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Just A Thought is the debut album of jazz pianist/composer Dan LaMaestra and his group One Step Up on the Tangent Records label. The record features nine fantastic east-coast-based jazz musicians, including: Marty Nau, Tom Palance, Glenn Wilson, Peter Fraize, Paul Pieper, Rob Holmes, Peter Revell, and Dominic Smith.
The album features 5 of LaMaestra's original compositions; one original by guitarist Paul Pieper; and a few standards arranged by LaMaestra for the group as a trio and as a quartet.
Cadence magazine wrote, “…Just A Thought is just good listening…a recording that just hits the right chord…” The Washington Post wrote, “...Just a Thought…invites repeat plays…,” and, “…is spacious and shimmering…”
Meet & Greet
Born in Argentina and raised in both the United States and his home country, Dan La Maestra brings a diverse set of musical influences to his music, ranging from classic swing-era jazz of the mid 20th century and European classical music to authentic and modern Argentinian Tango and Brazilian bossa-nova.
A classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist as well (piano, guitar, and bass), he is comfortable in a large variety of musical situations, from solo piano in a lounge to featured soloist in a large jazz orchestra, and just about anything in-between.
He has perfomed with: Bob Mintzer, Jerry Bergonzi, Jim Snidero, Ken Navarro, Eric Marienthal, Nelson Rangell, Gary Grainger, Slim Man, Blues Webb, Patty Mckay, Nia Olabesi, Ron Holloway, The Tom Cunningham Orchestra, Rob Holmes, Loston Harris, Carmen Bradford, Sunny Sumpter, and numerous other musicians and bandleaders, as well as shared the stage with Joe Sample, Kirk Whalum, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Tower of Power, George Benson, Spyro-Gyra, just to name a few.
In the fall of 2000, Dan toured the US with The Smooth Grooves Tour, featuring Ken Navarro, Eric Marienthal, and Slim Man, and playing for huge audiences across the country.
Since 2002, Dan has held the prestigious position of Pianist with the internationally renowned Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble. After an arduous audition process and nine trying weeks at Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes, he secured the spot and became Active-duty Navy, permanently residing in the Washington DC area.
In addition to his jazz music, Dan also writes and performs pop and rock music. As a guitarist and singer with “The Sarah Croker Band,” he was featured on her debut album (playing Dobro, acoustic guitar, and keys), Meet The Day, which came out Summer 2006. He is also the band leader/lead singer of local rock-n-roll cover band The Beachcombers.
Dan also runs a music production studio, One Step Up Studio, geared toward songwriters in need of arrangement and production support. Giubileo, the 2007 release by opera vocalist Angela Knight, is one such project.
A prolific composer and arranger, Dan is currently working on the music for his next album, Meditations. The album, featuring his group the Dan Lamaestra Trio (rounded out by bassist Blake Meister and drummer Leland Nokamura), is expected to be released mid-July 2017.
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