 Steve Smith © Andrea Canter
The group’s founder and drummer, Steve Smith, has a resume that stretches from Ahmad Jamal, Zakir Hussain, The Buddy Rich Big Band and Steps Ahead to Andrea Bocelli and Journey. It is no surprise that he won Modern Drummer Magazine's #1 All Around Drummer award five years in a row and was voted one of the Top 25 Drummers of All Time in a recent Modern Drummer readers poll, in 2002 Smith was voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. Steve Smith is one of the most constantly evolving drummers on the scene today.
 Vinny Valentino
Smith is quick to point out that a key to the band’s remarkable versatility is its bassist, Baron Browne. "Baron brought a real serious groove element to the band," says Smith of his rhythm section partner. "He’s my favorite bass player to play with because he can play all the styles and he always makes the music feel so good. Baron plays great swing, great funk and groove, he can read anything, play in any odd time signature plus he can play over changes really well. It’s hard to find bass players who can do all of that." Browne has worked in the past with Gary Burton, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steps Ahead and Tom Jones but has never sounded better than he does with Vital Information.
Unique multi-keyboardist Tom Coster, whose versatility ranges from Hammond B3 to accordion was playing with Gabor Szabo and Rahsaan Roland Kirk long before he came to prominence in Santana, a stay that lasted nine years. He has recorded many solo albums under him own name and has been a member of Vital Information since 1986. Tom also tours with Billy Cobham and Bill Evans.Vinny Valentino is the newest member of Vital Information. Vinny began touring in a progressive rock band while still in high school. At age 16, influenced by the music of George Benson, Vinny began pursuing jazz as a career. He recalls, "The turning point for me was hearing George Benson in concert; I had never heard anybody play like that. It was an eye-opening experience." Vinny and his mentor George have since developed a close friendship. George Benson refers to Vinny as a "young genius with brilliant tone and fresh ideas."
Vinny earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at Howard University. Vinny has shared the stage or recording studio with such jazz greats as Gary Bartz, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans, John Pattitucci, Richard Bona, Bob Moses, George Benson, Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers, and Jimmy McGriff. In 2004 Vinny filled in for Frank Gambale on a four week Vital Information tour of Europe. Click here for a Jazz Police interview with Vinny Valentino.
Catalina's is located at 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Two sets each night at 8 and 10 pm; For more information and tickets, visit www.catalinajazzclub.com |
Los Angeles 
Tuesday, 09 February 2010
Home | New and Notable | Photo Galleries | CD/DVD/Book Reviews | Interviews | SF Bay Area | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Twin Cities, MN | More Cities | Festivals | News | Contact | Follow Jazz Police on Twitter | 
