DENINZONEWS: 2024 HIGHLIGHTS & 2025 UPCOMING EVENTS

What an incredible year 2024 has been! Despite a few ups and downs, including a very close-call car accident, I’m grateful to be safe and alive and doing what I love to do!

This year was a milestone. New chapters, new releases, and… I turned 50!!

They say that age is just a number and I’m ready to keep going full blast; touring, recording, teaching, and spending time with family and friends.

Here are some highlights of 2024.

New year, new Viper!

In January, after 2 years of waiting, I finally picked up my new Mark Wood 7-String “Viper” electric violin. I had this one specially painted with the smoke from the opening credits of my favorite show, “Breaking Bad,” and dubbed the instrument “Heisenberg.” Alongside my old red 7-string Viper, it is now my main axe on all Kansas, Stratospheerius, and other gigs. Thanks to all the people at Wood Violins for the incredible craftsmanship.

I love my new baby!

New year, new Label!

In April, Stratospheerius signed with 7D Media, the label owned by Trey Gunn from King Crimson and AJ Chippero. On October 11th, we released out 6th album, “Impostor!” Which has garnered wide critical acclaim and made numerous “Best of 2024” lists! You can read some reviews HERE and download/order/stream the new album HERE!

Prog Radio “Best Prog Albums 2024”

Prog Report “Best Prog Songs of 2024”

Vote for “Impostor” Best of 2024 on epicprogradio.com!

Vote for “Impostor” Best of 2024 on epicprogradio.com!

STREAM/PURCHASE/DOWNLOAD HERE

Stratospheerius “Outrage Olympics” new video & Single

In April, we filmed for two days at Alpha Wave Studios in Whippany, NJ and the Art Factory in Paterson, NJ ro make the video for our first single, “Outrage Olympics,” directed by David Levin. If you hasvent’ checked it out already, here it is! And while you’re at it, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

With my crazy touring schedule with Kansas, Stratospheerius only got to play 4 shows this year, but they were all special shows.

Feb 9th at the Iridium in NYC with our friends Ad Astra.
June 27th at Kennet Flash in Kennett, PA with Tim Motzer

June 28th at Starlight in Southbridge, MA with Peruvian guitarist Beledo, culminating in our December 15h Album Release Party/my 50th Birthday Bash at the “Progstock Presents” Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ with our friends Simon Godfrey, Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree), The Tea Club (feat. Kansas bassist Dan McGowan, and Stratospheerius.

We played the epic closing track, “Chasing the Dragon” live for the first time, and the best gift, for me, was my daughter Arianna sitting in as a guest vocalist. Here are some photos from that night taken by Jody Gianni.

Kansas Highlights

In 2024, I completed my 115th show with Kansas, and the third and final leg of the massive 50th Anniversary Tour! This was the experience of a lifetime! Highlights this year were performing in Topeka, the band’s hometown, alongside founding members Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope, playing “Dust in the Wind” on Robby Steingardt’s white Barcus Berry violin on the final show of the tour at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, performing in front of 15,000 people singing along at theFestival d’été de Québec in July.

There are many more tour dates for Kansas in 2025. You can see them all at www.kansasband.com

Education Station

In July, I had the privilege of returning for my 14th year to teach and perform at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp Music Festival! I played my entire 30-minute Electric Violin Concerto, the performance of which will be posted next month. Also had the chance to work with Mark‘s Electrify Your Symphonyprogram at the Westbury, LI high school in November. Looking forward to more MWROC and EYS in 2025!

Press Press Press!

Here’s a recent interview I did with Prog UK Magazine!

More critical acclaim for “Impostor!”

“Impeccably played progressive rock music by a solid core of players assisted by an impressive array of guest artists.”

Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius – Impostor! | The Phantom Tollbooth

“When a band jumps several levels from one record to the next as Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius have done, I am reminded of all the unsung artists toiling away, pouring their hearts and souls into the music, chasing the dragon as it were. In this case, I think Impostor! is an example of watching the band grab that fire-breathing reptile by the tail. Well done, gentlemen!”

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius – Impostor! – T P A

Joe Deninzon Interview with Howard Whitman (Goldmine Magazine)