NEW RELEASES - GATO BARBIERI, MAURIZIO GRONDONA GROUP, ALYSA HAAS

GATO BARBIERI - FENIX

Argentine Gato Barbieri was one of the most important saxophonists to emerge in the early 1970s. A veteran of several important late 60s avant-garde outfits, he perfected the fusion of adventurous blowing and the rhythms of South America on his second album for Flying Dutchman "Fenix". Early in his career Barbieri worked with trumpeter Don Cherry in the 60s and by the mid-70s, he was recording for A&M Records and moved his music towards soul-jazz and jazz-pop with albums like Caliente! in 1976 and the 1977 follow-up, Ruby Ruby, both produced by fellow musician and label co-founder, Herb Alpert. Fenix is scheduled for release on October 8. Upcoming concerts include: 9/13/13 @ Friday Morning Musicale Theatre (Tampa, FL); 10/18/13 @ Howard Theatre (Washington, DC); and 11/28/13 @ The Blue Note (New York, NY).

MAURIZIO GRONDONA GROUP - THE NIGHT VIBE

Refined, soulful, captivating.....these are just some of the words fans use to describe the inspired contemporary jazz of The Maurizio Grondona Group. Making their debut on the Italian scene in 1987 with 'On My Road', the group is led by singer, guitarist and composer Maurizio Grondona, a native of Bari (southern Italy on the Adriatic coast). Influenced by numerous American jazz greats including Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny and Al Jarreau, Maurizio also counts among his mentors hip-hop/soul acts such as Grammy winners, The Roots (Jimmy Fallon's House Band) and the late renowned producer, J Dilla (De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and Erykah Badu). The result of such a diverse musical education is cosmopolitan American jazz with a decidedly Mediterranean flavor. ~ cduniverse

ALYSA HAAS - SPASM

Alysa Haas, an emerging performer and recording artist, exhibits a true musicality and interweaves a story through each of her songs. Her band comprising of notable recording musicians in their own right include, her arrangers: pianists Jeffrey Klitz and Tedd Firth, and bassist Paul Beaudry. Filling out the band - drummer, Tony Jefferson & guitarist, Bernd Schoenhart. The music numbers are produced by Jeffrey Klitz (Broadway Production, Priscilla Queen of the Desert). The CD is filled with love songs from the Great American Songbook, Broadway, and pop tunes by Bob Dylan, Rob Thomas, and Lennon & McCartney. "...a seduction...a talent for fresh interpretations of standards. Rodgers and Hammerstein's "People Will Say We're in Love" was given a light and humorous delivery, while the Bernstein, Comden and Green, "I Can Cook, Too" was offered up in a surprisingly restrained, understated style..." (Bart Greenberg, NiteLife Exchange). ~ cduniverse