Custode and Parisi

Custode + PARISI

Custode and Parisi is an American Jazz duet from Western New York, comprising of Lewis Custode on horns (trumpet/cornet/flugelhorn) and vocals and Steven Parisi on piano/keyboards and arrangements. The duet has been performing together for over 25 years.

THE PERFORMING DUO

There is rarely a day that you can’t find Custode and Parisi performing somewhere in the Western New York region for over the past 25 years. Many are drawn to their sophisticated Jazz style, which centers on pre-bop swing, that is rarely performed by other jazz groups in the area—while others are attracted to their musical virtuosity and interpretations of ‘The Great American Song Book,’ jazz classics, and new standards.

For more info, please vist their official site: Custode and Parisi.

Keepin’ OUT OF MISCHIEF

Keepin’ Out of Mischief marks the first studio recording the duo has done in their 25 years of performing together. The songs for the album were selected mainly by Lew and Steve, but producer Ted Sterns had two requirements––the album would only be made if they included their renditions of What A Wonderful World and My Funny Valentine.

“There was one stipulation,” Producer Ted Sterns revealed “to the recording of this album and it’s release on the 13th Street Records label, I told Lew. And that was he must include their version of ‘What a Wonderful World’ and the vocal version of ‘My Funny Valentine’.” Lew and Steve agreed as they both enjoyed performing the two selections.

PRODUCTION

Producer Ted Sterns had schedule two recording sessions in April of 2025, both the Custode and Parisi dates and the Paul MacArthur dates were abruptly cancelled after Sterns’ arrival in town, due to members of the recording studio contracting the flu. The recording session for Custode and Parisi was rescheduled for August of 2025.

Producer Ted Sterns pushed Lew and Steve on getting their best performances. Even though there was some minimal push back on the initial way Sterns wanted it record, the duo realized his approach was going to capture the true essence of how they performed their material live.

Keepin’ Out of Mischief was recorded live in the studio with a maximum of three takes. Several songs could not be completed within the required take limit and were therefore scrapped. To keep the album sounding like you are at one of their live performances, only two songs have overdubbing. The album contains 13 songs comprising of both vocal and instrumental tunes.