JAY STEWART - ENJOY THE RIDE

Jay Stewart started playing guitar at age six, listened to his dad’s George Jones and Merle Haggard records, played in church and along the way amassed a wide array of rock, blues and jazz influences, including B.B. King, Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, George Benson and Larry Carlton. Yet he credits a lesser known guitarist, local fingerstyle legend Buddy Owens, for opening up a world of even deeper possibilities. Stewart’s subsequent study of fingerstyle greats Pete Huttlinger, Doyle Dykes and Chet Atkins led to this becoming as much a part of his stylistic repertoire as electric rock/blues.

Perhaps it’s no surprise now that Superior Court Judge Jay Stewart is finally stepping out, breaking all sorts of molds and taking center stage with his array of electric and acoustic guitars. Growing up in rural Southern Georgia, the Savannah area native was always the hippest kid in town, “the only white kid in Claxton copping licks from the Ohio Players.” After years of dreaming about it, he’s inviting fans of the pop, rock, blues and jazz he grew up with to enter the courtroom after hours, sit back and Enjoy The Ride—the name of his highly anticipated full length debut

Stewart, who was elected Judge of Superior Court of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit in 2006, has no trouble drawing parallels between his two worlds: “In both arenas, I go about my work in a professional manner and avoid bad notes—and bad decisions!” Upon receiving his Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, he launched a private general practice in Claxton; his areas of concentration included criminal defense, personal injury and divorce/family law. From January 2000 through May of 2001, Judge Stewart was an assistant district attorney in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit where he prosecuted felony crimes. For the next five years, he was a partner in the law firm of Brown, Rountree & Stewart, P.C. in Statesboro.

“Other lawyers and judges I know play golf and hunt when they’re off the clock, but for me, the guitar was my escape, and I have played over the years any chance I got,” says Stewart. “People who know both sides of me ask why I didn’t pursue a career as a musician. Actually, I did! My dream in high school was to jump on a tour bus. I even thought about attending the Guitar Institute in Los Angeles before accepting a baseball scholarship. After my freshman year at South Georgia College, I joined a band that was based in Raleigh, North Carolina. I returned to college after a few months on the road, but later when I was at Mercer University attending law school, I made more playing guitar on weekends than I would have clerking at a law firm.

“Being in the studio making Enjoy The Ride brought back a lot of those fond memories,” he adds. “I appreciate how personable all these great musicians were to me and the way they treated me like one of the guys. The songs are geared towards bringing all of my influences together and letting my bluesy, jazzy voice be heard through my guitar. I’m also told I play with a little bit of a drawl, just the way I talk. So the Southern rock influence definitely shines through.”

For most of the ride, though, Stewart jams with a batch of the coolest session cats around, led by Grammy winning producer and Emmy nominated composer Jason Miles—whose deep history includes recordings with Luther Vandross, Miles Davis, Sting and his own world jazz fusion band Global Noize. Miles is also responsible for bringing to life musical retrospectives to musical icons Marvin Gaye (What’s Going On: Songs of Marvin Gaye); Grover Washington, Jr. ( To Grover With Love); and Miles Davis (Miles To Miles).

The basic tracks of Enjoy The Ride were recorded live in a single day—with one or two takes for each tune at Bennett Studios in Englewood, New Jersey with Stewart being joined by Miles, bassist Neil Jason (Cyndi Lauper, Paul McCartney, John Lennon) and drummer Brian Dunne (Hall & Oates, Chuck Loeb). Lead and acoustic guitar tracks were recorded at Frank Farr Productions in Statesboro, Georgia.

Also in the mix are famed saxophonist and recording artist David Mann; popular contemporary jazz trumpeter Cindy Bradley, who adds harmony lines behind Stewart’s lead electric melody on the old school funk rocker “Living The Life” and infuses a soaring solo on the revved up jazz blues jam “Blowing Smoke”; conguero Jimmy Bralower; and Barry Danielan, who played trumpet and did horn arrangements on “Blues For The Road,” a high energy spin on Mother Earth’s 1971 hit featuring Josh Dion’s soulful lead vocals and one of Stewart’s trademark blistering solos. Mike Mattison, frontman for the Grammy winning Derek Trucks Band, sings lead on the easy grooving blues rocker “Can’t Fight Love”—which features Miles on the Hammond B-3.

Stewart’s strengths as a multi-faceted composer are showcased on the five tracks that he wrote or co-wrote. In addition to “Just For You,” he co-penned “Living The Life” with Miles and wrote the easy rolling, R&B and rock influenced title track with his longtime friend Shane Baldwin. The diversity of his artistry comes across on two songs he wrote himself--the hypnotic and whimsical acoustic ballad “Soothe My Soul” (which may remind listeners of jazz duo Acoustic Alchemy) and the explosive “Blowing Smoke.” Other highlights include the Miles compositions “The Light At The End of the Tunnel” (an easy swaying, horn spiced track that recalls the cool of Steely Dan) and “4 Tee and Dupree,” a jazz/funk tribute to the chemistry of the late masterful musicians Richard Tee and Cornell Dupree, with Stewart weaving his crisp lines between Miles’ piano and B-3 magic. Enjoy The Ride also includes an intense rock/soul free for all cover of “I’m A Man,” an early track by the band Chicago which was co-written by Steve Winwood.

Jay Stewart – Enjoy The Ride Tracks:

1. Living The Life [4:10]

2. The Light At The End Of The Tunnel [3:57]

3. Can't Fight Love [4:04]

4. I'm A Man [4:03]

5. Enjoy The Ride [4:06]

6. 4 Tee And Dupree [4:21]

7. Soothe My Soul [3:11]

8. Blowing Smoke [3:44]

9. Blues For The Road [4:33]

10. Just For You [3:12]


Musicians:
Jay Stewart, Electric & Acoustic Guitars
Jason Miles, Electric Piano & Hammond B3, Percussion Programming
Neil Jason, Bass
Brian Dunne, Drums
Barry Danielain, Trumpet & Horn Arrangement (Track 9)
David Mann, Saxophone
Cindy Bradley, Trumpet (Track 1, 8)
Jimmy Bralower, Congas (Track 5)
Josh Dion, Vocals (Track 9)
Mike Mattison, Vocals (Track 3)

NEW RELEASES: MICHAEL BUBLE – NOBODY BUT ME; ALEXANDER STEWART – I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU; EDDIE LEVERT – DID I MAKE YOU GO OOH

MICHAEL BUBLE – NOBODY BUT ME

Nobody But Me is the multi-Grammy, multi-platinum award winning singer’s 9th studio album.  It follows the critically acclaimed To Be Loved album. This exciting collection of original pop tunes and beautiful standards highlight Buble’s talent as a profound interpreter of the American songbook as well as his gifted songwriting and producing style. Nobody But Me was recorded in Los Angeles and Vancouver and includes three new Buble’ penned originals along with breathtaking reinventions of classics including “My Baby Just Cares For Me”, “The Very Thought of You”, Brian Wilson’s “God Only Knows” and the Johnny Mercer classic “I Wanna Be Around”.  Guest artists on the album are Megan Trainor and Black Thought (of The Roots).  The new album is co-produced by Buble along with Johan Carlsson for MXM Productions, Alan Chang, Jason “Spicy G” Goldman, The Monsters and Strangerz.  The first single, is the title track “Nobody But Me”.  The deluxe version includes three additional tracks and a limited edition lenticular artwork print. Full tracklisting: I Believe in You; My Kind of Girl; Nobody But Me; On an Evening in Roma (Sotter Celo de Roma); Today Is Yesterday's Tomorrow; The Very Thought of You; I Wanna Be Around; Someday (feat. Meghan Trainor); My Baby Just Cares for Me; This Love of Mine; Nobody But Me (Alternate w/Trumpet Version); Take You Away; and God Only Knows.

