EPK ASSETS AND BIO

NEGATIVE PRESS PROJECT

ABOUT

ESTABLISHED IN OAKLAND, CA

OAK/LA/BND/BKNY/DC/HELSINKI

GENRE: #JAZZ #INDIE #ARTROCK #ELECTROACOUSTIC

LABEL: RIDGEWAY RECORDS AND ENVELOPMENTAL MUSIC

NEW MUSIC AND INFO COMING SOON 2025/2026- SEE BIO ON PAGE

Download Press Release 2023

FULL PRESS KIT- ONE SHEET_MUSIC 2023

NPP 2022 Stage Plot

BIO

Negative Press Project (NPP) is a self described jazz/indie/post bop influenced music collective established in Oakland, CA. “Versatility abounds, and they always look for new ground to explore," says The Bay Bridged.

Co-led by Ruthie Dineen (Piano/Keys) (SAN FRANCISCO) and Andrew Lion (Electric and Double Bass) (BEND), the group is a composer's culmination of a converted rock bassist and classically trained pianist to alternative/indie and post bop inspired creative music. The leaders' writing is represented on 2015's Full-Length recording, ‘see evil eyes | civilize’ with ten original songs and arrangements split almost equally amongst the two.

The additional voices of Tony Peebles (Tenor Sax) (OAKLAND), Rafa Postel (Trumpet)(HELSINKI), Chris Sullivan (Alto Sax) (LOS ANGELES), Lyle Link (Soprano, Alto & Tenor Sax) (WASHINGTON D.C), Luis Salcedo (Guitar)(BROOKLYN), and Isaac Schwartz (Drums)(OAKLAND), imprint the music with virtuosity and diverse experiences and backgrounds. Additionally, the group has assimilated reed expert, Ivan Arteaga, a Seattle native, now Brooklyn-Based, into its live performances and forthcoming recordings.

After receiving national acclaim with the band’s take on the music of Jeff Buckley, recorded at the legendary Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, produced by Jeff Denson and Negative Press Project, ‘Eternal Life | Jeff Buckley Songs and Sounds’; NPP followed up with another ten song set of mostly originals with 2019’s full-length on Ridgeway Records, ‘Within’.

While dispersed across California, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, and Northern Europe, the members of the group have most recently collaborated with renowned creative string quartet ensemble, Friction Quartet, on a yet-unreleased 18-song set of material. This is planned to be presented at Richmond, California’s East Bay Center for the Performing Arts with the assistance of foundation and grant funding.

2022 had the group re-emerging, post-pandemic, with sets of effect laden and electro-acoustic statements on the recent years’ tumult and social anxiety with a series of performances in Central Oregon and Berkeley, CA.

In 2023, Negative Press Project’s new full-length, ‘The Victorious Sessions’, was released on Ridgeway Records (in partnership with Envelopmental Music). Drawing upon Black American Music and Latin-American rhythms, the program also reflects upon loss, determination, and honoring ancestors.

The first of two programs from NEGATIVE PRESS PROJECT’s collaboration with Friction Quartet, entitled ‘CYCLES I’ will include 12 compositions for release on Envelopmental Music Records, including Digital, CD, and Double Vinyl LP with Audiophile Vinyl cutting by Master Engineer Jeff Powell of Take Out Vinyl, Memphis, TN, targeted for distribution January 30, 2026.

DOWNLOADABLE PROMO PICS

Ruthie Dineen and Andrew Lion, Co-Leaders of **Negative Press Project (as well as related confirgurations, such as D/L SEXTET)** **Photo Credit Clayton Lancaster**- *Click pic to access Hi Res Photo for Download from DropBox*

