still swingin' and groovin' harder than ever ! - Guymon Ensley ~ GEQ Jazz - News

"Meet Guymon Ensley" AGAIN!!!!

It’s available again!!!!

The 2006 Extended Play Disc

"Meet Guymon Ensley" has been re-released!!

"Meet Guymon Ensley," produced by bassist Al Turner and trumpeter Guymon Ensley, is a contemporary jazz project that features original compositions and a fan favorite by Bill Withers.

This CD includes:

"SHE'S ON HER WAY" - a smooth, melodic trumpet lead by Ensley over a hot goove held by Al and drummer Ron Otis. Guitarist DeSabata Robinson adds a touch that completes the appeal.

"WHAT A FUNK DOWN" - also produced by Al Turner, the tune bares a driving bass line and is complimented by the styling of Phil Hale on piano. Guymon plays a soulful lead on trumpet that makes the tune float.

"SONIC IN 'C'" - is a smokin' hit featuring the "hard hitting Hoggy Horn" section (Guymon, Robert Reeves on saxophone and Richard McCall on trombone). Gaylynn McKinney is phenomenal on drums and guitarist Randal Wilson is on fire.

"GRANDMA'S HANDS" - one of Bill Withers' greatest hits is arranged and produced by Guymon Ensley. The familiar melody is played on trumpet by Guy and the compliments of keyboardist Michael Mindingall really makes the tune.

Volunteering at the 2010 Detroit International Jazz Festival

Each year, the Detroit International Jazz Festival relies on volunteers to augment the employees that make the Festival happen. This year, GEQ Jazz founder, Guymon Ensley and GEQ Jazz musician, Michael "Sonny Lem" Lemon volunteered their services in "transportation." Their responsibilities included transporting artists from the airport to the festival or hotel. Doing so allowed some one on one contact with some of the greatest artists and celebrities in the world. Among the artists/acts and celebrities that Guymon and Michael rubbed elbows with were Christian McBride, Take Six, Mulgrew Miller, Lem Barney, Terrance Blanchard and Tower Of Power. Those that I had the pleasure of being one on one with, were all impressed with the hospitality that the festival offered, says Ensley.

IN THE STUDIO - October 3, 2010

The studio seems to be the place to find Guymon Ensley now days. He's writing and recording material for his new CD in 2011. It's going to be a contemporary jazz release that will bare some of his influences of the genre such as Al Jarreau, Michael Franks , Jill Scott and trumpeter Rick Braun. He created quite a buzz with his release of one of the cuts, a vocal entitled "Where Am I Going With You." He says that a typical smooth jazz CD; it won't be. There will be a back beat, but no ongoing boring rhythms and repeated riffs. Look for it in July or August of next year.

GEQ . . . a hit again @ the 2010 Gigantic Puff

JR Cigar of Southfield out did themselves this time at the annual 2010 "GIGANTIC PUFF." This one was the biggest and last event of its kind to be held at an indoor facility due to the new legislation regarding smoking indoors. Close to eight hundred enjoyed the jazzy sounds of "GEQ." Joining GEQ on stage this time, was the sassy "Daisy Love." She lefted the crowd with her version of "Mercy, Mercy" as well as other hot standards. GEQ was surely at it again with selections from the standards book and Guymon's original pieces. The food was great and it was a "Class Act" again JR Cigar. I know that you'll find a way to do it even better next year.

GEQ Jazz and AARP Partner Up For the CIRCLES OF ENGAGEMENT "For Grown Folks Only" Series

A series of four roundtable conversations in September, October and November was attended by nearly 400 baby boomers, where they had the opportunity for AARP Michigan to listen more deeply to the voices of African American members to discover ways to build an on-the-ground foundation of service, said Senior Manager, State Operations, Jacqueline Morrison. Held at the Doubletree Fort/Shelby Hotel, downtown Detroit, the 50 crowd talked about the "For Grown Folks Only" topics: Life Purpose at 50, Pathways to Health & Wellness, Secureing Your Financial Future, and Civic Engagement. The GEQ Jazz Trio (Guymon Ensley, noted bassist Marion Hayden, and pianist Phil Lesky) heated up the attendees with selections from the legends of classic jazz and be-bop and accompainied "edutainer" and humorist, Ms. Francine Dent.

GEQ PERFORMS AT THE SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS JAZZ FESTIVAL