ALEXANDER STEWART – I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU

Vocalist Alexander Stewart returns with an orchestral, cinematic album, that dusts off the constraints of nostalgia, leaping forward into the contemporary and places the twenty-something Mancunian back in the UK music spotlight. Labelled as "one of the most precociously talented vocalists of his generation", Stewart's acknowledgement of both standards and popular music is greatly referenced in his choice of material, both in his live and recorded work and no more so than in this upcoming release. The 12-track album includes new takes on timeless songs, ranging from Jackie Wilson (The Sweetest Feeling) to Dusty Springfield (The Look Of Love), and from up-tempo interpretation on Etta James (I Just Want To Make Love to you), to the opening track, a sweeping orchestral mambo through a Stevie Wonder favorite (Part Time Lover). Blending with these cornerstones in popular musical legacy, are four original compositions by Stewart, (including a co-write with long time collaborator, Alex Webb) showcasing a huge development of Alexander, as both artist and now songwriter. Add to all this, a total reimagining of a Sinatra classic as the albums centerpiece (brought forward to the 21st century with a bold, new, orchestral score), 'I Thought About You' is a richly textured, contemporary record, with a modern, emotive approach to songs you know and love, delivered with conviction by Stewart.

EDDIE LEVERT – DID I MAKE YOU GO OOH

As the lead singer of preeminent Philly soul group the O'Jays, Eddie Levert has handled emotion-soaked ballads, sweat-inducing dance numbers, and thought provoking message songs for over 50 years. Not many artists can be considered icons but Eddie Levert certainly fits that mold. Blakbyrd Entertainment presents the legend, Eddie Levert, who's back with the classic sound that only he can deliver, with Did I Make You Go Ooh. Edward Willis Eddie Levert is an American singer songwriter and actor. Levert is best known as the lead vocalist of the R&B/Soul vocal group, The O'Jays. Levert was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but was raised in Canton, Ohio. While attending high school, he met buddies Walter Williams, Bill Isles, Bobby Massey, and William Powell. They were motivated to sing after seeing a performance from Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers. They formed in 1958. The O'Jays were originally known as The Triumphs and The Mascots. They were officially known as The O'Jays after they got their name from DJ Eddie O'Jay.

Their first big hit was Lonely Drifter in 1963 which was lifted off their debut album Comin Through. The O'Jays are mainly known by their hits Back Stabbers,Love Train and For the Love of Money. Levert starred and performed in the movie (The Fighting Temptations) and performed the song He Still Loves Me in 2003. Levert and his group members received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009.

50th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2007) — Nominations for the 50th Annual GRAMMY® Awards were announced today by The Recording Academy® reflecting one of the most diverse years ever with the Album Of The Year category alone representing the country, hip-hop, jazz, pop and rock genres. The press event was held at The Music Box @ Fonda in Hollywood and was attended by national and international media, as well as key music industry executives. Artists reading nominations this morning included Akon, Chester Bennington (of Linkin Park), Fergie, Vince Gill, Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Jam, Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), George Lopez, Mike Shinoda (of Linkin Park) and Taylor Swift. The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 10, 2008, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Kanye West tops the nominations with eight, Amy Winehouse garners six, and the Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and T-Pain each earn five nods. Akon, Dierks Bentley, Chris Daughtry, Feist, Tim McGraw, John Newton, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, and Bruce Springsteen receive four each.

"This year's nominations truly reflect a diverse and talented community of artists and creators who represent some of the most exceptional music of the year," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "The GRAMMY Awards process once again has yielded a comprehensive group of excellent nominees and coupled with the fact that it's our milestone 50th year, this year's telecast promises music fans a spectacular show filled with stellar performances and unique 'GRAMMY Moments' for which Music's Biggest Night™ has come to be renowned."

Following is a sampling of nominations in 110 categories from the GRAMMY Awards' 31 Fields:

GENERAL FIELD
Nominees for Album Of The Year are:
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace — Foo Fighters
These Days — Vince Gill
River: The Joni Letters — Herbie Hancock
Graduation — Kanye West
Back To Black — Amy Winehouse

Nominees for Record Of The Year are:
"Irreplaceable" — Beyoncé
"The Pretender" — Foo Fighters
"Umbrella" — Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z
"What Goes Around…Comes Around" — Justin Timberlake
"Rehab" — Amy Winehouse

Best New Artist nominees are:
Feist
Ledisi
Paramore
Taylor Swift
Amy Winehouse

Song Of The Year nominees include:
"Before He Cheats" — John Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
"Hey There Delilah" — Tom Higgenson, songwriter (Plain White T's)
"Like A Star" — Corinne Bailey Rae, songwriter (Corinne Bailey Rae)
"Rehab" — Amy Winehouse, songwriter (Amy Winehouse)
"Umbrella" — Shawn Carter, Kuk Harrell, Terius "Dream" Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z)

POP FIELD
Nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album go to:
Lost Highway — Bon Jovi
The Reminder — Feist
It Won't Be Soon Before Long — Maroon 5
Memory Almost Full — Paul McCartney
Back To Black — Amy Winehouse

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals nods go to:
"Steppin' Out" — Tony Bennett & Christina Aguilera
"Beautiful Liar" — Beyoncé & Shakira
"Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" — Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
"The Sweet Escape" — Gwen Stefani & Akon
"Give It To Me" — Timbaland Featuring Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake

Best Pop Instrumental Performance nominees are:
"Off The Grid" — Beastie Boys
"Paris Sunrise #7" — Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
"Over The Rainbow" — Dave Koz
"One Week Last Summer" — Joni Mitchell
"Simple Pleasures" — Spyro Gyra

DANCE FIELD
For Best Dance Recording, the nominees are:
"Do It Again" — The Chemical Brothers
"D.A.N.C.E." — Justice
"Love Today" — Mika
"Don't Stop The Music" —Rihanna
"Love Stoned/I Think She Knows" — Justin Timberlake

ROCK FIELD
Nominations for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance go to:
"Timebomb" — Beck
"Only Mama Knows" — Paul McCartney
"Our Country" — John Mellencamp
"Radio Nowhere" — Bruce Springsteen
"Come On" — Lucinda Williams

Best Rock Album nominees are:
Daughtry — Daughtry
Revival — John Fogerty
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace — Foo Fighters
Magic — Bruce Springsteen
Sky Blue Sky — Wilco

Nods for Best Rock Song go to:
"Come On" — Lucinda Williams, songwriter (Lucinda Williams)
"Icky Thump" — Jack White, songwriter (The White Stripes)
"It's Not Over" — Chris Daughtry, Gregg Wattenberg, Mark Wilkerson & Brett Young, songwriters (Daughtry)
"The Pretender" — Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel & Chris Shiflett, songwriters (Foo Fighters)
"Radio Nowhere" — Bruce Springsteen, songwriters (Bruce Springsteen)

R&B FIELD
Nominees for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals are:
"Same Girl" — R. Kelly Featuring Usher
"Disrespectful" — Chaka Khan Featuring Mary J. Blige
"Hate That I Love You" — Rihanna Featuring Ne-Yo
"Baby" — Angie Stone Featuring Betty Wright
"Bartender" — T-Pain Featuring Akon

For Best Contemporary R&B album, the nominees are:
Konvicted — Akon
Just Like You — Keyshia Cole
Fantasia — Fantasia
East Side Story — Emily King
Because Of You — Ne-Yo

Best Urban/Alternative Performance nods go to:
"Make A Baby" — Vikter Duplaix
"That's The Way Of The World" — Dwele
"Daydreamin'" — Lupe Fiasco Featuring Jill Scott
"Fantasy" — Meshell Ndegeocello
"Dream" — Alice Smith

RAP FIELD
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration nods go to:
"I Wanna Love You" — Akon Featuring Snoop Dogg
"Kiss, Kiss" — Chris Brown & T-Pain
"Let It Go" — Keyshia Cole Featuring Missy Elliott & Lil' Kim
"Umbrella" — Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z
"Good Life" — Kanye West Featuring T-Pain

