THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT
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9 September 1972
Elvin Jones "Live at the Lighthouse"

The Lighthouse Project is a very new group that is playing the repertoire that Gene Perla and I did with Elvin Jones in the early 70s. People really want to hear intense burning, taking no prisoners, play with balls music. We (and myself very included) think complexity is a necessity. But playing on an A minor chord with some swinging quarter notes from the bass and a ride beat that lifts off the ground does go right to the heart of the matter. And the heart is basic swinging, burning solo statements from everyone for the entire set with music that is conducive to that kind of attitude. The specter of Trane and the Classic Quartet does rise in this regard and after all Elvin was the caboose that drove that engine. What a privilege to have had a minute with Jones back then. It formed the rhythmical basis of my playing for sure. My appreciation to Adam Nussbaum who plays more like Elvin than anyone else on the planet, knowing when to rise, fall, all towards telling the story; to Gates (Gene Perla) for his commitment to every beat and the spirit of this music; and to Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone who absolutely burn every solo. Great band!
David Liebman

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Upcoming
10 Oct 2024 ~ Workshops & Master Classes at Newton South High School, Newton, MA

11 Oct 2024 ~ Sculler's Jazz Club, Boston, MA
Ryan Devlin Ravi Coltrane Gene Perla Adam Nussbaum
     Ryan Devlin is a 26 year old saxophonist and private woodwind instructor living in Boston, MA. Ryan started his musical journey with his father Scott Devlin who was the leader of the Walt Disney World Sax Quartet. Music was always in the house when Ryan was a child. Scott was always teaching lessons or practicing for his next gig. Ryan was immediately interested and asked his Dad to teach him saxophone around age 9, after playing piano for 3 years. Since then Ryan has been practicing, gigging and teaching everyday!
     Ryan completed his Masters degree in Jazz Performance at The New England Conservatory in Boston, MA under the instruction of saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi in 2023.
     Ryan has been a member and featured soloist in ensembles such as The Florida All State Jazz band, The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, The Orlando Jazz Orchestra. Ryan has toured a majority of the United States playing at famous jazz clubs like Smalls in NYC, Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philly, Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando FL and Rudy’s Jazz Room in Nashville. Ryan is also the 2017 winner of the Central Florida Jazz Society scholarship competition and was runner up in 2017 Bob Washington Jazz scholarship competition.
     Ryan also has also taken lessons with world class musicians Jerry Bergonzi, Chad Lefkowitz Brown, Alain Bradette, Lucas Pino and Airmen of Note saxophonist Tedd Baker. Ryan has also performed with world class musicians like pianist Davis Whitfield Jr, pianist Mike Bond, Saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz Brown, saxophonist Steve Kortyka, saxophonist Dave Pollack, bassist Gene Perla, drummer Adam Nussbaum, drummer Ulysses Owens Jr.		      Ravi Coltrane is a critically acclaimed Grammy™ nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. In the course of a twenty plus year career, Mr. Coltrane has worked as a sideman to many, recorded noteworthy albums for himself and others and founded a prominent independent record label, RKM.
     Born in Long Island, the second son of John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane, Ravi was named after Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar. He was raised in Los Angeles where his family moved after his father’s death in 1967. His mother, Alice Coltrane, was a significant influence on Ravi and it was he who encouraged Alice to return to performance and the recording studio after a long absence.
     Subsequently, Ravi produced and played on Alice Coltrane’s powerful, 'Translinear Light', which was released in 2004. Ravi has released six albums as a leader. His latest, 'Spirit Fiction', was released in June of 2012 for the Blue Note label. Additional credits include performances as well as recordings with Elvin Jones, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Baron, Steve Coleman, McCoy Tyner, Jack DeJohnette, Matt Garrison, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Geri Allen, Joanne Brackeen, The Blue Note 7, among others. He was a co-leader of the Saxophone Summit with Joe Lovano and David Liebman.
     Ravi lives in Brooklyn, NY and maintains a fast paced touring, recording, composing and performance schedule. He leads the effort to restore the John Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, New York thecoltranehome.org and presides over important reissues of his parent’s recordings.		      Gene Perla grew up in northeastern New Jersey attending public school grades 1-12. After one year of post graduate study at New York Militarjgvzy Academy he entered the University of Toledo majoring in civil engineering and business. He then attended Berklee School of Music and Boston Conservatory before heading to New York City.
