Grupo Yuri: News

Grupo Yuri gets a standing ovation at the Cultural Center in Whippany, NJ

Oct 25, 2009. Grupo Yuri wowed the audienced in their opening concert at McLoone's Supper Club before handing the stage to Teatro Si's "A Taste of Tango."

Grupo Yuri performed at The Galleria West in Westfield, NJ October 2, 2009 at a soldout show to an enthusiastic crowd.

The Galleria was a perfect venue to showcase the talents of Grupo Yuri.
The audience gave the band a standing ovation at the end of the evening.

Galleria West features The First Fridays of The Month series produced by the reknowned theater company Teatro Si. Grupo Yuri was the October guest artists.

At McLoone's Supper Club in Asbury Park August 30, 2009
Grupo Yuri and a Taste of Tango was a sold out extravanganza.

GY opened the evening with a set of their original material dazzling the audience with their performance.

Tito Castro (bandeon) and Pancho Navarro (guitar) were consummate performers performing excellent tango renditions with skills of genius playing their own set following GY. Awesome! Carolina Juarena and her partner Diego performed tango dances to the sounds of Castro and Navarro for the rapt audience.

The show was a success and brought to the shore area music and dance of unparalled quality. Bravo to all performers.

Teatro Si's Pat Cruz and Margaret Shaw were the producers of the show and did a splendid job putting all aspects of the Taste of Tango to fruition.

Kudos to all. Thank you Tim McLoone and staff for the opportunity to present this event at the Supper Club.

Many thanks to sound engineer Anthony Losordo for his skills at the board.

June 06, 2009
I was at the Red Bank Jazz And Blues Festival in New Jersey today to hear Grupo Yuri, a band fronted by long-time music friend Yuri Turchyn on electric violin. Yuri introduced one of the songs dedicating it to a colleague who had just passed on and was knocking on heaven's door. It took the breath right out of me when the name he said was that of Daniel Petraitis, one of the most talented and nicest people that I knew.


I am glad to have had the chance to work with him in the studio and in live situations, and to have shared time with him and the others that we made music with. The last time I saw him was a couple years ago at a Twilight Concert benefit for the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children that he came back up to Jersey to perform with many of the people he played with for years, among them two of my family members... I never once figured that that would be the last time I would see and hear him.

My deepest condolences to Bridget, the children and the family.

I sure am gonna miss him... Rest In Peace Daniel. May we all be comforted by our memories of you in our lives.
~ Kenneth McGee, Asbury Park, New Jersey

On July 10, 2009, Grupo Yuri performed at the Roselle Summer Concert Series event with an opening set before The Jeff Fox Band took to the stage as the headliners in a two act show of great music from both groups. GY was in great form performing to a huge crowd consisiting of people from Roselle and surrounding areas...Linden, Elizabeth, Clark, Cranford, Westfield and more.

The night temps were cool but the music was hot.

Yuri met Mayor Garrett Smith after Grupo Yuri's set and they exchanged mutual compliments for each other's work...one in music and the other in the leading the Borough of Roselle in great improvements.

A big thanks to Pat Cruz and Margaret Shaw for their help in selling GY CDs and collecting email registrants.

Kudos go to Jeff Baker for organizing the event and Donald Parker's sound company for providing the amplification.

Everyone did a splendid job.

Below is a great note from an audience member at the Red Bank Fest June 6...


Well, hello Grupo Yuri!!!, what a beautiful experience my best friends, my wife and I had at Red Bank this year hearing you guys for the first time. It was very refreshing to my ears!.
Couldn't help going back in time to earlier days and hearing a masterful sound from the past, fresh and new at Red Bank this year!!
I'd grown up in the seventies listening to cats like Stanley Clarke, Al Di'Meola, John McClaughlin, Billy Cobham, etc., etc. and of course, Jean Luc Ponty. What a great time that was!!
So, I want to Thank you for those memories and Thank you for this new one, of your own Yuri sound!!! It's Great!!
My fingers were dancing to your arrangements man. I've been playing guitar for the past ~40 years, you know at the age of 13 yrs old. My wife and I are Spanish, from El salvador Central America. Living in Long Island, NY since 1977. At this time I'm doing a tribute to the late SRV (Stevie Ray Vaughan) with a power trio. Check us out and share some of your wisdom through your comments!! Name of the band is tgcompany. TG for tony gutierrez you know, in the Company of my best friends. www.myspace.com/tgcompany www.myspace.com/tonyglive My Best Wishes to you.
Tony G.
tgcompany

Grupo Yuri appeared on the Marina stage at the Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday, June 6 2009. It was a joyous and resounding success. The audience received the band and its music with enthusiastic applause and fanfare. There was dancing in front of the stage to the wonderful rhythms of Grupo Yuri's music. Members of M'Zume...Jennie, Stosh and Mike added to the percussion table their talents on several numbers during the concert. What a great performance. Yuri dedicated a song to honor the recent passing of fellow musician Dan Petraitus. There was a great response to that from the audience.