Nominees for Best Rap Song are:
"Ayo Technology" — N. Hills, Curtis Jackson, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (50 Cent Featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland)
"Big Things Poppin' (Do It)" — Clifford Harris & Byron Thomas, songwriters (T.I.)
"Can't Tell Me Nothing" — A. Davis & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West)
"Crank That (Soulja Boy)" — Soulja Boy Tell'Em, songwriter (Soulja Boy Tell'Em)
"Good Life" — A. Davis, F. Najm & K. West, songwriters (Kanye West Featuring T-Pain)

For Best Rap Album, the nominees are:
Finding Forever — Common
Kingdom Come — Jay-Z
Hip Hop Is Dead — Nas
T.I. vs T.I.P. — T.I.
Graduation — Kanye West

COUNTRY FIELD
Nods for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals go to:
"Days Aren't Long Enough" — Steve Earle & Allison Moorer
"Because Of You" — Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson
"I Need You" — Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
"Lost Highway" — Willie Nelson & Ray Price
"Oh Love" — Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood

For Best Country Song, the nominees are:
"Before He Cheats" — Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
"Give It Away" — Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon & Jamey Johnson, songwriters (George Strait)
"I Need You" — Tony Lane & David Lee, songwriters (Tim McGraw & Faith Hill)
"If You're Reading This" — Tim McGraw, Brad Warren & Brett Warren, songwriters (Tim McGraw)
"Long Trip Alone" — Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley & Steve Bogard, songwriters (Dierks Bentley)

Nominations for Best Country Album are:
Long Trip Alone — Dierks Bentley
These Days — Vince Gill
Let It Go — Tim McGraw
5th Gear — Brad Paisley
It Just Comes Natural — George Strait

JAZZ FIELD
For Best Contemporary Jazz Album, the nominees are:
Party Hats — Will Bernard
Downright Upright — Brian Bromberg
Re-Imagination — Eldar
River: The Joni Letters — Herbie Hancock
He Had A Hat — Jeff Lorber

Nods for Best Jazz Vocal Album go to:
Avant Gershwin — Patti Austin
Red Earth — A Malian Journey — Dee Dee Bridgewater
Music Maestro Please — Freddy Cole
Nightmoves — Kurt Elling
On The Other Side — Tierney Sutton

This year's Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominations go to: Howard Benson, Joe Chiccarelli, Mike Elizondo, Mark Ronson, and Timbaland

In the newly added Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album category, nominations go to: Le Cowboy Creole (Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie), King Cake (Lisa Haley), Live: Á La Blue Moon (Lost Bayou Ramblers), Blues De Musicien (Pine Leaf Boys), Racines (Racines), The La Louisianne Sessions (Roddie Romero And The Hub City All-Stars), and Live! Worldwide (Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience).

In the Latin Field, Best Latin Rock, Alternative Or Urban Album has now been split into two categories. Nominations for Best Latin Rock Or Alternative Album are: No Hay Espacio (Black:Guayaba), Adelantando (Jarabe De Palo), Amantes Sunt Amentes (Panda), Kamikaze (Rabanes), Memo Rex Commander Y El Corazón Atómico De La Via Láctea (Zoé). For Best Latin Urban Album, nods go to: E.S.L. (Akwid), El Abayarde Contra-Ataca (Tego Calderón), Residente O Visitante (Calle 13), El Cartel: The Big Boss (Daddy Yankee), and Vacaneria! (Fulanito).

GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 12 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 9, 2008, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.

The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Walter C. Miller is producer/director, Tisha Fein is the coordinating producer, and Tzvi Small is supervising producer.

92Y Jazz In July Festival Announces 2015 Program

92nd Street Y announces the 31st Annual 92Y Jazz in July Festival, curated by Bill Charlap, who begins his second decade as artistic director of the time-honored annual Festival. Jazz in July runs from Tuesday, July 21 through Thursday, July 30, bringing together some of the world's finest jazz players for specially designed performances. Programming for this year's festival features a highly anticipated return visit from vocalist Ernie Andrews in a program entitled Duke Ellington: Drop Me Off In Harlem. The Broadway themed program Jazz & Sondheim, Side By Side, will showcase vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway and saxophonist Steve Wilson in performance with Grammy® Award-nominated drummer/composer, Matt Wilson.

One of the world's premier jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed and recorded with many of the leading jazz artists of our time. With his longtime trio of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, he has released seven highly-acclaimed albums for the Blue Note label, including the GRAMMY® Award-nominated albums The Bill Charlap Trio - Live at the Village Vanguard and Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein. In 2010, Charlap released Double Portrait, a collaboration with his wife, the celebrated jazz pianist Renee Rosnes, recorded at 92nd Street Y. He has also released two CDs with his mother, the renowned Sandy Stewart: Love Is Here to Stay and Something to Remember.

Charlap curates 92Y Jazz in July in collaboration with Hanna Arie-Gaifman, Director of 92Y Tisch Center for the Arts, which produces 92Y's concert series, including Jazz in July.

92Y Jazz In July 2015 Schedule:

Tue, Jul 21, 8 pm

BILL & DICK's ALL STAR JAZZ PARTY

Two generations of jazz - piano titan Dick Hyman and heir to the throne Bill Charlap, plus clarinet superstar Anat Cohen - blaze through American Songbook classics and swing standards.

Bill Charlap's New York Trio: Bill Charlap, piano / Jay Leonhart, bass / Bill Stewart, drums

Dick Hyman Trio: Dick Hyman, piano / Howard Alden, guitar / Jay Leonhart, bass / with special guest Anat Cohen, clarinet

Wed, Jul 22, 8 pm

DUKE ELLINGTON: DROP ME OFF IN HARLEM

"It Don't Mean a Thing," "Prelude to a Kiss," and "Sophisticated Lady" - Edward Kennedy Ellington was American music royalty. Now another member of the jazz aristocracy, legendary vocalist Ernie Andrews, makes a rare New York appearance to put his stamp on these timeless tunes. The soulful sounds of Houston Person's tenor sax, plus vibes virtuoso Steve Nelson make it jazz heaven.

Ernie Andrews, vocals / Bill Charlap, piano / Renee Rosnes, piano / Houston Person, tenor saxophone / Jeremy Pelt, trumpet / Steve Nelson, vibes / Peter Washington, bass / Kenny Washington, drums

Thu, Jul 23, 8 pm

THE PIANO MEN: FROM JELLY ROLL TO OSCAR

Jelly Roll Morton claimed he "invented" jazz. True? Well, he and other keyboard giants-from ragtime pioneer Scott Joplin to swinging virtuoso Oscar Peterson-enriched the form like nobody else. Hear their syncopated stylings come alive in the lightning hands of modern-day piano greats Bill Charlap, Marcus Roberts and Jeb Patton.

Bill Charlap, piano / Marcus Roberts, piano / Jeb Patton, piano / Todd Coolman, bass / Willie Jones III, drums

Tue, Jul 28, 8 pm

SWING A SONG OF SINATRA

No one sang like Sinatra, and no one sings Sinatra like Kurt Elling. Celebrate Ol' Blue Eyes' centenary with this superstar Grammy® Award-winning vocalist - and a band that boasts Benny Goodman veteran Warren Vaché on cornet.

Kurt Elling, vocals / Bill Charlap, piano / Harry Allen, tenor saxophone / Warren Vaché, cornet /

Peter Washington, bass / Kenny Washington, drums

Wed, Jul 29, 8 pm

JAZZ & SONDHEIM, SIDE BY SIDE

Piano duo Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes' offer up stunning jazz treatments of Sondheim's masterpieces from groundbreaking shows like Company, Follies and Sweeney Todd. This is a night for both theater and jazz fans, with the dynamic voice of Ann Hampton Callaway and a soaring string ensemble to bring out the beauty of Broadway's best.

