Fourthought Holds Strong at #9 on the CMJ Top 40 Jazz Chart

Fourthought Holds Strong For Their 4th Week 

On The CMJ Top 40 Jazz Chart
Staying in the Top 10 at #9

Peaking at #8 Thus Far

Every band member lends a personal and unique color to the sound of the ensemble, as they each hail from diverse places such as Singapore,
 Germany and New York City. 

LATEST RELEASE:
Fourthought is the self-titled debut album for the dynamic New York City-based Jazz quartet, collaboratively led by saxophonist Nick Biello and drummer Manuel Weyand. This classic instrumentation is propelled to new directions by its international cast of top-notch improvisers.


Every band member lends a personal and unique color to the sound of the ensemble, as they each hail from diverse places such as Singapore, Germany and New York City. Both Biello and Weyand combine to put forward their considerable compositional talents, fueling the repertoire of Fourthought that ranges from gritty, no-holds-barred to dark, moody, and cerebral. Fourthought presents original compositions that are as cutting-edge and modern as they are rooted in the tradition of jazz in every sense.

Biello and Weyand are supported by the talents of pianist Kerong Chok and bassist Cameron Kayne. Both musicians serve as empathic accompanists while simultaneously coloring the sound of the quartet through their distinct musical voices.

Fourthought has been featured as part of the Emerging Artist Series at the famed Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. In addition, the members of Fourthought have performed at the premier music venues in New York City, such as Smalls, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Smoke, The Knitting Factory, and Fat Cat.

BIOGRAPHIES:
Nicholas Biello - A product of the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Arts graduate program, Nicholas is a versatile saxophonist, keyboardist, and composer based out of New York City. A professional musician since the young age of 12, he was taken under the wing of his father Antonio, a classical flautist who studied under Jean-Pierre Rampal. Nick has performed around the world, appearing at venues such as the Blue Note, Smalls, and Smoke in New York City, the Pescara Jazz Festival in Italy, the New Haven and Hartford Jazz Festivals, and the Blaine Jazz Festival in Washington. During the course of his musical education, he was afforded the opportunity to perform with jazz luminaries such as Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Barry Harris, and Cedar Walton. Nicholas is also a composer of chamber music, and has recently debuted original music with internationally-renowned bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann.

Manuel Weyand - As an experienced performer, New York drummer Manuel Weyand has appeared at marquee Manhattan venues such as The Blue Note, Jazz@Lincoln Center, Smoke, and Smalls. His talents offered him the chance to present concerts to audiences in Spain, Hungary, Israel, Germany and the United States. Manuel is active not only as a sideman but also as a bandleader. His group “Meaningtone”, a powerful post-bop sextet, placed second in the 2008 International Generations Jazz Competition in San Francisco. The group received tutelage from venerable Jazz masters such as Eric Alexander, Ray Drummond and Jimmy Cobb. Currently Manuel is the co-leader of the quartet Fourthought alongside saxophonist Nicholas Biello. Not only does Manuel contribute his strong sense of swing and advanced rhythmic conceptions to the music, but he also chips in his compositional talents to complete the sonic structure of Fourthought. Mr. Weyand is a conservatory trained musician, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Purchase Conservatory as well as a Master’s Degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

Kerong Chok - A performer and composer whose work exhibits a keen intellect combined with emotional depth, Kerong is a familiar face on the New York music scene. Born and raised in Singapore, Kerong began studying the piano at the age of 4, and began playing professionally at the age of 18. He became the keyboardist of choice for visiting jazz stars such as Eli Degibri and Eugene Pao. Although he studied law while in Singapore, Kerong is still considered one of the strongest voices in jazz to emerge from that nation. He has performed with saxophonists Steve Wilson and Frank Wess, and has performed at venues such as Smoke, Fat Cat, the Berks Jazz Fest, and the Kennedy Center.

Cameron Kayne - Cameron Kayne is a bassist from Buffalo, NY. Growing up in a musical family, Cam was exposed to many great musicians at an early age, such as Jaco Pastorious. He started playing the electric bass at seven years old and the upright bass as a sophomore in high school. While in high school, he won back-to-back Downbeat awards in 2006 and in 2007. By the time he was a Senior, he was well established on the Buffalo jazz scene playing with greats such as Pete Malinverni and Don Menza. During his collegiate studies at the Purchase Conservatory of Music, he regularly performed with trumpeter Jim Rotondi at the Harlem club Creole. In addition to his work with the Fourthought Quartet, he has toured throughout southern France and performed in Nice, Cagnes-sur-Mer, and Monaco. Cameron has studied privately with bassists Paul LaDuca, Todd Coolman, John Patitucci, Doug Weiss, Mike Downes, Hans Glawischnig, Jeff Campbell, and Scott Colley.