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"Orange Democracy is a project that satisfies my taste for simple melody and complex harmony. The unconventional ensemble supplies it all. The textures are varied, the lyrics are potent, and the soloists are sensational. They stand as the future though firmly rooted in what various forms of music have made possible." - Jason Moran, jazz piano player
"Cyrus von Hochstetter ist einer der talentiertesten jungen Schweizer Jazzpianisten." - Robi Weber, Jazzpianist
In a time where noise prevails over silence, Orange Democracy emphasizes the art of listening. Orange Democracy is a New York based band consisting of some of the most prominent and talented young musicians in today’s jazz and classical music field. The project was brought to life by pianist Cyrus von Hochstetter, guitarist Ted Boasso and singer Carla Jablonski. Together they created songs where heartfelt expression and diversity is of foremost importance. Their unique style blends elements of jazz, traditional and experimental songwriting, folk, soul and classical music. The band is dedicated to pushing the envelope and create live shows that pull listeners into the music. Using a not too common combination of acoustic instruments the resulting songs are smart, engaging, slightly experimental yet always simple, melodic and extremely catchy.
Cyrus von Hochstetter was born in Zurich, Switzerland and started playing classical piano at the age of 6. After discovering jazz as a teenager, he soon played in several local bands and led his jazz piano trio. After winning an award at the Young Lions Swiss Jazz Festival, he was able to perform at the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in 2004 and was then asked to play for the Montreux Jazz Chrysler Award the next year. Cyrus moved to New York City in 2004 where he attends Manhattan School of Music in jazz piano. Cyrus has performed as a featured performer in several venues such as the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, Moods Jazz Club in Zurich and has performed on a regular basis at The Garage, NYC.
Ted Boasso was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana . He began to take a serious interest in jazz guitar while attending the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. After Hurricane Katrina, Ted relocated to NYC to finish his senior year of high school at LaGuardia Arts and is currently studying at Manhattan School of Music in jazz guitar. Ted has performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The Schloss Velden A Capella Hotel in Velden, Austria, and a variety of NYC venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Fat Cat, Fat Baby and The Zipper Factory
Carla Jablonski, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, moved to New York in 2002 pursuing music and theatre. She performed at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center and with African jazz artist Hugh Masekela and Paul Simon at Carnegie Hall. At 16 Carla began to write her own music and taught herself to play the guitar. Carla started performing at smaller venues in Manhattan and began actively pursuing her love of jazz. Currently she is completing her last year at Manhattan School of Music where she studies classical voice and opera. Intent on never limiting herself musically, Carla is active both in the classical world as well as the jazz and experimental realms and plans to keep it that way as long as she can.
Samir Zarif is an extraordinary tenor saxophonist hailing originally from Houston, Texas. Samir made his debut as a jazz artist in New Orleans and moved to New York City shortly thereafter. Samir's discography ranges from Jill Scott's "Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol.2" to his debut as a Fresh Sounds recording artist on his CD entitled "The Paislies." He performed and recorded with musicians and groups like Jason Marsalis, Roland Guerin, Nick Payton, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Irvin Mayfield, Aaron Neville, Jill Scott and James Westfall.
