Jeff Crouse

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Silver Bells - The Little Town Trio

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Released: Jan 1, 2009

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Silver Bells - The Little Town Trio
3:57
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Hot Foundry Funk
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General Info

Genre: Blues / Christian / Jazz
Location CARY, Un
Profile Views: 24939
Last Login: 3/20/2012
Member Since 1/13/2008
Type of Label Indie
Bio
Jeff Crouse, from Newport News, Virginia, began his musical career at the age of 10, receiving 13 years of training in percussion. Early in his studies, through the influence of teacher, Howard Curtis, he was drawn to the jazz drummers of the be-bop and hard-bop era. In 1999, he received a Bachelors of Arts in Percussion Performance from Virginia Tech where he studied with Dr. John Floyd and began his professional career playing with tenor saxophonist and jazz department head, Chip McNeill. Jeff soon found himself at the University of Miami in the drum set studio of Steve Rucker. He graduated in 2001 with a Masters of Music in Studio Jazz Drumming. Jeff, now living in Cary, North Carolina, has played in a variety of musical settings from R&B, blues, jazz, to contemporary Christian music. He is the drummer at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Cary, a freelance musician in the Raleigh/ Durham area, and also teaches privately out of his studio. In 2007 he began working with Grammy nominated vibraphonist Steve Hobbs and performed at Jazz in the Grove in Bay Springs, Mississippi in 2010. Among other recordings, a 2009 release Jeff co-produced and played on received numerous accolades. "On Little Town: Carols for Christmas, the North Carolina based jazz trio of pianist Grant Osborne, bassist Peter Innocenti, and drummer Jeff Crouse combines exhilaration, refreshing authenticity, good swinging musicianship and an aura of charm." Frank-John Hadley, DownBeat Magazine (December 2010) ****************************************Press**************************************** On Little Town: Carols For Christmas, the North Carolina based trio of pianist Grant Osborne, bassist Peter Innocenti and drummer Jeff Crouse combines exhilaration, refreshing authenticity, good swinging musicianship and an aura of charm and charity to a program that thankfully doesn't bulk up on over-familiar Xmas songs. Oh sure, "White Christmas" and "Silver Bells," like favorite ornaments decorating the tree each year, are present, but so are unexpected delights "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day," "Home" and the perfectly acceptable Amy Grant title tune. On the latter two, guest Jeanne Jolly sings confidently. ~ Frank-John Hadley, DownBeat Magazine (December 2010) This relatively unknown piano trio from Cary, North Carolina has made a solid self-produced album of holiday favorites. With Grant Osborne on piano, Peter Innocenti on bass and Jeff Crouse on drums, this understated trio deftly performs a cross-section of tunes familiar and less so. Singer Jeanne Jolly (what a great name for an appearance on a holiday music album!) joins in on two songs, also in understated fashion. The group came together after meeting at their local church for late night sessions and the music sounds like something that would be acceptable at a Jazz Vespers service. Not that it's particularly spiritual in theme and tone. After all, they open the album with a lyrical version of "The Chipmunk Song," and also take on modern classics like "White Christmas" and "Christmas Time is Here," done here even slower than usual. Elsewhere the focus is indeed on carols and the lyrical quality of the trio fits those like a glove. After an upbeat "Auld Lang Syne" with a New Orleans second line backbeat, the trio closes the album with a Pat Metheny song "Always and Forever," dedicating it to their wives and families. All in all, a restful and enjoyable piano trio album. ~ Lee Mergner, JazzTimes Magazine (December 2010)
Members
Current musical projects... *MARTIN EAGLE TRIO*.. Martin Eagle - Piano.. Peter Innocenti - Bass.. Jeff Crouse - Drums *THE LITTLE TOWN TRIO*.. Grant Osborne - Piano.. Peter Innocenti - Bass.. Jeff Crouse - Drums.. ...... .. .. .. *Steve Hobbs Trio*.. Steve Hobbs - Vibraphone.. Don Gladstone - Bass.. Jeff Crouse - Drums.. ...... .. .. I can also be found most Sundays at Cornerstone Presbyterian playing with the Praise Band.
Influences
Howard Curtis, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Dr. John Floyd, Brian Blade, John Scofield, Ray Brown, Jeff Hamilton, Peter Erskine, Chris Potter, Jack DeJohnette, Jo Jones, John Riley, Steve Rucker, Bill Stewart
Sounds Like
Classic jazz, contemporary jazz, praise and worship.

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Paul Bomar has released his album called "Getting the Ball Rolling". The songs are all orignial compositions by Paul that were challenging and fun to play. I have played with Paul in various settings since 2005 and enjoy every opportunity. His album was released in August 2010 and features two different bass players and drummers backing Paul. Aaroon Bittikofer - Bass, Guy Percy - Bass, Marc Getter - Drums, and myself on drums. It can be downloaded at iTunes. Click on this link...
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-paul-bomar-trio/id387392708#;

"New Years Day" is a new album of original music by Dave Youngman! Dave plays all the instruments except drums. Jeff got that chair! Click the album cover above and listen to samples. It is available for digital download as well as in CD form. Check it out!

Grant Osborne, Peter Innocenti, & Jeff Crouse: Little Town: Carols for Christmas

"Little Town: Carols for Christmas" Check out this great Christmas CD with Grant on piano, Peter on Bass, Jeff the drums, and Jeanne Jolly on vocals! CLICK ON THE ALBUM COVER TO BUY!

Here are some pictures of the recording session and samples of the music.

Here's a short video of Sound Pure Studio after the "Little Town" recording session.

Click on this link to hear samples and purchase Martin Eagle's newest record! "Tomorrow" It features Martin on piano, Peter Innocenti - Bass, Jeff Crouse - Drums, Ron Baxter - Tenor, and Andy Paolantonio - Tenor.

Current musical projects...

*MARTIN EAGLE TRIO*
Martin Eagle - Piano
Peter Innocenti - Bass
Jeff Crouse - Drums