I.P. Network is a solo project of Inge Wenzel, composer, arranger & producer. Inge studied at the conservatory in Enschede, The Netherlands. Bachelor degree in 1993 for electronic organ. The second bachelor degree in 1996 for keyboards.
The I.P. Network project (I.P. are the initials of Inge Wenzel: Ingrid Pauline) will be realized by friends and very special guest artists who will play on this new coming CD.
Tracks of "Switched On" can be heard on the following stations:
Evert on tenor saxophone
Evert Hoedt graduated his classical saxophone study at the conservatory in 1991. But besides classical music, he already started to play jazz, rock and funk in 1985 in a band called "Confusion" which still exists as a band. Evert is a very allround saxophone player. He plays from modern classical music ("Delphi Saxophone Quartet"), to soul and even Rolling Stones covers! At the moment Evert is playing in a combo connected to the Theater of Eindhoven (NL). And if this is not enough, Evert passes his skills on to saxophone and bigband students in several cities in the south of The Netherlands, including his hometown Maastricht. For the first I.P. Network project Inge Wenzel asked Evert to play on several tracks, as well in a leading as in a backing role, and using soprano, alto and tenor saxophone!
Tom Braxton featuring from USA
Tom Braxton's exciting performances have distinguished him as one of the hottest smooth jazz artists of the USA. This native Texan blends elements of jazz, Latin, funk, and R&B in his original compositions and arrangements to create a sound that is distinctive, innovative, and appealing.
Tom has shared the stage with several well-known artists including Luther Vandross, Phillip Bailey, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Dave Koz, and Paul Brown. He has also toured extensively and recorded with Rendezvous artist and former NBA power forward, Wayman Tisdale. Tom has opened concerts for numerous jazz greats including Joe Sample, Najee, Stanley Clark, Dave Brubeck, Cab Calloway, The Rippingtons, the Yellowjackets, Bela Fleck, The Crusaders, Spyro Gyra, Norman Brown, Ramsey Lewis, Pieces of a Dream, Boney James, and Michael Franks.
Tom has released five CDs: Your Move, Katallasso, Face to Face, Comfort and Joy and Bounce (produced by Wayman Tisdale and released by Dave Koz's label, Rendezvous Entertainment). His newest CD, Imagine This, will be expected to be released in 2007. See www.tombraxton.com for details.
Ric Alexander featuring from USA
Ric Alexander is the saxophonist that won the Dave Koz Cruise Smooth Jazz Idol Competition. He has a unique cutting-edge style and a reputation for playing two saxophones simultaneously. He toured the world and appeared on Soul Train with the Timex Social Club who scored the international number one hit song, Rumors. Ric recently opened for smooth jazz artists Nils, Gerald Albright, and Jeff Lorber at KKSF's 2006 and 2005 Earth Day Festivals in San Jose, California. See www.ricalexander.com for details.
Frans singing on a soulful ballad
Marijn always steady on his bass
Marijn is an ICT Business consultant, but music has always been one of the most important facts in Marijn's life. He started playing the violin when he was 8, and moved on to drums, bass and guitar when he was a teenager. The inspiration for rhythm came from the sensational horn, vocal and rhythm arrangements by bands like EW&F during the 70's and 80's. The big step in his musical career came by people like Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Bob James, David Sanborn and of course Marcus Miller; they brought jazz, soul, funk en r&b together! Being the partner of Inge since 1986, Marijn has played with her al these years in several bands and on several projects.
keyboards & composing
Inge is the composer of the songs and the inspirational leader of this project. The primary drive to do this project is a "mission" to bring Smooth Jazz to a broader audience in the Netherlands. The second motivation is to bring out all these "unknown" talents together, because "they are out there"! During her conservatory period she was inspired by musicians like the Yellowjackets and David Benoit. As a composer she is also interested in the way how other people play and interpret her pieces. By starting this project, she now takes her chances to achieve this goal, and connect these great people inside the I.P. Network!
Harold doing his groovy synth solo
Harold Beukers is born in Emmen (NL) in 1970. He graduated and achieved his Conservatory Bachelor diplome for Keyboards in 1995 in Enschede (NL). During his study he met Inge Wenzel and they became study mates. Harold is a great fan of George Duke. In Harold's style you can find elements of his inspiration by George Duke and Chick Corea. In the period 1991-2006 Harold played in several bands in the Netherlands and has performed in Germany, Belgium and Jersey (UK) as well. He nowadays still plays in a band, just for fun. Harold's main business is teaching.
Aart playing a great leadguitar melody
Patrick has written the lyrics for Soon Again
Patrick Van de Wiele was born in 1956. About the age of 12, he discovered his interest in science fiction. Later, he became a freelance journalist and started to write articles for a magazine. Patrick also gives lectures to librarians on science fiction & fantasy.
He is strongly attracted to science fiction, futurology, the paranormal, Ancient Egypt, and music. About his musical interest - he has been a DJ and presented a soul show on a free radio station. He also reviewed many albums and soundtracks. He was there at the start of the music magazine Keys & Chords. Although he writes reviews and articles about different music styles, his core-business is soul, funk, disco, jazz funk, smooth & contemporary jazz.
More info on his texts and reviews: www.fantastiek.com, a free semi-professional magazine on science fiction, fantasy, horror en paranormal subjects; www.keysandchords.com, a free semi-professional magazine on all sorts of musical styles (no classical).
Robert did some drum programming while in Hungary
Robert Kramers, born in Alkmaar (NL) in 1968, is active with music (bass) since he was 15. Nine years later he became a professional because the band he was in, Jam Square, turned out to be one of the hottest partybands in the 90's. Besides live work he also did some studio projects, but because of his busy live schedule all the time, it hasn't been that much. During the I.P. Network project Robert lived in Hungary and started his own studio where he recorded some tracks, composed by himself, with a very young talented female singer. Robert is not only a fantastic bassplayer but also very talented in programming grooves. For that reason, Inge asked Robert to do some special drum programming for one of the songs of the first I.P. Network project. See www.robertkramers.nl for details.
Andre & Inge on the Dave Koz Smooth Jazz Cruise 2005
Andre Berry is one of the major Smooth Jazz sidemen in the USA. As a bassplayer he played with Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, David Sanborn and Marcus Miller, Warren Hill, etc. He also produced the "Popjazz" cd of Warren Hill. Besides that he also made some cd's by his own. For the I.P. Network project Andre has done the mastering of the cd. See www.andreberry.com for details.
Hair and make-up of Inge done by the crew at Bibob by Johnny
