Late February, Stratospheerius performed with the North Brunswick, NJ HS ORchestra, under the direction of Arvin Gopal. This was our first time as a band performing with a full string orchestra. I am grateful to Arvin for inviting us and putting this whole concert together. The band consisted of Jason Gianni on drums, Paul Ranieri on bass and Aurelien Budynek on guitar. Watch the full concert HERE:
On March 21st, I realized a dream I’ve had for a long time; to create a night featuring bands led by creative string players. The first (and definitely NOT last) STRINGFEST took place at DROM in NYC and featured Stratospheerius, Mazz Muse, 2birds Band, and Seven)Suns. I hope to do this again in the fall, featuring different bands at each show, and possibly take it outside of NY!! Stay tuned…
Here is Stratospheerius performing our cover of King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame”, with special guest Tobias Ralph (Adrien Belew) on drums:
For the 9th year in a row, I will be returning to teach and perform at Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Campin Olathe, KS. This is the Camp’s’ 10th year, hence the title MWROCX!
To say this is a special week for me is an understatement. Mark Woodis a revolutionary. One of the greatest living electric violinists, the man who designed my 7-string Viper, and someone who turned string education on its head with his Electrify your Strings Programs! He created the first and only camp dedicated to electric string playing, but open to all ages and instruments. The kids who come here remind me of myself when I was a teenager, a misfit violinist who wanted to rock out. The difference is that back in my day, such a camp and a community didn’t exist. Us rock string nerds had to fend for ourselves. This is like the island of broken toys and the level of camaraderie, inspiration, love, and musical catharsis can not be put into words to those who never experienced MWROC. You just have to be there!
STRATOSPHEERIUS IS BACK IN THE STUDIO!
The new lineup of Stratospheerius went into the studio last week with our longtime friend/engineer Rave Tesar and broke ground on 4 new songs! This is the beginning of our 6th studio album, which we hope to have out next year! The new lineup is :
Jason Gianni-drums
Paul Ranieri-bass
Michaelangelo Quirinale-guitar
Wishing you all a happy Everything! Hope you’re holidays are filled laughter, love, and music!
I’ve had a 2018 full of incredible memories, travel, and fun music making!
Lots of great things happening in the next few months. Currently, We are hard at work writing the next Stratospheeriusalbum with our new lineup: Jason Gianni-drums, Paul Ranieri-bass, Michaelangelo Quirinale-Guitar. We’ve been invited to play the main stage next year at Progstock at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, NJ, and are planning some tours and local NY-area shows between now and then. Stay tuned…
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius
Holiday Discount!
Stuff your physical or theoretical stockings. HALF PRICE downloads, physical albums, CD’s, and T-Shirts!
I am incredibly honored to be joining keyboardist/producer Dave Kerznerand In Continuumon Cruise to the EdgeFeb 4-9!
Ihad the pleasure of contributing strings to their new album Acceleration Theory.
Plus I get to be on a boat hanging out & jamming with basically my iTunes library in the flesh. (see list of artists below). My arms will be sore from being pinched all week to make sure I’m not dreaming! IN CONTINUUMis a new progressive rock supergroup byDave Kerzner,co-founder of the group Sound of Contactand acclaimed solo artist, songwriter and producer. Joining Kerznerfor IN CONTINUUM’s debut concept album is lead vocalist Gabriel Agudo(Steve Rothery Band, ex-Bad Dreams), fellow Sound of Contactband mate Matt Dorseyon bass and guitar, former Sound of Contacttouring guitarists Randy McStine(The Fringe) and drummer Marco Minnemann(The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani). Their debut album will feature guest appearances by John Wesley(Porcupine Tree) and drummer Nick D’Virgilio(Big Big Train, Spock’s Beard), plus cameos from special guests Jon Davison(Yes), Steve Rothery(Marillion), Leticia Wolf(The Dead Deads), Fernando Perdomo(Dave Kerzner Band) and Joe Deninzon (Stratospheerius).
Saturday, Feb 23rd
Performance of Dream Diary Electric Violin Concerto Rudolf Haken-“Viper” Electric string violin Krannert Art Museum
500 East Peabody Drive, MC 592
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 244-0619
University of Illinois Champagne Urbana
Thursday, March 7th
3:45 P.M.
“How to Read Chord Charts and Lead Sheets for String Players”
Friday, March 8th
Panel: The Future of Music Now!
STUDIO WORK
In addition to writing new music for Stratospheerius and other projects, I’ve had the honor to guest on some new projects with some of my favorite artists in the world. In 2019, look for upcoming releases with electric violin solos and string section contributions from artists including guitaristFernando Perdomo,Dave Kerner’s In Continuum, andThank You Scientist, among others.
Speaking of progressive music, the new “Symphonic Journey” live CD/DVD byAnnie Haslam and Renaissancehas been released, and features my quartet,Sweet Plantain, alongside some mind-blowing musicians. Order your copyHERE!
This one is not for the meek, but will certainly impress your audience! In a “swunk” style, a combination of swing and funk, the quartet is featured individually with written out solos for all (of course you can improvise your own, with changes in the parts).
If you buy the video and play it, please post photo/video/audio on social media with #playthatthang!
You can hear Sweet Plantain performing it at 7:20 in this video:
