New York Rock & Roll Ensemble
Encyclopedia
The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble was a rock band
of the late 1960s and early 1970s described as playing "classical baroque rock".
Years Active: 1967 - 1973
, Marty Fulterman ---now known as Mark Snow
--- and Dorian Rudnytsky
) as well as two rock musicians, Brian Corrigan and Clif Nivison.
Rudnytsky indicated that while students at Juilliard, Kamen and Fulterman played in a rock band named "Emil & The Detectives" while he played in a rock band named Invicta with Corrigan and Nivison, all of whom hail from Toms River, New Jersey. A mutual friend and record producer suggested that all five drop their current bands and form a new band. After the new group's first gig at a Juilliard Halloween dance in 1967, they were signed by Atlantic Records where Ahmet Ertegün
was quoted by one of the members as having said in jest, "You play all the right notes on all the wrong instruments."
Their recording debut was the 1968 self-named album The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, which broke the tradition by using classical music instruments in rock songs and rock instruments in classical pieces. This fusion, daring at the time, impressed Leonard Bernstein
so much that he invited the group to appear at one of his Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, where they performed their signature song "Brandenburg" which was based on the first movement of Bach's Fifth Brandenburg Concerto. This track showed the group at their best, starting off with a straight rendition of Bach's music (featuring two oboes, guitar and cello), then migrating into a rock song, while continuing to use Bach's original music for its basis.
Because Brandenburg was the one song that showed the widest range of their musicianship, the group typically performed that song when they made television appearances on The Tonight Show
, The Steve Allen Show
and other TV shows of that era.
Brandenburg appeared on the group's second album "Faithful Friends", which had higher production values than their first and contained many of the songs that were part of their live act.
Their third album, "Reflections
", was actually recorded prior to Faithful Friends and was a collaboration with Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis
as a score for a film that was never produced. The group decided to use this already recorded but unreleased music for their last Atlantic album. Because this album was such a great departure from their "classical/rock" roots, it apparently sold poorly when released and at least one member of the group believed that it hurt their popularity by confusing their fan base. This album is now the group's biggest selling album because it was re-released in Europe and has sold well since that time. In 2005 the well known and critically acclaimed Greek band named Raining Pleasure
has released its own interpretation of this album.
Rhythm guitarist Brian Corrigan departed after the third album and after being part of the only movie appearance by the group, Zachariah which featured an extended version of Kamen's song "Gravedigger". The band then shortened its name to New York Rock Ensemble and switched to Columbia. Released in 1971, Roll Over was their most overtly rock album to date and, at that time, their biggest seller. The band's tour to support this album was unique in that in addition to their usual college dates, the band also played with leading symphony orchestras across the country including the Boston Pops and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. When playing these gigs, the group played a set alone and then joined up with the orchestra to perform an orchestral version of Kamen's rock song "Anaconda," and Kamen's song "Winter Child", based on the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations. Kamen's efforts at orchestral composing (and fusing rock and orchestral music) set the stage for his later work as a movie composer as well as a composer, conductor and performer with Metallica
, Eric Clapton
and Pink Floyd
.
Their last album was "Freedomburger", a collection of songs. Soon after the tour supporting this album, the band dispersed.
Kamen, joined by Rudnytsky and other musicians, gave it one last try when he released New York Rock in 1973. "Winter Child" appears on that album. Band membership at this time was Kamen and Rudnytsky, joined by David Sanborn
on saxophone, Larry Packer (formerly of Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys) on guitar and violin, Dennis Whitted (later of Paul Butterfield
and Bonnie Raitt
) on drums and Hank DeVito (later of Emmylou Harris
' "Hot Band") on pedal steel.
Michael Kamen later gained fame for his many film scores and for his aforementioned "fusion" efforts. He died in 2003.
Marty Fulterman later adopted the name of Mark Snow and gained renown for his many scores and themes for TV shows, most notably, The X Files.
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
of the late 1960s and early 1970s described as playing "classical baroque rock".
Years Active: 1967 - 1973
History/Biography
The band was formed by three Juilliard students (Michael KamenMichael Kamen
Michael Arnold Kamen was an American composer , orchestral arranger, orchestral conductor, song writer, and session musician.-Background:...
, Marty Fulterman ---now known as Mark Snow
Mark Snow
Mark Snow is an American composer for film and television.Born in New York, he grew up in Brooklyn, graduating from the High School of Music and Art and, afterwards, the Juilliard School of Music...
--- and Dorian Rudnytsky
Dorian Rudnytsky
Dorian Rudnytsky is an American cellist and composer. He was born in New York City but has a Ukrainian background. His father is composer/conductor Antin Rudnytsky, and his mother is soprano Maria Sokil....
) as well as two rock musicians, Brian Corrigan and Clif Nivison.
Rudnytsky indicated that while students at Juilliard, Kamen and Fulterman played in a rock band named "Emil & The Detectives" while he played in a rock band named Invicta with Corrigan and Nivison, all of whom hail from Toms River, New Jersey. A mutual friend and record producer suggested that all five drop their current bands and form a new band. After the new group's first gig at a Juilliard Halloween dance in 1967, they were signed by Atlantic Records where Ahmet Ertegün
Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegün was a Turkish American musician and businessman, best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records. He also wrote classic blues and pop songs and served as Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum...
was quoted by one of the members as having said in jest, "You play all the right notes on all the wrong instruments."
