Jazz Vespers: Alex Minasian, Matt Dwonszyk, Carmen Intorre

About Alex Minasian

With two degrees from NYU, Alex Minasian has, at a remarkably young age, established himself as a versatile pianist, educator, and impresario in many different musical genres. As a pianist, Alex has has studied with some of the greatest pianists in jazz history, including Hank Jones, Don Friedman, Jean-Michel Pilc, and James Williams, and has performed in most of the country's most famous jazz rooms, such as Birdland, the Blue Note, Cafe Carlyle, Yoshi's, Bohemian Caverns, Herb Alpert's Vibrato, Iridium, Jazz @ Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Theater. He has shared the stage with such legends as James Ingram, Arturo Sandoval, ?UESTLOVE, Sam Moore, Marylin McCoo, Joe Pesci, Antony Hegarty, Steve Jordan, Mel Carter, Lenny Welch, Curtis Fuller, Hank Jones, and Clark Terry, and with such jazz greats as Brian Lynch, Billy Pierce, Kenny Washington, Annie Ross, Sheila Jordan, Gary Bartz and Hugh Masekela. Alex was the last pianist for the late iconic singer and NEA Jazz Master Little Jimmy Scott, and the last pianist/musical director for renowned jazz singer Mark Murphy, and performs as pianist and musical director for singer, actor, songwriter, and musical historian Billy Vera and his 18-piece big band. Alex currently plays keyboards with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers’, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and iconic soul diva Candi Staton.

About Matt Dwonszyk

Matt Dwonszyk is a Connecticut-born, New York-based, bassist, composer, arranger, bandleader and educator. Dwonszyk has shared the bandstand with trumpeter Eddie Henderson; saxophonist Bennie Wallace; trombonist Steve Davis; pianists George Cables, Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, and Joey Alexander; and vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, among many others. He can regularly be found with drummer Jonathan Barber’s Vision Ahead, trios by pianist Jon Davis and saxophonist Julieta Eugenio, and saxophonist Sarah Hanahan’s quartet. He also leads his namesake ensemble, the Dwonztet. The bassist has been described by trombonist Peter McEachern as “deep, sincere, hard-working, valuable to know and work with” drummer Ben Bilello as “always ready to embrace a challenge,” and bassist Nat Reeves as “very impressive,” praising his “great playing.” Bassist Doug Weiss characterizes Dwonszyk as “an old soul,” noting, “his playing and musical conception transmit a deep feeling of swing and joy.”

About Carmen Intorre

Carmen Intorre Jr. developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age five. He has performed and recorded with numerous musicians such as George Benson, Larry Coryell, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, George Cables, Benny Golson, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan, Bucky Pizzarelli, and many others. Carmen currently holds down the drum chair with legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino, touring extensively throughout the world with the guitarist's organ trio and quintet. A 2011 GRAMMY® nominee for his co-producer credit on the critically acclaimed album by Joey DeFrancesco entitled Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson, Intorre also had the pleasure of performing alongside DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith on the PBS show Legends of Jazz, hosted by Ramsey Lewis. Receiving both his BM and MM degrees from Juilliard Intorre is always eager to uncover the latest information about music and drumming and to share that information with others. He states, "This is my job. I have to give back what I was given a chance to do." He goes on to explain, "Music is an opportunity for me to give up my soul, while in the process connecting with the audiences' souls as well. I want the musicians on the bandstand and the members of the audience to feel uplifted after a performance, to feel great about themselves through the experience that they encountered.”

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