New album to be released later this year! |
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HIGH STANDARDS 2010
Dirk produced High Standards with Grammy-nominated Dennis Murphy (Acoustic Alchemy, Maria Muldaur),
who also plays the
upright bass on the album. Mark LeVang whose music credits include Natalie Cole,
Jennifer Hudson, B.B. King and Elton John,
accompanies Dirk on the piano. Bernie Dresel rounds out the ensemble on drums. Bernie has played with Frank Sinatra, James Taylor,
Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera
and Doc Severinsen, among many other major artists and on multiple film and television scores.
THE PLAYERS
Mark LeVang, Piano
A recording keyboardist, composer, and producer,
Mark resides in Los Angeles, California. He has
accompanied over 50 top artists in the studio
or on tour around the world. In addition, he has
recorded for both television and the big screen.
Dennis Murphy, Bass
A Monterey Bay area resident, Dennis Murphy
has appeared on more than 30 albums including
Acoustic Alchemy’s Grammy-nominated recording,
Arcanum. He has extensive touring experience, and has played at most major venues worldwide.
Bernie Dresel, Drums
Selected “Best Big Band Drummer” in a Modern
Drummer magazine readers poll and named in Drum magazine’s list of “53 Drummers Who Made
a Difference in the ‘90s”, Bernie Dresel is one of
the world’s top percussionists.
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THE BUZZ
“It’s been a rough day at the office… but it’s nothing that a log fire, a pair of your most comfortable slippers and a glass of Monterey County
wine can’t cure. Of course another key element to your recovery is music — silky, beautifully crafted music to ease your troubled day. Citizens
of the world, worry not, as such an album has arrived! California-based vocalist Dirk Etienne has just released High Standards, his work utilizing
impeccable standards. Lush arrangements of songs from the Great American Songbook, so familiar that their lyrics are almost part of our language
such as ‘Fly Me to the Moon,’ ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’… just three of this twelve track trip down memory
lane. Co-Produced by Dirk and Monterey’s legendary Bass man Dennis Murphy with Mark LeVang on keys and Bernie Dresel on drums, this is the
quintessential wind down album of the year – cheers everybody!” Stewart Coxhead, smoothjazz.com
“...heard from other friends praising Etienne’s latest jazz CD High Standards. I thought I would listen to a few songs, but ended up hearing the
whole album... These songs have been recorded by many different artists through the years. Each and every one gives something special to it.
Etienne is no different. When you hear him sing them, the music quite simply makes you feel good and you appreciate the lyrics one more time.”
Donna Teresa, Independent Music Columnist, Soundtrack of Life
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MUSIC, MARTINIS & MISTLETOE 2011
Dirk grew up attending the Monterey Jazz Festival every summer with his father who served as a voluteer there for over 50 years. He was exposed to the sweet sounds of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett and many more. These influences can be heard in Dirk's first holiday album, Music, Martinis & Mistletoe, produced by Mark LeVang. This collection of holiday tunes features a number of top L.A. musicians and even a duet with Monterey-local, Rachel Marotta. Other Monterey musicians contributing to the album include Michael Lent on guitar, Gary Meek on saxophone and flute, and Dave Marotta on bass.
Buy Now!
Listen to a sample
RAVE REVIEWS
"I have a feeling I am not alone as a collector of Christmas music. I always choose one special holiday CD to mark the season and for gift-giving. I found my special recording for this year. Continuing the huge success of his last jazz CD, "High Standards," Carmel Valley's Dirk Etienne returns with his long-awaited holiday CD, "Music, Martinis and Mistletoe." Donna Teresa, Soundtrack of Life, November 26, 2010 Read full article
"Just like the vibrant HIGH STANDARDS project, Dirk Etienne has done it again, this time we're holiday ready with swingin', Sinatra-esque classics on MUSIC, MARTINIS & MISTLETOE! A wonderful album to deck the halls with this holiday season… featuring Dirk's smooth crooning vocals!" Donna Whittington & Sandy Shore, SmoothJazz.com Read full review
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