Tom Reese, flute, writes most of the band's material. In performance, his highly-charged, soaring flute lines carve new sounds out of traditional forms. Laurie Haines Reese, cello, adds a unique flavor to the band with the electric cello. Her shredding sound and acoustic bass lines compliment the creative edge in the original works as well as the standards. Bobby Brewer, guitar, sends the band stomping & growling into the aether. Aaron Walker, drums, captures the motion in the rhythms and drives the sound.

     With a nod to past masters, the original jazz created within this group of musicians steps in a new direction, while staying squarely within the boundaries of real jazz. It's definitely music for fresh ears. Performing jazz standards, funk, blues & originals, The Reese Project includes something for everyone -- from Bach to the Beatles. They have played to packed houses throughout the US & Canada (even in a major snow storm!). 

     Their influences include Miles, Coltrane, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mark O'Connor, Yo Yo Ma, Modeski Martin & Wood, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, David Grisman, Stephane Grapelli, Turtle Island & Kronos String Quartets, and classic rock bands. 

     "This Just In," The Reese Project's 2008 CD on "In the Groove" records, is available internationally through Allegro Corporation.  Produced by Grammy award winning Jack Kreisberg, this CD is their best yet.  New compositions by Tom Reese, Bobby Brewer & Aaron Walker nestle between standards and the sounds of unusual instrumentation.  The Pre-Release Edition already "sits at #1 on InnerVisions top 25 album picks for 2007," Dave Butler, Innervisions Syndicated Radio Show. 

     Band members have worked with Les Brown, Petula Clark, Stanley Clarke, Norm Crosby, Jay Daversa, Gloria Estefan, Larry Gatlin, Robert Gordon, Charlie Grace, John Guerin, Phil Harris, Roger Kelloway, Tom Larsen, Jerry Lewis,  Melissa Manchester, Henry Mancini, Chuck Mangione, Shelly Manne, Valery Pomoronov, Jerry Reed, Jeanne C. Riley, Chita Rivera, Bobby Rydell, Ira Sullivan, BJ Thomas, Rufus Thomas, & others.

     "I caught three fabulous acts Sunday at the Lancaster Jazz Festival. The headliner, Kurt Elling, kept the listeners there, but for my tastes, the second act, The Reese Project, stole the show. This unique combination with a soloing cello playing bass lines, amazing soloist Tom Reese making the flute viable as a jazz instrument & soaring vocals by veteran vocalist Ron Smith proved that unique instrumentation equals great jazz" (Logan McKinney, "New Waves in Radio").

Discography

• This Just In (April 2008) In the Groove Records
• Blue Etude (2000 & 2006) Wyndfall Records