Bill Charlap, piano / Ann Hampton Callaway, vocals / Steve Wilson, alto & soprano saxophone / Renee Rosnes, piano / Sean Smith, bass / Matt Wilson, drums / String Ensemble TBA

Thu, Jul 30, 8 pm

BENNY, BASIE & BUCKY!

Guitar icon Bucky Pizzarelli, clarinet marvel Ken Peplowski and ace drummer Dennis Mackrel are the living personification of the swinging legacies of Count Basie and Benny Goodman. The stars come out to finish the festival with a big bang.

Bill Charlap, piano / Sandy Stewart, vocals / Ken Peplowski, clarinet / Randy Sandke, trumpet / Joe Locke, vibes Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar / Jay Leonhart, bass / Dennis Mackrel, drums

ABOUT JAZZ IN JULY

This annual summer jazz festival, directed by pianist Bill Charlap, brings together some of the world's best jazz musicians for once-in-a-lifetime performances at 92nd Street Y. Recent Festival shows have explored be-bop and Latin jazz; celebrated jazz legend Jimmy Heath and former artistic director Dick Hyman; and sampled the work of great composers, from Cole Porter to Thelonious Monk. Recent line-ups have featured jazz greats Ray Bryant, Barry Harris, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, Trio Da Paz, and Frank Wess.

New Music From: Marie Mørck, Hyson Green, Louis Stewart, Maelan Abran

Marie Mørck - Songs To Comfort

The 2nd album from Danish jazz singer Marie Mørck was released this Friday, 24 March, and the title has already been added to a handful of Spotify playlists, including Spotify editorial playlists "Cozy Jazz" and "Relaxing Vocal Jazz". The two first singles from the album have been in A-rotation on national Danish radio P8 Jazz. Danish upcoming jazz singer Marie Mørck attracted lots of attention on her debut album from 2019. She had lots of airplay on Danish national radio and was nominated for "Best Vocal Jazz Release" at the Danish Music Awards in 2020. During 2019, she toured with her band in China, France and Scandinavia until the pandemic lockdown. In late April, she will perform a live showcase at the big European jazz fair - jazzahead! - as one of three selected jazz artists by the Danish jazz export organisation. "Song to Comfort" shows clearly what a great singer she is. Enjoy this silk smooth voice of hers.. and by the way - she also excels being a natural and playful composer and songwriter. This single was co-written with Marie's boyfriend, Jonathan Strøm. Musicians: Marie Mørck - voc; and Agnes Darelid - Trombone.

Hyson Green - Keep On Dreaming

The follow-up to  the well-received, and much played, The Needle and the Groove (also available on NubMusic Records) Keep On Dreaming continues in the same musical groove as before with songs that hark back to the music of the English and American soul these two love. From Boz Scaggs to Jess Roden, from Delaney and Bonnie to Robert Palmer, from Hall and Oates to Frankie Miller, from Steely Dan to Chic and Chicago house, and so many more.  Their music harks back to a time when songs and music were shaped by experience and the love of good music and of good times. Keep On Dreaming is the sound of today with a twist of London and a hint of California. Think palm trees in the Market Square, sun kissed beaches alongside the Thames and you've got Keep On Dreaming. A contemporary sound for contemporary times...The full digital release of Keep On Dreaming is slated for 21st April 2023.

Louis Stewart - Out On His Own

“Out On His Own” is a fitting title for Louis Stewart as he is perhaps the only Irish jazz musician to attain international front-rank status. This solo record features a mix of lead only and rhythm with lead tracks with a repertoire of Jazz and American Songbook standards, contemporary composers (Chick Corea, Steve Swallow etc.) plus an interpretation of an Irish traditional tune and a self- composed blues. The album was recorded in Bray, just south of Dublin, while Louis was at his peak and alternating between playing with Ronnie Scott’s band in London with the best of visiting musicians, and his frequent trips back to Dublin to play to packed clubs and bars.“Out On His Own” was Livia Record’s first release meeting with excellent press reviews as follows: Sunday Times critic Derek Jewell: “Louis is revealed here as a guitar virtuoso already of considerable maturity. A virtuoso in anyone's language, and … a musician to be spoken of in the same league as Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, or, among contemporary virtuosos, Joe Pass.” Irish Times critic, Ray Comiskey: “a performance of such virtuosity, that very few guitarists of any era could ever hope to match it ...a brilliant combination of melodic inventiveness, harmonic ingenuity, technical virtuosity and sheer joy in playing that seems certain to win for it an outstanding place in the record of Jazz guitar” Ronnie Scott: “Louis is a superbly talented natural musician. In my book he's one of the world's great jazz guitarists”

Maelan Abran - Time is Now

On her stylistically eclectic, highly autobiographical new album Time Is Now, multi-talented Hawaiian vocalist and poetically insightful songwriter Maelan Abran invites us into a unique, sonically dynamic world. She balances exquisite and vulnerable romantic expressions with edgy social consciousness, an impactful feeling of pop/soul/jazz fired hope and thoughtful, heart wrenching and motivating imagery reflecting on her roots growing up on the Big Island. Adding to the epic, sometimes dreamy and atmospheric, other times, swinging and funky vibe is a beautiful piano and orchestra interlude that serves as a sweeping break between the collection’s powerful dramatic narratives. Helping shape the fascinating soundscapes is Abran’s Grammy nominated co-writer and producer Marlin “Hookman” Bonds, best known for his work with pop superstars Jason Derulo, Swizz Beatz, Jay Sean and Chris Brown.   ~ www.smoothjazz.com

001. ANNUAL SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL BREGENZ – LICENSE TO CHILL

Goodbye James – hello Candy. Only a couple of weeks ago the Bregenz Festival Hall was under the motto "Quantum of Solace" – but soon that is going to be: Enjoy a "Quantum of smooth jazz"...

Neusäß, 09.06.2008: While hot action scenes have rounded off the shooting programme for "Quantum of Solace" – the 22nd episode of the famous "My name is Bond"– special agen – saga - on the roof of the Bregenz Festival Hall, preparations for the just as promising 1st episode of a festival are in full swing: the 1st Annual Smooth Jazz Festival which is taking place here (in Bregenz, Austria) on the 29th and 30th of August. Not only does the smooth entertainment GmbH, Neusäß, provide the suitable background music for a shaken vodka martini with this event, but it also stages yet another world premiere in the studio theatre in Bregenz – and this mission is everything but secret. On the contrary: we are more than pleased to share all the news...

First Mission: What is Smooth Jazz?
The term "Smooth Jazz" is not one commonly used in this part of the world, so let’s start with a short definition: first: Smooth Jazz is not Jazz – or not only, at least. Secondly: Smooth Jazz is no muzak*!! But: Smooth Jazz is – a touch of Soul, a touch of RnB (not too much), a touch of Jazz, too. While wikipedia.de claims that Smooth Jazz is a variety of Jazz, we claim: Smooth Jazz is the play list of the "Cafe del Mar" – CDs. It is emotion. An attitude towards life which finds no echo in the mainstream–scores of the charts. It is chill-out music at its finest, but definitely with a light savoir-vivre- and laissez-faire-feeling at its heart. In the U.S and in Dubai the fans of this floating sound number millions already, prominent artists are e.g. Candy Dulfer, Sade, Carlos Santana, Simply Red, Nora Jones, Sting, but also the German band De Phazz with singer Pat Appleton.

Second Mission: Why Bregenz?
Smooth Jazz is casually cultivated lifestyle, paired with a dose of coolness, cultivated indulgence and culture – an ambience completely in line with the Bregenz Festival Hall. On the one hand a touch of "Casino Royale", on the other a breeze of beach-feeling à la "Cafe del Mar". Concerts with well-known artists will take place on both nights. The location: the studio theatre, the "rough diamond for events" of the Bregenz Festival Hall, set up as a multifunctional "Black Box" which will transform into a chilled-out party lounge on the occasion of the 1st Annual Smooth Jazz Festival. Moreover an outdoor lounge will be open to all – not only festival guests – from the afternoon.

