lomonaco, Just Drums, Toronto: John Favicchia is great. Hes a dynamic, very involved player who blew us all away with his great playing and personality. When he arrived to play his clinic not everyone knew who he was. He soon changed that! John Endorses: Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Remo drum heads. L.P. Percussion, Hansenfutz practice pedals and Samson Mics. For more info on John: WWW.JOHNFAV.COM