| POSTED BY: Orange Democracy | POSTED ON: 16 Sep 2009 07:39 PM | ||
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Six Songs is a teasing sample of the exciting, captivating yet mellow music Orange Democracy has created. After partaking these initial half dozen tunes, the listener would still be yearning to hear more. This small ensemble, consisting of a few of New York’s finest, has created a highly enjoyable signature sound that is musically intelligent, yet never gets too quirky or advances too far off the beaten path as to leave the listener puzzled. Musical novices as well as trained ears can both truly appreciate and take pleasure in Orange Democracy. The focal point of Orange Democracy lies around Swiss pianist Cyrus von Hochstetter. Equally proficient at classical and jazz stylings, he is the principle songwriter for the group as well as shares vocal duties. His range of talent is eminent from the opening track “Bitter Rain” which features a quiet, subtle ivory introduction that catapults into a huge array of sound featuring a dialogue between a heavier piano, voices and saxophone. Von Hochstetter’s heavy handedness with the bass notes is reminiscent of a Beethoven sonata as are the entire ensemble’s exquisite use of dynamic contrast. These highly trained musicians appreciate the fine art of blending as is evident in “On A Bridge.” New Orleans native Ted Boasso’s guitar nicely accentuates von Hochstetter’s keys in the introduction. At the end of each verse of this plucky melody, these two young men join voices with Carla Jablonski which creates a nicely layered segue into the chorus. This Pittsburgh native has a lovely voice and she knows how to use it as an instrument. Throughout Six Songs she can be heard singing quietly above the melody line adding depth but never taking the spotlight. In “High Heels to Hell” there is melodic contrast with the fun, quick staccato introduction overlaid with long sustained vocals. Along these same lines, Amali Premawardhana adds cello interjected with Boasso’s short and distorted guitar effects. Jablonski comes to the fore in the dynamic bridge as she sings over the piano and cello and ends with a little Frank Zappa-esque scatting. “Untitled Face” is Boasso’s solely penned track on the album. His singing style is earthier and invokes a pleading undertone compared to von Hochstetter’s clear, ringing voice. The guitarist also uses enunciation as an instrument and melds his voice nicely with his acoustic guitar and spacey synthesizer. The culmination of Six Songs is “Poisoned By The Sun.” All musicians get a chance to rip in this last number, which opens with a quiet conversation between the ethereal keyboard, guitar and voice, reminiscent of early Chick Corea. In the extended coda, the vocal trio of von Hochstetter, Boasso and Jablonski are joined by Samir Zarif on saxophone. The keyboards enter and duet with the sax before the vocals belt a repetitious “ho” as Zarif kicks off a magnificently energetic solo before ebbing away to the quiet keyboard playing in the uppermost octave, like a music box winding down. Orange Democracy is bursting with unassuming talent and should be commended for the experimental musical stylings it is creating. Hopefully the next album will offer even more music than Six Songs. Reviewed By Kelly O’Neil |
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| POSTED BY: radioindy | POSTED ON: 25 Jul 2009 02:37 PM | ||
 As part of our ongoing promotion with RadioIndy, we have published a press release of our truncated CD review. FANS: Increase the popularity of this DIGG press release by visiting our homepage at www.radioindy.com and looking for the "Press Release" section in the lower right. Here, you can find and "DIGG" this press release for Orange Democracy The more DIGGS, the more exposure! DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.
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| POSTED BY: momof5pacs | POSTED ON: 13 Jul 2009 08:16 PM | ||
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“Six Songs” the aptly titled debut release by Orange Democracy, is in fact, exactly that: a 6-song CD but it really is far, far more. With an experimental, if not avant garde, approach to compositions and arrangements that, by turns, incorporate influences ranging from jazz, to classical, to choral music and more. This NY-based quartet’s album is a virtual tapestry of its component parts. Classically trained pianist Cyrus von Hochstetter’s nimble and inventive chording sets the pace with tuneful and complex jazz/easy listening pieces, upon which the evocative sax of Samir Zarif, and the jazz phrasing of guitarist Ted Boasso, add unpredictable but tasteful embellishment. Carla Jablonski, a seasoned and multi-dimensional vocalist, adds a second voice in spots, maintaining the same standards of musical exploration in harmonies that add yet another, almost grounding aspect to the richly diverse set of songs. “Bitter Rain,” with its melancholy sax and worthy harmonies, is a particular highlight, but the subversive “High Heels To Hell” and melancholy “In Remembrance” is no less compelling. The excellent CD, “Six Songs” entails proficient musicality and collectively displays a uniquely sophisticated mix of modernistic songs.
-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team |
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| POSTED BY: Orange Democracy | POSTED ON: 07 Jul 2009 05:03 AM | ||
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| POSTED BY: radioindy | POSTED ON: 23 Jun 2009 05:44 PM | ||
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In a time where noise prevails over silence, Orange Democracy emphasizes the art of listening. This is a collection of songs where heartfelt expression and diversity is of foremost importance. Recommended if you like Radiohead, The Beatles, Jeff Buckley. CD price: $10.00 |
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| POSTED BY: Orange Democracy | POSTED ON: 22 Jun 2009 08:41 PM | ||
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We are glad to announce that Orange Democracy won a Downbeat Student Award for Outstanding Performance. |
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