New York, NY (Top40 Charts) 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 Bonacos. One of his bands, which featured hometown friend Grover Mooney, opened the fabled 1369 Club in Cambridge in 1975. During the 80's, Patrick studied the works of Scriabin under the renowned Serge Conus. In 1986, he returned to jazz, studying with
Joanne Brackeen for a period of 6 years. During the past decade he has enjoyed the friendship and mentorship of both Paul Bley and Marilyn Crispell.
Though his focus as an artist is creative improvisation, he is skilled and experienced in any setting where jazz (no matter the style) or groove and R&B is needed. He is fluid in both solo appearances as well as leading ensembles; in both acoustic settings as well as electric. His last 7 CDs - Mystic Nights, The Last Taxi, Beyond the Horizon, From
Dream to Dream, Rylesonable, Elements and In Transit - have all had excellent reviews and have charted into the mid-teens on the CMJ jazz charts for numbers of weeks.
He recorded and produced 7 CDs with an Italian vocalists since 2016 with 2 more ready for release in the near future. He has appeared with Gianna Montecalvo, Francesco Massaro, Francesco Cusa, Adolfo La Volpe, Giacomo Mongelli, Giorgio Vendola,
Camille Pace, Nico Catacchio, Chris Rathbun, Marilena Paradisi, Teresa Raneri, Cettina Donato,
Giorgia Santoro,
Chiara Liuzzi, Marialuisa Capurso, among others. Since first arriving in Italy in fall of 2016, he has played the Jonio Jazz Festival, Gela Jazz Festival, International Jazz Day Siracusa, and the Jazzit Festival.
His latest project is in collaboration with Italian artist, Daniela Chionna, creating both music and artwork in a spontaneous interplay setting.
The Last Taxi began in 2009 when two drivers would meet at the stop for a smoke. Their intent was to find a mutual voice in which conversations and observations could be expressed. The Last Taxi began taking passengers in 2012 during A Conversation. At the onset, the ride was one of urgency and immediacy, with a sense that you but one opportunity to enter. It was a vehicle of escape and of a safe transport.
Later, it evolved into an international experience, In Transit from foreign locations. Constantly evolving - Traveling Light, Making Connections - the Last Taxi is a bridge that connects new and unforeseen Elements.
During this meeting each of the drivers shared their stories - stories from different times, from different places, and different worlds - tales of desert life, of French Cafés, of gothic horror, of mystic waters...
The Last Taxi is journeying to New Destinations.
Sounds appear that we had never heard nor played, filling us with a sense of wonder and surprise Together, we recreated our stories, bringing them into the present, giving them new life, new meaning, and new vitality. The Last Taxi has become a living entity The Last Taxi now offers New Destinations to those adventurous passengers who wish to embark. It is a transit which one will never forget and through which one's life will forever be changed.
We hope you enjoy the ride.
PLAYERS AND INSTRUMENTS:
Group Members :
Chiara Liuzzi - Voice ( except tracks 4,7,8,9 ), electronics, and sound objects
Giorgia Santoro - Flute, bass flute, bansuri, xiao, piccolo, voice( track 8) , effects
Adolfo La Volpe - Guitar, live electronics
Giacomo Mongelli - Drums
Chris Rathbun - Bass
Pat Battstone - Piano
TRACKS AND TIMES:
1. Twilight
Departure 3:20
2. Attraverso la Cittá 5:52
3. Inside the Dark Castle 5:35
4. All the Birds have Flown 4:24
5. Where Sea-Creatures Slowly Dance 8:05
6. Escape Syndrome 1:53
7. Sunrise over a Painted Desert 4:52
8. The Markets of Marrakech 5:43
9. Rewind 2:04
10. Morning in a Japanese Garden 6:31
11. Absyinte 7:53
12. Looking Glass Woman 4:33
13. L'Amore Rêvé 3:37
All compositions by Battstone, Liuzzi,
La Volpe, Mongelli, Rathbun, Santoro
except L'Amore Rêvé (13) by Mongelli only.
