Visual & Performing Arts Faculty Music Gallery

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Phantom Pluckers (EP/CD)

Brian Q. Torff, Jamie Debicella, and Jon Rivers

Brian Torff composed, arranged and produced this CD. In addition he is a vocalist and plays the electric bass, stick bass and harmonica.

Recorded at The Loft Recording Studios, Bronxville, New York, April 4, 2012.

"Phantom Pluckers is a rock power trio combining a veteran jazz, blues and rock bassman with two younger talents. Bassist, composer and vocalist Brian Q. Torff is a music professor at Fairfield University with Chicago blues-rock jazz roots. He collaborates with two of this students, guitarist Jamie Debicella, and drummer Jon Rivers, i n a musical exchange spanning generations. Phantom Pluckers music is high energy and explosive." -- from CD cover.
Dorado Schmitt and the Django Reinhardt Festival All Stars- Live at the Kennedy Center-2007 (CD)

Dorado Schmitt, Florin Niculescu, Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is the bassist on this CD.

Recorded Live November 16, 2007 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing ARts, Washington, DC

Total Length: 46:47
Brian Torff and Manfredo Fest - Some Call it Jazz (DVD)

Brian Q. Torff and Manfredo Fest

Brian Torff is the composer and bassist on this DVD.

DVD description: This 9-song performance from a 1991 concert features Brian Torff, a renowned bassist and composer, and Manfredo Fest, Brazil's bossa nova pioneer, in one very special performance.

DVD Release Date: May 16, 2006

Total length: ca. 60 minutes
Django Reinhardt NY Festival: Live at Birdland 2004 (DVD)

Dorado Schmitt, Peter Beets, Mayo Hubert, Brian Q. Torff, James Carter, Winard Harper, Dan Levinson, and David Langlois

Brian Torff is the Musical Director and plays the Bass on this DVD.

Recorded live at Birdland in NYC 2004

"Pat Phillips & Ettore Stratta launched the first-ever DJANGO REINHARDT FESITVAL in 2000 at Birdland in NYC which has become its home. Now entering its sixth year, the fesitval serves to preserve and cary forward the musical legacy of Django Reinhardt and the myriad possibilities that grow from his prodigious talent and inspiration. The festival presents the world's top players of this 'hot gypsy jazz', and invites America's jazz greats as guests to create new musical friendships in a thrilling expansion of the music" -- from DVD insert.
Django Reinhardt NY Festival: Live at Birdland 2005: For Marie, "in Memory" (DVD)

Dorado Schmitt, Angelo Debarre, Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, Brian Q. Torff, Ken Peplowski, Joel Frahm, Roger Kellaway, Gordon Lane, and David Langlois

Brian Torff is the bassist on this DVD.

Recorded live at Birdland in NYC 2005

DVD description: "Pat Philips and Ettore Stratte continue to present the music of legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt with their annual festival at Birdland each November in NYC and their concert at a Lincoln Center theatre each summer. The ongoing and expanded interest in this style of 'hot jazz' is inspiring to the producers, to the musicians and fans who continue to be passionate about it. This DVD serves to promote and preserve this great music and its players. It is dedicated to Dorado Schmitt's dear mother, Marie, who unexpectedly passed away." -- from DVD insert.
Life in East Bumblepuck (CD)

Brian Q. Torff, Tony Kadleck, Fred Maxwell, Ken Gioffre, John Fumasoli, Brian Chaaarette, Grisha Alexiev, and Diana Herold

Brian Torff composed, arranged and produced this CD in addition to playing the bass.
Another Great Day (CD)

Florence Melnotte and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is the co-producer, responsible for four of the compositions, and is the bassist on this CD.

Recorded October 25 and 26, 2001 at PBS studios, Westwood, MA
Segue (CD)

Randy Sabien, Brian Q. Torff, Dean Magraw, and Don Linke

Brian Torff is responsible for four of the compositions and is the bassist on this CD.