Guest singer and instrumentalist Rob Paparozzi joined Grupo Yuri in a musical feast. The renowned harmonica virtuoso and blues singer led Grupo Yuri's players in a sinuous melange of blues, jazz, funk and then some.

Drummer extroadinaire, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, sat in on Grover Washington's composition "Mr. Magic" The place erupted in musical rapture. Amen!

The audience at the brand new Cavalier Social Lounge in Roselle, NJ was treated to an amazing evening of jazz entertainment with vocalist Karen Egert sharing the stage with Grupo Yuri in her smoky renditions of jazz favorites
in the swing tradition and in the Latin Jazz repertoire. What a night.

Grupo Yuri and Karen were a tight septet that evening. The band embraced Karen's musical phrasing with each song, be it a ballad, bossa or swing number. It was a rare performance observed by a wonderfully receptive audience.

March 6, 2009 was a landmark event for the Roselle/Linden NJ area. Jazz found a new home when Grupo Yuri performed the first of many future jazz dates at the new Cavalier Social Lounge.

The evening was a success in attendance and in performance. Roselle, NJ will once again become a landmark area for great entertainment.

Grupo Yuri invited vocalist Yolanda Digrius to perform her renditions of Jobim's Bossa repertoire and what a splendid performance it was.

The audience's reception was enthusiastic for the venue, the band and the voacalist.

Grupo Yuri will be at the Cavalier Social Lounge again on March 20th with guest keyboardist Mile Sonotore.

See you THERE!

On January 31, 2009 The Waters Edge/ Merrimakers Club in Sea Bright, NJ hosted a benefit/fundraiser for former shore musician Daniel Petraitus who has a very severe illness.

The fundraiser was an astounding success. Three hundred fans of Danny came out to give their well-wishes and make the night a memorable one.

Pat Guadagno organized the event and invited Rain, Grupo Yuri, Rude Awakening, Jeff McPherson and others to join hands in a musical tribute to fellow musician, friend and mentor Danny Petraitus.

The night was MC'd by Jersey Shore DJ Big Joe Henry who did an outstanding job. Music Men Productions provided the sound equipment and their expertise in staging and mixing the numerous acts that appeared that evening.

Everyone involved whether on the scene or behind the scenes was instrumental in the evening's success. Smooth was the operative word. The stage manager was incredible in getting the music acts on and off the stage on time. The sound company made all the musicians sound excellent. The musicians played beyond the call of duty and performed with extra octane energy.

As a participant on stage, I was honored to be part of this historic event; for in the moment of incredible pain there was so much joy in the hearts of everyone to reunite in support of a man who brought so much happiness into the lives of so many with his smile and his song.

May you stay forever young Mr. Dan.

According to The Book Of Daniel (Danny Shades, Mr. Soul Purpose) simplify life and amplify joy. Amen!

Grupo Yuri would like to thank The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation for asking us to showcase their January member meeting.

We played two sets and then had several musicians from the audience join us in a jam session.

Chelsea Palermo was outstanding in her vocal performances as were others on their respective intruments.

Members of the JSJBF were very receptive to our music. The non-members who came to support the band at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank helped make the night a memorable one.

Thanks to everyone who came to support live music.

This past year has brought many a surprise which in their own way could better this world politically, economically, ecologically and much more than can be enumerated in this humble epistle. In turn turmoil gives way to calm; chaos to order; poverty to richness in many different forms; death to life and in all this we must choose paths that create rather than destroy; build up rather than tear down. There is a Phoenix that will rise from all these negative ashes; where destructive forces once were on the horizon we can now see a constructiveness of new ideas and fresher approaches to what would seem to be insurmountable challenges. Humans can be incredibly resilient and intelligent in devising ways to conquer not only obstacles but dangers that threaten the survival of humanity and its macrocosm of obstinacy to the betterment of the human condition and the results of our intrusiveness in nature. We are the world, if only we find the beauty and peace to go with this gift.

Death gives way to life. I saw my canine friend of sixteen years close his eyes forever in March. In June, I was lucky to adopt two felines from an animal shelter both of who came with their own sets of physical problems but have blossomed into healthy and very playful companions with proper care and plain old affection. Life springs eternal. I thank the animal world for its richness and diversity. We would be wise to learn from nature in all its forms and functions. We are guests in this world. We should act as such.

We have seen turmoil in our economic conditions this past year and will, with the right mix of intelligent and critical choices, surmount these devastating times. My portfolio is a memory now. I was rich. I am poor now. Rich is better. LOL!