Third Mission: Which Acts?
The Festival line-up sparkles with highlights: On the first night the Italian band Gabin will hit the stage with groovy beats. Then the American guitarist Chieli Minucci, who has already performed with artists like Jennifer Lopez and Anastacia, the saxophonist Marion Meadows, from the U.S. as well, and the Swiss-born pianist Alex Bugnon will take you away into the world of Smooth Jazz. De Phazz from Heidelberg is the closing climax of the first-night live acts, and will put the audience in the mood for the following after-show-party with elements of Dub, Jazz, Soul, Trip-Hop, Latin, Drum`n`Bass and Ambient; we have of course booked well-known clubbing-scene djs for both party nights.

The second night will be opened by De Phazz singer Pat Appleton with her own band, then big names in the world of Smooth Jazz, Peter White, Jaared and Candy Dulfer, follow onto the stage. The saxophonist from the Netherlands has already performed with international stars like Prince, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin and Pink Floyd and will put the heat on the audience for the following after-show-party. On this weekend a visit to Bregenz will even be doubly rewarding: on both days of the Festival the Bregenz town fair takes place during daytime, which each year attracts 120,000 guests to a visit at the lake promenade.

Other performers also appearing include Praful & Sound System, Adani & Wolf, and Rocco Ventrella.

The Performers...

GABIN
The duo Gabin is not from France, as the name might suggest, no, they call Italy their home. The faces behind the pseudonym are the musicians Massimo Bottini and Filippo Clary, whose approaches to music come from two different perspectives. While Clary works in Rome as a renowned dj and rocks the city’s nightlife there, Bottini is up to his tricks as a Jazz-bassist and can adorn himself with collaborations with such well-known Jazz personalities as Billy Cobham or John Scofield. Their own musical vision meets somewhere in the middle. Influences from Jazz and Soul meet Downbeat-sounds and Latin-rhythms. Discreetly used synthetic elements lend this lush music cocktail the necessary drive

CHIELI MINUCCI
The American Jazz-guitarist and composer with Italian roots was born in New York in 1958. His father, Ulpio Minucci, was a successful concert pianist and composer. Cieli himself is probably best known today as head of the Grammy-nominated Jazz-band "Special EFX", with whom he has recorded 23 cds. Moreover, he has worked together with world stars such as Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Jessica Simpson, and Anastacia. From the world of Jazz Marion Meadows, Jay Beckenstein, Gerald Veasley, Lao Tizer, Nestor Torez and Bob Baldwin have cooperated with Minucci, and his compositions for movies and television have earned him several Daytime Emmy Award nominations. He took home the award twice.

MARION MEADOWS
The saxophonist Marion Meadows (soprano-, tenor- and baritone sax) has style – in terms of outfit as well, as he prefers black and with his black dreadlocks, he is surely a favourite with the Jazz-loving ladies. As a musician he sets an example for countless smooth-saxophonists, who all try to follow suit with the casually cool, but still powerfully emotional Meadows sound. By now he has published nine cds and has worked together with a number of well-known artists like Brook Brenton, Eartha Kitt, Phyllis Hyman, Jean Carne, The Temptations, Michael Bolton or Angela Bofill.

ALEX BUGNON
Jazz-pianist and composer Alex Bugnon was born in 1958 in Montreux. His hometown regularly hosts the Montreux Jazz Festival – thus, Bugnon has more or less grown up with Jazz. Before moving to the U.S.A he studied music at the Conservatorium in Paris for two years. He then went to the Berkley School of Music and performed with gospel groups as a sideline. In 1990 he moved to New York, where he played in the background as a session musician with artists like Patti Austin, Freddie Jackson and Keith Sweat. He made it into the charts with his debut album "Love Season" just as with its successor, "Head over Heels"; in the R&B charts he even secured a place among the top 40. All following releases were placed in the R&B charts, too. After not having published an album under his own name for five years, the Jazz branch of Narada records offered him a contract and brought him to the market as a solo Jazz artist. He returned to the Jazz-charts with his album "Alex Bugnon" and further releases followed suit. Alex Bugnon has won two Soul Train Music Awards.

DE PHAZZ
The Heidelberg band De Phazz was founded in 1997 by pit Baumgartner as an open band -project. They got famous, among others, with their radio hit "The Mambo Craze" from their second album "Godsdog". The name "De Phazz" is derived from destination f(ph)uture jazz. The music, which might be familiar from a couple of TV commercials, is very varied and includes elements from Dub, Jazz, Soul, Trip-Hop, Latin, Drum`n`Base, Ambient and R&B, but also elements of Turntablism are woven into their music. The band itself developed more and more into a Live-Act and appears mainly in clubs and on open airs; the music is often accentuated by light and colour displays, projections and dances. The formation of the band itself keeps changing, too – its members include or have included musicians like Karl Frierson (vocals), Oli Rubow (drums), Susanne Horn (vocals), Pat Appleton (vocals), Roy Randolph (percussion, vocals) or Frank Spaniol (saxophone).

PAT APPLETON
Pat Appleton, daughter of a German mother and a Liberian father has found her way into music business during her time as a student of political sciences, when she took on a job as a singer in a party- and dance combo. She soon realised that being an ambassador for music suited her far better than lending her voice to politics, as originally planned. She therefore chucked her father’s dream of becoming President of Liberia and completed a vocal training. After a diversity of engagements as a lead- or background interpreter for numerous Pop- and Jazz bands as well as excursions into advertising and film soundtracks, she joined the Heidelberg sound-collective De Phazz in 1999, where she is creative as a composer and texter as well. Last but not least she is also a popular guest-singer with Bands like the Jazzkantine of the Nighthawks, with whom she has also written and published songs. As "one of the most important voices of contemporary German Jazz" (3sat) Pat Appleton tours the world with De Phazz today. Last September she presented her first solo album "What’s Next?"

PETER WHITE
An Englishman who accentuates his music with genial charm and musical playfulness. The result: Smooth Jazz with a spiritedness which many others in this genre lack. Born in Luton in 1954, White devoted himself to music already as a child. His father encouraged him to learn many instruments – the recorder, the clarinet, cornet, the trombone, violin, mouth organ, the piano – but his father’s instruments were not his – his was the guitar. But here his father could not help him. Therefore he helped himself, experimented with a few simple chords and imitated melodies from the radio. Like many musicians, White was strongly influenced by the Beatles and the guitar-driven Beat sound of the sixties. After his first electric guitar, which he had bought as a teenager, had burnt in a fire, however, he had to make do with an acoustic guitar. He made the best of it: White discovered his love for acoustic music. Shortly after he had left school at 18 he got an engagement in a hotel resort in the South of England, where he played over the summer. After that he travelled to London and joined a band managed by Miles Copeland (manager of Sting, R.E.M.). It was Copeland who arranged the contact between the 20-year-old White and Al Stewart, with whom he toured England and the US shortly after. He worked with Stewart as a pianist at first, and later also as a guitarist, composer and co-producer. In 1979 Stewart moved to Los Angeles, formed the band Shot in the Dark and a record label called Lobster Music. In 1990 he published his first solo album ("Reveillez-Vous"). The album soon became a favourite with Jazz-djs and Jazz-Radio stations. White has published more successful albums and is known throughout the world today.

