July 2, 2007
Rhythm at Rouge
Drummer Robert JospÈ leads Virginia-based Inner Rhythm playing contemporary jazz highlighting percussion and world rhythms at the Sycamore Rouge, July 14.
Concert repertoire includes original compositions with roots in jazz, rock, Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, and Brazilian styles and arrangements of jazz classics from Horace Silver, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Lee Morgan, and others.
The group features Jeff Decker on saxophones, Bob Hallahan on keyboard, Kevin Davis on percussion, Randall Pharr on bass. Vocalist Heather Maxwell, who performed on the bandís latest CD, Heart Beat, will be making a guest appearance.
Inner Rhythm has performed in theaters, clubs, schools, festivals, and community outreach programs from New York to Honolulu and has released four CDs with international airplay and both critical and popular acclaim.
Reviews:
“Robert JospÈ and Inner Rhythm play with a jubilant, life-affirming energy. JospÈ is an erudite, relentless drummer/percussionistÖ The deepest loyalties and affinities of his ensemble are with islands and continents far from their Charlottesville home. They execute calypso, samba, salsa, and African 12/8 and 6/4 funk with passion and precision.”
Thomas Conrad — JazzTimes
“Robert JospÈ’s new CD attempts to strike the nearly impossible balance between ambition and accessibility. It succeeds. But the central axis is JospÈ’s drumming, energetically commenting everywhere without ever getting into the way.”
Peter McElhinney — Style Weekly
ìFrom Charlottesville, Virginia, Robert JospÈ and his Inner Rhythm showcase a polished, jubilant mix of straight-ahead, Latin, and funk on Hands On. JospÈís crisp, tight grooves seamlessly merge styles. Hot!î
Jeff Potter — Modern Drummer Magazine
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