The Westview Project Jazz Ensemble
The Westview Project is a Rochester-based jazz trio/quartet with Jeff Lawlis on piano, Doug Stone on sax, Tim Larson on acoustic bass and Jim Blease on drums. The band formed in late 2006, bound by a mutual interest in jazz from the classic period of the late 50's to mid-60's.
After a few months of rehearsing the band played at the Flat Iron Cafe in early 2007. Since then The Westview Project has been playing regularly at Bistro 135, The Grill at Strathallan, The Little Theater Cafe, Pane Vino Ristorante, Pomodoro Grill and Wine Bar (both University Ave. and Pittsford locations), Lovin' Cup and other local venues. They have also played for events at the Memorial Art Gallery, at the Clothesline Arts Festival, Corn Hill Arts Festival and Fairport Canal Days.
The Westview Project's repertoire draws heavily on standards, bop, post-bop, Latin and 60's boogaloo from composers such as Bill Evans, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and Horace Silver. The group performs a number of original tunes. The quartet released it's first CD featuring nine original compositions in May, 2011.
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Quote - "Bossa Novocaine"
After this year's Jazz Festival I didn't completely write jazz off, but I submerged myself in heavier stuff. Don't get me wrong, I like jazz, but it's sort of like eating steak every night and you need a break. And now I'm back. I started with a low dose of Dexter Gordon on the hi-fi and some Billy Eckstein in the jalopy and worked my way up to The Westview Project, which was playing live at the Little Theater Cafe Friday night. I strolled in as this sensational trio was in full-on swing and ease mode, working out Cannonball Adderley's "Wabash" which appeared on his 1959 release "Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago", where Cannonball's alto went head to head with Coltrane's tenor. Now there weren't any horns in The Westview Project this particular night, so a more refined elegance and phrasing predominated over the smell of coffee and popcorn and Aqua Velva (yup, somebody still wears the stuff). The band's hint-o-Brazillian shuffle on "Black Orpheus" was bashfully sexy and narcotic. Let's call this style bossa Novocaine. ~~ Review by their music critic Frank De Blase, Rochester City newspaper (Sept 8, 2010)
Learn about the Westview Project Players
Jim Blease began playing drums at age eight, spending five years under the instruction of renowned Omaha jazz percussionist, Lewis "Luigi" Waites (whose students include jazz drummer Victor Lewis).
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Jeff Lawlis began studying piano at age eight and jazz piano at age ten. At seventeen, Jeff won the Syracuse Civic Morning Musicals Concerto Competition co-sponsored by the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. more ...
Tim Larson started playing electric bass professionally in a Boston blues group in the late 80's. Tim moved to Denver in 1990 playing in a Blues/rock band (released one CD). more ...
Quote - from the Irondequoit Rotary Private Party
Thank you for playing for our casino night! You surpassed every expectation- we couldn't have asked for a better Jazz Band! I have since recommended the band a few times to some local contacts that I have...We will be having this event yearly, I hope you will be a part of it again! ~K.M.
