Projects
Contra Band
No, this band is not a front for smuggling illicit goods. (Or is it?) So why Contra Band you ask? The bass instrument used in jazz has many names, double bass, upright bass, string bass, and contra bass. Thus, the Contra Band.
Chris Pistorino’s Contra Band is a musical project celebrating the compositions of some of the greatest jazz bassists throughout history. Our shows feature classic and new arrangements of compositions by Jimmy Blanton, Oscar Pettiford, Paul Chambers, Charles Mingus, Scott LaFarro, Sam Jones and Jaco Pastorius to name a few.
Gypsy Reverie
Gypsy Reverie is a burning hot quartet comprised of violin, lead guitar, rhythm guitar and upright bass that plays originals and classic repertoire from the storied Gypsy Jazz lineage. Gypsy Jazz, also known as Jazz Manouche or Hot Club-Style Jazz originated in the 1930s through the innovative and skillful guitar work of Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli in the Quintette du Hot Club de France. Over many years of studying and performing this genre with artists and bands such as Stephane Wrembel, David Langlois and The Hot Club of Philadelphia the musicians in this group bring a wealth of knowledge, understanding and energetic swing to every performance. However, the band doesn’t confine itself to only playing the classic Manouche repertoire. Each show also features inspired originals, songs from the Fado genre which is a traditional and deeply soulful form of Portuguese music and lastly clever arrangements of western “classical” compositions.
The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn
The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn present an impressive repertoire including jazz, New Orleans swing, and catchy pop hits of the 1920s & 30s. They blend nostalgic blues favorites, gritty 1950s R&B, Dixieland, high-energy dance floor-packing jump blues, rockabilly, plus a bit of Americana for truly one-of-a-kind entertainment.
The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn play weddings, events, and festivals all over New York City and the East Coast. Highlights include headlining Lisa Loeb's nuptials in New York City, playing with Bette Midler, and opening for Elvis Costello. At HBO's Boardwalk Empire Finale Parties, they performed with Margot Bingham (Daughter Maitland) and Stephen DeRosa (Eddie Cantor). They've provided entertainment for Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Clients include Bergdorf Goodman, NYC Wine and Food Festival, HBO, The Food Network, and The Village Voice Obie Awards. They were voted winners of the “Subway Idol” contest by the studio audience and viewers of FOX's nationally syndicated “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.” And the Vipers are one of New York Magazine Weddings' "Ultimate New York Wedding” music choices, while couples have voted them as “best of” in the knot.
Orchestras and Sideman
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