Title: World Time
Artist: Favicchia, John
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 640875061722
Genre: Jazz
BIO Several of John Favicchia's great uncles were well known trumpet players who played with legends like Benny Goodman, but the downside of their traveling musical lifestyles led the drummer's father to originally discourage his son's pursuing a career in music. Favicchia's Dharma won out, however, and in junior high, he saved enough money to wheel home in a shopping cart his first used drum kit; he was also by this time playing drums in the marching band in school. His influences soon shifted from progressive rockers like Rush to the jazz eclecticism of Chick Corea and versatile drumming of Steve Gadd. At 16, the Long Island native began studying drums with many private instructors and soon thereafter, he began an intense practice schedule which included many hours of private drum instruction from the top teachers in the country, as well as receiving his A.S. degree in Jazz - Commercial music from Five Towns College. At the same time, he was a drum instructor at the Long Island Drum Center and doing as many side club gigs as possible. Hailed as 'one of the most musical and well-rounded drummers', Favicchia's versatility has enabled him over the years to appear in a variety of musical settings: two Contemporary Jazz CD's by the Billy Eric Band, live NYC Radio broadcasts with the Richard Thomas Big Band, 2 CD's by Chapman Stick player Steve Adelson, concerts with rock guitarists Bob Koelbler and Matt Cardin, dates at the Blue Note in New York with Steve Adelson, jazz clubs with the Bob Gallo Group, and touring Europe with Trumpet player Latco Deczi. In 1993, Favicchia became a member of Deczi's band 'Jazz Celula'; his first two month tour took the band through Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Luxemberg, and Hungry. Some highlights of the tour were playing live on the radio in Prague as well as performing a concert for Czech TV. While in Germany, the drummer played the Burgthann Jazz Festival as well as the Famous Frankfurt 'Jazz Keller'. He toured Europe two more times with 'Jazz Celula', once in 1995 and two months in 1996. Other jazz artists Favicchia has performed and/or recorded with are Steve Khan, Larry Coryell, Harvie Swartz, Chieli Minucci, David Mann, Bob Malach, Jeff Haynes, Philip Halmilton, Dean Brown, Latco Deczi, Gerry Etkins, Jerry Brooks, Lonnie Plaxico, Jay Rowe, Schuyler Deale, Tim Regusis, Tony Kadleck, Carl Fischer, Mike Frost, John Scarpulla, Matt Cardin, Kirk Lions, and Billy Eric. The record release party for World Time was broadcast live on the Jazz radio station 88.7 WRHU FM. A few months later his band performed on a cable TV show that is broadcast to 750,000 homes in the NY area. In February, 1999 Favicchia recorded bass player Gerhard Graml's CD in Vienna Austria and in April of that year, his band toured Canada and started work on Dharma. He also has been recording a group lead by himself and his Partner Mario Cazeneuve. The group plays Latin/Jazz and the group and the CD are called 'Pa'delante'. When not on the road, John resides in the New York area where he is engaged in many creative activities: playing in a Latin/Jazz group called Afro Dysia; doing gigs with Enee recording artist Natural Elements; leading his own Fusion band as well as his own Quintet; running his own music company called FAV MUSIC for which he books Jazz acts for all kinds of situations; and keeping a busy schedule as a freelance artist playing with the (Blue Note Recording Artist) Lonnie Plaxico, Inner Voice Band, Billy Eric Band, Destiny, and Primo. In the educational field, John has been teaching in his own studio as well as South Island Music School on Long Island. He has written a drum book called the 'RTC METHOD'. John endorses Vater drum sticks, Attack drum heads, Colby Drum Works Snare Drums, Real Feel practice pads, as well as Zildjian cymbals. In the spirit of 'Dharma' and his belief that we should all use our own individual gifts to help benefit others, a portion of each CD sale will go to cancer research. 'In addition to all of the diverse musical situations I've been able to plug into and create during my career, the most rewarding thing for me is having the opportunity to meet new and different players all the time,' Favicchia says. 'I love playing with them live and it's been amazing to have the chance to document some of these performances now on disc. Working on Dharma has been an unbelievable journey, from building a small studio in my house to finding writers to write me songs in which I could express myself fully. I'm happiest when I'm playing, and it's so exciting to once again be able to share that joy in this way.' WORLD TIME REVIEWS JAZZ REVIEW.COM CD Title: World Time Year: 1997 Recording Label: FavMusic Ltd. Favorite Song: Horizons Review: Steady-cool, dynamic, and quite jazzy is how one would describe this new release by drummer extraordinare John Favicchia. Jazziz Magazine voted 'World Time' as a Top 10 for 1997. Playing the drums since age 13, John has developed his own playing style into a unique, crisp, well-developed drummer. At age 16, John began studying with some of the top instructors in New York and decided to devote his full efforts into becoming a professional musician at age 18. He has toured the world from Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Luxemberg, and Hungry with the Latco Deczi's band 'Jazz Celula', astonishing audiences with his pulsating style. John knows too well how to be an important part in the making of his music but never trying to over-shadow or out play his sidemen. John features a congregation of great sidemen: Bob Malach on tenor sax, Bob Gallo and Dean Brown on guitar, Jerry Brooks on six string bass, Jeff Haynes doing percussion, and Brian Charette on piano. John's playing comes across as both self-assured and with an open-minded viewpoint. When asked about the songs on his release, John replies, 'The songs on the CD have many different styles of Jazz: from Latin Jazz to Fusion, to Contemporary, and Traditional.' We loved the diversity of forms expresses on this release and would recommend picking it up. Enjoy the beats! CYBER-DRUM REVIEW John Favicchia's 'World Time' is well-named and gives the listener ample opportunity to appreciate Favicchia's knowledge and abilities within the 'world' of drumming. Favicchia delves into a wide sampling of rhythms and textures: cool contemporary fusion, large fat grooves, and exotic, worldly patterns. He seems equally at home with Latin styles and jazz ballads, creating suitable moods and feels, and displaying chops in a tasteful manner. Favicchia's grooves are nicely enhanced with the strong musicianship surrounding him, and compelling compositions that stand on their own merit. Favicchia never seems to feel anxious or over-zealous in presenting what he can do. His playing feels relaxed, and he takes his time building solos, suggesting he is more interested in creating the appropriate setting than showing off. And he is quite capable of 'showing off', substantiated by many of his intricate fills. Much of the music reminds briefly of the Yellowjackets, with inventive rhythms underscoring beautiful melodies. Track 8, entitled 'Crossing Time Zones' is a complex undertaking that continually shifts time, providing a fun romp through a myriad of down beats. This cut features some excellent horn solo work throughout the composition. (As do many of the others. And the guitar work of Bob Gullo, who penned four of the compositions on this disk is definitely worth exploring.) On track 9 Favicchia introduces us to the mystical world of African and Eastern percussion. Turn this one up and experience why so many humans have chosen drumming as a part of their existence! It's a spiritual thing. 'World Time' is worth sampling. The instrumentalists' are exciting, the compositions are attractive. And John Favicchia helps us to appreciate the value of a world view of life. CONTEMPO - by Jonathan Widran That sort of el
Tracks:
1.1 This Is Why
1.2 Horizons
1.3 Good to Go
1.4 Black
1.5 Say
1.6 April Fools
1.7 Kukuc
1.8 Crossing Time Zones
1.9 World Time
