Joe Deninzon

Joseph Deninzon has established himself as a versatile, on-demand violinist and composer. A musician who transcends many genres, he has recorded and performed with a variety of artists including Sheryl Crow, Everclear, Alex Skolnick, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Smokey Robinson, Johnny Matthis, Les Paul, Phoebe Snow, Jane Monheit, and Robert Bonfiglio. He has appeared in Lincoln Center’s Meet the Artist program, as a soloist with the New York Chamber Ensembles, has performed on MTV and at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, and has played for former President Clinton. Joseph was a recent winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition with a song he contributed to the soundtrack for the film, What’s Up Scarlet (open City Entertainment). His music has been featured on CMT, VH1, Comedy Central, the Weather Channel, Food network, and National Geographic.

Mr. Deninzon has been hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin”, because of his innovative style on the electric six and seven-string violin and his compositions combining jazz, rock, and world music. He has been featured in publications such as Jazziz, Downbeat, and Relix magazine. Joe and his band, Stratospheerius, have released three CD’s to international acclaim, and were recently named “Best Jam Band” in the Musician’s Atlas Independent Music Awards. The group has toured extensively and has developed a reputation for their explosive live performances.

In addition to his many diverse projects, Mr. Deninzon has recently made his debut with the New York City Ballet performing “Red Angels”, based on “Maxwell’s Demon”; a piece for solo electric violin and dancers written by Richard Einhorn.

“As at home in the world of Grappelli and O'Connor as he is in the world of Steve Vai and Jimi Hendrix, Joe Deninzon may very well be our next national violin treasure.”
-Jedd Beaudoin (seaoftranquility.com)

Actually he's the leader of Stratospheerius (Lead by electric violinist/vocalist/mandolinist Joe Deninzon, Stratospheerius unleash their fourth collection of songs.) Hot on the
heals of their acclaimed CD, "Live Wires", "Headspace" brings their live energy into the studio. Vocal rock anthems like "New Material, "Old Ghosts", and "Today is Tomorrow", shout alongside ripping instrumentals. From the bluegrass punk of "Gutterpunk Blues", to the psychedelic roller coaster ride of "Mental Floss", and the bigger and louder sequel to the
Heavy Metal Hora "Heavy Shtettle II". The disc also features a unique cover of The Police "Driven to Tears". This CD is filled with memorable hooks alongside the death-defying instrumental jams the group has built its reputation on. Influences range from Mahavishnu, Zappa and Zeppelin, to Dave Matthews, Radiohead, Jeff Beck, and Bela Fleck.

"Fleshing out the Stratospheerius sound are: Out-of-this-world strings, sultry guitar, rumbling basslines, frantic drumming, and celebratoryvocals that enunciate lyrical outlines of life. The songs are gripping and energetic. Insistent melodies are made
compelling by the violin passion. Fevered solos are cradled between lyrical passages that tremble with breakout rock stamina. A Bayou flavor lurks in several tracks, creating a strange fusion of bluesy funk and progressive tendencies. The result is goodtime music that will get you dancing."
-Matt Howarth (Soniccuriosity.com)

http://www.joedeninzon.com/jdhomepage.html