Columbus Post
June 1st, 2004
Tuey Connell presents jazz and blues at 5:01 Jazz Bar
By Kim Tolley
City Editor
Columbus Post
June 1, 2004
Tuey Connell always knew music was in his future. "I've always been into music," Connell told Urban Edition. "I knew I wanted to make a career of it." The Connecticut native plays Columbus at the 5:01 Jazz Bar this weekend in support of his latest CD, Under the Influence. Formerly a contemporary bluegrass banjo prodigy, Connell started shifting towards jazz, blues and swing in the 90s, crafting his own potent fusion of music. Connell grew up on his family's working vineyard, Crosswoods Vineyard, in Stonington, Connecticut. At the age of 8, he took up the banjo, "digesting Bela Fleck and others." After a full day of work in the fields, Tuey would practice the instrument for hours, often driving his parents and two brothers crazy. His mother played piano and guitar and sang. He says the progression from bluegrass to jazz was natural. "I grew up listening to Billie Holliday, Nat King Cole, B.B. King and others," he recalled. "My father loved Bill Evans." The 36-year-old Connell grew up during the MTV era of synthesized influenced New Wave music highlighting bands such as Duran, Duran and A Flock of Seagulls. As a result, his musical tastes didn't always jibe with his classmates. "My friends thought I was different, a bit of a geek with a banjo," he said. "They somewhat looked at me as a curiosity but now I think they're coming around."
Connell left New England for school, graduating from Lake Forest College in Illinois with degrees in music and English. After graduating, he took to the jazz and rock clubs of Chicago. A protégé of the great jazz singer Mark Murphy, he also draws upon the likes of Bill Withers, Johnny Hartman, Wes Montgomery and Bela Fleck – in addition to blues, swing and roots music. "I got to play with some good musicians," he said of his Chicago experience. "I've played a lot of gigs. I've always been able to make a living." Eventually, he began performing professionally throughout the U.S. and Europe. Through the help of a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, which had awarded him an Artist Fellowship Grant for his contemporary banjo compositions, Connell recorded a CD and soon heard himself on the radio. Word spread and he began fielding requests to perform on other CDs, at festivals and for radio and TV jingles for the likes of Blue Cross Blue Shield and Gravy Train. After 14 years in Chicago, Connell recently moved to New York. He admits it's been an adjustment. "It's been a challenge starting all over again," he said. "What it costs just to buy a cup of coffee is crazy. I missed my pals but it's coming together."
Critics have compared him to Chet Baker, Nat King Cole and Shirley Horn, artists whose talent on an instrument is matched by their intuitive and intimate vocals. Connell also writes music and contributes three songs to Under the Influence (Minor Music). The CD also features songs made famous by Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone and others. "Under the Influence is different for me because it has more cover tunes than originals," he said. "The title refers to how I'm under the influence of different composers as well as the vocal influence of singers I've always loved."
Connell is currently touring the country with his trio - Neal Miner, bass; Joe Strasser, drums - and special guest pianist, David Hazeltine. In 1997, Connell founded TuConn Music as an outlet for his recordings. "To be successful in this business, you need a game plan," he explained. "This business is so hard. I'm trying to tour as much as possible. It's a lot of work. My goal is to go to the next level."
For more information, visit Connell's website, www.tueyconnell.com.
Connell will appear at the 5:01 Jazz Bar on June 5 at 501 N. Park St. from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. There is no cover charge. For more information, call 614-464-0882.
Back to Press Page
