Flutist and composer Michel Gentile is an active member of the New York jazz scene. He received his Master of Music degree with distinction from the New England Conservatory of Music where he studied with Jimmy Giuffre, Dave Holland, Geri Allen, Mick Goodrick, and George Garzone. Michel has appeared on record with Ray Charles, Anthony Braxton, Dave Kikoski, Bobby Previte, Jane Ira Bloom, Michael Formanek, and Adam Rudolph. He has performed with Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Fred Hersch, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Joseph Jarman, Yusef Lateef, and many others. Michel has been a longtime member of WORKS, Go Organic Orchestra, Gentile-Romano and also leads his own groups, most notably the quintet Flow.
He has been teaching for over 35 years and his teaching portfolio includes Queens College, New England Conservatory, Wellesley College, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Little Orchestra Society. Michel has taught privately, in the classroom, workshops, and master classes. He takes special pride in his work in the public schools and with preschoolers with special needs at the Helen Keller School for the Visually Impaired.
Michel has studied composition with George Russell, John Heiss and Muhal Richard Abrams. He is especially proud to have studied with Donna Doyle. Michel has composed for everything from solo instruments to a quintet with flute and string quartet and a triple concerto for flute, piano and drums with chamber orchestra. He has composed for radio, television and film media. His compositions have been featured on "Seize the Moment" 1994, "Trapeze Contortionist" 2001 "Red Balloon" 2005, “Flesh and Steel" 2008 and "Rock, Paper, Scissors" 2011 by Gentile-Romano. His release with the collaborative ensemble WORKS was named one of the “best albums of 2013” by Downbeat. Downbeat also named him in the “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition” category.
Michel has worked extensively with dance, theater, and film, most notably with the remarkable ensemble" Strike Anywhere", and has been featured on national radio and television throughout North America and Europe.
Michel has been running the non-profit organization Connection Works with Rob Garcia and Daniel Kelly for the last thirteen years. Connection Works' acclaimed concert series, Wide Open Works, has consistently received New York Times critic's picks. CW has presented an outstanding array of jazz musicians, including jazz legends Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Billy Hart, John Abercrombie, Joseph Jarman and Cecil McBee. He has been curating a concert series at 440 Gallery of solo improvisers.
What the critics are saying:
“he almost blows the house down. Gentile works serious extended technique…”
Downbeat Magazine, Chris Robinson
“Gentile’s tone can be sweet, soul, growling or classically clinical throughout”
JazzWeekly.com, George Harris
“Gentile lets his flute perform a series of acrobatics, but never lets it devolve into the theatrical. With a fluency reminiscent of fellow flautist Carlos Ward, Gentile is able to sound grim without becoming acerbic, celebrate beauty without becoming superficial. There is an undeniable grace evident in his play.”
Dave Sumner - http://www.birdistheworm.com/gentilekellygarcia-works/
“his full-toned flute leading the way”
Richard B. Kamins - http://steptempest.blogspot.com/
“For a long time, I thought that Robert Dick, Jamie Baum and
Cheryl Pyle are the best flutists in the Downtown scene but it sounds
as if Michel Gentile is also amongst the select group.”
Bruce Lee Gallanter - Downtown Music Gallery
Supporting Musicians: Michael McGinnis - clarinet
Jacob Garchik - trombone
Chris Lightcap - bass
Tom Rainey - drums