JAARED
The alto- and soprano-saxophonist Jaared was born in Washington in 1967. He began playing the saxophone at the age of seven – on the recommendation of a doctor. The reason: he suffered from asthma as a child. To prescribe lessons on a wind instrument with such a diagnosis might sound strange at first, but actually the doctor was aiming at strengthening the lungs. The patient must have taken his medicine obediently, as he is a most well known Jazz-musician today. Jaared stands for neat, casually light Smooth Jazz. A major influence on him was David Sanborn, whose music had left an impression on Jaared even as a teenager; he made a name for himself in the music scene of Washington DC in the 80ies, where he performed with a diversity of artists: Starting with Ju Ju House of the Go-Go-Funk band EU up to Mary Ann Redmond, a highly distinguished Soul-/Rock-singer made along the lines of Tina Turner and Etta James. Even though he took part in a couple of R&B-Gigs, too, when he started recording albums of his own in 2000 the musician decided to concentrate on Smooth Jazz (in a time when he also toured the U.S. side by side with Jazz-guitarist Peter White). His debut album "Forward" was published in 2001, followed by "Hangtime" a year later.

CANDY DULFER
"If I want sax, I call Candy" Megastar Prince once said adoringly – and he is not the only one with whom Candy Dulfer rings a bell – the Dutchwoman has long since made a name for herself internationally as a saxophonist. The daughter of the well-known Jazz saxophonist Hans Dulfer soon knew that she would be treading in her father’s footsteps. Candy starts playing the sax as a six-year-old; at 14 she has a band of her own (Funky Stuff) with whom she works together up to the present day. In 1987 she put the heat on the audience as a supporting act for Madonna, and one year later she should have opened Prince’s shows in the Netherlands. When she received a cancellation at short notice she wrote him a letter of complaint. Which apparently was worth the effort: the man from Minneapolis invited her as a guest onto his stage. Since that day she repeatedly went on tours with him, could and can be heard on many of his albums. In 1990 Candy Dulfer`s first solo album "Saxuality" appeared and was an immediate success. Candy tours almost all of Europe and even performs in the U.S. With rewards: a Grammy Award nomination in the category "Best Pop-Album Instrumental". During the last years Candy Dulfer has worked together with Dave Stewart, Van Morrison, Pink Floyd, Aretha Franklin and Beyoncé. At the end of July 2007 the 10th album of the Dutch artist appeared. On 13 tracks Candy celebrates her maturity as a musician and plays with the most diverse elements form Pop, Soul and Jazz. Elements from Hip Hop and Rap are even more prominent here than in the past.

For more information click to www.smoothjazzfestival.de

NEW RELEASES - MENAHAN STREET BAND, LEE PERRY, THE J.O.B. BLUES STORY

MENAHAN STREET BAND- CROSSING

Sublime work from one of the coolest funky combos around – a group who aren't content to just hit the same funky styles as other outfits – and one who really stretch strongly in their pursuit of new sounds! The set's definitely funky – especially on the drums – but there's also this amazing interplay between the horns, weird sounds from the organ, and cool extra touches on auto harp and ukulele – which gives the music these exotic elements that are simply mindblowing! The set's a stone smoker from the start – instrumental, but in ways that let the Menahan Street Band open up way more than when working with a singer – showing us that they've got some of the freshest ideas in the contemporary funky underground. Titles include "The Crossing", "Sleight Of Hand", "Three Faces", "Keep Coming Back", "Seven Is The Wind", "Driftwood", and "Ivory & Blue". ~ Dusty Groove

LEE PERRY & OTHERS - THE SOUND DOCTOR: LEE PERRY AND THE SUFFERERS' BLACK ARK SINGLES & DUB PLATES 1972 - 1978

A stellar set of surviving 70s Black Ark productions by Lee Perry – with rare and unreleased sides and pivotal if long-buried sides by Junior Byles, U Roy, Delroy Butler, Tinga Stewart, The Upsetters, The Flames, The Ethiopians, Jah T and more – Perry-produced gems for Kingston's cultural rebels and sufferers! The Sound Doctor compilation is really an essential, perfectly-collected batch on Pressure Sounds – the UK label that once again proves to be among the finest and most respectful of Sound Doctor devotees. Among the exceptional rarities are the unreleased "Army Of Love" by Junior Byles, an exclusive dub plate mix of the Upsetters "Horny Train", the raw original mix of U Roy's "006" and many more – stirringly soulful Black Ark singles and dub versions including "Sound Doctor" by Bobby Floyd, "Do Good" by Al Maytone", "Different Experience" by Brother Ray", "Smiling Faces" by Tinga Stewart, "It’s Impossible" by The Ethiopians, "Grandfather Land" by Jah T, "King Of Kings" by Pat Francis, "Be Prepared" by Keith Poppin, "Key Card" by Lee & Jimmy, "Start Over" by The Gatherers and more. ~ Dusty Groove

THE J.O.B. BLUES STORY - VARIOUS ARTISTS

Postwar blues from Chicago – a great double-length collection of rare material from JOB Records – a Windy City imprint that was much smaller than Vee Jay, Chess, and Mercury – and who only ever issued most of this material as 78 rpm singles! The JOB sound is definitely rough and raw – still showing the strong influence of electric guitar's introduction to northern blues, yet putting the music forward with a stripped-down sound that's really timeless – and which often emphasizes piano as much as guitar. No surprise, there's some great keyboardists on the set – working in a really dark-edged style – as you'll hear on the 36 track set of tunes that includes "Evening Sun" by Johnny Shines, "Drinking Woman" by John Brim & His Trio, "My Head Can't Rest Anymore" by Baby Face Leroy Foster, "Down Home Child" by Sunnyland Slim, "Boogy Fool" by Snooky Pryor, "Dark Road" by Floyd Jones, "Five Long Years" by Eddie Boyd, "How Much More" by JB Lenoir, and "Rough Treatment" by Little Hudson & His Red Devil Trio. ~ Dusty Groove

Cult combo CALIBRO 35 announce the new studio album “DECADE” and celebrate 10 years

Italian cinematic funk cult band CALIBRO 35 announce the release of their sixth studio album “DECADE”, which will hit the streets worldwide on February the 9th 2018 on Record Kicks. Today the band unveils the first teaser, taken from the recording sessions at Milano’s Officine Meccaniche, album’s artwork by Solo Macello and tracklist.

“DECADE” marks 10 years of Calibro 35’s releases and it’s the very first album recorded by the band with an orchestral-inspired enlarged line-up that features horns, strings and percussions. Mixed and recorded by CALIBRO’s usual suspect and Grammy Award winner for The Muse Drone album Tommaso Colliva “DECADE” is CALIBRO 35’s “time capsule” and it is as rare and complex as a timeless work.

Active since 2008, CALIBRO 35 enjoys a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent band around. During their ten years career, they have been sampled by Dr. Dre on his Compton album and Jay-Z, they shared stages worldwide with the likes of Roy Ayers, Muse, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sharon Jones, Thundercat, Headhunters and as unique musicians they've collaborated with, amongst others PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish and Stewart Copeland and Nic Cester (Jet).

Described by Rolling Stone magazine's as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that happened to Italy in the last years", Calibro 35 now count on a number of aficionados worldwide which includes VIP’s fans such as Dj Food (Ninja Tune), Mr Scruff and Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin’ Criminals).

Italian cinematic outfit Calibro 35 presents the new album NOUVELLES AVENTURES

Italian cult cinematic combo Calibro 35 are back with their new studio album NOUVELLES AVENTURES, now available on digital platforms via Virgin Music Italy/Record Kicks. For the international market, the album will also be released on a limited edition crystal clear vinyl and out on June 30th. 

After last year’s Scacco Al Maestro, the 2 tribute-albums dedicated to “il maestro” Ennio Morricone, followed by the Calibro 35 plays Morricone tour and the releasing of the ost of TV drama series Blanca, Calibro 35 are back with NOUVELLES AVENTURES, a new studio album of original material. NOUVELLES AVENTURES was recorded in Naples at Auditorium Novecento, the former Phonotype Records, one of the most legendary and fascinating Italian recording studios. The new LP sees the group making full use of their knowledge and resources, refined and enriched over the years, back to making "Calibro's music": a unique mix of funk, progressive rock, alternative jazz and wide-spectrum cinematic music the public has known them for in fifteen years of career.

