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Performance of Reis' Composition of new CD "Point of no Return"
“I like to tell stories at the piano.” - Michel Reis
Michel Reis was twelve years old and living in Luxembourg when he discovered the Duke Ellington record that would forever change his perception of music. Already four years into his classical training at the piano, Reis’ introduction to jazz and improvisation unlocked new and exciting possibilities for him as a pianist and composer. One of those possibilities led him halfway around the world to study with the greatest musicians of our time. Reis attended Berklee College of Music and The New England Conservatory (Boston, MA) where he worked and performed with Joe Lovano, Danilo Perez, Dave Holland, George Garzone, and Ran Blake. Six years of extensive studies and an unwavering dedication to his craft set a foundation for the integrous and well-rounded musician he is today. A pianist, improviser, composer, and arranger, Reis shares his passion for music all over the world. Performing in Europe, the United States, Central America, and Japan, he is proud and humbled to be developing an international reputation as an artist who expresses himself at the piano with an honest and authentic intention that cannot go unnoticed. Currently based in New York, Reis has two albums out under his name: A Young Mind (2005) and Fairytale (2009) both for Waltzing-Parke Records. He also records as a sideman with artists such as Alex Terrier, Gast Waltzing and Largo, Eleonora Bianchini, and George Garzone. In 2005, Reis was a finalist in the First Moscow Competition for Jazz Performers. A year later, he took second prize at the Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition. Reis uses music as a vehicle for understated and sincere communication with himself and his audience. He is truly a poet at the piano.
“…Another trio led by a pianist, Michel Reis, tempered its impressionism with rhythmic suspense.” - New York Times, January 2007
Aidan O’Donnell started his musical life in Glasgow playing bass guitar in rock bands, but stepped up to the double bass at the age of 16. A year later in 1999 he was accepted into the inaugural year of the Birmingham Conservatoire jazz course. While in Birmingham, he played with various jazz and latin bands, as well as regularly traveling back to his hometown to play with jazz musicians in Scotland. During his last year at university he became a regular member of the Tommy Smith quartet, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, and the Colin Steele quintet. After finishing his degree he moved to London, where he played with a wide variety of musicians, becoming a permanent member of the groups of Nikki Iles, Alan Skidmore, and Frank Harrison, and playing regularly with such luminaries as Peter King, John Critchinson, Micheal Buckley, Anita Wardell, Bobby Wellins, Georgie Fame, Tony Coe and Tina May. He has also played with Ethan Iverson, David Berkman, Dave Binney, George Colligan, Charles McPherson, Antonio Sanchez, Loren Stillman, Donny McCaslin, Ulf Wakenius, Lea Delaria, Chris McNulty and Paul Bollenback. He has been much in demand for recording work too, having featured on 16 albums since leaving university. Since October 2007 he has been resident in New York.
Paolo Orlandi is a jazz drummer based in New York. Born into a musical family, Paolo received his first training in jazz at the International Acadey of Music in Milan, Italy, where he met his mentor and friend, Tony Aroc. When still in Milan, Orlandi started working assiduously in the local scene, collaborating with musicians such as Franco Cerri, Marco, Vaggi, Mauro Negri, Roberto Tarenzi, Antonio Zambrini and with the percussion ensemble Time Percussion. In 2003, he recorded his first CD with Franco Cerri. In 2005, he moved to New York City. Awarded with the Joel Scholarship, he attended the City College of New York majoring in Jazz Studies. While at City College, he studied with Johon Patitucci, Nasheet Waits and Adam Cruz. Orlandi graduated with Honors in May 2008, and decided to continue his academic experience at CCNY, where he is currently enrolled in the Master Program and where he is working as an adjunct lecturer and drums instructor. In November 2008, he was invited to join the CCNY Jazz Faculty Ensemble, a band in which he has the opportunity to play with John Patitucci. Since arriving in New York, he has played at The Up and Over Jazz Café, Groove, 55bar, Jules, Cornelia Street Café and Barbès. Orlandi has played with Dave Liebman, Mike Holober, John Abercrombie, Ray Gallon, Jason, Rigby, Scott Reeves, Antony Wonsey, Marco Panascia and others. Besides New York, he has performed at the festivals of Umbria Jazz Winter, Berchidda, Nuoro Jazz, Varese, and CUNY Jazz Festival.
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