     At age five Gene’s musical studies began with classical piano. Upon entering high school he was given a trombone which he played for five years culminating in marching on Fifth Avenue in New York City as part of the Memorial Day Parade. During high school he became aware of jazz and was thrilled to attend the first New York performance of Ted Heath’s big band at Carnegie Hall. It wasn’t until his last year at TU that his interest in music became primary.
     After struggling with too many notes, and thanks to Charlie Haden’s performance on Ornette Coleman’s "The Shape Of Jazz To Come,” Perla, at 24, switched to the bass as his main instrument. Not long after arriving in the City his talents became in demand and he found joy in performing with artists such as Willie Bobo, Carlos “Patato” Valdes, Nina Simone, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra.
     As an educator Mr. Perla has taught at William Paterson University, New School University, Center for the Media Arts and is currently at Lehigh University. Sound design has been a significant endeavor yielding credits on Broadway shows, theme parks and custom installations.
     Having a business sense, Gene has continuously expanded his activities to include music publishing, record labels, recording studios, promotional firms, Internet design and hosting and computer networking businesses as vehicles for his ideas.		      Adam Nussbaum is considered one of the finest drummers working today. He's played with a virtual "Who's Who" in the jazz world.      Longtime associates have included: John Abercrombie, Michael & Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Vic Juris, James Moody, John Scofield, Joe Sample, Ohad Talmor, ‘Toots' Thielemans, Kenny Wheeler & NHØP, as well as freelancing with prominent artists of every generation, being a major asset no matter where he appears.
     Nussbaum has recently formed the Lead Belly Project.  He has also joined forces with other musicians to form such groups as “BANN” w/Seamus Blake, Jay Anderson & Oz Noy, “We3” w/Dave Liebman & Steve Swallow, "The Impossible Gentlemen" w/Gwilym Simcock, Steve Rodby & Mike Walker, “The Nuttree Quartet" w/John Abercrombie, Jerry Bergonzi & Gary Versace and "The ZZ Quartet w/Ratko Zjaca, Simone Zanchini & Martin Gjakanovski. He's been on hundreds of recordings, including the Grammy winning "Don't Try This At Home” recorded with Michael Brecker.
     In addition, Nussbaum reaches out to the next generation. He is an in-demand educator doing Clinics and Master Classes, teaching at such institutions as Berklee, NYU, State University of New York, the New School, and at numerous Conservatories around the world.
     His abilities have brought opportunities for him to work with the finest makers of all things drum-related. Working with Sonor drums, he helped design a line in the “HiLite” series. In conjunction with Zildjian cymbals, Nussbaum helped developed the “Renaissance” & "Pre-Aged” K. Zildjian cymbals. He also coproduced with Hudson Music, "The Art of Playing Brushes."
     He was born in New York City and grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut and started to play drums at age 12 after studying piano for five years; he also playing bass and saxophone as a teenager. He moved to New York City in 1975 to attend The Davis Center for Performing Arts at City College. He eventually focused on drums.
Past Performances
30 Jun 2022 ~ Nublu, NYC
David Liebman, Jerry Bergonzi, Gene Perla, Adam Nussbaum
2 Sep 2022 ~ Hampton Jazz Fest, Southampton, NY
Jerry Bergonzi, Nicole Glover, Gene Perla, Adam Nussbaum
4 Sep 2022 ~ Detroit Jazz Festival
David Liebman, Jerry Bergonzi, Gene Perla, Adam Nussbaum
22 Dec 2022 ~ Nublu, NY
Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Gene Perla, Adam Nussbaum
21 Apr 2023 ~ Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, PA
Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Gene Perla, Adam Nussbaum
9 Mar 2024 ~ Maureen's Jazz Cellar, Nyack, NY
Ryan Devlin, Danny Walsh, Gene Perla, Adam Nussbaum
10 Mar 2024 ~ Nublu, New York, NY
Ryan Devlin, Danny Walsh, Gene Perla, Adam Nussbaum
Jerry Bergonzi George Garzone Gene Perla Adam Nussbaum
     Tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi is an internationally recognized jazz performer, composer, author, and educator.
     Bergonzi has performed throughout the world at all the major jazz festivals and jazz venues, with his own ensembles as well as with numerous jazz greats. His music is renowned for its innovation, mastery, and integrity.      His discography includes more than 60 recordings, notably Standard Gonz with the Jerry Bergonzi Quartet on the Blue Note label; he also has 60 recorded song titles registered with ASCAP.
     As a clinician Bergonzi has taught at conservatories and music schools throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is the author of a series of instructional books with play-along CDs and videos, entitled Inside Improvisation, published by Advance Music (seven volumes: Melodic Structures, Pentatonics, Jazz Line, Melodic Rhythms, Thesaurus of Intervallic Melodies, Developing a Jazz Language, and Hexatonics), as well as the book/CD set Sound Advice. The Inside Improvisation series is now available in French, German, and Italian translations.
     Bergonzi is a three-time NEA grant recipient.		 Saxophonist George Garzone is a veteran jazzman. He began on the tenor when he was six, played in a family band and attended music school in Boston. Garzone has guested in many situations, touring Europe with Jamaaladeen Tacuma and performing with Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette, Rachel Z and John Patitucci among others.