“After a couple of intense and stimulating years playing Morricone and writing music for the TV drama Blanca”, Calibro 35 recounted, “we had a great desire to make new inspired music. To do so, we left home and we shut ourselves up in the splendid space-time capsule that is the Auditorium Novecento studio. The result is a series of musical voyages in which we concentrated all our artistic and human experiences. As in Verne's imaginary and extraordinary journeys, we explored distant places where we had never been before. We then happened to return to more familiar shores and discover them with new eyes without realizing it. We borrowed the title NOUVELLES AVENTURES from György Ligeti, precisely because after fifteen years of building ourselves, we are ready for new adventures”.

Calibro 35 will play at Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona (Spain) on May 29th, Primavera Sound Festival in Madrid (Spain) on June 6th, OFF Festival in Krakow (Poland) on August 6th and Vodafone Festival in Parades de Coura (Portugal) on August 16th, as well as some shows and festivals around Italy.

Described by Rolling Stone as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that has happened to Italy in the past few years", Milan-based Calibro 35 enjoy a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent bands around. Active since 2007, during their long career they were sampled by Dr. Dre on Compton (“One Shot One Kill” feat. Snoop Dogg), Jay Z (“Picasso Baby”), The Child of Lov & Damon Albarn (“One Day”) and Demigodz (“The Summer Of Sam”). They played major venues and festivals all over Europe and as unique musicians they collaborated with, amongst others, PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish, Stewart Copeland and Rokia Traoré.

Calibro 35: the New Trilogy in Deluxe Edition

Record Kicks presents the reissue of “Traditori di Tutti” (Traitors), “S.P.A.C.E.” and “DECADE”, respectively the legendary fourth, fifth and sixth studio albums by seminal cinematic funk combo Calibro 35 on “coloured” vinyl and in digital “deluxe” edition with bonus tracks. The reissue is part of the second series of trilogies published by Record Kicks about the Milanese band. The first trilogy, which was about the first three albums "Calibro 35", "The Return of" and "Any Resemblance", was released in 2020.

This time, Record Kicks reissues in digital deluxe format with bonus tracks and on "Crystal” vinyl of three different colors three other hard-to-find and in-demand records of the band: "Traditori di Tutti (Traitors)", the "crime-funk" debut on Record Kicks label of 2013, which will be released on all platforms and in record stores on March 4th, 2022, "S.P.A.C.E.", the space adventure of 2015, which will be available from March 25th, and the orchestral “DECADE” of 2018, to be released on April 29th. The digital Deluxe edition includes unreleased tracks and B-sides. Among the unreleased tracks available for the first time, the ones that stand out are "Milan, Michigan", the ultra-funk gem from the session of "Traditori” album and "Omicron Padadox" and "The Haploids", recorded at the legendary Toe Rag Studio in London, made famous by the White Stripes, who recorded the award-winning "Elephant" LP there. Among the B-side bonus tracks, you’ll find the explosive cover of "Get Carter" by Roy Budd, classics of any live set of Calibro 35 such as the funk track "CLBR35", the “punkish” "Gomma" and the exotica "Polymeri (Afro-Utopia Version)", all four previously released on 45 vinyl only.

Active since 2008, CALIBRO 35 enjoy a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent bands around. During their fourteen-year career, they were sampled by Dr. Dre on his “Compton” album, Jay-Z, The Child of lov & Damon Albarn; they shared stages worldwide with the likes of Roy Ayers, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sharon Jones, Thundercat and Headhunters and as unique musicians they collaborated with, amongst others, PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish and Stewart Copeland and Nic Cester (The Jet). Described by Rolling Stone magazine as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that happened to Italy in the last years", Calibro 35 now count on a number of aficionados worldwide including VIP fans such as Dj Food (Ninja Tune), Mr Scruff and Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals) among others.

Their latest studio work is the soundtrack for the Italian television series “Blanca”, which aired on Rai 1 between November and December 2021 and which was met with enormous success from critics and the audience alike. An impressive and choral work by Calibro 35 that, by popular demand, will also be released in double vinyl format next February 18th on Record Kicks.

DECADE, the new album by the Dr.Dre and JayZ-sampled CrimeFunk Cult combo Calibro 35

Preceded by the first single “SuperStudio”, out next 26Jan and already featured on international radios such as KCRW and BBC6, Record Kicks is proud to present “DECADE”, the new album by the Italian CrimeFunk band CALIBRO 35, which will hit the streets worldwide on February the 9th 2018.

“DECADE” marks 10 years of Calibro 35’s releases and it’s the very first album recorded by the band with an orchestral-inspired enlarged line-up that features horns, strings and percussions. Mixed and recorded by CALIBRO’s usual suspect and Grammy Award winner for Muse's "Drone" album Tommaso Colliva, “DECADE” is CALIBRO 35’s “time capsule” and it is as rare and complex as a timeless work.

Musically CALIBRO 35’s inner influences like Ennio Morricone, listen for instance to the epic journey of the album’s end credits “Travelers”, Luis Bacalov and David Axelrod are still there but are now mixed with elements from afrobeat or cosmic jazz. “Psycheground” sounds like Tony Allen involved in writing a score for a vintage Hollywood production while Sun Ra lurks on “Modo”. Everything is mixed up with new influences from modern musical languages. References to Jaga Jazzist, Budos Band or Alternative Jazz and Alternative Hip Hop new acts such as Makaya McCraven, Yussef Kamaal, Oddisee can all be found on the album. In tracks such as “Modulor“ you realize that DECADE is certainly not a point of arrival and expresses the ambition of the band to look further and evolve. All classic Calibro’s vintage instruments such as clavinet, eco, analog synths, fuzz guitars are now supported by new ones such as Dan Bau, Balafon and Waterphone ("Polymeri") in the band’s new wall of sound. Thanks to the enlarged line-up and the orchestrated parts involved, which pushed the band to experiment new methods of composition, Calibro 35 on “DECADE” sound strong, full and tight as never before.

Active since 2008 CALIBRO 35 enjoys a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent band around. During their ten years career, they have been sampled by Dr. Dre on his Compton album and Jay-Z, they shared stages worldwide with the likes of Roy Ayers, Muse, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sharon Jones, Thundercat, Headhunters and as unique musicians they've collaborated with, amongst others PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish and Stewart Copeland and Nic Cester (Jet).

Described by Rolling Stone magazine's as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that happened to Italy in the last years", Calibro 35 now count on a number of aficionados worldwide which includes VIP’s fans such as Dj Food (Ninja Tune), Mr Scruff and Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin’ Criminals).

 

STEVE TYRELL - BACK TO BACHARACH

New Design Records and KOCH Records have announced the release of "Back To Bacharach," a new classic, from Grammy winning singer and songwriter/producer Steve Tyrell. At the age of 19, Steve journeyed from Houston, Texas to New York City to work at pop and soul music giant Scepter Records. Upon arriving at Scepter Records and its adjacent Baby Monica Publishing Company, he immediately found himself surrounded by swiftly developing super teams such as Carole King & Gerry Goffin, Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. But it was with a pair of outside contractors -- songwriting producers Burt Bacharach & Hal David -- that Steve would forge his most personal alliance, an alliance that lasted for nine years and enabled Tyrell to forge his initial mark in the music business.

