The
New York Unit (1996)
(L
to R): Mamadou Ba, Peter Vitalone, KJ Denhert,
Ray Levier, Giovanni Arencibia, Octavio Kotan
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The
New York Unit (2006)
(L to R): Sue
Hadjopoulos, Sheryl Bailey,
KJ Denhert, Ray Levier, Mamadou
Ba |
The NY Unit has
been performing nearly ten years in New York. The Latin Acoustic Quartet is
another configuration that features NY Unit members, especially Cuban born guitarist
Octavio Kotan on twelve string guitar, and accents Latin percussionists, without
traditional drums. KJ introduces the band members as her good friends and teachers.
The bands feature musicians from Holland, Senegal, Cuba and the US currently.
All shows are noted for their high energy and a unique blend of funk, folk, R&B
and jazz influenced writing and arranging from KJ and her guitars.
Dear Folks,
I've been terribly remiss in thanking a very large part of the support network that keeps me playing music. I'd like this band page to work as a honest thank you to the folks that schlep out to gigs with me, for not making nearly enough money, no set lists and maybe an annual rehearsal. I'll be trying to make up for this and would love for this page to be a resource for finding some great players and people.
The first featured artist page of many to come goes to the third drummer that has worked in the NY Unit, my good friend and band mate, the talented Mr. Ray Levier! We will be doing some fact checking with the listed artists and clearing contact information with everyone listed. Until such time you can write to me with inquiries if you would like to work with any of these folks, who come with my highest recommendation. I am proud to have worked with all of these artists.
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Currently appearing in The NY Unit:
 Mamadou Ba - Bass , Senegal Africa
First NY Unit gig 1996 - member of Harry Belafonte's touring band |
 Whynot Jansveld - Bass, Holland
First NY Unit gig 1997 - Berklee Graduate, performs with Jen Chapin, Yes Virginia, Hugh Pool, Wayne Krantz Red Time |
 Ray Levier - Drums, USA
First NY Unit gig 1998 - Featured Artist, First in our series.
Featured in "Modern Drummer" - May, 1995 |
 Sheryl Bailey - Guitar, USA
First NY Unit gig 1998 - Currently Teaching at Berklee, endorsed by Ibanez Guitars, www.sherylbailey.com |
 Octavio Kotan - Guitar, Cuba
First NY Unit gig 1999 - International Recording Artist, Teacher, Band leader (OK project) Arranger, Madrid 1993-1999 |
 Peter Vitalone - Keys, USA
First NY Unit gig 2000 - Berklee Graduate, Student of Lyle Mays, Producer, Arranger, Richie Havens band many more |
 Giovanni Arencibia - Percussion, Cuba
First NY Unit gig 2000 - Producer, Teacher, International touring countless Latin artists including Cuberama and many more. |
 Phil Gaita - Bass, USA
First NY Unit gig 2001, Purchase Music Graduate, Teacher, Performer, weekly performance with KJ's trio Ossining NY |
 John Caban - Guitar, USA
Performer, recording artist , Jen Chapin, Thing Three, Organic and many more |
 Diego Chachques - 6 String Bass, Argentina
First NY Unit gig 2004, has toured with Johnny Winter 2004 tour, featured in Bassist Magazine - Issue 35 |
Frequent Flyers
These are frequent subs and are often found sitting in with the NY Unit,
each with 5-10 shows in 2000
Billy Masters - Guitar, USA
Producer, Touring artist - Cry Cry Cry tour, Dar Williams, Richard Schindell, Lucy Kaplansky, V3, and Love Pie, producer credits upcoming release
Stephan Crump - Bass, USA
Appears on upcoming release, Band leader, recording artist, has appeared with KJ at The Bottom Line
Maria Breyer - Percussion, Brazil
Appears on upcoming release, NY Cast Of Stomp, Percussionist, arranger, international touring, Ar Rahaman tour
Buster Hemphill - Bass, USA
Performer , Teacher has performed at least 20 shows with the NY Unit 1999-2000,
Steve Di Giovanni - Drums, USA
First NY Unit gig 1998, Steve has performed as part of upstate NY Unit, as percussionist and drummer, several radio appearances.
Carole Chaikin - Sax , USA
Berklee graduate, Recording Artist, appears on Looking Forward Looking Back, NY Unit regular in 1999 and LA appearances
Dodd Attisani - Sax, USA
Composer keyboardist , good friend, many nights sitting in with NY Unit especially in Westchester
Donny Black (R.I.P.) - Producer
Producer & Composer for television & film, Independent studio owner, produced Looking Forward Looking Back,
keyboards, & programming, NY Unit 1997-1999
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