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Ivory Tower Project Artist Profile:
On This Page: Bio | Genre | History | Group Members | Studio Members
Webster’s
definition of ‘Ivory Tower’ is:
a figurative place of mental withdrawal from reality. The phrase is used
as a symbol of escapism. “We thought it was a perfect name for a
group of musicians who all had to work day jobs.” Independent recording
artists: Ivory Tower
Project is a new breed of ‘old school’ rockers. Their
music is inspired by the great Classic Rock artists of the 70’s
and 80’s. Ivory Tower
Project is more a group of songwriters and musicians than a band
and their biography is a story of tenacity despite tragedy and loss. “Our
music brings us back to a time when life seemed to be simpler. Our songs
are about life and love; the feelings, actions and emotions that are incidental
to people young and old. If you listen to the songs and they bring your
mind back to a ‘better time’ in your life, or if they simply
made you ‘feel good’ while you were listening - then we made
a connection.”
- USA/Canada: New Classic Rock – Power Pop - Adult Contemporary Rock – Pop/Rock - (Indie)
- Europe/Asia: Melodic Rock - AOR (Independent/Underground)
Ivory Tower Project (ITP) was founded by NY veteran songwriters: Johnny Jace and Mark Regula. Their objective was to write memorable songs from the heart and soul. Jace and Regula’s collaboration evolved into an extensive catalog of Pop/Rock songs. NYC veteran guitarist: Tony Novarro was soon recruited, and Novarro and Regula formed the core of the band: Ivory Tower. Sadly, just a few months after the bands first recording session, their original drummer: Sal DiAngelo who was previously diagnosed with leukemia, had passed away. Soon after that, the group’s original bass player: Kevin Joyce gave notice that he was going to leave. As Ivory Tower lost their band members, they were replaced by the NY Metro area’s finest studio musicians that transcended Ivory Tower from being a band into a studio Project. ITP signed with Guerrilla Records who released a four-song EP entitled: "Red Hot". The EP received medium air play on college, public (community) and internet radio in the USA and was later released internationally. In 2003, the signature single from the EP: "Burning" charted #1 on MP3Songs.com: Adult Contemporary Rock Chart for both the USA and later in England. "Red Hot" has received rave reviews and airplay on over 375 radio stations in 28 countries worldwide. Tracks from the EP have charted in the Top 20 on scores of internet radio stations and have been included on 6 compilation CDs in 4 countries (click here to view Discography page). In December of 2003, songwriter and group lyricist: Johnny Jace died from complications of heart disease; for more information on Johnny and his life - you can read more about him on his individual biography below. In December of 2005, ITP received the Gold Artist Award from internet radio station: Radio Gets Wild in England. And in December of 2006, ITP charted #19 on the Top 30 Songs for 2006 on internet station: WCH. Currently ITP is in the recording studio working on a full length CD release.
- Mark Regula: Vocals, keyboards, guitar [ click for bio ]
- Tony Novarro: Guitars, back vocals [ click for bio ]
- Fernando Menendez: Drums [ click for bio ]
- Former Member: Johnny Jace [ click for bio ]
- Ivan Elias: Bass (formerly with Patty Smyth & Scandal)
- Richie Cannata: Sax (formerly with Billy Joel)
- Mike Carbone: Drums, percussion
- Joey Bruno: Electronic Drums, percussion
Raised from a musical family, Mark Regula’s first love as a child was to sing. There was always a piano in the home, and Mark would pick out melodies before he took private lessons. Falling in love with popular music, Mark discovered his first inspirational rock band: The Beatles. Mark soon realized the significance of being able to accompany himself, so he took guitar lessons at age 14. Inspired by the music of Elton John, Mark soon was applying music theory to the piano and had developed a feel and a style that was simple, but fluent on the keyboard.
As the rudimentary lessons progressed, Mark found he had an aptitude for writing melodies and chord arrangements on the guitar and the piano that were concise and memorable. Influenced by Pop, Rock, Country and Classical music, he started completing songs when collaborating with childhood friend; John Jace. John would write lyrics and Mark the music. A few years past, John moved away and Mark started to expand his songwriting skills by writing his own lyrics, and collaborating with others.
A number of years had elapsed. Jace & Regula reunited and started writing a number of eloquently crafted songs that if given the proper promotion would break them into the music industry. Some suitors came to court their music, but the offers did not pan out.
With a catalog of songs to support them, Mark founded the Ivory Tower Project with veteran NYC guitarist: Tony Novarro. They collaborated on a project recording with studio musicians: Ivan Elias and Richie Cannata, and released on independent label Guerrilla Records a four song EP entitled: "Red Hot".
