Frank Catalano

Frank Catalano and his sextet will celebrate his latest release Bang!  at the Green Mill in Chicago on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th. This sensational 31-year-old player has been blowing audiences away since he was a teenager sitting in with legends like organist Charles Earland and touring with the likes of Tony Bennett.   Catalano  has made the Prestigious Down Beat critics Poll 3 times.  Catalano's Last CD - Mighty Burner was on the Billboard Charts for 20 straight weeks. Catalano is the only known saxman to have performed with Miles Davis, Randy Brecker, Charles Earland, Stan Getz, Betty Carter, Von Freeman, Tito Puente, Tony Bennett, and Louie Bellson while still in high school . which led to his signing to the Legenday Delmark Records at age 18 and a string of critically acclaimed recordings.

Now stepping out on the international stage, the Chicago native packs a punch with his energetic, intense style as a soloist and bandleader. His playing now “conveys an unmistakable heft and authority,” according to the Chicago Tribune, who declares Catalano “on the verge of forging a self-styled, autobiographical musical language.” Down Beat describes his playing and composing as “John Coltrane energy for the 21st Century.”

He has made the first definitive statement of his mature style with his Savoy Jazz debut, BANG! The recording features Frank’s regular working band of Scott Williams on piano, Adam Whitson on bass and Daron Nelson on drums, as well as guest performances by percussionist Chris Paquette. Leading off with the explosive title track, Frank’s tenor burns through the incendiary program including tour de force interpretations of “My One and Only Love,” which has been one of Frank Catalano’s favorite ballads since he heard the John Coltrane/Johnny Hartman version as a boy, and Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints.” Catalano says that he first learned Footprints in high school, and finally felt ready to put his own interpretation on such a well-known tune, as he describes it “a standard that doesn’t sound too standard.” The balance of the track list includes Catalano originals “Soul Burner,” “Shakin’,” “God Made It Beautiful,” “Damn Right,” “Funky Dunky,” “Night Moves” and “Later.” The saxophonist has a degree in composition from DePaul University, and uses that training to create “tunes that are really funky, but still have a strong formal structure. I like to keep the harmonic framework loose so that we can take the songs anywhere we want,” he says.

Catalano will bring his international tour in support of BANG! home with performances at the Green Mill (October 17 and 18). The Green Mill Jazz Club is located at 4802 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago, IL 60640, 773.878.5552. For more information visit greenmilljazz.com.

Frank will also be playing on October 15th at Walter Paytons Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, in Aurora, IL. For more info visit   www.catalanomusic.com .

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