Garzone is well-known as a sought-after jazz educator, currently teaching at the Berklee College of Music. He has also previously taught at New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music, New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Northeastern University and the New School University. He has pioneered the triadic chromatic approach and students of his have included Joshua Redman, Branford Marsalis, Teadross Avery, Luciana Souza, Mark Turner, Donny McCaslin, Doug Yates, and Danilo Perez.

In 1995 he recorded a fine tribute to Stan Getz on NYC called Alone; Four’s and Two’s followed a year later with compatriot Joe Lovano which earned him four stars in Downbeat magazine, and in 1999 Garzone returned with Moodiology. He is a member of the Grammy-winning Joe Lovano Nonet, and performed and recorded with this group at the Village Vanguard in September 2002.		      Gene Perla grew up in northeastern New Jersey attending public school grades 1-12. After one year of post graduate study at New York Militarjgvzy Academy he entered the University of Toledo majoring in civil engineering and business. He then attended Berklee School of Music and Boston Conservatory before heading to New York City.
     At age five Gene’s musical studies began with classical piano. Upon entering high school he was given a trombone which he played for five years culminating in marching on Fifth Avenue in New York City as part of the Memorial Day Parade. During high school he became aware of jazz and was thrilled to attend the first New York performance of Ted Heath’s big band at Carnegie Hall. It wasn’t until his last year at TU that his interest in music became primary.
     After struggling with too many notes, and thanks to Charlie Haden’s performance on Ornette Coleman’s "The Shape Of Jazz To Come,” Perla, at 24, switched to the bass as his main instrument. Not long after arriving in the City his talents became in demand and he found joy in performing with artists such as Willie Bobo, Carlos “Patato” Valdes, Nina Simone, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra.
     As an educator Mr. Perla has taught at William Paterson University, New School University, Center for the Media Arts and is currently at Lehigh University. Sound design has been a significant endeavor yielding credits on Broadway shows, theme parks and custom installations.
     Having a business sense, Gene has continuously expanded his activities to include music publishing, record labels, recording studios, promotional firms, Internet design and hosting and computer networking businesses as vehicles for his ideas.		      Adam Nussbaum is considered one of the finest drummers working today. He's played with a virtual "Who's Who" in the jazz world.      Longtime associates have included: John Abercrombie, Michael & Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Vic Juris, James Moody, John Scofield, Joe Sample, Ohad Talmor, ‘Toots' Thielemans, Kenny Wheeler & NHØP, as well as freelancing with prominent artists of every generation, being a major asset no matter where he appears.
     Nussbaum has recently formed the Lead Belly Project.  He has also joined forces with other musicians to form such groups as “BANN” w/Seamus Blake, Jay Anderson & Oz Noy, “We3” w/Dave Liebman & Steve Swallow, "The Impossible Gentlemen" w/Gwilym Simcock, Steve Rodby & Mike Walker, “The Nuttree Quartet" w/John Abercrombie, Jerry Bergonzi & Gary Versace and "The ZZ Quartet w/Ratko Zjaca, Simone Zanchini & Martin Gjakanovski. He's been on hundreds of recordings, including the Grammy winning "Don't Try This At Home” recorded with Michael Brecker.
     In addition, Nussbaum reaches out to the next generation. He is an in-demand educator doing Clinics and Master Classes, teaching at such institutions as Berklee, NYU, State University of New York, the New School, and at numerous Conservatories around the world.
     His abilities have brought opportunities for him to work with the finest makers of all things drum-related. Working with Sonor drums, he helped design a line in the “HiLite” series. In conjunction with Zildjian cymbals, Nussbaum helped developed the “Renaissance” & "Pre-Aged” K. Zildjian cymbals. He also coproduced with Hudson Music, "The Art of Playing Brushes."
     He was born in New York City and grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut and started to play drums at age 12 after studying piano for five years; he also playing bass and saxophone as a teenager. He moved to New York City in 1975 to attend The Davis Center for Performing Arts at City College. He eventually focused on drums.
Quartet at Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, PA ~ April 21, 2023
Comments

Thanks again so very much for a wonderful performance this past Friday night – so great seeing you guys all together making amazing music and having a great time doing it!
The audience was eating it up and with you all the way, so great job!
Donna Fritchey

Pretty intense, GP. Great show!
I loved the commentary from everyone in addition to the music.
David Willard

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Spectacular performance.
So glad you guys are here, close to our community.
Dave Roth

Quartet at Nublu, New York City ~ December 22, 2022
Photo by Robert Guttman
Comments
"You are a walking monster!!! Loved what I heard. Killin!!! Got goosebumps more than once!!! Those sax guys are just rediculous!!!!! And you and Adam are like a frieght train!!!!
Chip Jackson

"George is super jazzed about your gig yesterday. It's a rock star jazz band that should be headlining jazz festivals."
Steve Wirts
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