Tony started playing music early in life. He was involved in orchestra in grammar school and later turned to the guitar, where he found his bliss. Tony was involved with a number of bands through the years and has developed himself as a veteran guitarist, songwriter, arranger, producer, and engineer.
Tony’s musical influences are extremely varied. From the blues of Clapton, Gary Moore, BB & Freddie King, to the hard rock of Beck, Page, Nugent, and Derringer – Blues, Pop, Rock, Country, Rockabilly - Tony can play it all, and extremely well! He is also a BIG Beatles fan.
Tony’s musical background includes three years of classical guitar study at CW Post School of the Arts and five years of Jazz Guitar Theory from various mentors across the United States. Tony is also a classically trained cellist and has performed with various orchestras throughout his college years.
Tony is also the lead guitarist and co-songwriter in two original rock and roll bands; Ivory Tower Project and Emma Zale Band. ITP had signed with indie label Guerrilla Records and released "Red Hot". Emma Zale Band has performed as the opening acts for artists such as: Rick Danko, Dave Mason, Blue Oyster Cult, Steppenwolf, and Dave Davies of the Kinks, among others. Tony has appeared many times on national and cable TV broadcasts, most often WWOR – TV’s "Joe Franklin Show".
In addition to co-producing the Ivory Tower Project and Emma Zale, Tony produced two albums of his own thus far: "Mood Swings" an instrumental CD featuring himself and "Random Thoughts" an Americana/AAA CD under the artist name: Wolfe at the Door. Another one of Tony’s current recording projects is with NYC singer/songwriter: Trina Taylor. Watch for the release of her debut CD sometime in 2007. Tony’s talents are not limited to writing and performing music; he is also owner of the music publishing company; Muddy Sneakers Music and Big T Recording Studio.
Ivory Tower Project’s newest member: Fernando Menendez is an accomplished drummer and percussionist who has played with various cover and original bands in the New York metropolitan area, and has played on various studio recordings. His musical background includes experience with various rock, funk, and R&B bands.
Fernando joined Gordon Gano, of the Violent Femmes, in a side project which led to two extensive U.S. tours, one European tour, and one album, The Mercy Seat. Fernando was also recruited by Gano to play percussion in three plays that Gano had written, one of which was performed at the Knitting Factory.
Fernando's varied experience has led to a love of all drums, percussion and anything he can bang on. Due to the many varied acoustic and electric gigs he's performed, in addition to his expertise on drums, he is also highly skilled on both on the drum-kit and on percussion. Fernando is currently playing in the New York area with local cover bands and is also working on assorted recording projects.
Johnny was active in chorus and music in grammar school. He loved to play the drums in school, but his parents couldn’t afford to buy him a kit. Johnny’s love for music never diminished. He too, first loved The Beatles and quickly branched out in listening to many Classic Rock artists. It appeared that Johnny breathed Rock and Roll music. Much of his time and money was spent on purchasing and listening to new albums.
Inspired by the songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Johnny started writing lyrics at age 14 with Mark Regula. At an early age his words were poetic and insightful. As the years elapsed, his lyrical skills matured as he did, with age. He started to branch out his songwriting skills and write remarkable melodies.
When he reunited with Mark Regula, they had made a musical connection. There was a synergy between them. They thought very much alike musically, and encouraged each other to refine their writing. There was a ‘friendly competition’ to come up with the next lyrical line for the melody. They would help finish off each other’s work. It was a musical marriage, and their songs were likened to offspring. They had a simple objective – to write memorable songs from the heart and soul. Those years of writing together helped Jace & Regula develop a distinct and versatile style. Their work evolved into an extensive Pop/Rock catalog of songs that was at the foundation of the Ivory Tower Project.
Johnny was responsible for doing much of the leg work for the promotion for "Red Hot". Between 2001-2003, Johnny was a very active supporter of the underground Indie Music Scene, and had made friends with many Independent Artists. He was a regular on several message boards such as Funender, Soundclick, Broadjam, Indie Hangout, and Radnimax. He helped in a very large way to promote Ivory Tower Project on the World Wide Web, and put ITP on the cyber map.
However in 2003, as a result of complications of emphysema and heart disease, Johnny Jace passed away: Saturday - December 13, 2003. He was 44 years young. He was loved by his family and friends and he is deeply missed. It is our hope that both he and the songs he helped to create will always be remembered. Johnny is survived by his father, John Jace, and his daughter; Theresa Jace.
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