T Lavitz-Piano
Dave Weckl-Drums, percussion
John Patitucci-Acoustic and Electric Bass
Frank Gambale-Acoustic Guitar
Steve Morse-Acoustic Guitar
Jerry Goodman-Violin
This is the lineup for the "School of the Arts" recording only. For live dates check the listings individually.
Influences
Herbie, Joe, Chick, McCoy and a lot of the other guys who we know by just using their first names...also, any piano players I have heard that swing hard
General musicianship: Jaco, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker and Steve Morse
Writers: Joe Zawinul, early Metheny (I'm just not up on the newer stuff), Steve Morse, and a lot of others...
Sounds Like
Hopefully a little bit like everyone I admire, but (of course the goal is to sound)... a lot like T Lavitz
T Lavitz began his intensive study of classical and jazz piano at age seven. At the same time, the Beatles invaded America, igniting in T a lifelong love of rock music.
By twenty-two, he was asked to join the "rock, jazz, and everything else" instrumental band, the Dixie Dregs. It was a dream come true, because they were one of his favorite bands, even at that relatively early stage in their career.
This first taste of fame happened during the last few days of 1978, lasting until the band split in 1983, by which time T had been voted "Best New Talent" in Keyboard Magazine’s readers poll and the band had garnered four Grammy nominations.
Since then, T has released eight albums as a leader, consisting mostly of his own compositions. Additionally, T produced the cult favorite, "Players," which features stellar performances by Jeff Berlin, Steve Smith, and Scott Henderson. Some of the artists featured on T’s other albums include fellow "Dregs" Steve Morse, Jerry Goodman, Rod Morgenstein, Dave LaRue and Mark O’Connor, as well as college alum Danny Gottlieb and Bruce Hornsby. Other contributions have also been made by Alex Ligertwood, Maria Muldaur, Jeff Richman, Michael McDonald, Paul Barrere, Catfish Hodge, Oteil Burbidge, Dennis Chambers and many more.
In addition to the Dixie Dregs, T has performed around the world with Widespread Panic, Mothers Finest, Jefferson Starship, Billy Cobham, and Bill Bruford. As the list of critically acclaimed recordings grows, T says some of his favorite sessions were done with Nils Lofgren, Pat Benatar, The Bluesbusters, Peter Himmelman and perhaps most fondly "...I’ll always be a Dreg".
On Valentine’s weekend 1992, the Dixie Dregs did a live reunion album for the newly reformed Capricorn Records in Atlanta, Georgia. "Bring ’em Back Alive" and the subsequent "Full Circle" studio disc each garnered Grammy nominations (bringing the total to six), and earning T the coveted "Jazz Keyboardist of the Year" award in Keyboard Magazine’s readers poll. T was also a founding member of Jazz is Dead, an instrumental exploration into the music of the Grateful Dead. T has been joined in this project by Rod Morgenstein, Billy Cobham, Jeff Sipe, Alphonso Johnson, guitarists Jimmy Herring and Jeff Pevar and most recently, bassist Dave Livolsi. The band now boasts three CD’s, "Blue Light Rain", "Laughing Water" and "Great Sky River", all of which are available on Zebra/Warner Bros., and a new as yet untitled studio album.
The last week of August 1999, the Dixie Dregs were reunited again for six shows, at which time a new album, "California Screamin’" was recorded at the Roxy, in Hollywood, California. The guys had such a good time together that a commitment was made to hit the road for a new tour early in 2000, and each subsequent year as well. The latest "run" of Dregs dates took place in California, during the first week of Jaunary 2007.
Along with his various other projects and live dates, T is also part time faculty at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has an instructional book/CD (2007) published by the industry leading Hal Leonard Publishing company.
Back in the studio at the start of 2007, the music for "School of the Arts" was composed. "This is some of my best stuff in a looong time" Lavitz says. Released in October of 2007, this is his first for Magnatude (Magna Carta) Records, and boasts an allstar cast which consists of Dave Weckl, John Patitucci, Frank Gambale, Steve Morse and Jerry Goodman. Regarding this lineup, the response from Lavitz is "...honored to have my music played by guys like this"!
As for the future, T says, "I hope I can continue to play music that’s fun to play and is appreciated by all sorts of people. I feel fortunate that I keep on playing with musicians who have something to say."
Lavitz! I've done it! I've successfully traveled back to 1937 (as the photo clearly proves). I've brought along my MM StingRay, and Macbook. I shall claim to have invented them both and rule the World!!! I wanted you to be the first to know. Thanks for the add, and thanks for being you...
Thanks for adding me! I really appreciate it, I am delighted to have you as a friend! I am enjoying the music and your great playing on yourspace! Yuichi Akita
Howdy from SF CA T, good to see you on the Space, long time! I've been going every year to the Frankfurt Musikmesse, this last one was my 22nd consec. year, hope to see you over there again! Keep in touch, all the best, Jon http://hammondjazz. wordpress. com *Member AFM Local 802, Local 6 / ASCAP Publisher
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Your music has been an inspiration in my life. I'm honored to have you add me to your page! Please take a moment and visit glenwoodsmith. com and let me know what you think. Thanks for the music. I can't wait to hear more! Peace.
Hello! It's a huge honor for me to be in your friends list!! your are one of the best musician/composer ever,and i have been and i am still a big fan of yours.I admire you for your solo albums of course and also for everything you gave to dixie dregs and with other musician like scott henderson steve smith and jeff berlin in players for example. So thank you again for your "friendship",and thank you for your music! Hope to meet you one day Take care Yves
hey T, I got a chance to meet you at the NAMM show a few years back and I was not surprised to find out what a cool guy you are. I look forward every year to seeing you and steve play at the coachhouse in san jaun. To bad you guys couldn't make it happen this year, I guess there's allways next year. lookin' forward to it!