Their recording debut was the 1968 self-named album The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, which broke the tradition by using classical music instruments in rock songs and rock instruments in classical pieces. This fusion, daring at the time, impressed Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
so much that he invited the group to appear at one of his Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, where they performed their signature song "Brandenburg" which was based on the first movement of Bach's Fifth Brandenburg Concerto. This track showed the group at their best, starting off with a straight rendition of Bach's music (featuring two oboes, guitar and cello), then migrating into a rock song, while continuing to use Bach's original music for its basis.
Because Brandenburg was the one song that showed the widest range of their musicianship, the group typically performed that song when they made television appearances on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
, The Steve Allen Show
The Steve Allen Show
The Steve Allen Show is an American variety show hosted by Steve Allen from June 1956 to June 1960 on NBC, from September 1961 to December 1961 on ABC, and in first-run syndication from 1962 to 1964....
and other TV shows of that era.
Brandenburg appeared on the group's second album "Faithful Friends", which had higher production values than their first and contained many of the songs that were part of their live act.
Their third album, "Reflections
Reflections (Manos Hadjidakis album)
Reflections is a 1970 album composed by Manos Hadjidakis.The album was originally composed in New York City where Manos Hadjidakis was living since 1966 for the band New York Rock & Roll Ensemble and the lyrics were in English....
", was actually recorded prior to Faithful Friends and was a collaboration with Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis
Manos Hadjidakis
Manos Hatzidakis was a Greek composer and theorist of the Greek music. He was also one of the main prime movers of the "Éntekhno" song ....
as a score for a film that was never produced. The group decided to use this already recorded but unreleased music for their last Atlantic album. Because this album was such a great departure from their "classical/rock" roots, it apparently sold poorly when released and at least one member of the group believed that it hurt their popularity by confusing their fan base. This album is now the group's biggest selling album because it was re-released in Europe and has sold well since that time. In 2005 the well known and critically acclaimed Greek band named Raining Pleasure
Raining Pleasure
Raining Pleasure is an Indie / Rock band originating from Patras, Greece, often credited with spearheading the newest wave of Greek bands with English lyrics. The band was formed in September 1990 under the name "Rest in Peace". A year after their formation the band started appearing live locally....
has released its own interpretation of this album.
Rhythm guitarist Brian Corrigan departed after the third album and after being part of the only movie appearance by the group, Zachariah which featured an extended version of Kamen's song "Gravedigger". The band then shortened its name to New York Rock Ensemble and switched to Columbia. Released in 1971, Roll Over was their most overtly rock album to date and, at that time, their biggest seller. The band's tour to support this album was unique in that in addition to their usual college dates, the band also played with leading symphony orchestras across the country including the Boston Pops and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. When playing these gigs, the group played a set alone and then joined up with the orchestra to perform an orchestral version of Kamen's rock song "Anaconda," and Kamen's song "Winter Child", based on the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations. Kamen's efforts at orchestral composing (and fusing rock and orchestral music) set the stage for his later work as a movie composer as well as a composer, conductor and performer with Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
and Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
.
Their last album was "Freedomburger", a collection of songs. Soon after the tour supporting this album, the band dispersed.
Kamen, joined by Rudnytsky and other musicians, gave it one last try when he released New York Rock in 1973. "Winter Child" appears on that album. Band membership at this time was Kamen and Rudnytsky, joined by David Sanborn
David Sanborn
David Sanborn is an American alto saxophonist. Though Sanborn has worked in many genres, his solo recordings typically blend jazz with instrumental pop and R&B. He released his first solo album Taking Off in 1975, but has been playing the saxophone since before he was in high school...
on saxophone, Larry Packer (formerly of Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys) on guitar and violin, Dennis Whitted (later of Paul Butterfield
Paul Butterfield
Paul Butterfield was an American blues vocalist and harmonica player, who founded the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the early 1960s and performed at the original Woodstock Festival...
and Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
) on drums and Hank DeVito (later of Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
' "Hot Band") on pedal steel.
Michael Kamen later gained fame for his many film scores and for his aforementioned "fusion" efforts. He died in 2003.
Marty Fulterman later adopted the name of Mark Snow and gained renown for his many scores and themes for TV shows, most notably, The X Files.
Discography
- The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble (1968), released as CD in 2005
- Faithful Friends (1969), released as CD in 2006
- ReflectionsReflections (Manos Hadjidakis album)Reflections is a 1970 album composed by Manos Hadjidakis.The album was originally composed in New York City where Manos Hadjidakis was living since 1966 for the band New York Rock & Roll Ensemble and the lyrics were in English....
(1970), released as CD in 2000 - Zachariah (Movie soundtrack, VHS, DVD 1970)
- Roll Over (1971), released as CD in 1999
- Different Strokes (Columbia Records Collection 1971)
- Freedomburger (1972), released as CD in 1999
- New York Rock (1973), released as CD in 2010
- Various Singles
Initial Band Membership
- Michael KamenMichael KamenMichael Arnold Kamen was an American composer , orchestral arranger, orchestral conductor, song writer, and session musician.-Background:...
- Keyboards, Oboe, English Horn, Synthesizer, Vocals - Μartin FultermanMark SnowMark Snow is an American composer for film and television.Born in New York, he grew up in Brooklyn, graduating from the High School of Music and Art and, afterwards, the Juilliard School of Music...
- Drums - Βrian Corrigan - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
- Clifton Νivison - Lead Guitar, Vocals
- Dorian RudnytskyDorian RudnytskyDorian Rudnytsky is an American cellist and composer. He was born in New York City but has a Ukrainian background. His father is composer/conductor Antin Rudnytsky, and his mother is soprano Maria Sokil....
- Bass Guitar, Cello, Piano, Trumpet, French Horn