Patrick Battstone

 

 

Patrick Battstone began performing music professionally at the age of 14, playing in various rock, blues, and R&B bands in South Western Ohio. By the time he was 18, he had received lessons from Stan Kenton and Gary Burton, had been mentored by Oscar Treadwell (Oska T), and had played with James Brown’s recording sidemen as well as members of the musical “Hair”.

 

In 1973, he attended Berklee College of Music and soon after became a student of both Mme Chaloff and Charlie Banacos. During this time he performed at various Boston venues, both as a solo pianist, and as a member of various ensembles. One of his bands, which featured hometown friend Grover Mooney, opened the fabled 1369 Club in Cambridge.  Later, they collaborated in booking the Green St Station and the Arbor House as well as hosting late night jams sessions. 

 

During the 80’s, Patrick studied the works of Scriabin under the renowned Serge Conus. In 1986, he resumed jazz studies with Joanne Brackeen in NYC for a period of six years.

 

In the past 2 decades, he has been involved in various musical activities. He is fluid in both solo appearances as well as leading ensembles; in both acoustic settings as well as electric. He leads an acoustic trio and quartet and performs in numerous electric funk/rock groups. He is experienced in performing for receptions, dinner parties, lounges, parlors, etc., and can adapt his playing to fit any occasion.

 

Besides performing, he has been active in producing music, in teaching piano, has managed and mentored numerous bands and venues, and also works as a Fender Rhodes technician. Lately, his main activity has been in the recording studio, having produced and released 7 CDs of his own works in the past 2 years as well as producing the concert recordings of Serge Conus and others.

 

His latest collaboration has been with percussionist Richard Poole on vibraphone, which he describes as “a calling that couldn’t be ignored”.  During the past two years, they have spent tens of hours in the recording studio, and have spent countless hours critiquing and editing the tracks. In less than one year, two CDs have been released – Through an Open Door and Mystic Nights. Since the first release, they are been performing concerts in the Boston and New York areas, and are hopeful of finding an appreciative European audience.

 

When not performing music, Patrick works as a rocket scientist at Draper Labs in Cambridge.

 

 

 

Richard Poole

 

Music is the study of intervals and their various rhythmic velocities and, in many ways, it expresses life’s journey.  For Richard Poole, it has been a great adventure through the music world.  His father played piano for silent movies in the 1920s and with various groups, and there was music in the house growing up.  At age 12, he started playing with his father on drums and soon after with other professional players in the central Maine area.

 

Richard moved to Boston and attended Berklee College of Music and played throughout the Northeast and Canada with various groups.  In 1971 he moved to Miami and studied music composition on scholarship at Miami International University where he graduated in 1976.  While in Miami, he experienced the multicultural environment that Miami had become and enjoyed playing music with people from all over the world.

 

In his career, Richard has worked with many jazz greats such as Paul Bley, Jeff Palmer, Ira Sullivan, Frank Sullivan, Joe Diorio, Pete Minger, Nat Adderley, Tony Sr. and Dolf Castelanno, Don Goldie, Flip Phillips, Curtis Fuller, Bob Mover, George Garzone, Jay Corre, Lowell Davidson, Chubby Jackson, Joe Roland, Eddie Higgins, Tony Prentis, Johnny Walker, and Jaco Pastorious.  He has also performed in the entertainment business with many icons of the 20th century including Desi Arnaz, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, Robert Goulet and Roger Williams.

 

He has played concerts throughout the northeast and Canada and records on piano, drums and vibraphone.  Currently he is on vibraphone with pianist Patrick Battstone.  Their first CD, Through an Open Door, was released in January 2011; their second CD, Mystic Nights, was released in Aug 2011. They have been performing this ethereal form of chamber jazz for small concert settings in the U.S. and are planning a European tour.  Richard will be recording in Toronto for Sonavista Records in 2011 as well. 

 

His existing CDs include: Terrain, solo piano, and Opposite Voltage, playing drums with organist Jeff Palmer and saxophonist George Garzone, both on the Music Artist Co. label and available at cdbaby.com.

 

Recent concerts include: Paul Bley and Richard Poole performing at the International House in Philadelphia, PA; the Cherry Valley Arts Center in Cherry Valley, NY; South Shore Arts Center in Cohasset, MA; the Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc near Chablis in France; the Museum of Fine Arts in Berlin, Germany, the Hyde Park Theater in Hyde Park, MA; and the Intercontinental Hotel in Boston, MA