tag:jasonbravo.com,2005:/blogs/news?p=1News2022-05-09T15:26:39-04:00Jason Bravofalsetag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117922014-03-04T19:00:00-05:002021-10-06T03:32:13-04:002014 begins
<p>The new year is bringing a lot of exciting prospects. I recorded a number of new pop song demos and am really confident in their hit potential. I've tried writing some songs with a different feel and sound from those I've done before. A different chordal approach and a different vocal approach. I'm looking forward to submitting them to producers and record labels in the upcoming months.</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117912013-12-31T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:002013
<p>My first musical directing gig of 2013 was <em>'S Wonderful</em>, a Gershwin retrospective with musical arrangements by my friend Rick Hip-Flores from New York. It was a challenging piano part. Whew! It was a lot of notes to play! In the summer, I was again at Artpark music directing and conducting <em>The Sound of Music.</em> It was great to hear this classic show with a 23-piece orchestra. Weirdly, we weren't able to do our final performance as there was a power outage in the entire Niagara region. A strange way to end the run of a show! Next up was <em>La Cage aux Folles</em>, a show with an important message of acceptance of self and others. After that, I was MDing the rock musical Bat Boy at Niagara University. I was really proud of this show and of the work the students put into it. My pit band rocked. I ended the year doing an original Christmas musical I co-conceived and wrote the music and lyrics for called <em>The Wizard of Claus</em> (with life-size puppets designed by Adam Kreutinger). We were lucky to get such a great cast that included some of the best musical theater performers in Buffalo. To hear my songs come to life by these singers was so fulfilling. Our next step is to submit the show to regional theaters. </p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117902012-12-31T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:002012
<p>2012 was another good year. Did a bunch of writing with singer/songwriter Scott Nykiel from the band The Screaming Jeans. We set out to write straight-ahead pop stuff for female singers. The songs we wrote were really good and ranged from a dance song with dirty synths to a reggae-inspired one. We recorded the demos at TSS Studios and were really happy with the way they came out. In the summer, I music directed the musical <em>Cinderella</em> at Artpark and conducted the 21-piece orchestra. When does <em>that </em>happen?! 21 union players! It was a great experience. So proud of the show. At the end of the summer, I started rehearsals for the rock musical <em>Next to Normal </em>at Irish Classical Theater. The director and I really went through a long audition process in casting just the right actor/singers who could sing the challenging rock/pop score as well as act the challenging roles with sincerity. Among the cast was Jason Watson from Los Angeles who had been in the First National Tour of the show. After that, I was again at Niagara University music directing, this time the musical <em>Urinetown. </em>The year was filled with such varied projects, and I'm so glad to be able to work with such talented and dedicated artists.</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117892012-12-31T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:002012
<p>2012 was another good year. Did a bunch of writing with singer/songwriter Scott Nykiel from the band The Screaming Jeans. We set out to write straight-ahead pop stuff for female singers. The songs ranged from a dance song with dirty synths to a reggae-inspired one. We recorded the demos at TSS Studios and were really happy with the way they came out. In the summer, I music directed the musical <em>Cinderella</em> at Artpark and conducted the 21-piece orchestra. When does <em>that </em>happen?! 21 union players! It was a great experience. So proud of the show. At the end of the summer, I started rehearsals for the rock musical <em>Next to Normal </em>at Irish Classical Theater. The director and I really went through a long audition process in casting just the right actor/singers who could sing the challenging rock/pop score as well as act the challenging roles with sincerity. Among the cast was Jason Watson from Los Angeles who had been in the First National Tour of the show. After that, I was again at Niagara University music directing, this time the musical <em>Urinetown. </em>The year was filled with such varied projects, and I'm so glad to be able to work with such talented and dedicated artists.</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117882011-12-30T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:002011
<p>The new year is only hours away, and I always like to look back at the past year and see the adventures I've been on.
JANUARY: We had our first workshop performance of "Something So Right" at UB's Center for the Arts. A music, theater, dance collaboration produced by the Center for the Arts, MusicalFare Theatre, and LehrerDance, we had been developing this show based on the music of Paul Simon (with the permission of Paul Simon Music) for over a year. As one of the three singers in the show, I sang many of Paul Simon's great songs. As music director, I also arranged the songs for the singers and the band, oftentimes changing the original arrangments pretty drastically, with some very cool results. As one of the co-creators of the story concept, I was part of shaping the story and the character journeys.
Throughout the winter and spring, I once again put on my professor hat, teaching Voice in the Theatre Department at Niagara University.