The small, quaint, pitcheresque city of Saugatuck, Michigan hosted a cast of noted jazz artist for two full days (July 31 and August 1, 2009). GEQ rolled in on the festival's second day and took the Coghlin Park Stage by storm at their first show at 1:15pm. The band opened with "A Bientot," a latin style number by the great Billy Taylor, followed by a burnin' original blues by Guymon Ensley, "Nobody Knows I'm Here." After that, Songstess, Pamela Smith then graced the stage with a rendition of "Never Will I Marry." But that performance was cut short by a real storm . . . a sudden pouring that canceled the outdoor music for the remainder of the day. However, it was only one of three scheduled performances for the guys that day. At the 5:00pm performance at the Saugatuck Brewery Company, the Phil Lesky Trio brought down the house with some rarely played pieces like "Reflections," by Thelonious Monk and "Voyage," by Kenny Barron. With Ibrahim Jones and Peter McAllister to fill out the group, Lesky's trio got the house's attention and didn't let go till the final number. GEQ's 8:00pm show, at the Saugatuck Christian Reform Church was the final one of the day. The acoustics in the sanctuary warranted no microphones and very little amplification. Although the crowd was relatively small at the venue, the attendees were obviously die hard jazz lovers that displayed their appreciations for GEQ. "The Idlewild Jazz Foundation has been behind the success of many jazz festivals and events. The Foundation's President, Gadd Holland, has been behind each of their successes and again, was the driving force behind the 2009 Saugatuck-Douglas Jazz Festival, making it happen. 'Everyone knows that the show couldn't have went on without you Gadd.'" - Guymon Ensley

GEQ IN THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN @ 2009 FESTIVAL AT SEA

The Katts arrived in Puerto Rico early the morning of August 9, boarding the Carnival cruise ship "Victory." The ship left port at noon, steaming towards the Island of St. Maarten. The band's pianist, guitarist and drummer (Phil Lesky, Josh Linkner and Nate Winn) did not make the trip with the group this time. Back up keyboard player, Jonathan Dixon and drummer, Peter McAlister came aboard and both just "acted up!" That same night, GEQ took the stage in the "Ionian Room" on the ship's forth deck. The crowd was sparse that night, but for that and two upcoming performance nights (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, August 11, 12 & 14 ), the Ionian Room was swingin' "GEQ style." The band debuted an original composition by Jonathan Dixon that he wrote that day, which he named "Ionian Room." A hard hitting, driving number to which saxophonist, Jeff Ponders added an appealing, flowing horn melody, grabbed everyone by surprise. The band really stretched out, playing two sets from the book of GEQ arrangements and Ensley's originals, taking each song to its limit. Pete continuously drew the crowd in with his effortless drumming style. It seemed that eyes were affixed on him throughout and even well after he finished each solo. Jonathan took listeners to other levels as well with a continuous array of alternate chord progressions and magnificent solo work. Jeff was just acting himself with his wide voicing range and technical skills. Ibrahim, well what can be said. . . he was his normal dynamic self. Guymon held it all together by sticking to the basics, throwing in an occasional "scream" on his trumpet. He displayed what the flugle horn was made to do, and that's to emit the mellow midrange tones that make a ballad or any tune that calls for brass, but needs the soft, less of an edge than a trumpet. At times though, you would think that in the higher range that Guy sometimes plays the flugle in, you would think it was a trumpet. "Jeff, Ib, Jon and Pete all gave it their all this trip. We all jelled with very little time to rehearse with the subs. I knew that the musicianship of my guys was exceptional and each of them are true professionals. Each night in the room was hot and memorable. The night of August 14 was particularly special, because it was my little brother's birthday. We celebrated Kermit's 54th birthday together in the Pacific, south of the Southern Caribbean Island of Antiqua." - Guymon Ensley GEQ jammed two afternoons on the Lido Deck, poolside. Saxophonist, Jeff Ponders led the band in a "smooth jazz" set each time that excited even straight ahead listeners. The band's versatility was obvious to the sun bathing, bikini clad onlookers who responded overwhelmingly to GEQ switching gears to smooth jazz. It was one exiciting time for GEQ. Sharing the bill with international stars: Eric Benet' and Stephanie Mills surely did'nt hurt when it came to adding to the excitement.

GEQ - 2009 SUMMER FESTIVALS AND OUTDOOR CONCERT SCHEDULE

June 18, 2009 - Southfield "Eat To The Beat" Jazz Series (Southfield, MI)

July 4, 2009 - Comerica City Fesival (Detroit, MI)

August 1, 2009 - Saugatuck-Douglas Jazz Festival (Saugatuck, MI)

GEQ - 2008 FESTIVAL AND OUTDOOR CONCERT SCHEDULE

January 20, 2008 - B-Jazz Vespers Jazz Series (Birmingham, MI)

June 18, 2008 - Southfield-"Eat To The Beat Jazz Series (Southfield, MI) J

July 4, 2008 - Comerica City Festival (Detroit, MI)

August 1, 2008 - Lansing Old Town Jazz Festival (Lansing, MI)

August 2, 2008 - Sterling Heights "Sterlingfest" (Sterling Heights, MI)

August 10, 2008 - Detroit International Jazz Festival (Pre-Festival Club Series), (Detroit, Mi)

August 10, 2008 - Milford "Milford Memories" Jazz Festival (Milford, MI)

August 18, 2008 - "Jazz In The Grass" (Canton, MI)

GEQ - 2007 FESTIVAL AND OUTDOOR CONCERT SCHEDULE

June 1, 2007 - WVMV 98.7-Campus Martius Jazz Series (Detroit, MI)

June 27, 2007 - Detroit International River Days Festival (Detroit, MI)

July 4, 2007 - Comerica City Festival (Detroit, MI) J

uly 28, 2007 - Southfield-"Eat To The Beat" Jazz Series (Southfield, MI)