We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Callisto presents vol. 1

by Callisto

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $5 USD  or more

     

1.
2.
Fragmented 06:49
3.
Card Sharks 06:03
4.

about

An engaging blend of contemporary jazz...(Callisto)demonstrates a lyrical sense, combined with a strong sense of groove that makes for fun listening. - John Kelman, www.ejazznews.com

Callisto began in the early months of 2003 as a project to integrate jazz improvisation, harmony, and form with groove-based rhythms. While continually experimenting with fusions of rock, funk, hip-hop, dance, world and electronic music, the band members are always searching to bring together the soul of funk with polyrhythmic beats.

Steven Rogers (tenor saxophone), John Leber (guitar), Jonathan Matloff (drums), Eric Wheeler (bass)

Steven Rogers is a composer, saxophonist, and teacher currently residing in Washington, DC. His compositions and performances encompass a number of styles including jazz, fusion, computer generated music, and concert band/orchestral pieces. He has performed with The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Marlon Jordan, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, as well as opened for Rahzel (of the hip-hop group The Roots) and his compositions have been performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and Shakespeare Theater Company. Since 2007, Steven has served as the director of bands at the Maret School in Washington, DC, where he directs middle and high school concert, orchestral, and jazz bands and has taught computer music composition. www.stevenrogers.us

John Leber, Guitar - John studied Jazz improvisation and theory at GWU with bassist, Dave Marsh, guitarist, John Albertson and saxophonist, Peter Fraize. John also performed with the University's Jazz Combo and Latin Band Los Gringos. John has also studied privately with Jazz guitarist Paul Bollenback. John has performed throughout the Northeast Region with numerous artists such as Tito Puente, Juanita Williams, James Andrews, Trombone Shorty, Tim Eyerman, Bill Hyde, Daryl Davis, Trux Baldwin, The Remainders, Jolof Groove and Lamonster. John has had his compositions featured on the FX channel show The Shield.

Jonathan Matloff , Drums - A newcomer to the DC area, Jon has spent four years performing acoustic-jazz and funk-fusion in the Fingerlakes region of New York while attending Cornell University. Prior to that, he studied percussion part-time at Berklee College of Music in Boston, his hometown, with Skip Hadden and Gene Roma. He has performed or recorded with local groups Zeugma, Kevin Webster, and The Remainders.

Eric Wheeler, Bass - Eric Wheeler began playing the upright bass at the age of ten. During this time, he studied classical music at the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program. At thirteen, Eric was accepted into the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. There he learned to play jazz under the instruction of Saxophonist, Davey Yarborough. After graduating from Ellington in 2000, he was accepted into Howard University's music program. He performs at various venues in the D.C. metropolitan area including; Twins, Bohemian Caverns, HR-57, the Kennedy Center, and Blues Alley. Eric is influenced by many styles of music, and performs many styles of music including; classical, jazz, hip-hop, funk, r&b, and reggae.

PB and Jam, Card Sharks, and Field of Sound were composed by John Leber. Fragmented was composed by Steven Rogers.
________________________________________________________________
2003 album review written by Sheldon T. Nunnon on www.jazzreview.com

www.jazzreview.com/index.php/reviews/latest-cd-reviews/item/20772-

Every year, thousands of artists record and promote their brand of jazz in hopes of elevating the consciousness of America's only original art form. Four individuals who perform under the moniker Callisto are just one of a number of up and coming musicians who represent the future of jazz.

Hailing from Washington, D.C., tenor saxophonist Steve Rogers, guitarist John Leber, bassist Eric Wheeler and drummer Jonathan Matloff have recorded a CD entitled 'Presents Project Volume I.' Collectively, these four musicians have come together to express their fundamental interpretations they have found in fusing a variety of musical styles into one complete jazz activated sound energy experience. In addition, Callisto has drawn inspiration from their years of studying jazz in all its flavors, musical influences and professional gigs they have played in individually. In bringing all of these experiences into play, the end result is four tracks of surprising originality. 'Presents Project Volume I' is the first CD for this quartet. The recording combines rock, funk, hip-hop, electronic and improvised jazz fundamentals to introduce aficionados to four guys that appear to have a very promising future.

This debut release for Callisto is very difficult to classify because it touches the passions of so many influences. 'Presents Project Volume I' is touched by a sampling of blues, a touch of contemporary jazz, an electronic element highlighting a multi-faceted array of rhythmic beats and an ample helping of dominant R&B grooves. Overall, Callisto also displays a penchant for jazz as well, coupled with an innate ability to prominently expose their creative juices in the process. What is just as profound is their presentation of individual talent throughout the recording. At various moments, all four musicians have an opportunity to highlight their skills singularly. That one aspect alone makes up for the lack of additional tracks. The group chose to record only four tunes their first time out.