We have seen a political renaissance in this country: we vote in private ways according to our views and needs but I truly believe we will unite in attitude and spirit; the future is, in my estimation, something we all need to look forward to because the past eight years have been fraught with many negative aspects that have affected not only the world but each one of us individually. We are one voice if the needs arise. We are one spirit. We are one mind. We are together in this world.

Musically speaking, I want to thank all the members of my musical world, whether in Grupo Yuri, in Luna, Arturo, Rich Dipaolo (and the Booglerizers), Pat Guadagno, Pat Cruz, Margaret Shaw of Teatro Si, George Simonovich and Those Dreaded Gnats and many more for their talents in letting me participate in their musical endeavors. I am much richer in life’s song because of you.

To the Grupo Yuri fans, without you we would still be in my cellar rehearsing. Thanks to all of you for your support for “live” music.

In closing, I wish you all the love in the world and in your own individual lives. May the Scrooge in us give way to St. Nicholas by sharing ourselves in all aspects of life: give yourselves a hug first and then reach out to others. A stranger is a friend we haven’t yet met.

All The Best Forever,

Yuri, The Uke, The Fiddler, The Writer, The Humanist

The summer months have passed so quickly it's hard to believe that autumnal winds are blowing our way.

In May, Yuri performed at the Two River Theater in Red Bank for the musical comedy, A Murder A Mystery and a Marriage playing fiddle in the band.

Grupo Yuri performed mostly at Giamano's in Bradley Beach.
Grupo Y also performed in Westfield for The Sweet Sounds Of Downtown Jazz and Blues Festival in July. The audience was sizable and greatly appreciative of the music. The setting was sublime: a church with a view of the gargoyles and stained glass. Tres cool.

Some of the guys in the band had some interesting events individually: Al our drummer literally got run over by a deer in a parking lot. He called the police because the deer ran into a vide rental store and wreaked havoc before running out. The cops asked Al whether he provoked the deer. LOL.

Jim was heart broken rather than being the heart breaker that he is.

Beny attracted an unwelcome parasitic host into his life. The host was asked to leave. And did so.

Grupo Yuri is scheduled to perform at Trumpets in September. It's "the" place to perform one's "jazz."
Hope you readers will come out to suport us in this very venerable venue.
See you soon!

Grupo Yuri performed with pizzazz and panache in their debut concert as a headline act at the Burgdorff Cultural Center in Maplewood NJ on April 19, 2008.

The audience was thrilled and showed its appreciation for the music and the band with a standing ovation at the end of the performance.
What a show!

To continue the evening, Grupo Yuri members met with members of the audience at a local pub after striking the stage.

It was a night to remember in the annals of live music.

Long Live Grupo Yuri!

The Sweetest Sound Downtown

Grupo Yuri in Westfield

Concert Review by: Larry Marc-Aurele

Place: Westfield in Union County NJ


On August 7th 2007, I visited Sweet Sounds Downtown as I had on all other Tuesdays. Having seen, heard, and spoken with Yuri Turchyn (violinist) who performed 2 weeks earlier with a group called Arturo, I was looking forward to hearing Grupo Yuri. They did not disappoint. They performed near the train station parking lot on South Street. A sextet consisting of Yuri Turchyn on violin, Al Selert on drums and percussion, Stacy Grant on percussion, Jim Grant on bass, Ernie Fortunato on guitar, and Beny Ramos on congas and bongos, this group was easily the best I’d seen so far at the Westfield jazz festival. Their brand of jazz has a Caribbean flavor, with elements of salsa, funk and world beat.

First and foremost was group leader/front man Yuri Turchyn, master violinist and showman, working the audience, talking to the people, and playing his instrument to the max, and making it all look too easy. To his right was Stacy Grant with a small table full of percussion instruments he used to add colors to the music and rhythms. He used triangles, caxixi, tambourines, bells, afuche and even a small set of steel drums among many other percussive things too numerous to mention. Behind him was master drummer/percussionist Al Selert who played with tremendous drive and energy, fully supporting the music, and at the same time, adding extremely creative fills and colors of his own. With his already full kit he also used a cowbell set to his right and small hanging cymbals in front of him, with a set of timbales to his left. He used all of this to great advantage, helping the others to play at the top of their game. To his left was bassist Jim Grant who played a 7-string electric bass, something I’d never seen or even heard of before. His tremendous range and skill as a musician seemed to require such an instrument. He performed with amazing speed and power as did Ernie Fortunato, the guitarist. Ernie used a seemingly endless variety of beautiful chords and riffs, all played with smooth precision. Conga player Beny Ramos played seated behind 3 congas and a set of bongos, adding even more to the rhythm and the music, playing the bongos often while playing congas. In addition to rhythms such as tumbao, calypso and bolero, he often played a very nice one-handed finger roll on bongos to add to his dynamics.

