|
MyJazzNetwork.com chooses 2AZZ1 Song "Q'd Up" for Shows
May 01, 2008
Check out "myjazznetwork.com" and hear 2AZZ1's hit song Q'd Up, as the theme to John Quiggley's - "Q's" - Lifestyle Interviews. Q interviews Nestor Torres, David Garfield, Marc Antoine to find out more about the jazz lifestyle...... 2AZZ1 Entertain the 2007 Tournament Of Roses Coronation Luncheon
October 26, 2007
2AZZ1 entertained the Tournament Of Roses Coronation Luncheon in honor of the 2008 Rose Queen, Thursday Oct 25th, 2007, The event's master of ceremonies was news caster, Colleen Williams, from NBC 4.( http://www.knbc.com/meetthenewsteam/1273840/detail.html )
This prestigious event took place at the beautiful Tournament House. ( http://www.tournamentofroses.com/aboutus/house.asp ) Twin Palms of Pasadena catered the event. Good vibrations of 2AZZ1 to rock retirement concert
May 31, 2007
by Imani Tate, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/31/2007 11:00:00 PM PDT
Cecy Macklem of Redondo Beach marveled at the music magically dripping with passion, humor and perfectly phrased melodies and rhythms. Then she said that Craig and Mary Durst "amazingly seem to become one with the music and each other."
"That's why, I guess, they're called 2AZZ1," replied Jay Macklem, who picked Spaghettini's Italian Grill and Jazz Club's Sunday jazz brunch for a birthday outing for his wife of 37 years. "The genuine chemistry definitely comes through."
The Dursts have been music and marital partners for 22 years. He plays alto and tenor saxophone while she plays piano and sings. The duo, who perform professionally as 2AZZ1 with changing members of the Body and Soul Band,earned their popularity chops at Southern California club, hotel and community gigs. Drummer Evan Stone and electric bassist Derek Frank were the Dursts' Body and Soul partners for the Spaghettini set.
Getting into the groove, too, were surprise guest artists Toto pianist David Garfield and singer Alex Ligertwood of Carlos Santana's band.
On June 5, the Dursts headline the 7 p.m. concert saluting Ed Wolfe, retiring San Dimas High School instrumental music director. Drummer Matt Starr and bassist Steve Billman join the couple for the free concert at Life Pacific College in San Dimas.
The Dursts' deftly diverse repertoire includes gospel, blues, pop and soul, but jazz strains dominate each number and blend riveting rhythms and sensuous melodies to get audiences snapping fingers and sighing.
Spaghettini entertainment director John Quigley booked the Dursts at the persistent insistence of a 2AZZ1 fan.
"Craig and Mary were very pleasant surprises," Quigley admitted. "They're fabulous human beings and the crowd loves them. They're dedicated to their art. I don't think I have any other musicians who show up on time and love turning on the crowd as much as they do. When 2AZZ1 plays, you see nothing but smiling faces."
The Dursts wooed the Spaghettini audience with the snappy "Q'd Up" tribute to Quigley; the soulfully playful "Sophie's Strut"; Cannonball Adderley's classic "Have Mercy On Me," differently delivered but instantly recognizable; a lyrically succinct version of Van Morrison's "Moondance" and the fastest version of Dave Brubeck's brilliant "Take Five" with Mary's voice easily handling lightning quick chord changes and Craig's sax screaming like a speeding locomotive.
They slowed the tempo to sensuous ballads with Stanley Turrentine's "Sugar" and Gato Barbieri's "Europa" before punching up the musical meter again with the improvisational creation of "Barbara Blake Blues," dedicated to the 94.7-FM disc jockey, and a pull-out-all-the-punches finale with the Jazz Crusaders' "Put It Where You Want It."
"This is just wonderful," said Jereatha Thomas of Inglewood, belatedly celebrating Mother's Day with her daughters, Shanita and Shenee. "It's always good to get family together, but today we get the musical extra treat of 2AZZ1. The music is fascinating. It takes me from being relaxed to feeling like I want to get up and dance."
Stone, a first-call drummer who'll play Fullerton's Steamers June 8 with Rob Mullins, Ron Eschete and Jeff Littleton, calls gigs with the Dursts "festive."
