GRAFITTI FEAT. DENNIS CHAMBERS - ULF WAKENIUS - GARY GRAINGER - HAAKON GRAF
"With power drummer Dennis Chambers as the featured performer, fusion group Grafitti's was a high-decibel whirlwind of nonstop rolls, rim shots and cymbal crashes. Aside from the vital contributions of Chambers and Grainger, Grafitti's most appealing quality was its crisp ensemble work and the engaging modesty of the players. Smiling, relaxed and musically interactive, they never fell prey to the artificial posturing that plagues many contemporary jazz groups.
DENNIS CHAMBERS - DRUMS: Dennis Chambers has recorded and performed with John Scofield, George Duke, Brecker Brothers, Santana, Parliament/Funkadelic, John McLaughlin, Niacin, Mike Stern, CAB, Greg Howe, and many others. Despite a lack of formal training, Chambers has become well known among drummers for his technique and speed.[citation needed] Chambers is particularly regarded for his ability to play "in the pocket" but can also stretch very far out of the pocket which is also a hallmark of his technique.[citation needed] Chambers exhibits a powerful style that is technically proficient, yet highly musical and groove-oriented.[citation needed] He can play in a wide variety of musical genres, but is perhaps most notable for his jazz-fusion, funk, and Latin music playing. He is mostly known for his fast hands and triplets on the bass drum. He has helped many young drummers, the most prominent being Tony Royster, Jr. He has been part of the Maceo Parker live band and is touring with Carlos Santana and makes appearances with his band Niacin.
ULF WAKENIUS - GUITARE : Ulf Wakenius. jazz guitarist extraordinaire acclaimed and celebrated all over the world. Between 1997 and 2007 Ulf held what may have been the most prestigious spot in jazz for a guitarist: a chair in the Oscar Peterson Quartet. This was the coronation of a career which included many record-breaking moments. Wakenius guitar duo Guitars Unlimited rocked Scandinavia in the early 80s, culminating in the 1985 Melody Grand Prix, which was seen by 600 million viewers, probably the largest audience a jazz guitar duo ever had. Shortly after that Wakenius started a extremely successful and long-lasting collaboration with the legendary bass player Niels-Henning Örsted Pedersen.( NHOP), and both of his duo albums with bass icon Ray Brown, topped the US Jazz Charts. The last few years he's been touriing the world with the amazing Korean singer Youn Sun Nah.
GARY GRAIGNER - BASS : Gary Grainger’s remarkable credits include four years in John Scofield’s band playing with Dennis Chambers. He has played with Frank Gambale, George Duke and done innumerable studio dates with musicians like Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire. Gary Grainger is also a PRS tradeshow clinician and plays bass in the Paul Reed Smith band.
HAAKON GRAF - KEYS : Haakon Graf is currently residing in Los Angeles, US, where he is working as a songwriter and producer. He has been involved in numerous projects, composing much of the music in addition to playing keyboards on the albums New Born Day (1973), Ranshart (1974) and Let Your Light Shine (1976) within the band 'Ruphus'. They received great acclaim in Norway and in several European countries, including Germany. He also played in the band 'Moose Loose' including with Jon Eberson. Later they opened the band 'Blow Out' together. He also initiated the band 'Hawk on flight' together with Matz Nilsson, Niels Nordin and Ulf Wakenius. Graf has played with Pål Thowsen, Jan Garbarek and Jon Christensen, Roger Daltrey, Alan White, Jamie Moses, Natasha Beddingfield, Phil Collins, Mark Hudson and Simon Kirke, to mention a few. In Norway, he has also worked with Terje Rypdal, and arranged, composed and produced the music for Finn Kalvik.
Graf also toured with the renowned guitarist Frank Gambale, after being contacted by him during the 1994 'Graffiti' concert at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. The collaboration led to tour the United States in 1994 and in Scandinavia in 1995. Graf has also toured with Paul Jackson and Mike Clark, bassist and drummer Herbie Hancock Headhunters known from legendary recordings as "Thrust" mm Haakon was musical director for jazz clubs Hothouse, Jazz alive and Blue Monk 80's and 90's.
