Mark Deffenbaugh Quartet featuring George V Johnson Jr @ Extra Virgin Restaurant in Arlington VA Friday, December 11, 2009 - 7:30 to 11:30 pm

[WASHINGTON DC JAZZ NETWORK]

EXTRA VIRGIN RESTAURANT
4053 Campbell St
Arlington VA

Live Jazz

Friday, December 11, 2009 - 7:30 to 11:30 pm

MARK DEFFENBAUGH - piano,
GEORGE V JOHNSON JR - vocals
EPHRIAM WOLFOLK-bass
ERIC ALLEN - drums




MARK DEFFENBAUGH


GEORGE V JOHNSON JR

George V Johnson Jr has performed with John Malachi, Eddie Jefferson, James Moody, Pharoah Sanders, Dizzy Gillespie, Lou Donaldson, Barry Harris, John Hicks, David 'Fathead' Newman, Buck Hill, Shirley Horn, Arnold Sterling, Harold Mabern, Idris Muhammad, Don Sickler, Larry Ridley, Rufus Reid, Ronnie Mathews, Jimmy Cobb, Ray Drummond,Frank Foster, James King, Leonid Ptashka, Yaacov Mayman and a host of other jazz greats.

Johnson is considered by many has "Heir Apparent" aka "Next in Liine" to the late Eddie Jefferson Founding Father of The Art of Jazz Vocalese.

His most recent endeavors includes penning lyrics to over 40 Hank Mobley compositions including: Hank’s Symphony, Soul Station, Dig Dis, No Room For Squares, East of The Village, This I Dig of You, Take Your Pick, Three Way Split, Split Feelings, Up A Step, Work Out, The Baptist Beat, My Groove Your Move, Soft Impressions, Hank’s Waltz, Chain Reaction, Roll Call, Syrup & Biscuits, Snappin Out, Comin’ Back, The Feelings Good, Uh Huh, Up Over and Out, Looking East, Cute N’ Pretty, Third Time Around, Bossa For Baby, Ballin, Madeline, No More Goodbyes, The Break Through, Hank’s Other Bag, Infra Rae, Straight NoFilter, Caddy for Daddy, The Morning After. . . and more.

It's the Art of Jazz Vocalese....



Johnson first turned heads with his debute recording in 1981 as featured vocalist with Pharoah Sanders LP Rejoice! Original lyrics to John Coltrane's classic "Moments Notice". All About Jazz

Review by: HERBIE WONG

COLTRANE’S classic “Moments Notice” is a complete gas! Sanders like Coltrane, pulls and holds attention with his entrances. Bobby Hutcherson’s and Hicks solo’s are heated and models of vivid imagination. The three put forth some of the very best solo’s in the entire album. The there’s the arresting new talent introduced here on compact disc in debute -

GEORGE V JOHNSON JR., whose marvelous lyrics and viocal work are truly auspicous! He sngs with James Moody on occassion and is happily remindflul of the insistent giftness of the late EDDIE JEFFERSON. Johnson’s three stanzars close with “Relax dig the sounds of Coltrane’s Music. Coltrane fills your heart with love and harmony. Trane played with magic. Listen to the melodies and you will see momently. When you here the message of his song!”. There’s no doubt in my mind that henceforth George V Johnson sholuld and will be sought for his own gift to the music. He sang the song for Sanders at the Village Vanguard, and Sanders “felt that George ought to be heard”. Thank you, Pharoah Sanders for your spirit of sharing! Wheeeeee....what a dynamite track this is~~~~HERBIE WONG!


George V Johnson Jr. "Opening Night Part II"
George V Johnson Jr "SO WHAT"

Ephriam Wolfolk - bass

Ephriam Wolfolk is a native of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania who began his music studies as a 6 year old piano student. Ephriam added the trumpet to his musical studies, then the Tuba, and all other brass instruments with the thought of becoming a High School music teacher. After High School Mr. Wolfolk entered the United States Air Force Band School in Washington DC as a Tuba Player, but the Bass Violin and Jazz changed his musical focus three years later.

Mr Wolfolk is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory, studying Classical Orchestral Music with Principal bassists of the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia, Denver, Baltimore, and National Symphonies. Mr Wolfolk has studied Jazz Bass with Richard Davis, and Charles (Buster) Williams.

Mr Wolfolk's has performed as Principal Bassist with the Annapolis and Colorado Springs symphonies, and in the sections of the Baltimore, Virginia, and Soulful Symphonies, and has performed and /or recorded with Ahmad Jamal, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, David Baker, Diane Schurr, Dollar Brand, Sonny Stitt, Hilton Felton, The Silver String Quintet, Leon Flescher, Kol Harach, The Fine Wine Groups, National, Ford and Warner Theaters and numerous local, nation, and international freelance groups.

Mr. Wolfolk is a saught after bass teacher both privately and in the public schools, and has past student who perform on local, national, and international stages.

Eric Allen - drums

Eric Allen grew up in Washington DC, playing in school marching bands. He’s been a compatriot of Wallace Roney for a number of years, appearing on several of the trumpeter’s recordings. Notes Roney, “He’s grown so much—not just his ability but his creativity, his openness.” He currently plays several nights per week at Columbia Station with the great bassist "Butch Warren" Experience...


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