BAND IN A BOX JAZZ PROFESSIONAL

These days Michael is the Bassist for Out of the Box a contemporary Jazz group playing everything for classical jazz and originals, to the latest hip jazz covers. Always intrigued by the exciting sounds of Latin music, He and Mark Finkin decided to create an exciting blend of Latin rhythms, and musical structures with contemporary and original tunes. In 2002 along with Mark Finkin he formed the Band Las Manos. In 1998 he focused much of his musical attention on the bass. Michael spent a number of years working in local bands. He has recorded and served as Producer of gospel recordings. Over the past 35 years he has performed various musical forms Soul, R & B, Dance, top forty, Blues and Jazz.

BAND IN A BOX JAZZ PROFESSIONAL

Intrigued with the possibilities a professional career held he elected to minor in Music education at Buffalo State. In Buffalo State College, he studied music education focusing on guitar, moving from contemporary folk music to Classical to Jazz. Performing in his High school choirs and Madrigal group, he learned the nuances of music presentation and the joy of entertaining. Much of his early formal music training was in voice. He grew up in a home filled with Jazz, gospel and R & B. Michael Hurt has been involved with music since early trumpet lessons in 8th grade. Larry also played with the band Sweet Magic which was the opening act for The Average White Band, and the 24 Street Band (David Letterman's band). Larry has performed in many Capital district venues such as the вЂњEggвЂќ with the band Red Clay where they opened up for the vibraphonist Stefon Harris. Besides performing live, Larry continues to write and compose music and is currently working on a CD project.

In 1981, Larry established his own Publishing and Record Companies and produced his first record. Larry has played with a number of local bands which included Kilo, Little Smoke, Meditative Funk, Sweet Magic, Red Clay, GMP, and his current band вЂњOut of the Box.вЂќ Besides playing piano, Larry also performs as a lead vocalist. The genre of music he has been performing for the past 36 years covers a wide range that includes rhythm and blues, rock, disco, funk, and jazz. Larry Gravett is a classically trained pianist who has been performing in bands around the Capital district since 1974.

All of the band members have been performing in the Capital District for a number of years and bring a uniqueness of sound to the music This ensemble was the opening act at the 10th Annual Riverfront Jazz Festival. Out of the Box is the Winner of the 2011 Downtown Albany Jazz Fest Competition in which it performed as a seven piece band, including percussionist Pedro Perez, saxophonist John Savage, guitarist Mike Tremante and vocalist Sha'ron. Out of the Box is a contemporary jazz band that was formed in 2007 by bassist Michael Hurt and pianist Larry Gravett.

Band in a box jazz