Dynamics were a major part of this group’s expertise; one minute the music would be cooking and then brought down to a haunting whisper of one or more players, then the rest would come in and build the music. Each song—original—would take the listener on a journey full of surprises, super slick breaks, dramatic solos and endings, and precision teamwork all led by the great Yuri Turchyn, who quickly made friends with all in attendance, often walking and talking among the listeners. His electric violin was wireless, and at least once he walked over to people in their cars waiting at the train station traffic light and entertained them with his masterful playing and outgoing personality.

Grupo Yuri is a band definitely worth checking out.

Grupo Yuri will be performing in concert Saturday, April 19, 2002 at The Theater at The Burgdorff Cultural Center in Maplewood, NJ.

This will mark the band's debut as a singular entity that can bring audiences to their feet and wanting more. The concert will herald a new beginning for the NJ based sextet with this, their at long last debut as performers in their own rite.

Grupo Yuri has performed at such luminous venues as The NJ Performing Arts Center (NJPAC); The South Orange Performing Arts Center ( SOPAC); Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair, NJ; has performed at Riverfest, Red Bank's premier Jazz and Blues Festival; Kean University's Little Theater and numerous clubs and festivals throughout their musical travels.

For reservations and information please call 908 241-1571. Tickets are $20.00 with General Admission seating. The Burgdorff Theater has seating for 125 people. Tickets are selling fast so please don't wait; don't hesitate. Come and enjoy the wonderful sound; the incredible performances by the instrumentalists and in addition, a few vocal oriented surprises to be in store. It's a wonderful life with music in it. Grupo Yuri has just the music for you!

What a night! The place was jam packed. The music and comraderie mixed into a fine cocktail.
Patrons and musicians jammed in a sonic wave of unity. Very ultima!

Carmen the Goat was a big hit at the penultimate performance at The Dancing Goat. Grupo Yuri hosted the music of the night. Revelry was openly displayed by all attendees from the band to the audience.

The place was filled to capacity as Grupo Yuri's music bathed the audience with a mixture of celebration and sadness; the former for the great sounds emanating off the stage and the latter for the eventual demise of yet another great venue for music. The Dancing Goat was closing its doors and gone with it will be another great place lost for freedom of artistic expression.

Goodbye till next time.
And be still by bleeting heart!

Giamano's patrons in Bradley Beach, NJ welcomed Grupo Yuri with thunderous applause during the three set night.
The place was jammed with enthusiasts from the earlier years when GY performed at the Jersey shore and with newly annointed fans.

It was such a great night that Grupo Yuri will be back to Giamano's in Feb., March and April. Check the GY website calendar for dates.

Amor Vincit Omnia. Love conquers all. Add to that
Amor et musica vincit omnia.
Love and music conquer all.

Grupo Yuri performed at the Goat with passion and energy on their original compositions and on their recent interpretive infusion of material by Herbie Hancock, Grover Washington, Chick Corea and Horace Silver. The enthusiastic audience supported the band with incredible approval after each number. The Goat was the place to be that night.

Grupo Yuri has been invited to play on a monthly basis by Denise Stennett owner of the bistro.

On another note, kudos to our guest premier drummer Peter Watts who performed with GY on a rendition of Horace Silver's "Song For My Father."

It was a magical carpet ride for all.

A big thanks to Pat Cruz and Margaret Shaw of Teatro Si for MC-ing the evening, for helping set up the Goat for the guests and for being the gatekeepers.

It was a Night Supreme at Trumpets on 9/9/07.
Small yet intimate was the audience. The response to the show, the music and the entertainment was beyond the normal parameters of a metered response. It was ecstasy.

The band performed with the greatest of musicianship. The roar of the crowd and the revved up performances by all the band members made it a night to remember.

The Chester NJ Black River Music Festival was a resounding success for the organizers, the attendees and the performing bands. There were electrifying performances from all participants: a wonderful mosaic of styles and attitudes.

Grupo Yuri performed early in the day but the crowd was ample as was the sunshine and ambient temperatures.

Cooperation was the key to a succesful event: Ernie Fortunato and Al Selert, both members of GY, were helpful in setting up the sound stage where GY performed. They went beyond the call of duty. Kudos to both of you.

GY's performance was solid, tight and exciting. Only thirty minutes per band was alotted and all made good use of their spots.

The organizers of the festival did an outstanding job of coordinating and organizing everything. They communicated well with the performers and all parties associated with the festival. What a great day for all.

Grupo Yuri's concert at the Arts Factory in Bayonne was an Ab-Fab evening. We played an hour set of tight and flowing music. All the players were on a nirvanic journey in the outer reaches of the nebulae in the universe. We were one with ourselves and the audience. A transcendental event.

The Tango presentations and the lessons that followed and the Milonga were a hit with the attendees.

Pat Cruz and Margaret Shaw of Teatro Si did a splendiferous job of producing this highly successful evening of Music and Dance. Passion was the essence of the night!