Nick DiMaria is jazz fusion trumpet player, compose and band leader heavily influenced by the electric period of Miles Davis. Now primarily based in Connecticut, he actively sought the Van Dyck to expand his audience. He brought his band to the Van Dyck Music Club for a set of updated fusion jazz.

When I think of a fusion band, visions of banks of stomp boxes, complicated drum kit, elaborate sound system and keyboard. What I saw was :

one synthesizer-Andrew Kosiba

a drum kit consisting of one cymbal, 1 hihat, one snare and the tiniest bass drum I’ve ever seen-Jimmy Gavagan

Bass Guitar with one small amp-Matt Dwonzyk

One trumpet-Nick DiMaria

Nick advised me after the concert, the reason the set up is simple is simply due to practicality. The band has to fit into a hatchback with all its gear without a trailer.

The band nevertheless created a complex sound through its set of compositions. The sound was heavily influenced by Nick’s teacher: Dr. Eddie Handerson but was a more contemporary version of that smooth and danceable sound.

Most of the material played was from their self titled debut album and a new album that will be recorded this winter.

For more information on this band visit nickdimariatrumpet.com and follow him on social media.