MARCH-APRIL: Music directed the "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at MusicalFare Theatre.
APRIL: Had the premiere of "Something So Right" at UB's Center for the Arts. A wonderfully fulfilling project where I enjoyed wearing many hats as singer, dancer, actor, music director/arranger, and co-creator. (Check out the LINKS page to see clips.)
JUNE-JULY: Music directed the original musical "One More For My Baby," which included all Frank Sinatra songs, flexing my jazz muscles.
Also, in June and July, I traveled to Cleveland, Ohio numerous times to once again play keyboards and sing backup vocals for the National Tour of "Jersey Boys" (as I had last spring in Buffalo). A great cast and a great experience.
JULY-AUGUST: Music directed "Fame" at Artpark in Lewiston, NY.
SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER: Music directed "Damn Yankees" for the Niagara University Theatre Department. Professor Bravo in da house...
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER: Music directed the revival of last year's big hit at Irish Classical Theatre Company, "James Joyce's The Dead."
DECEMBER: Began rehearsals as music director for "Avenue Q" at MuscialFare Theatre.
Of course, the pop and theatre songwriting continued and I demoed a bunch of new stuff.
It was a very full year and I look forward to doing bigger and better in 2012!</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117872010-01-10T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00Happy New Year
<p>Now that a new year is upon us, I thought I'd write an overview of this past year musically to encapsulate the journey.
February-March '09: Played the run of the show "Hot 'n' Cole" at the Kavinoky Theatre. With instrumentation for two pianos, Michael Hake and I played our fingers off on some awesome piano arrangements.
April-May '09: Music directed the original musical "Bada Bing! Bada Boom!" at Musicalfare Theatre, for which I learned the accordion. That really made my brain work. Kind of like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time! Lots of well-known Italian-American songs including "That's Amore."
June-July '09: Music directed "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" at Musicalfare. Brought back by popular demand, the show was very successful and a lot of fun, especially the end of Act II when our onstage 8-man+ band kicked into high gear. In addition to music directing, I played the role of the Emcee and, yes, had to wear a short haired wig!
July '09: Also during July, I vocal directed "Grease" for the summer youth program STAGE. It was really a great group of students and staff who were very supportive of me and my music. I had a lot of fun with them.
July 5: Had a gig at the Friendship Festival at Riverside Park. Due to everyone's hectic summer schedules, had only one rehearsal with the bass player and drummer. Whew! In addition was joined by my brother Greg and cousin Josh on guitar, and my high school friend Jen on backup (and duet) vocals.
July 20: Gig at the beautiful Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, which has amazing acoustics. The kids from "Grease" rocked the first few rows of the theater with their loud enthusiasm. A great night.
July-August '09: Played Dan, one of the brothers, in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at Artpark. Favorite moment: The Megamix! (It was during this time that I accidentally stuck a car key in my eye and scratched my cornea. I learned a big life lesson on this one: Don't put a key in your eye; it kinda f***ing hurts!)
Sept.-Nov '09: Music directed Jonathan Larson's "tick, tick...Boom!" for the Niagara University Theater Department. Great songs. A story that was kind of like hearing my own story every night.
Dec. '09: Music directed a new musical for Musicalfare Theatre called "Crossroad Blues," full of classic blues songs. Worked with a great cast!
So, in looking back at this past year of work, it has really been an eclectic and fun time. So many different styles of music, so many different settings and people. I'm very thankful that I have been given so many opportunities. Whether it was doing pop gigs of my own music or doing runs of theater shows, this past year has been full of emotion, family, friends and life.
2010, here I come!
Happy New Year, everybody!!</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117862008-11-23T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00"It's Called Movin' On" on iRADIO LA
<p>"It's Called Movin' On" is now being played on the #1 Independent Radio Station, iRADIO LA~INDIE 104. Check out their website at www.iradiola.com and request "It's Called Movin' On."</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117852008-10-01T20:00:00-04:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00Billboard World Song Contest Honorable Mention
<p>"It's Called Movin' On" received an HONORABLE MENTION in the Billboard World Song Contest. Very cool!</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117832008-01-07T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00I won "Best Vocalist of the Month" on Singeruniverse.com
<p>I just found out that I won the "Singer of the Month" competition on Singeruniverse.com! Very cool! Check out the link at
http://www.singeruniverse.com/competitionwinner40-123.htm</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117842007-12-19T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00Video clips now up!
