Jeremy Kittel » Projects

Jeremy Kittel Band

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:29:49 +0000

Compass Recording Artist and violist for the Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet, Jeremy Kittel leads an exceptional band whose musical roots transverse the world. With the drive of Celtic fiddling, spontaneity of jazz, soul of the blues and intricacies of chamber music, the Jeremy Kittel Band consistently captivates audiences. Jeremy is joined by some of the most dynamic young performers on the American acoustic music scene – the four-piece band usually includes the core members Josh Pinkham (mandolin), Nathaniel Smith (cello), and Simon Chrisman (hammered dulcimer).

Josh Pinkham took to the mandolin at age twelve and in a very short time has made a true mark for himself as a player, composer, recording artist and concert performer; by the time Josh was just 14 he had played on stage with nearly all of his mandolin heroes. He continues to push his mandolin into new and old territory; excelling in Bluegrass, Newgrass, Jazz and Classical music, Joshua was named “the future of the mandolin” by Mandolin Magazine in their review of his CD, “Solo Mandolin Duets.” Scott Tichenor of Mandolin Cafe described Josh’s solos on the Youtube videos with Frank Vignola and Jascho Stefan as “Jaw Dropping”. And mandolin forefather David Grisman, with whom Joshua has just completed a recording, named him “as certainly one of the most important young improvisers on the acoustic scene today.”

Hammered dulcimer wizard Simon Chrisman tours with the Bee Eaters, has performed with Mike Marshall and Darol Anger, opened for Bill Frisell, and at 16 was a scholarship guest artist at the Augusta Heritage Festival in West Virginia. His sophisticated rhythmic sense and ingenious tonal flexibility, on an instrument usually considered limited, has created a buzz among musicians all over the world.

Nathaniel Smith began touring with Mark O’Connor in 2006 and has been the cellist for Natalie MacMaster since 2007. He has toured both the US and Canada extensively. He has been the recipient of the ASTA Alternative Styles award and has performed on the national public radio program, From The Top. In 2008, he collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma on his recording, Songs of Joy and Peace. He released his first CD of original music for cello, “Arrhythmia,” in December 2009.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Irish Jig Medley

Turtle Island Quartet

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:42:33 +0000

Its name derived from creation mythology found in Native American folklore, the Turtle Island Quartet, since its inception in 1985, has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings. Winner of the 2006 – and most recently, the 2008 – Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album, Turtle Island fuses the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles, and by devising a performance practice that honors both, the state of the art has inevitably been redefined. Cellist nonpareil Yo-Yo Ma has proclaimed TIQ to be “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground – authentic and passionate – a reflection of some of the most creative music-making today.”

For more information and performance schedule please visit their web site at http://turtleislandquartet.com.

Orchestral soloist

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:47:08 +0000

Jeremy Kittel is rapidly earning a reputation as one of the nation’s most creative young musicians. Classically trained, he grew up in the Irish, folk and jazz music scenes of Ann Arbor and Detroit. As a youth he traveled to Ireland and Scotland to further his studies of traditional music. In addition to performing with his own band and touring with the Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet, he performs as a soloist with orchestras.

The 24-year-old fiddler-violinist-composer has earned an impressive list of accolades including multiple U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championships, Alternative Styles Awards from the American String Teachers Association, and six Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Folk Artist, Jazz Recording, and Jazz Composer. Kittel graduated at twenty from the University Of Michigan School Of Music and was awarded the Stanley Medal, their highest musical honor. He was the first recipient of the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin, and he recorded as a soloist on the multiple Grammy Award-winning CD “Songs of Innocence and Experience” by William Bolcom. At twenty-three he finished his Master’s degree in Jazz Violin from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.

Kittel has performed over a thousand concerts and festivals including the Kennedy Center, “A Prairie Home Companion”, the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony, and Carnegie Hall. He has been guest artist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Mark O’Connor, and Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings.

