Starting Point
383 plays
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7,255 views
We are a 5-piece Minneapolis-based group which plays an original mix of jazz, fusion, and funk.
Personnel:
Larry Reeves: Bass
Steve Jennings: Drums & Percussion
Scott Dercks: Guitars & Percussion
Fred Goetz: Keyboards
Andrew Schwandt: SaxophoneBand/artist history
Scott Dercks - Guitars
Since moving to Minneapolis from Appleton, Wisconsin, Dercks has worked with the Steeles, the Peterson Family, R-Factor, Best Kept Secret, Bozo Allegro, among many others. It was in Appleton that Dercks met keyboardist Fred Goetz and formed the award winning fusion group Nearvana. He has shared the stage with Jack McDuff, Aaron Neville, and Luther Allison. Recording credits include Best Kept Secret's "Honest, Pure and True" (nominated for Best R&B Recording Minnesota Music Awards), two critically acclaimed projects with Bozo Allegro, and numerous jingles for the likes of Disney, Sony, and Ford Motors. Scott has also done guitar clinics for Gibson with studio ace Tommy Tedesco and Gene Bertoncini. He draws inspiration from his musical heros; Pat Metheny, Robben Ford, Luis Salebra and many others found in his extensive recording collection.
Fred Goetz - Keyboards
A native of Appleton, Wisconsin, Fred has been playing for over 25 years and has performed with LUJE, Nearvana and the No Outlet Band. Goetz has performed primarily in the upper mid-west with stints in Wisconsin Dells, the Great Lakes Navel Base, and several memorable winter tours through Upper Michigan. Freds primary influences include Herbie Hancock, John Harmon, Lyle Mays, and Joe Zawinal.
Steve Jennings - Drums
Drummer Steve Jennings is a freelance performer, session player, and teacher from Northfield, MN. He is the drummer for vocal jazz stylists Moore By Four, the Over and Back Band, and songwriter David Levin. He also works with guitarist Paul Renz, the Platters, the Drifters, the Coasters singer/songwriter Dan Schwartz, symphonic composer Bradley Joseph, jazz vocalist Connie Evingson and Brazilian pianist Renato Vasconceles. Recent recordings include An Acceptable Stay with David Levin, and A Tribute to Duke Ellington with Moore By Four. In 1996 Jennings produced the recording Colours with the late jazz great Bobby Peterson on piano and sax. Steves current inspirations include drummers Antonio Sanchez, Paul Chambers, Alex Acuna and John Vidacovich.
Larry Reeves - Bass
Originally from Upstate NY, Larry has over 25 years of music experience. Reeves paid his dues on the road playing in production shows, top 40 dance bands, rock, funk and blues groups. However, he always found himself returning to jazz, his first love and passion. It was with this goal in mind that he founded the group Starting Point, a dynamic jazz quintet featuring high-energy performances and reflecting so many of Larry's improvisational influences including Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Ray Brown, and his current mentor, Minneapolis' own Terry Burns.
Andrew Schwandt - Tenor Sax
Andrew has lived in the Minneapolis area for most of his life, and has been playing the saxophone for 12 years. He has had excellent teachers in local saxophonist Scott Johnson and the nationally known Ron Bridgewater; however, he is mainly self-taught. His main influences at this point are Michael Brecker, Dexter Gordon, and Grover Washington, Jr. Andrew recently played saxophone for the production of Diana Was at the Penumbra Theater with music director, Sanford Moore.Have you performed in front of an audience?We play out about 3-5 times per month, and are currently working on our first cd. Clubs in town with whom we've developed a good relationship are Rossi's Blue Star Room, Dixie's on Grand, and The Cafe Luxx.
Your musical influences
The band demonstrates a wide range of influences, but our cover material comes from such artists/groups as Weather Report, The Yellowjackets, Chick Corea, Galactic, and Pat Metheny.
383 plays
7,255 views
7,255 views
