..."organ marvel" Tony Monaco on his 'hottest' release to date!

Enter The “Chicken Coup”! Chicken Who? Coup? CHICKEN COUP IS A PLACE FOR KEYBOARD PLAYERS....INSPIRATION: JIMMY SMITH
Up till the time of the landmark-legendary, late/great Jimmy Smith, the organ, for the most part had the reputation of being a church instrument. Of course, musicians such as Wild Bill Davis and Milt Buckner were the exception, but didn't quite do it like Jimmy. Innovators such as Fats Waller and Count Basie even "dabbled" with the organ, but Jimmy took giant steps with the instrument's approach, pounding walking bass lines with his pedals and adding tasty ingredients of blues and gospel chords on his left-hand - all while delivering powerful improvisations with his right-hand, creating an incredible sound. His use of changing sounds by pulling drawbars and spinning the Leslie was the creation of the first synthesizer! Jimmy Smith truly set the standard(s). Many great keyboardists were "birthed" by hearing his music, and in this case, Chicken Coup Records has been "birthed" with that same late/great inspiration. Tony Monaco was deeply inspired by Jimmy Smith. Tony Monaco has a passion for the organ because of that inspiration and that’s the beauty that encompasses Chicken Coup Records' mission statement. Chicken Coup Records is all about the Keyboard. As long as there's a keyboard (and quality) involved, it could 'land' in the 'Chicken Coup'. In some instances, the keyboardist may not necessarily be the leader on the recording, but we can 'gair-own-tee' there'll be a keyboard involved. ...and you never know who might be the leader... Who doesn’t love a great sounding keyboard that’s played right? When it's good music played right it doesn’t matter what genre it is. Chicken Coup Records just wants to get the music out, so, don't be surprised to see recordings of different genres - As long as there's a keyboard involved, it could land in the Chicken Coup!

“Chicken Coup” is here because of visions, dreams, determination and passions! Live your passion and your dreams will soon take shape.

THE 'STORY' BEHIND THE “CHICKEN COUP”
Way back in 1960 a hen appeared above Jimmy Smith's left shoulder on the cover of his “Back at the Chicken Shack” recording. That hen, ‘chillin’ in an old fashioned wood and chicken wire fenced cage, was a special hen; a hen with a special kind of 'groove' you may say. A hen that was witnessing the "birth" of the modern keyboard as we know it. During the photo shoot, which featured the legendary Smith poised and confident in a cap and red sweater, the hen laid a special egg. An egg that hatched a special male chick by the name of“Rudy”. Rudy, was different than all the others. He was intensely into the music he heard coming out of Jimmy’s “Chicken Shack”. He 'dove' into the sound...never partaking in any social rooster games and at a very young age, he became a prodigal student of the music and held a great passion for Jimmy's sound. He felt he was the 'chosen one'; afterall, he was actually 'birthed' during that warm midwestern day photo shoot on the set of "Back at the Chicken Shack"...heck, he had to be special! While remaining passionate to the organ sound, Rudy grew up to be a fine Rooster and in 2005, Rudy decided that it was time to 'carve' his own place for others to share there special talents in a unified way…a place that would give the musicians freedom, a place devoted to the keyboard, a vehicle to deliver great sounds...a "Chicken Coup"!
Rudy carries the great “Spirit” that came from his indoctrination to the “Chicken Shack” and thus will always be the ruler of the roost. In his travels, he has become friends with many different kind of spirited souls like Roz the Cat and his Lady Fox (you'll meet ‘Roz’ and the ‘Fox’ on "East To West"); spirited souls that will show up, now and then, in the Coup. Ladies and Gentlemen: Welcome to the Chicken Coup.
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From Tony:
I’ve had the experience of playing with Bruce Forman when I tour out West (in the Bay Area). He’s magical and one of the best in the world! We just have that chemistry that compliments each other. I met Adam Nussbaum at the 2001 IAJE where I watched him play with John Abercrombie. I never knew I’d be blessed to record with him. He’s just an explosive yet subtle musical genius. Bruce and Adam, are what I consider to be at a level above most! They certainly played their hearts out. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to 'house' this one at my studio “Columbus Sound” in Columbus, Ohio. Adam and Bruce came not only ready to play but also shared thoughts and experiences helping me produce this recording so tastefully. Thanks Adam and Bruce for giving me the ride of my life!

------------------------------ A note from the 'Coup':
I like to believe that each one of us has a mission and nothing happens by mistake as long as we are ready to do the footwork. Somehow, I've been blessed with 5 releases on Summit, and through the last few years, we started talking about starting a keyboard player's label. It is my vission to have a unified place for people like us to release our music. A strong voice can be heard!
Whenever you look into the great organ trios of the past and present, you think of teams like: Jimmy Smith with Donald Bailey and Eddie McFadden or Kenny Burrell and Grady Tate; or Lary Young, Elvin Jones and Grant Green; or Don Patterson, Billy James, and Pat Martino; Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham and Paul Bollenback, to name a few. "OGD" (Rudy VanGelders' "Organ, Guitar, Drums" shorthand ) requires everyone to be playing their best. What you play is what everyone hears, there's no place to hide! Those kind of unions are also evident in keyboard driven bands like "ELP" or Medesky, Martin and Wood...or Rick Wakeman and Brian Augar..... on infinitum! Keyboardists have always been a vital force since the beginning of modern music! Dreams do come true if your actions are included into the realization stage. Everyone we meet in this world is a vehicle and thus a potential to take you on the next ride! If you feel you could be a part of the "Coup"...
I sure hope you enjoy this first release on Chicken Coup Records; "East to West" is my favorite recording to date.
God Bless,

Tony Monaco Jazz Organist, Instructor, Producer and Executive Producer Credits: Adam Nussbaum uses Sonor drums, Zildjian cymbals & sticks, Evans drumheads, DW hardware, XL cases, Shure microphones, LP and Canopus products -------------------------------

Tony Monaco: …”organ marvel”.**…

** Ken Franckling, UPI Arts & Entertainment

“Tony Monaco is a Monster B3 Player...”
-JazzTimes

...Chitlin'-circuit grits and gravy organ-guitar-drum trio jazz at its finest.... Truly inspirational, as are the superbly executed performances on Burnin' Grooves . . . a must-have for jazz organ fans.
-Keyboard Magazine

..."In the organ world, Tony Monaco has become an unanticipated new star...”Master Chops T”... features plenty of Monaco's fearsome technique..
-JazzTimes

... "Tony has managed to become a real master of the B3..."

-JazzTimes

“...Monaco's CD Boils with the energy of a live show ...’Takin my Time’
demonstrates his prowess in the 12/8/G blues format... Monaco ventures
furthest out on Ellington's ‘Take the Coltrane’, kicking in the Leslie rotor
at just the right spot as he releases the harmonic tension...”
-Downbeat

..."Monaco's Trio Smokes ...Monaco explodes in a climactic style... Exuberance, skillful dynamics and galvanic solo construction are this organ trio's assets....Monaco has plenty of soul to call his own"...
-JazzTimes

"...thrilling and memorable... He's a first-rate Hammond B-3 jazz organist"
-JazzImprov

“Tony Monaco has emerged as a true master of all things having to do with Hammond...”
-Keyboard Magazine

“… incredible blues organ playing..."
-Keyboard Magazine