SPECIAL EFXSpecial EFX has been my vision of what contemporary instrumental music should be.
~ Chieli Minucci
George Jinda and Chieli Minucci formed one of the most prominate contemporary jazz bands to date. Special EFX's beginning dates back over two decades. When a pair of musicians Chieli Minucci and the late George Jinda met during a series of jam sessions in a New York loft. Minucci and Jinda formed Special Delivery and landed a recording contract with Keystone Records in Holland in 1982. GRP picked up their first LP Special EFX for USA distribution, they renamed the group Special EFX in 1984.
By the winter of 1992, the vision began to take shape. Their sound help format Contemporary Jazz through the 80's and 90's. The group had a heavy World Music vibe and ventured into Progressive Rock, Acid Jazz, and Rhythm and Blues influence. The smooth romantic guitar of Chieli was a perfect compliment to Jinda's wide ranging global percussion. Special EFX released 13 albums before artistic differences separated the two in the mid 90's. Jinda continued with Special EFX and released Here to Stay in 1996, Minucci embarked on a successful solo career. George Jinda suffered a devistating asthma/diabetic attack which left him battling Myoclonic Disorder, a neurological condition. Chieli returned to Special EFX when Jinda became ill to keep their vision alive. Sadly, George Jinda passed away in 2002.
The pairing of Chieli Minucci and George Jinda produced a sound that is used as a blueprint in today's music. They blended sounds, and textures of music around the globe, added a little of this this from one genre, a pinch of that from that genre, and they cooked up some music that soothes the soul. It could be funky and fun on one track to worldly almost spiritual the next. Special EFX lives up to their name.
A native of Budapest, Hungary, six years old George Jinda began playing piano and switched to drums at the age of 10. Tony Williams along with African and South American rhythms were inspirational. The latter became apparent with GRP albums (listed under Special EFX), which found him playing in a soft rock mode, tinged with Latin, Folk, and World Music Influences.Jinda's musical penchant moved from electronic programming to a more orthodox style, giving the a slightly contrasted sound. Jinda affirmed Jack DeJohnette his idol, he also expressed affection for Omar Hakim, Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, and Rodney Holmes.
In 1992, George played gigs in Tokyo, Japan with Miles Davis. He also returned to his homeland making an appearance at the World Music in Budapest which, he performed with fellow percussionist Mino Cinelu. Jinda worked with several notable Jazz musicians, as a side-man, co-leader and leader, including collaborations with Bobby Watson. Although untrained as a composer, Jinda wrote original music for his various groups.As time passed however, He also formed his own band George Jinda and World News in the mid-90's, members included Mark Johnson, Ed Hamilton, Scott Brown, Kirk Lyons, and Scooter Warner.
Guitarist, arranger, composer, music producer, Chieli Minucci studied classical piano at the age five and switched to guitar at the age of eight. His father, Ulpio Minucci a composer/concert pianist, influenced his son's musical direction. His teen years developed his love of performing, writing, singing and travel, at 13 years of age, he and some friends in his neighborhood formed the band Taurus. They performed at countless school dances and parties, local bars, and on the Italian Line Cruise Ships during Christmas and Easter school breaks.
Chieli attended Ithaca College in upstate New York majoring music theory, history, composition, big band arranging, and an English major. He joined various local groups during his college years: Amethyst- folk/pop trio; The New Band- fusion-jazz/rock; Fast Food- new wave vocal/rock quartet; Gumbo- instrumental/fusion rock; Columbo- Brazilian Trio. His college experience shaped his future as a composer, when he returned to New York, he studied composition with Nicholas Fagello.
While writing his own music, he worked with- The Commotions, Fran Eckhart, China Davis Band, and Sapho. He delved into pop vocal music, teaming with Bobby Mathews and Norman Simon. Minnuci performed with various groups- a two year stint with Eartha Kitt; The B.B.&Q band, and the Lou Reed Band- featuring the rhythm section of Fernando Saunders, bass and JT Lewis- drums (which became the starting line up with Special EFX), he also participated at the original Farm Aid Concert with Lou Reed.
Minucci has recorded and performed with Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Jessica Simpson Anastacia; jazz artists Marion Meadows, Jay Beckenstein, Gerald Veasley, Lao Tazer, Nestor Torez, Bob Baldwin, Kim Waters, Alex Bugnon, Bobby Caldwell and others. He wrote the themes to Bloomberg Radio, Access Hollywood, The 700 Club. He was nominated for 10 Daytime Emmy Awards and won three in 1998, 2007, 2008. Cheili composed music and produced soundtracks for two Live Nation/Nickelodeon stage productions of tv's Dora the Explorer- Dora's Pirate Adventure and The City of Lost Toys, and the British children's television show Thomas and Friends Live! and Thomas Saves the Day! He contributed music to films Bowfinger (1999), Legally Blond (2001), Panic (2000) and Lifted (2007).
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-jinda-world-news-mn0000540724
http://www.chielimusic.com
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/special-efx-mn0000001242
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