Juan Chiavassa, John Patitucci, Leo Genovese, George Garzone, Mike Stern - Fourth Generation (2025)

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Juan Chiavassa, John Patitucci, Leo Genovese, George Garzone, Mike Stern - Fourth Generation (2025)

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Growing up in Venado Tuerto, a small town in central Argentina, drummer/composer Juan Chiavassa was introduced to music at an early age by his father, a fusion fanatic who switched him on to the sounds of The Yellowjackets, Mike Stern, Jack DeJohnette, Wayne Shorter and many others. After winning a scholarship to Berklee College Of Music, where he was taught by the legendary saxophonist George Garzone, Juan's talent shone through brightly enough to attract the attention of the cream of the New York scene, and his dreams came true when he was chosen for the drum chair in the Mike Stern band, alongside the very musicians whose recordings his father had played to him so many years before.

Now, after eight years playing at the highest level on the NYC scene, he's here with his debut album. Fourth Generation presents Juan leading a multi-generational band of world-class talent. Legendary bassist John Pattitucci is joined on piano and Rhodes by Juan's Venado Tuerto compadre Leo Genovese, and the band is fronted by his erstwhile mentor George Garzone on tenor. It feels like a real homecoming party, surrounded by the friends and teachers who helped Juan become who he is today, with surprise guests Mike Stern and Pedrito Martinez dropping by to hang out and jam.

This is a powerful tribute to the enduring appeal of hard-swinging, high energy jazz, performed by master musicians at the top of their game. Supported by his friends and mentors, Juan Chiavassa shows himself to be an important new voice to be reckoned with, fully at home in this exalted company and in the music they play. "In many ways, I feel part of the musical legacy of these artists and those they worked with. That's the inspiration behind the album title, Fourth Generation. This quartet represents four generations of acclaimed musicians. The choice of players and repertoire pays tribute to the legends who shaped my sound and helped define my artistic identity."

Juan Chiavassa – drums
John Patitucci – double bass
Leo Genovese – piano and Rhodes
George Garzone – tenor saxophone
Mike Stern – guitar
Pedrito Martinez – congas
Federico Gonzalez Peña – synthesizers