Jeremy captivated the audience and brought them to their feet over and over. His virtuosic skill and sensitive playing were truly magnificent. Jeremy is a remarkable talent! Kendra Whitlock, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Kittel impressed both DSO musicians and the Detroit audience with his dynamic stage presence and original compositions and sounds that range from Irish and Scottish tunes to pure contemporary jazz. After hearing many talented young artists over the past 25 years with the DSO, I believe that Jeremy Kittel is one who deserves a serious look and listen by major orchestra pops venues. Ann Strubler, First Violinist, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Jeremy has a range of skills on the violin that rival any professional alternative string player in the country, bar none. In addition, he is mature well beyond his years, and an absolute pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend anyone interested in the cutting edge of string music to keep an eye on this young man, he is truly something special. David Balakrishnan, Turtle Island String Quartet

Jeremy Kittel’s musicality and extraordinary virtuosity brought a great deal to our performance. Under the direction of VSO Principal Pops Conductor, Jeff Tyzik, Jeremy’s natural talent and joy in music making contributed to a memorable evening. Joanne Harada, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Teaching

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:12:10 +0000

Jeremy has taught students of all ages at string camps, fiddle camps, workshops and clinics. Summer programs include the International Music Academy in the Czech Republic, Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camps in Nashville and San Diego, the Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville, NC and Mount Shasta Fiddle Camp. String clinics include American String Teacher Association Conferences, Interlochen Arts Academy (pictured below), Michigan ASTA and Cadillac Strings. Workshops include Folk Festivals, Suzuki groups, and many school groups. Jeremy and his bands have also performed hundreds of school, library and community concerts. See the past performances page for a partial list.

I wholeheartedly recommend Jeremy Kittel as a workshop clinician. His friendly, easygoing manner immediately put everyone at ease. The ability to strike a comfortable balance when working with students of varying levels is a gift; Jeremy was able to operate on more than one level, allowing beginning fiddlers as well as advanced players to be challenged simultaneously. Jeremy’s fiddling workshop was a delight for participants as well as listeners! Dana Duncan, Kalamazoo Sukuki Strings, MI

The Clarkston Area Optimist Club and the Clarkston Community Schools’ Orchestra Program were pleased to host Jeremy Kittel last April. Jeremy and guitarist John Behling spent the school day with the Orchestra students, sharing with the kids their amazing music and better yet, teaching the students how to begin to play in specific fiddle styles. The students were very excited to be able to learn to play like Jeremy, and still talk about the day frequently. I was very impressed with the way Jeremy was able to teach so much in a short time to students that do not often play traditional folk and fiddle music. I learned a great deal that day as well!

After three workshops during the day, Jeremy and John gave an inspiring evening performance for the students and the community. Our students had the opportunity to join them on stage to show off what they learned during the day. Our community, the Optimist Club, my students and I truly enjoyed having Jeremy Kittel as a performer and guest clinician in Clarkston. Nothing speaks higher of the impact Jeremy had on my students than hearing as we begin a new school year of all the times they went and saw his performances on their own over the summer. Wendy Stuart, Orchestra Director, Clarkston Community Schools, MI

Jeremy is an extraordinary musician; he is also a warm and genuine young man. It was a pleasure to present him and we look forward to a return engagement. Rebecca McMeekin, Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, VT

Jeremy Kittel Jazz Quartet

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:54:40 +0000

Project currently on hold | Jeremy has performed and recorded with friends in jazz for several years. They have performed in the Northeast and Midwest, and did three tours of Korea. Band members have included Andrew Krazat, John Nam, Chad Hochberg, Dann Friedman, Andrew Bishop and Dean Moore III.

A graduate in jazz performance from the University of Michigan, Andrew Kratzat plays bass in both the world band and the jazz ensemble. At 18 he was the youngest person ever to win the International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition, and way back in high school was named Best Student Jazz Instrumentalist by Downbeat Magazine.

Pianist John Nam has returned to Korea where he performs and teaches at Mokwon University in Dae-Jeon. He has a BA from Cornell University, a Master’s in Jazz Studies from the University of Michigan, and a graduate certificate from Manhattan School of Music. He has composed and produced two CDs, Energy and Angular Momentum, and No Regrets.

Drummer Chad Hochberg lives in the Boston area, performing and teaching. He is a graduate in jazz performance from the University of Michigan and has performed with renowned jazz artists such as Hank Jones, Chris Potter, Arthur Blythe and Ed Sarath.

Friends and collaborators

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:01:29 +0000

Jeremy performs as a soloist, in a duo, trio, quartet or quintet and sometimes guests with other bands. Here are a few of his awesomely talented and valued friends.

Guitarist John Behling has moved to Chicago to collect data for his jazz ethnomusicology dissertation. Originally from Milwaukee, John has performed throughout the Midwest since 1986. He has appeared with many folk, jazz, and popular artists including Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Patti Page, Sam Pilafian and Mike Metheny. John holds a master’s degree in guitar performance from the University of Arkansas and is a PhD candidate at the University of Michigan.

Jeremy is often invited to play with other groups, from the Turtle Island String Quartet to the Hot Club of Detroit, the Red Stick Ramblers from Louisiana and the Raisin Pickers from Michigan.