Negative Press Project - L-R: Isaac Schwartz (Drums), Luis Salcedo (Guitar), Rafa Postel (Trumpet), Andrew Lion (Bass), Chris Sullivan (Alto Sax), Ruthie Dineen (Piano/Keys), Lyle Link (Soprano/Alto/Tenor Sax), Tony Peebles (Tenor Sax) - Click pic t… — **Negative Press Project** - L-R: Isaac Schwartz (Drums), Luis Salcedo (Guitar), Rafa Postel (Trumpet), Andrew Lion (Bass), Chris Sullivan (Alto Sax), Ruthie Dineen (Piano/Keys), Lyle Link (Soprano/Alto/Tenor Sax), Tony Peebles (Tenor Sax) **Photo Credit Clayton Lancaster**- *Click pic to access Hi Res Photo for Download from DropBox*

**Negative Press Project** ***(Septet)***- L-R: Luis Salcedo (Guitar), Chris Sullivan (Alto Sax), Andrew Lion (Bass), Rafa Postel (Trumpet), Ruthie Dineen (Piano/Keys), Tony Peebles (Tenor Sax), Isaac Schwartz (Drums) **Photo Credit Clayton Lancaster**- *Click pic to access Hi Res Photo for Download from DropBox*

Negative Press Project - L-R: Luis Salcedo (Guitar), Lyle Link (Soprano/Alto/Tenor Sax), Andrew Lion (Bass), Rafa Postel (Trumpet), Ruthie Dineen (Piano/Keys), Chris Sullivan (Alto Sax), Isaac Schwartz (Drums), Tony Peebles (Tenor Sax) - Click pic t… — **Negative Press Project** ***(Octet)***- L-R: Luis Salcedo (Guitar), Lyle Link (Soprano/Alto/Tenor Sax), Andrew Lion (Bass), Rafa Postel (Trumpet), Ruthie Dineen (Piano/Keys), Chris Sullivan (Alto Sax), Isaac Schwartz (Drums), Tony Peebles (Tenor Sax) **Photo Credit Clayton Lancaster**- *Click pic to access Hi Res Photo for Download from DropBox*

QUOTES

“✭✭✭✭”
-DownBeat

Four Stars “..this group isn’t simply interpreting melodies; it’s also exploring the same emotional ground as Buckley…[as for the original arrangements] Lion’s ”Wolf River” impressively captures the darkness inherent in Buckley’s music..[while] Dineen’s “Anthem (For Jeff Buckley)” is a bit more reflective.”

-Downbeat (2017)

“The ensemble’s rhythm crystalizes into focus showing the full potential of what they all can do as a unit…The performances throughout The Victorious Sessions are top-notch, in that one must admire the craftsmanship and detail in the architecture.” Three and 1/2 Stars

-Downbeat (2023)

“…crafting exhilarating, heartfelt pieces, [the group] exuberantly explores life’s triumphs, tragedies, natural quirkiness and odd angles, fusing elements of rock, jazz, classical and touches of hypnotic world music.”

-JWVibe.com

“A “jazz adjacent” sound that allows for countless creative possibilities.”
-The New Cool KNKX

“a nice balance between [ ] song structure, and the desire of the ensemble to roam free and explore...people will, in fact, find plenty to like.”
-Bird is the Worm

“sumptuously detailed instrumental arrangements. Reverent but unintimidated, their sound is a seamless blend of chamber jazz, rock and instrumental pop.”
-Mercury News

“Instrumental arrangements that evoke [ ] spirit and vibe”
-San Francisco Chronicle

“open to all possibilities...melodious frameworks for instrumental improvisation within a focused ensemble setting. It’s jazz, it’s chamber music and it often involves the dynamic energy of rock.”
-Shepherd Express

"This set gives [ ] seekers the more they seek. [ ] sounds that you wouldn't think could be found to be so possessive by certain sections of the masses, a whole lot of new jazz fans are going to be minted."
-MidwestRecord.com

“lush ... weaving and soaring … lovely music ... a heartfelt and sensitive tribute... dreamlike art.”
-All About Jazz

"Versatility abounds, and they always look for new ground to explore.”
-The Bay Bridged

“They give hope for the future of creative music.”
-Avonova Music