Through his work with Bacharach & David, Tyrell got to work in motion pictures and at a very young age became one of the first music supervisors responsible for coordinating hit songs with the release of the films they appeared in. Those successes included the gold standard of foreplay songs, "The Look of Love" (recorded for the James Bond spy spoof "Casino Royale" by Dusty Springfield,) the theme for "Alfie" (sung by Cher in the film and by Dionne Warwick at the Academy Awards) as well as the theme from the legendary Jacqueline Susan film "Valley Of The Dolls" (which Tyrell helped make Dionne's first Number 1 Pop Hit record.) The film song that Steve played a major role in was "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" -- the one that earned Bacharach & David the Oscar® for 1969's Best Original Song in a Motion Picture. When looking for an artist to sing the song, Steve called in his friend from Texas, B.J. Thomas who recorded it for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

For music lovers the world over, those songs are indelibly bound to our DNA, haunting strands of melodious memories that bring forth a flood of emotions and associations. For Steve Tyrell, they represent milestones in a distinguished career and the joys and pains of his own personal life. It is because of his close proximity to the songs and their creators that Steve is able to bring something unique to his versions while being fortunate enough to include Dionne Warwick, Herb Alpert and 2008 Grammy Award winner Patti Austin as well as Bacharach himself on the CD to relive the golden moments.

The song that gets the Technicolor treatment on "Back To Bacharach" is Bacharach and David's anthem, "What the World Needs Now is Love," a song Steve believes is "more relevant now than it ever was." Bacharach's piano glues together the whole affair which features superstars Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Martina McBride and Dionne Warwick along with Tyrell. The all-star recording is for a worthy cause -- all proceeds will go to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA) in remembrance of Steve's wife Stephanie (who passed away from Colon Cancer five years ago) and Jay Monahan, the late husband of television journalist Katie Couric. Close friends, Steve Tyrell and Katie Couric have worked together constantly since his wife's death, raising funds to benefit Colon Cancer research and co-hosting an annual benefit in Seattle called "Make The Evening Matter."

Other classics featured on the "Back To Bacharach" album are: "Walk On By," The Look Of Love," Close To You," "A House Is Not A Home," "This Guy's In Love," "One Less Bell To Answer," "Reach Out For Me," "I Say A Little Prayer For You," "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself," "Always Something There To Remind Me," "Don't Make Me Over" and the Oscar winning "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head."

Steve Tyrell's previous six albums have earned him a number of accolades, his first album "A New Standard" had a 90 week run on the Billboard Jazz charts and "Standard Time" and "This Time Of The Year" and "Songs Of Sinatra" were all Top 5 charters. "The Disney Standards," his last album was released in 2006 and achieved Top 10 status on the Billboard Jazz charts.
"Back To Bacharach" will be released on Tyrell's own New Design Records/ KOCH Records on May 27, 2008.

Composer Joshua Green takes a quirky, colorful approach to melding modern jazz and contemporary classical music on Telepathy & Bop

Combining lively modern jazz, contemporary classical richness, cinematic narratives and an offbeat sense of humor, Josh Green & The Cyborg Orchestra offer a skewed but vibrant take on the big band tradition. On their debut album, Telepathy & Bop (due out February 24, 2017), the 16-piece Orchestra draws inspiration from surreal visual art, jazz and classical icons, and an accidental stalking episode briefly intertwining the fates of the bandleader and a certain Today Show host, all of which converge to craft a strikingly unique and off-center sound.

By day, Joshua Green, recently awarded a Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award from ASCAP, plies his trade as Music Supervisor for ITV America, the world's largest unscripted television company. While devising the perfect soundtrack for battling housewives, rampaging bridezillas and scheming chefs comes with its own rewards, Green found himself in need of a creative outlet apart from the voyeuristic pleasures of reality television. Enlisting some of the finest musicians he'd discovered while working on film and TV soundtracks and Broadway musicals, Green assembled a singular ensemble that deviated from the standard big band to incorporate unexpected voices, including accordion, bass clarinet, Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) and strings.

Band members include Charles Pillow (oboe, alto sax, tenor sax), Todd Groves (EWI, flute, alto sax, tenor sax, Eb clarinet, contrabass clarinet), Jay Hassler (Bb clarinet, bass clarinet), Nathan Schram (viola), Nick Revel (viola), Clarice Jenson (cello), the adventurous PUBLIQuartet - Curtis Stewart (violin), Jannina Norpoth (violin), Nick Revel (viola) and Amanda Gookin (cello) - John Lake (trumpet), Chris Misch-Bloxdorf (trombone), Nathan Kochi (accordion), Sungwon Kim (guitar), Michael Verselli (piano), Brian Courage (bass), Josh Bailey (drum set).

The initial stirrings of inspiration for the Cyborg Orchestra, though, date back nearly a decade, to a time when Green had shifted focus from his jazz studies to concentrate on composing contemporary classical music. He was studying at the University of Vienna in early 2007 when the news reached him of jazz great Michael Brecker's untimely death. Distressed at the passing of one of his musical heroes, Green was moved to try his hand at writing a jazz piece inspired by Brecker's legacy.

"I really looked up to Michael Brecker," Green says, "and when I found out he'd died it was a trigger for me to go back to my jazz roots. I wanted to write something that showcased the jazz language, bebop in particular, in a contemporary classical setting. It evolved over a really long time until it became 'Telepathy & Bop.' I had no idea what the piece was going to be until it became what it was, but that was the impetus to create this ensemble." That piece, which gives the album its title, is a constantly surprising three-part suite that refracts the angularity of bebop through an avant-garde classical lens, creating a tumult of acute swerves and clamorous textures.

It was a number of years before Green finally put together the Cyborg Orchestra to bring "Telepathy & Bop" and other pieces to life. In the meantime, he'd worked on films by directors like Martin Scorsese, Peter Jackson and David Cronenberg while writing orchestral arrangements for the New York Pops, Emmy Award-winning television shows and Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals in New York and London. He's carried his gift for scoring narrative ideas into the Cyborg Orchestra, finding the spark for several compositions in visual art and personal stories.

"The Lauer Faceplant" sonically recounts the story of one of Green's awkward brushes with fame (since moving to New York in 2009, he's tallied quite a few, which he's in the process of turning into a suite). Shortly after arriving in the city his not-yet-developed urban compass led him into a face-to-chest collision with Today Show host, journalist and recent Presidential Forum moderator Matt Lauer. Their destinations being in the same direction, Green then proceeded to follow Lauer, giving the bandleader the uneasy sensation of being an inadvertent celebrity stalker.

The composition born from that encounter plays like a clumsy spy-movie soundtrack, capturing the accidental intrigue and only-in-NYC hilarity of the incident. "I hate to take myself too seriously," Green explains. "I'm a very lighthearted person, and while I can get inside my own head a lot when I'm trying to write, the thing that speaks to me the most is that wackiness in life. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in Seinfeld and I see this as a great opportunity to express the fun I get to have in life in a way that's meaningful to me."

Frenetic album opener "Boy & Dog in a Johnnypump," the mysteriously tropical "La Victoire," and Paris-by-way-of-the-circus rag "Soir Bleu" all have their origins in paintings. The first is based on a work by the influential, graffiti-inspired artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, while "La Victoire" is taken from René Magritte's curious image of a cloud floating through an isolated door by a seashore - an image that was through an odd coincidence invoked by a condominium commercial that Green was tasked with scoring. "Soir Bleu" comes from an Edward Hopper scene that finds a smoking clown amidst a group of Parisian diners.

"I always start writing with a narrative in mind when I write," Green explains. "In all of the paintings that have inspired me, there's a narrative that's beyond what's right in front of us."

The same could be said about the photograph of a cobblestone street in Cuba, lined with classic American cars, that inspired "Reverie Engine: The Ambiguous Rhumba." The driving rhythms of Cuban music are hinted at but subdued by a sense of uncertainty in Green's conception. Finally, like "Telepathy & Bop," "Improvisation & Nebula" nods to another of Green's musical influences, Hungarian composer György Ligeti. The piece's stark atmosphere, dark harmonies and spectralism all have their roots in Ligeti's music.

Having realized Green's musical vision on record, the Cyborg Orchestra will take on full-blooded human form for its live debut at National Sawdust on March 2 to celebrate the album's release. Meanwhile, Green is hard at work on a new batch of music for the band while trying to avoid literally bumping into stars on the street. Regardless, it will no doubt combine the accessible with the avant-garde, the zany with the zeitgeist.

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