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Dennis Warren formed FMRJE in 1989, but the roots of the Ensemble go back two
decades. In 1971, Martin Gil, Raphe Malik, and Dennis were studying music in the Black
Music Division of Antioch College, directed by the legendary pianist/composer Cecil
Taylor. Raphe Malik went on to record and tour with the Cecil Taylor Unit and also the
Jimmy Lyons Quartet. Beginning in 1974, Dennis studied with Professor Graves, polyrhythmic innovator, at Bennington College. In 1980 Tor Yochai Snyder and Dennis met in the Black Music Department of Bennington College, chaired by trumpeter/composer Bill Dixon. After graduating from Bennington College in 1984, Dennis returned to his hometown, Boston, Massachusetts. In the mid -eighties Martin Gil and Dennis renewed their percussion association with guitarist Tor Snyder to perform in various concerts and groups. Flautist Earl Grant Lawrence and Dennis crossed musical paths at the Community Music Center of Boston, where they were teaching in 1987. Raphe Malik and Dennis renewed their musical connection in 1989, when he invited Dennis to join in his new Quartet; it was in the Quartet that Dennis met acoustic bassist Larry Roland. For the past decade Raphe's compositions have been a major component of FMRJE's repertoire. In the 90's the FMRJE featured a horn section of Boston's multi-reedist Raqib Hassan, Bay Area's tenor saxophonist the late great Glenn Spearman, alto saxophonist Tony Owens and trumpeter Raphe Malik. Acoustic bassist Larry Roland of Boston was the featured bassist on most FMRJE recordings and concerts. 1997 was the year of dramatic changes for FMRJE with new ensemble members Mike Sealy on electric guitar and electric bassist Albey Balgochian. In 1998 FMRJE produced the compact disc 7 in One which features Raphe Malik on trumpet, Earl Grant Lawrence on flute, Mike Sealy on electric guitar, Tor Yochai Snyder on electric guitar, Albey Balgochian on electric bass, Martin Gil on congas, percussion and Dennis Warren on drums, timbales. FMRJE was selected by Black Entertainment Television's Jazz Central as Jazz Discovery artist in 1997. Opened the NEXT WAVE SERIES of the Toronto Jazz Festival 1995 and closed the Toronto Jazz Festival's NEXT WAVE SERIES in 1996. FMRJE has also performed at the Knitting Factory's Main Space, Alterknit Theater, NYC; Sarah Lawrence College and at the Texaco New York City Jazz Festival 98'. Current configuration of FMRJE features conga-percussionist Jose Arroyo, bassist Albey Balgochian, alto saxophonist, Andy Voelker, and guitarist/synth/electronics, Chris Florio. Other long time occassional visiting members include keyboardist Michael Shea who has recorded and performed with FMRJE since 1992, as well as two of the orginal FMRJE members, guitarist Tor Snyder and conga-percussionist Martin Gil. The FMRJE band on stage and in recordings is producing music with the collective experience of over a century of drum and orchestral improvisation. |