<p>I've just put some video clips up on my electronic press kit at www.sonicbids.com/jasonbravo
One is "I Can't Find Any Water" from the Artpark Amphitheater show. The other is "Please Don't Say You Love Me" from a video demo I did.
Check 'em out!</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117822007-07-25T20:00:00-04:002022-05-09T15:26:39-04:00Opening for Pure Prairie League
<p>The show was amazing! Opening for Pure Prairie League was a thrill (and it was good to find out that they are really nice guys too). The weather looked like it wasn't going to cooperate, but the clouds passed right before we went on. (Divine intervention?)
The crowd was really responsive and I had a great time. Check out the PHOTOS page for pictures from the concert!</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117812007-07-16T20:00:00-04:002021-10-14T16:53:49-04:00WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
<p>I'm gonna start something new here. Let's call the working title "WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?" (We'll get this going within a month or so.) So here's the idea: You guys submit ideas of song subjects and the most voted-for subject is the one I have to write a song about that week. (i.e. a bad breakup, a new crush, macaroni and cheese, etc.) Sounds like fun to me!
So visit the GUESTBOOK now (click on Guestbook at the right side of this page) and start submitting your ideas. I can't wait to hear WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND!</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117802007-06-03T20:00:00-04:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00Cool Summer Gig 7/25/2007!!!
<p>Mark your calendars for Wednesday July 25 at 6:30 p.m.!
I just found out that I'm going to be the opening act for the rock band Pure Prairie League (their big hit was "Amie") at Artpark's Wednesdays on the Gorge concert series near Niagara Falls. Artpark is a 15,000 seat amphitheater, so this a big concert!
If you're in town, come out and enjoy the music and the beautiful grounds of Artpark. (www.artpark.net)</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117792007-04-19T20:00:00-04:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00Sign the GUESTBOOK!! and check out the CD at CDBABY.COM
<p>I've been getting a lot of traffic on my website here, and I'd love to hear from you guys, so please SIGN MY GUESTBOOK! Let me know who you are, what you like about my music... or just say "hi"! (The link is in the upper right corner.)
You can also buy my CD and hear audio clips at: www.cdbaby.com/cd/JasonBravo Check it out! (Around Buffalo, it's also available at Borders, Barnes and Noble, and New World Records.)</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117782007-03-29T20:00:00-04:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00Two songs now TOP RANKED on Internet Radio!
<p>A number of internet radio stations have started playing my music which is very exciting. (Check out www.live365.com and search "Jason Bravo".)
Please support these great stations by visiting their websites!
On a station out of London called Bluesky FM, my song "Lying Under the Moon" has a listeners' rating of 9.5 out of a possible 10, which ranks it #2 out of all the songs the station has in rotation! Please support them by visiting their site:
http://www.live365.com/stations/apple44
Another station called Radio Creme Brulee (out of Boston) just let me know that for most of last week, "Please Don't Say You Love Me" had their highest rating (5 stars) and was tied with "Killer/Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by George Michael and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day for the top-rated song.
Please visit their site:
http://www.live365.com/stations/pranavc
Firebird Radio is playing "It's Called Movin' On":
http://www.live365.com/stations/djdave1975
RetroHits is playing "I Can't Find Any Water":
http://www.retrohits.ca
MixUtah is playing three of my songs, "It's Called Movin' On," "Please Don't Say You Love Me," and "Lying Under The Moon":
http://www.live365.com/stations/mixutah
Internet Radio AC-n-SJ is playing "The Right Way To Touch You":
http://www.live365.com/stations/thirdangels
Cyclone Radio is playing some of my music:
http://www.live365.com/stations/preston_waters
ZypRadio is playing several of my songs:
http://www.live365.com/stations/jabrasseal
Heartstrings is also playing several of my songs:
http://www.live365.com/stations/galactic_guy
Very cool.
-Jason</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117772007-01-24T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:38-05:00CD "Between Head and Heart" now available at CDBaby.com!
<p>My full-length debut CD is now available at:
www.CDBaby.com/cd/JasonBravo
If you aren't able to reach my site via that link. just go to www.CDBaby.com and search for Jason Bravo.</p>
Jason Bravotag:jasonbravo.com,2005:Post/61117762007-01-24T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T15:58:37-05:00Welcome!
<p>Hi Everyone--
Welcome to my website! Thanks for stopping by. We are just getting this site off the ground, and are excited about that. Please check out my MySpace page for more information (but check back here often):
www.MySpace.com/JasonBravo</p>
Jason Bravo