"Musically, they're very upbeat and in the pocket," he said. "They keep everything on the positive side, create good communication with band members and let positive energy flow. The audience feels that vibe."
"There's joy in their music," said Frank who'll soon tour with the "Dancing With The Stars" national company.
Music is many things, but it's all good, the Dursts claimed. "It brings people peace and makes them think," Mary said. "It challenges, soothes, brings people together and grabs at your guts, heart and soul," Craig said. 2AZZ1 Write for Good Housekeeping TV Special
January 01, 2007
2AZZ1 are moving on to their 4th episode of Good Housekeeping's TV Specials. Every few months, Good Housekeeping produces a one hour Good Housekeeping TV Special aired on sydicated television on roughly 90 local TV stations across the U.S. Based on articles from the current issue of the magazine, the segments feature experts from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, editors from Good Housekeeping magazine and other authorities on various subjects. The segments cover a range of subjects including the latest health, nutrition or parenting news, plus urgent consumer alerts about scams and ripoffs. At times, these segments will go behind-the-scenes to give viewers an inside look at how the Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests products. 2AZZ1 adds music and edits all of the audio for the shows. For more info copy and paste this link in your browser: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/good-housekeeping-tv.. 2AZZ1 On The Charts 6 Weeks
October 30, 2006
2AZZ1 hits the “Smooth Jazz Radio Charts” 6 weeks in a row!
Check it out!
(click here) http://smoothjazz.com/charts/top50_new.php
THANK YOU
for your encouragement, friendship and continued support! 2AZZ1 HIT THE CHARTS
September 25, 2006
2AZZ1 Debuted on Smooth Jazz Radio Charts today in the top 50! Keep tune in to your favorite smooth jazz radio to hear their hit song Q'd Up!
2AZZ1 Write for Good Housekeeping TV Special
August 19, 2006
2AZZ1 have written the theme song for Good Housekeeping's first ever Television Special to be aired in September 2006 across 80% of America's Neetwork Television across America.
LIsten for Craig on the sax during the theme song and many of 2AZZ1's songs from their CD Driven and Ready throughout the show.
http://magazines.ivillage.com/goodhousekeeping/myhome/howtos/articles/0,,284554_700232-2,00.html 2azz1 on Smooth Jazz Radio
August 18, 2006
2azz1 are being played accross the nation on smooth jazz radio! Listen for Q'd Up! Smoothjazz.com #1 WebSite Picks Up 2AZZ1
July 01, 2006
Check out 2AZZ1 on the world's #1 Internet Station. They're playing 2AZZ1's hit song Q'd Up, and you'll see 2AZZ1 popping up on many of the pages as featured artists!
Check out this review! http://www.smoothjazz.com/loft/
That dazzling So Cal couple, Craig and Mary Durst, aka 2AZZ1, have come up with another winner. It's called DRIVEN, and "Q'd Up," the first hit single, is just the tip of the iceberg. This second album ("Ready" was 2AZZ1's debut disc in '01) is hot stuff, with ten great Mary Durst originals...all of them memorable and captivating, whether sensual ballads or lively romps, vocals or instrumentals. 2AZZ1 includes Steve Billman on bass, Brian Price on guitar, and features guest Steve Oliver on the tasty Latin "La Palapa," a salute to one of the band's favorite Long Beach hangs. Mary plays keyboards throughout, and sings on four tunes, including "Tell Me," a hooky little excursion that's sure to get its share of radio airplay and "Heaven Is Here," a smooth, sensual ballad, with intriguing interplay between Mary's captivating voice and Craig's sultry sax. Speaking of Craig's sax, it shines brightly on the 6 instrumentals. Besides the first hit single, I really dig "All Day Sunday" and "Swing Ahead." Craig and Mary knew each other growing up in Michigan, reconnected as their musical careers led them both to L.A., and have since fallen in love, married, and formed one of the hottest bands on the L.A. club and festival scenes. 2AZZ1 has shown an impressive maturing of their music with DRIVEN. It's eminently listenable and total ear candy from start to finish. You'll hear exactly what I mean when you partake of this delicious new collection of tunes!~SCOTT O'BRIEN
|