Recorded at Studio M, Minneapolis Public Radio, St. Paul MN, March 14, 2002.
The Coryells (CD)

Larry Coryell, Julian Coryell, Murali Coryell, Alphonse Mouzon, and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) on this CD.

Recorded Aug. 16-20, 1999, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, New York, NY.
Live at the Dakota Café (CD)

Eddie Higgins, Reuben Ristrom, and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is the bassist and is responsible for one composition (The Heather and Jan) on this CD.

Recorded at the Dakota Bar & Grill, St. Paul, Minnesota
2 Squared Minus 2 (CD)

Pamela Hines and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) and responsible for one composition (Apathy Rains) on this CD.
Lullaby of Birdland: Blues Alley Jazz/On a Clear Day (CDs)

George Shearing and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) and responsible for three composition (High and Inside, Brasil '79, Blue Island Blues) on this CD.

Total Time: Disc One 45:45 on 9 Tracks & Disc Two 47:38 on 9 Tracks
State of the Union (CD)

Brian Q. Torff, Paul Wertico, and Laurence Hobgood

Brian Torff is a composer (Spirits Rejoice) and bassist.

Recorded December 21st and 22nd, 1998 at Steppenwolf Studio Theatre, Chicago, IL

This is the second release on the Naim Label by the Union trio of Laurence Hobgood, Brian Torff and Paul Wertico. State of the Union demonstrates how a traditional line-up of piano, bass and drums can explore jazz's harmonic boundaries whilst maintaining any sense of accessibility.

Total Length: 1:06:56
Manhattan Hoedown (CD)

Brian Q. Torff and Jim Roberts

Brian Torff is the bassist and responsible for three compositions on this CD: The Heather and Jan, Brazil 79’, Manahttan Hoe Down.
Workin’ on a Bassline (CD)

Brian Q. Torff, Joe Beck, and Grisha Alexiev

Brian Torff composed, arranged and produced this CD in addition to playing the bass. He also contributed the vocals on 'Workin' on a bassline'.

Recorded at Presence Studios, Westport, Conn., June 11, 1997.
Union (CD)

Brian Q. Torff, Paul Wertico, and Laurence Hobgood

Brian Torff plays the bass on this CD.

Recorded in the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Union Church in Hinsdale, Illinois, this aptly titled disc features a reunion of three incandescent talents: Laurence Hobgood, regarded as one of the most powerful and accomplished young pianists in American jazz; bassist Brian Torff, who was once summoned with George Shearing to perform specially for President Reagan at the White House; and Paul Wertico - the Pat Metheny Group stalwart who was voted the accolade Fusion Drummer of the Year and has contributed a dozen Grammy nominated recording projects.

Total Length: 1:01:04
Jackie and Roy-East of Suez (CD)

Jackie Cain, Roy Kral, and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) on this CD.
Laughing at Life (CD)

Milt Hinton and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) on this CD.
Every Now and Then (CD)

Carrie Smith and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) on this CD.
At The Festival (CD)

Marian McPartland, Jake Hanna, Brian Q. Torff, and Mary Fettig

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) on this CD.
On a Clear Day (CD)

George Shearing and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is the bassist and responsible for two compositions (Brasil 79’, Blue Island Blues) on this CD.

Recorded live at Concord Pavillion, Concord, CA, August 1980.
Crosscurrents (CD)

Gerald Trimble, John Cunningham, and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) on this CD.
From This Moment On (CD)

Marian McPartland and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) on this CD.

Recorded at Coast Recorders, San Francisco, CA, December 1978.
Portrait of Marian McPartland (CD)

Marian McPartland and Brian Q. Torff

Brian Torff is a contributing artist (bassist) on this CD.
Hitchhiker of Karoo (CD)

Brian Q. Torff, Jim Mola, Brian Keane, Vic Juris, and Arthur Lipner

Brian Torff is the composer, arranger, producer and bassist for this CD.

Recorded at Carriage House Studios, Stamford, CT