Prominently heard throughout 'Presents Project Volume,' the enduring sound of Steve Rogers saxophone reverberates, as the acoustic rhythms of John Leber's guitar serves as a spicy condiment. Augmented by the strong bass presence of Eric Wheeler, drummer Jonathan Matloff does his part to provide percussive dynamics to the group to complete this journey into originality. At each and every juncture of this CD there is an unbridled expression of all four musicians. Unfortunately, with only four tracks being presented, listeners are left with a desire for more of Callisto's diverse offering of jazz. The next time out, maybe they will provide a broader portrait of their abilities as jazz composers and musicians.

Artist / Group Name: Callisto
CD Title: Presents Project Volume I
Genre: Fusion
Year Released: 2003
Record Label: Independent
Tracks: Field of Sound, Card Sharks, Fragmented, PB and Jam
Musicians: Steve Rogers (tenor saxophone), John Leber (guitar), Jonathan Matloff (drums), Eric Wheeler (bass)
Rating: Three Stars

________________________________________________________________
2003 album review written by John Kelman on www.jazzreview.com

www.jazzreview.com/index.php/reviews/latest-cd-reviews/item/20643-

Callisto is the name of four Washington, DC musicians who, with a strong background in jazz studies, formed in early 2003 to explore the fusion of jazz harmony and form with rock, hip hop, funk and world rhythms.. Presents Project Volume 1 is the first tangible result; an EP that shows a group that is finding its collective feet while, at the same time, creating an engaging blend of contemporary jazz. Through a programme of four original compositions, the group demonstrates a lyrical sense, combined with a strong sense of groove that makes for fun listening.

Tenor saxophonist Steve Rogers cites influences including Herbie Hancock, Erik Truffaz, Joe Henderson and Stan Getz. His sound is not as harsh as Henderson, nor as smoky as Getz; throughout the set he shows a strong blues sense.

Guitarist John Leber’s influences start with more traditional sources including Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino and Jim Hall, move through some soul-jazz with George Benson and then become more contemporary with John Abercrombie and Steve Khan. Again, there is a strong rooting in the blues.

Bassist Ray Brown informs Eric Wheeler, but more evident is Christian McBride who, being another artist with a diversity of musical interests, probably influences Wheeler in attitude more than anything else.

Another Steve Khan fan, drummer Jonathan Matloff lists his Eyewitness album as a primary source. Matloff clearly demonstrates a debt to Steve Jordan with his impeccable groove and, again, breadth of playing.

It is the Steve Khan influence that is, in fact, the most dominant for the group. Tracks like Leber’s "PB and Jam" could easily fit into an Eyewitness or Public Access album; there is the integration of Latin elements into a deep funk groove while, at the same time, Leber shows a similar ability to combine linear and chordal playing in more extended melodic form.

"Card Sharks" is a shuffle that demonstrates Rogers’ and Leber’s blues roots; "Field of Sound" comes from a samba, but Matloff adds some funk to give it a different complexion. Rogers’ piece, "Fragments" has rhythmic twists and turns; rapid changes in meter make it the most complex piece of the set; yet it never loses site of the fundamental groove.

Callisto is a group still looking to find their voice; their influences are, perhaps, worn a little too dominantly on their collective sleeve; but they are capable players who, with more time, ought to develop into a more distinctive unit. Presents Project Volume 1 is a good introduction to a group who, as the press release says, "is always searching to bring together the soul of funk with polyrhythmic beats.... to find its sound amidst its acoustic roots and electric influences."
Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Callisto
CD Title: Presents Project Volume 1
Genre: Contemporary Jazz / Modern
Year Released: 2003
Record Label: Independent
Tracks: Field of Sound, Card Sharks, Fragmented, PB and Jam
Musicians: Steve Rogers (tenor sax), John Leber (guitar), Jonathan Matloff (drums), Eric Wheeler (bass)
Rating: Three Stars

credits

released November 1, 2003

PB and Jam, Card Sharks, and Field of Sound were composed by John Leber. Fragmented was composed by Steven Rogers.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

steven rogers Washington, D.C.

Steven Rogers is a composer, saxophonist, and teacher currently residing in Washington, DC. He has performed with The Dave Brubeck Quartet, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Marlon Jordan, and opened for Rahzel (of the hip-hop group The Roots) and had his compositions performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and Shakespeare Theater Company. ... more

contact / help

Contact steven rogers

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Callisto presents vol. 1, you may also like: