JazzCrafters come from various backgrounds and schools of learning. Together they merge their influences to help craft a new approach to performing jazz repertoire. As a listener you'll be surprised at how fresh an old standard can begin to sound.
Joe Burch mandolinist
Mandolinist Joe Burch is one of the founding members of the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra (LMO). His affiliation with the LMO and the Classical Mandolin Society has exposed him to highly disciplined studies with mandolin virtuosos and afforded him international performances opportunities. His pursuit of jazz on the mandolin began by studying with Louisville's prestigious jazz educator and guitarist, Jeff Sherman.
Donnie Loeffler guitarist
Donnie Loeffler, JazzCrafters guitarist, is graduate of Bellarmine College of Music and has studied jazz and pop music since the age of 13. Donnie has studied jazz and popular music under the guidance of Louisville's own Jeff Sherman and accredits his style of jazz guitar playing to such jazz icons as, Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Raney, Jack Wilkins, and Gene Bertoncinni. Donnie holds a minor in Jazz studies from Bellarmine.
John Thornberry bassist
John Thornberry is JazzCrafters acoustic bassist. John has been playing bass since the age of fourteen. He has studied this instrument with various local bass instructors. He has played in area bands since the age of 16. John played rock and pop until he was introduced to jazz fusion and swing. This lead to his pursuit of the acoustic bass.
John Manning drums and percussion
John Manning is JazzCrafters' drummer. He is a veteran and local favorite in the Louisville jazz scene. John's experience contributes a traditional approach to the drum set, essential to JazzCrafters' unique sound. His diverse musical experience includes, jazz, Big Band, R&B, and pop/rock. John's traditional style of drumming lends itself to the influences of such great jazz icons as Philly Joe Jones, Joe Morello and Buddy rich. John holds minor in music from Western Kentucky University.
Sounds Like
Described best by Kate Kaiser in her Jazz Now magazine review of the album "Voyaging"...
I tell you right away: this CD will definitely be pulled from my library again. There is a pleasant lightness to it - even in its approach of heavier tunes like Monk's "Well You Needn't" but in no way is this album lightweight. The Jazzcrafters focus on strings (guitar, mandolin and bass) which gives the tunes warmth and - as the accompanying press release rightfully outlines - "a crystal clear" sound.
My favorites, aside from the previously mentioned Monk tune, include "My Romance" which features Joe Burch on mandolin. I never had the pleasure to hear the mandolin incorporated into a jazz setting and must admit that I was surprised about the unexpected beauty of this ancient instrument in the context of jazz. The mandolin is a part of native Brazilian music and as such the Jazzcrafters decided to pay homage to traditional Latin music by incorporating the mandolin into their own arrangements, ranging from tunes pulled out of the Great American Songbook to probably lesser-known Latin songs. Mandolinist Joe Burch swings hard and carries the lead also on John Piscano's "Amanhecer." Another favorite of mine on this CD is "Beija-Flor" by Nelson Cavaquinho, Noel Silva and Augusto Tomaz, Jr. The latter tune showcases the talent of guitarist Donnie Loeffler. The Jazz Crafters are from Louisville, Kentucky, and hopefully this debut CD will get them the wider attention they deserve.
JazzCrafters came together while pursuing their passion of performing the form of music they love...jazz. Through their repertoire, commonly referred to as "the great American song book", and their instrumentation, they reflect the traditional sounds of jazz. They have combined the warm tones of the acoustic bass, crystal clear melody of the mandolin, the soothing sounds of the jazz guitar, and light touch of the jazz drum kit.
JazzCrafters partially owe their unique sound of jazz to the mandolin. Although, the mandolin may seem obscure in the jazz field; it can be found in the native music of Brazil, generally referred to as Latin music in jazz. JazzCrafters choose to respect the traditional form of Latin Jazz, not only with the mandolin, but the nylon stringed guitar, acoustic bass, and hand percussion. This unique sound echoes the bossa nova movement of the early 1960's. On the other hand, JazzCrafters can reflect the straight ahead sound of jazz commonly referred to as bebop, hard bop, and swing styles in their performance. They admire these standard forms of Jazz by incorporating the use of the electric jazz guitar. During a JazzCrafters performance, the audience is treated to a balanced and true sound of jazz.
The name of the group, JazzCrafters, is the best summation of their goal in jazz. They craft music with their integrity and respect of jazz to create a pleasant experience for the audience.
Beautiful Jazz ! We love your music. It is some of the best we have heard! You can tell it comes from your soul. Hank always said keep the melody or you have lost your audience. Your music is all of that and more! God Bless, Billy & Amy Garland The Legendary Guitarist Hank Garland Family www. crazy-themovie. com The Hank Garland Movie
